The ultimate Christchurch summer hair guide: balayage, curls, and surviving the season
It’s late November in the Garden City. You know what that means.
The days are getting longer, the social calendars are filling up, and the infamous Nor’west arch is starting to make its presence felt. As we head towards Christmas and the classic Kiwi summer break, everyone wants to look their best. But between the dry heat, the wind, and the saltwater at the beach, Christchurch summers can be surprisingly tough on your hair.
At Friends + Co, we aren’t just here to trim your split ends; we’re here to help you navigate the season with style.
Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance "lived-in" blonde, you need a specialist to manage your curls in the humidity, or you’re just frantically searching for "late night hairdressers Christchurch" because you’ve realised Christmas is four weeks away—we’ve got you covered.
This is your deep-dive guide to hair trends, care tips, and salon secrets for summer 2024/25.
The summer of balayage: why it’s still king
If you look at the hair trends sweeping through the city, one technique reigns supreme: balayage.
We see a huge volume of clients specifically looking for balayage Christchurch experts, and for good reason. Balayage (a French word meaning "to sweep") is the technique of hand-painting highlights onto the hair, creating a soft, graduated effect that looks naturally sun-kissed.
Why balayage works for the Kiwi summer
Unlike traditional foils, which create a uniform root-to-tip colour, balayage leaves a softer root line. This is crucial for summer for three reasons:
- The grow-out is seamless: If you’re heading away to the bach or camping for three weeks in January, you don’t want to worry about a harsh regrowth line. Balayage grows out beautifully, meaning you can go longer between salon visits.
- It mimics nature: The sun naturally lightens hair at the mid-lengths and ends. Balayage enhances this natural process, making your colour look vibrant rather than processed.
- Versatility: Whether you have dark brunette hair or fair blonde locks, balayage can be customised. From "bronde" (brown-blonde) mixes to high-contrast face frames, it works for almost everyone.
Expert tip: If you are planning to spend a lot of time in the ocean, let your stylist know. Saltwater and UV rays can fade toner quickly. We might formulate your colour slightly differently or recommend a specific colour-lock treatment to keep that fresh-salon look lasting through January.
Curls, humidity, and the 'frizz factor'
One of the specific niches we are most proud of at Friends + Co is our expertise with textured hair. Finding a confident
curly hair hairdresser Christchurch
based can be a challenge.
Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair because the natural oils from the scalp have a harder time travelling down the spiralled hair shaft. Add in the dry Canterbury heat and the occasional humid day, and you have a recipe for the dreaded "pyramid" shape or excessive frizz.
The 'Friends + Co' curly method
We don’t believe in fighting your texture; we believe in enhancing it. If you’re ready to ditch the straighteners this summer, here is how we approach the curl:
- The dry cut (visualising the shape): Often, we need to see how your curls sit naturally before we start cutting. This prevents that shock of cutting wet hair only to have it shrink up three inches when it dries.
- Hydration station: The key to defined curls is moisture. We use professional-grade hydration treatments that penetrate the hair shaft, not just coat it.
- Product education: The biggest battle for our curly clients is knowing what to do at home. We teach you the "squish to condish" method and how to apply styling products to soaking wet hair to lock in the curl pattern before the frizz sets in.
If you’ve been searching for a "curly hairdresser Christchurch," come in for a consultation. We speak fluent curl.
The 'big chop': cool cuts for hot days
Sometimes, the best way to handle the heat is to lose the length. We are seeing a massive resurgence in the bob and the lob (long bob).
The structured bob
For the bold, a jaw-length, blunt cut is incredibly chic. It exposes the neck (keeping you cool) and looks fantastic with high-neck summer dresses. It requires a bit of styling to keep it sleek, but the impact is undeniable.
The textured lob
This is the "safe bet" that looks expensive. Sitting just above or on the shoulders, it’s long enough to tie back for the gym or a hot night’s sleep, but short enough to feel light and airy. When styled with a bit of texture spray, it gives off that effortless "off-duty model" vibe.
