Blunt Edition — Local services in Waitematā

Need a hairdresser who goes above and beyond? I did, after veering between #1 and shaggy mum-bun over two decades. I needed curing from homemade bad haircuts – and I wanted a lot from a hairdressing experience. French Revolver positions as a hairdresser-cum-design space. It promises a lot, over-delivers on everything – and handled this hairdressing virgin with thought and care.

“Do you own a hairbrush?” Chandra asks. Tasked with cutting my hair, she is figuring out what she is up against – what I want, and will I look after it? This is a legitimate question, looking at me, but she asked with humour and tact. I needed an overhaul. I wanted to look ‘on purpose’ but with no effort. I wanted undercut (inner punk) but sophistication (professional, almost 50). Oh, and to be convinced that my undyed grey is – great. Once she had voiced the hairbrush question I felt she saw the real me, so could really relax.

“People come here and spend money on your colour” says Chandra. She has already massaged the cares out of my head, sorted my looking-in-mirror issues, designed a blended plan of my sketch plus her (much better) ideas. I arrive sceptical and soon trust her utterly.

The whole place is an adventure – parked at the Civic and did some city explore. Climbed the stairs to have my head transported to imaginary New York/Melbourne fusion. Bare industrial space, divided with apparently random but definitely on purpose pieces - this is how I want to look... Yes mirrors, but high ceilings, lots of natural light, plants – and a complementary teapot as you wait and unwind.

In short – French Revolver is great. What was going on around me was great. What happened to me was great, and occurred with grace and style. Chandra never rushed me, as I worked through anxiety, indecision, choice. Chandra cut my hair; I made a successful transformation, which a month on is as easy-care and professional as she promised. After an hour in her hands I could have been upsold anything (colour! Product! Rebook!). In fact she encouraged me not to interfere with what she had achieved, the price was reasonable, and I promised to return for a complementary tidy to the (surprise) fringe. And was gone. Thanks Chandra and team – they will sort you out, cheer you out – and add all the hair care you are...

I had my hair cut and coloured in French Revolver Studio by Chandra a few months ago and I felt like I really needed to share my experience here. It was amazing ! Very reasonable and affordable prices but fantastic service and incredible outcome.

Moreover, I have to talk a bit about the layouts and atmosphere of this place, because it brings out a vibe that not many hair salons in town can do. Shiny wooden floor; luxurious leather chairs; elegant plants and fancy chandeliers;... everything is just so nice, so high-end feel and they matched perfectly together to create an unforgettable visual experience in a hair salon. Walking in here, you will feel like you are some celebrities getting your hair done in a super fancy and expensive place. Bravo to the people who done the interior layout designs for this studio, I appreciate your work very much :)

Customer service is awesome, I love how Chandra listened carefully to what I wanted to do with my hair and did exactly the same (even better than I expected). Layered haircut looks great, ombré brown and blonde colour: cannot praise enough. 5 stars for the service and 10 stars for the reasonable price point. I highly recommend this place !

P/s: To Chandra: I’m amazed by your vibe and I did enjoyed your company very much. I really like your giggles, they sounded like crystal bells on a summer day. I can see a huge passion for hairdressing in your eyes and I pray for you to always keep this fire inside of you :) Thanks a lot and see you...

The team managed to fit me in for a colour post-lockdown when my own hairdresser decided not to get vaccinated and shut down. I had booked for January as that was the first time available, but they had a space for a colour open up due to a last minute cancellation. MY GOD my hair was looking terrible when I got in there, five months of grey regrowth and brassy brunette colour fade, and they could not have done a better job!!! As well as being super welcoming they spent a long time understanding exactly what I wanted and deciding how to achieve the result with my hair in the state it was in, and their colour specialist then spent several careful hours working her magic to highlight and tint my hair to a very natural looking multi-toned blonde. I’m still waiting for my cut appointment (as they couldn’t fit me in for that on the same day) but the colour work has made me look 5 years younger, and feel so much better about myself. I can’t wait to come back for my cut and of course my next colour too!! Thanks team, very much...