Dress Up Your Tresses at Catherine de France

For those who find getting their haircut to be a stressful situation, the antidote to your troubles can be found in Catherine de France Hair and Beauty Salon (CDF). Open since July 7 in Sanlitun's East Avenue Building complex, the original space was termed “really ugly” by the eponymous owner. However, after French architect Nicolas Guarnotta redesigned the salon, the finished product is as glossy and stylish as the hair on their clients’ heads. The high ceilings, mirrored columns, and glass entrance wall create a bright and airy space, which is a departure from the cluttered, fluorescently lit salons you often find in Beijing.

Having just closed her Riviera salon, Catherine remarks that the new shop is much more internationally minded. Trendy European music can be heard over the whirring of blowdryers and decorating the walls are selected paintings from the Image Gallery, up for sale for interested customers. The hairdressing team speaks Chinese, French, English, Russian and German, so you can get your hair cut without fearing that your instructions will be lost in translation. And if you’ve ever had your hair butchered by an inexperienced hairdresser, rest easy in knowing that all of CDF’s stylists have at least 15 years of experience. Catherine herself has been working with hair for 20 years, training in Paris and managing salons in Moscow, Budapest and, of course, Beijing.

There is a quiet glamor to the salon that translates not only to your haircut, but also to your overall experience. The washing station is a separate room that is outfitted with dim lights and an ambient noise soundtrack. A scalp and head massage comes with the shampoo and conditioning. And before the haircut begins, you are outfitted in a fresh, white robe.

Examining my hair, Catherine correctly diagnoses that it has been a while since my last haircut. Subscribing to her edict of “enhancing beauty as naturally as possible,” Catherine suggests subtle highlights to even out the coloring. She also decides it would be best to chop off the damaged inches of hair below my shoulders, the casualty of a months-old perm. Throughout my haircut, the other stylists occasionally came over to comment. At CDF, they stress that it's not one client working with one hairdresser, but one client working with the entire salon. The salon serves men, women and children, with haircut prices starting at RMB 100 for men and RMB 180 for women. A cut from the creative director, however, will cost men RMB 600 and women RMB 1,200. The salon also offers Brazilian blowouts, starting at RMB 2,000, and henna rinses at RMB 600. And every month, there are a new set of promotions and sales.

And the cherry on top of an already excellent experience? As she is blowdrying my hair, Catherine gestures towards the makeup artist who comes over with her kit. “We like to have our clients leave looking as beautiful as possible,” she says with a smile. And though I was looking in the mirror for the entire process, I am still pleasantly surprised by the end result. My hair, which usually hangs in straggly curls, is suddenly bouncy and soft and the highlights bring out the strands' natural sheen. The bags under my eyes are gone. I even look like I’ve lost some weight. And indeed, as promised, I leave looking like a better, brighter version of my former self.

Catherine de France Hair and Beauty Salon
B/F, East Avenue Apartments, 10 Xingdong Lu, Chaoyang District (135 2147 3492)
朝阳区新东路10号东街大厦1层