Hair Raisers: Scarlet Salmons, Creative Director of TicTac Hair Studio

Hair’s a big deal to most people. (That’s what our balding friends tell us.) The problem in Beijing is that hair care, with its myriad local providers and the language barrier, is just another reason to pull your hair out. We rounded up some of the city’s most respected friends of the follicle and asked them everything you’d ever wanted to know about getting a good haircut. Here's what Scarlet Salmons had to say about some hairy topics.

The oddest thing a client has ever asked me to do whilst working in Toni&Guy was to make her look like a toy.

Who would I consider a wellcoiffed man or woman? Vidal Sassoon was the best male, and Joan Collins, of course! With Dame Edna Everage a close second.

The best thing about my job is meeting multinational clients and transforming their image. The worst thing about my job is looking in the mirror all day when I’m due for Botox!

Which other profession is most similar to hairstyling? Composer, as my work is about performing art.

My best advice to any trainee: “The salon floor is your stage, your client’s head is your canvas.”

The biggest mistake clients make is cutting corners by going to bad salons, bringing me a battlefield. Unfortunately, it’s a daily task fixing hair disasters.

I’ve never had a bad hairstyle. I’m a fashion guru with a selection of wigs. I have never tried to cut my own hair – it’s impossible – but I have been known to snip my wigs.

My favorite haircut is an asymmetric graduated bob. Sharp and clean!

My most challenging task was blowing out Cherie Blair’s locks.

My longest haircut took two days during my Vidal Sassoon training.

How long does it take to become a good hairdresser? You can’t put a time on it. You either have the talent or you don’t.

TicTac Hair Studio Daily 10am-9pm. Suite 2-06, Tower AB, The Office Park, 10 Jintong Xilu, Chaoyang District (8590 6899) 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际AB座2层06单元

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