On the 15th of March I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of
Unico’s refurbished salon at Degraves St
Melbourne.
Before I start I
want to let all my readers know that when I laid eyes on the salon it truly did
take my breath away. I just wanted to sit in the seat and have my hair done.
We were greeted with
drinks and food from the lovely Degraves St Espresso and Journal. I really
stuffed my face with Chorizo and also meatballs with rice.
We were also
delighted to hear Sofia (the owner and creator of Unico Haircare.) speak of the
transformation not only of her salon but the whole laneway around her. There
was lots of love spread and even tears shed, which just goes to show the
passion still runs deep with Sofia. She let us know that she was so privilege
to be able to say that the Unico in Degraves St lived through the transformation
of the Melbourne Laneways. Going back 15-20 years the Melbourne laneways were
really filthy and just somewhere you didn’t want to be. Nowadays they are filled with cafes, people and
live music; a place where every Melbournian is happy to sit all-day and
evening.
I might also mention
that the beautiful Sofia Basile looked stunning in a beautiful sequined white
and gold low back dress.
Degraves
Street dining and retail strip, UNICO Hair, has been given a much needed
facelift after 20 years in residence. The first of hairdresser Sofia Basile’s three UNICO Hair salons has replaced its outdated interior
with a fresh new look in keeping with the gritty urban mood of its
surroundings.
Basile
entrusted the extensive refurbishment to Kate Challis of Kate Challis Interiors
(www.katechallis.com), who is a long-term client and friend. Challis came
together with the overall design concept and gathered a talented team to
implement the plan.
The
most transformative change in the salon involved covering the walls with an
exquisite wallpaper from Merci Paris, a concept store in the Marais. Entitled “Brooklyn Tin Tiles”,
the paper features a realistic photographic image of a pressed metal tile that
has been aged with peeling paint, rust spots and cracks.
I was also very
lucky and received a goodie bag which entitled me to get my hair done at any of
the Unico salons; Sofia has 3 at this stage
Degraves St, Little
Collins or Brunswick St in Fitzroy.
I think I will be
popping my head into the Brunswick St salon as it is closest to me and I want
to see what the salons look like this end of the town.
Also in the goodies
bag we all received a sample of the:
Leave
In Spray-On Conditioner
RRP
$25
A leave-in
protein conditioner with a light apricot fragrance designed to protect and
defrizz light, difficult hair. Adds shine and protects hair from the effects of
mechanical drying, chlorine and the sun. Ideal for active people and for all
hair types, particularly fine.
The first thing I
loved about this product is the smell. It has a kind of fruity smell but that
clean salon smell also. The leave in Spray-On Conditioner also doesn’t weigh my hair down or make it look oily which is really a plus
for me.
I have taken this
with me to the beach and also whenever I go swimming. As soon as I leave the
water I give my hair 6-7 sprays (this is because my hair is very long and
thick) and my hair is left feeling and smelling great until I get the chance to
go home and have a shower and wash my hair properly.
I know it says
particularly suited for those with fine hair, but mine is thick and frizzy and
loves this Conditioner so much. I find that it also acts as a detangle
treatment also, for when my hair gets knotty and not nice.