I highly recommend Eric Paris at Sanlitun for a bit of home hair care. The staff are friendly and speak English quite well. When you walk in and notice that the staff have hair color that doesn't resemble a peroxide bottle disaster, you know you're in the right place. Yes, the price is high, but it's worth it. Some of the things I appreciate: 1- they use hot wax for eyebrows (¥80), 2- they know how to properly mix color to give brunettes that blonde bombshell look minus yellow/orange tint, 3- they don't start at the top of your head and comb straight down...but start at the ends and work up, 4- they blow-dry your hair with a round brush...don't just crazy dry and then try to comb (see 3), 5- they have current English and French fashion magazines to read, 6- the complementary coffee/tea is nice, 7- they use and sell quality hair care products (great for dry, Caucasian hair) but don't try too hard to pimp them to you, 8- if you recommend someone to them, and that person tells them, you get a huge discount the next time you go, and 9- they play the most eclectic (or random, depending on how you look at) selection of background music to be found in Beijing...if you don't like European techno music or Tim McGraw, just stick around another hour and One Republic or Tracy Chapman will come on. (And 10- next to Luga's for a quick Dr. Pepper and guacamole dip break afterwards!)
I only gave them 4 stars, because after the recent Sanlitun renovations, the atmosphere is less warm and comfy, and much more clinical and sterile...wood and cushions have been replaced with metal and glass. Also, when getting a color tint wash (or even just getting color washed out) at the sink, the fumes can be overwhelming since you lay in a glass stall with little ventilation...don't think they thought that one through too well.
Half head highlights and lowlights (foiled) + wash + cut + style + hot wax eyebrow hair removal = ¥1200
A word of caution: my only experience at the Kerry Center (during the renovation) left me with weird bangs...after I told him NOT to cut my length, copper tinting...I looked like a shiny penny, and less money in my pocket...for some reason, it's even more expensive at that one.
If you go, please drop my name as a "recommender"!
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