Thinking about a change?
If you’ve been Googling
haircut Christchurch
or
style redesign
, bring in some photos. Visuals help us understand exactly what you mean by "short" or "shaggy."
Surviving the elements: a Christchurch specific guide
Living in Canterbury means dealing with a unique climate. We have the dry heat, the intense UV, and the easterly wind. Here is how to protect your investment (your hair colour!) against the elements.
1. UV protection is non-negotiable
You put SPF on your face every day (we hope!), but what about your hair? UV rays break down the chemical bonds in hair dye, causing rich brunettes to turn brassy orange and icy blondes to turn yellow.
- The fix: Use a leave-in conditioner or styling spray with built-in UV protection. Wear a hat when the sun is at its peak.
2. The chlorine/saltwater barrier
Summer means swimming. But chlorine is a chemical bleach, and saltwater is a dehydrator.
- The fix: The "wet-before-you-wet" trick. Before you jump in the pool or ocean, drench your hair with fresh tap water. Your hair is like a sponge—if it’s already full of fresh water, it can’t absorb as much of the chlorinated or salt water.
3. The wind tangle
The wind in the city can turn long hair into a bird's nest in minutes, leading to breakage when you try to brush it out.
- The fix: If it’s a windy day, a loose braid is your best friend. It secures the hair without tension, preventing wind-whipping breakage.
Why Friends + Co? (and how to book)
We know there are plenty of options when you search for
best hair salon Christchurch
or
city hair salon
. So, why choose us?
1. We are conveniently located
Based in
The Terrace, we are a true
city hair salon
. We are easy to get to, whether you work in the CBD or are coming in from the suburbs.
2. We understand busy schedules (late nights!)
We know that 9-to-5 doesn’t work for everyone, especially not in the pre-Christmas rush. We are one of the few salons that genuinely cater to the demand for
late night hairdressers Christchurch
.
- Late nights: We offer late appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These spots fill up incredibly fast in November and December, so please plan ahead.
3. A vibe like no other
We aren’t just a business; we are a collective of friends (hence the name). The atmosphere in our salon is relaxed, welcoming, and unpretentious. We want you to feel like you’re hanging out with mates, who just happen to be incredibly talented at hair.
2025 hair trend forecast
As we look past Christmas and into the new year, what’s coming next? If you like to be ahead of the curve, here is what our stylists are predicting for early 2025:
- Warmer blondes: The era of the ultra-ashy, grey-blonde is fading. We are seeing a return to "cowboy copper," honey tones, and golden hues that reflect light and look healthier.
- The 90s blowout: Big, bouncy volume is back. Think layers that frame the face and plenty of movement.
- Gloss treatments: Clients are moving away from heavy chemical processing and opting for "gloss and tone" services—quick appointments that add insane shine and refresh the colour without damage.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How far in advance should I book my Christmas appointment? A: Ideally, yesterday! Jokes aside, November is the time to lock it in. If you leave it until mid-December, you might struggle to find a slot, especially if you need a specific time or a large colour correction.
Q: Do you cut men’s hair? A: Absolutely. We see plenty of guys searching for
haircut Chch
. We do everything from classic scissor cuts to modern fades.
Q: I have box dye in my hair, can I still get balayage? A: You can, but it is a journey. Box dye is notoriously difficult to lift evenly. We highly recommend booking a consultation first so we can do a strand test and give you a realistic idea of what is achievable in one session.
Q: How do I book? A: The easiest way is to use our online system. Search
hairdresser book online
or just click the button on our website. It shows real-time availability.
Ready for your summer glow-up?
Whether you need a total transformation, a curl rescue mission, or just a quick tidy-up before the holidays, the team at Friends + Co is here to help.
Don’t let the summer frizz win. Let’s get your hair looking healthy, vibrant, and ready for whatever the Christchurch summer throws at it.
