by Vanessa Brazeau

If you are the type of person who lives in more cities in a year than most do in a lifetime, there are always a number of inconsistencies when it comes to social interaction. Good friends, good bars, good restaurants- they all take a significant amount of exploration and effort to establish. For me, none compare to the pain and trauma of finding a reliable hair stylist in a new place. The confidence that comes from a good mop takes a rare but essential place in a girl’s social life. After all, our hair is something thats on display all the time (Toques don’t work in July). 

My experience at Barbarella Hair Salon (3277 Main St.,(604) 876-1414) was somewhat like a verbal term paper – minus the suck. I felt like my conversations with owner/Art Director Laure Elaine (Colour) and Stylist Deandra (Cut) were more thought provoking than anything I had engaged in during class time. I have this habit where I go into a salon knowing exactly what I want, and then change my mind completely when faced with the experimental propaganda covering salon walls. Stylist peer-pressure is even more manipulating and can be both a burden and blessing. This is generally what I have found distinguishes a good stylist from a bad one; knowing the difference between what I say I want and what I actually want. So I figure, what better way to help Vancouverites in their quest for a good hair day then to offer my head to the industry-no strings attached-and judge the crap out of them afterward? 

Nestled between 16th and 17th Avenue on Main Street, Barbarella’s unique store front has that old school barber shop vibe where the action takes place right at the window. Rather than the typical display of products, Laure Elaine prefers her window to feature the focus of her business- the process and experience of hair styling, not the commodity fetish.  

Stepping inside, I am immediately caught in the scissor-hair action. I was kindly directed to the back of the salon where a receptionist with killer early 50’s pin up girl style awaits. Looking around I felt as if I had entered a time warp that couldn’t make up its mind- or perhaps had decided to mesh it all into a mixed temporality of awesomeness. If my hair could match the walls, I thought, life will make sense again. 

The circular entrance way-courtesy of Laure Elaine’s father-led me to a chic, quirky blonde. She was the human manifestation of the creativity that was encompassed the salon’s interior. It probably goes without saying that the design is her brain child. The personal decor is complimented by works of local artists available for purchase, as well as a great playlist (an essential element for any place requiring me to sit still for longer than 30 minutes). 

As we went over what we were going to do to with my colour I stressed that I wanted Laure Elaine to have free reign. I want my head to be a representation of the salon’s manifesto. Barbarella’s ideology involves  approaching and thinking about hair as a creative process unique to each client. 

I discovered this when the outlandish style and bright colours I was expecting were instead natural and subtle. For Laure Elaine and Deandra, it is not about making a spectacle or trying to appeal to the current ‘Post-Modern’ trend of being different for the sake of it. It is instead about doing something because there is passion and love for it.  Making dyed hair look natural is a lot harder then making it look dyed, so although I may not look like I’m sticking it to the man via provocative shades of blue, I have a hell of a lot of creative genius going on in the carefully matched browns. It may have been the soft sound of a blow dryer in the next room, but I swear I heard Peaches ‘I Don’t give a Fuck’ suitably on repeat in the background. 

Laure-Elaine said herself she doesn’t really pay attention to much of the politics and drama typical of the Vancouver industry. When I told Laure Elaine to do anything to my hair she took into consideration that I would be visiting other salons in the future- so rather than her original idea that would limit the next stylist, she courteously respected the fact that other people will have to work with what she gives me and compromised on a new style. That is a class act. The competitive, shit-talking vibe found in most salons doesn’t have any appeal to Barbarella. They feel no need to prove anything to anyone. I can see why- everything is justified in what they create. Silent confidence to me is the strongest kind. 

It was pretty evident through staff interaction that this holds true within the salon as well. There is a clear sense of intimacy and  cooperation between the 9 stylists that moves beyond the workplace. This community vibe in the salon made my experience as a client much more enjoyable and welcoming. Laure Elaine said herself she’s a great boss, bad babysitter. Respect. When it comes to choosing staff she admits to being picky, which clearly isn’t a bad thing when it means you hold out for girls like Deandra to come along.

Deandra was much more spontaneous than Laure Elaine had been with my colour. There was a lot less contemplation when it came to what we were going to do with my cut and I got the vibe that she enjoys going with the flow and letting things happen. She had complete control and I think the carefree spontaneity was a symbol of the confidence and trust that she has in her own abilities. Her style produced a casual yet edgy cut that I have found to be versatile and easily manageable. She asked a lot of questions about what I like to do with my hair, and I could tell she had a genuine concern with making sure I would be able to reproduce the style on my own. On top of her skill she is also a super interesting person and we had some great conversation. I think that the personalities at Barbarella are what make me like the place so much. When I left I felt like I’d known these girls for years and that I should be meeting up with them for drinks on the weekend. 

Probably my most memorable part of my experience at Barbarella was Laure Elaine’s reply when I asked what type of cut she thought would best suite my face shape. She replied that she doesn’t believe that styles should be followed based on structural elements. For her it is much more important to match hair with personality. The quality of interaction and genuine interest she had taken in me as a person rather than a ‘Job’ made the idea of her having an accurate interpretation of who I am surprisingly credible. “I’m thinking sun-kissed brunette surfer girl just returned from Hawaii,” she said. It had been a long time since I had sat in a salon chair and felt total confidence that everything was going to turn out alright. Those words took all my worries away.

Update: It’s been about a month since my cut and colour at Barbarella and I think it is important to mention that both the cut and colour are growing out well. My layers still maintain their shape and as they grow out the style continues to change shape yet remain stylish and fresh looking. Laure Elaine was genius in her colouring technique. She made the upper section a bit darker which allows the colour to look extremely natural and even better as it grows out! The cut is still super easy to style and manage. I really do recommend Barbarella to all of you!