Thomas Kendall Image Home Prices Profile Location Appointments Kerastase Contact Vouchers

Thomas Kendall - Profile

Thomas Kendall

At first glance it could be an antiques store on London’s chic Portobello Road. Then again, the fabulous striped awning is reminiscent of a divine little chocolaterie on the Boulevard Saint Germain in Paris. But what is the true identity of this glamorous shop front in Castleknock, Dublin?  The Thomas Kendall Hair Salon. A favourite haunt of some of the city’s most stylish men and women, it is also a Wella Elite Salon – one of only a select few in Ireland.

A hairdresser with international experience, Thomas trained in the UK and Italy for such illustrious names as celebrity hairdresser Charles Worthington for nearly 15 years before returning home to set up the business seven years ago.

And what a haven it is: fresh flowers, soft lights, gilt mirrors and glass-topped tables. Talk about girlie heaven. Thomas’s many trips around Europe and his innate knack for interior design have given the salon its truly cosmopolitan flavour. “Everyone says it feels very French or Italian. They love the low lights, the soft music. I did it myself and used al lot of pieces I had collected over the years,” he explains.

But the designer touches don’t stop with the decor. Instead of the usual drab black smocks most salons clip on customers, Thomas insisted on ones in turquoise and navy blue. “We’re all about service. We look after our customers, give them a glass of wine, coffee, tea or a sweet and a relaxing head massage. We never rush. These days, people are not prepared to tolerate the supermarket ethos of getting as many heads done as possible.” Thomas explains.
“You have to understand the busy lives that many women lead – they want to come in, feel cherished and looked after. Here, they get a little peace and quiet.”
The salon is open late on Thursday and Friday, further meeting the needs of time-challenged women, keeps a cancellation list if they cannot immediately fit you in at a particular time, and all staff members are trained in all aspects of styling – so you will have one person (not ten!) doing your cut, colour and blow-dry. Talk about continuity of care.

Five-star service aside, Thomas also understands that what customers want first and foremost – is great hair. That’s why every appointment starts with a five-minute consultation. “A quick chat gives us an insight and it’s time well spent because the customer can then go to the basins, fully relaxed and happy in the knowledge that the stylist knows exactly what they want,” he says.

To keep up with the latest cuts, colours and styling trends, Thomas pours over the hottest European magazines for inspiration. “Colour is something I absolutely love, whether it’s wearing it, decorating a room with it or using it on hair,” he enthuses. “A lot of the work we do is commercial, by that I mean everyday styles, and we do a huge amount of colour. Eight out of ten people who walk through the door get colour.”

Because colour is so important to Thomas, he uses only Wella salon products – a company he insists provides the best quality and service. “Wella has a base in Ireland, which means I can get on my laptop as late as 10pm, tap in an order and it will be there the next day. They are so efficient and provide excellent back-up in every way, which is so important when running a business.”

Of course, only a small percentage of salons can earn the title of Wella Elite Salon – about 90 in Ireland. To be accredited, salons must meet strict criteria, demonstrating excellence in areas such as salon design and layout, level of service and staff training, and user the highest-quality products such as Koleston Perfect and Colour Touch for the latest colouring techniques and System Professional shampoos and treatments, all by Wella.

Thomas is justifiably proud to be a Wella Elite Salon, particularly given he has only been in business a relatively short time.

Meanwhile, the business continues to flourish – proving you don’t need to brave the city traffic to get fabulous hair. “It’s great to be full on a Friday and Saturday but when you’re busy mid-week, you realise you must be doing something right. It’s all about keeping the customer happy – if you look after them they’ll look after you.”