Elysium Hair Brisbane

After having a couple of standard services and one that stuck our pretty badly, I was fortunate enough to have the business owner, Kate, contact me about my sub-​par experience. She kindly extended a host of complimentary services (including one treatment which I had not originally received) to make up for the sour taste my last visit left in my mouth.
My re-​do services started with a separate 15 minute consultation with my stylist, Holly, to ensure we were both on the same page about exactly what I wanted and how it could be achieved. On the day of my appointment, I was warmly greeted by name, and offered several much-​needed coffees. Then the magic began. Holly and I again touched base on the treatment and she re-​consulted with another colourist on the best method and approach to produce my desired results. She was simultaneously completely professional and warm, and over the next 4.5 hours, she demonstrated utmost attention to her tasks and my (and my hair’s) well-​being. Holly is a self-​proclaimed colour-​fanatic, and I would wholeheartedly recommend her in particular to any of my friends looking to have a colour treatment.
What really won me over was the absolutely divine hair and scalp therapy from their new rituals line of services, which consisted of a custom treatment application, scalp massage, eye pillow, warm towel, blanket, and a bit of snooze (if you can help it).
In the end, I am completely pleased with how it turned out. I’ve finally achieved the look I been wanting for this last couple of months, and most importantly, I am impressed with the level of service I received from a ‘salon of the year’ award winner. Thank you Elysium team.

I had really high hopes for the salon, read reviews on Unilocal and google, read the description on their website… And walked out disappointed.
Since my bellowed hairdresser stopped working at Vogue, I’ve been on a hunt for someone who will understand me like she did.
I did a little research and tried to find someone at least a little bit like her.
It started well: I read descriptions of the hairdressers on the Elysium website, and picked one I thought would be able to do what I want. Booked the appointment online (plus points!) and waited patiently for the visit.
I walked in, and was warmly welcomed by the owner (I think), got my beverage, and some forms to fill. Forms were a surprise for me — they actually asked about my hair, what I like to do with it and how.
Then the hairdresser I picked came over and asked what I would like to do with my hair that evening. I explained with a lot of details, pictures, hand gestures. Everything I could. She listened, recommended few things and went to bring me a quote.
At that point I was thinking: well, that’s going very well!
Then she came back with another lady, and said that there has been a change and now she (let’s call her hairdresser S) will do my haircut. I wasn’t told why this change has happened and didn’t really understand what’s going on. Hairdresser K (the one I picked) then explained the second one what I’d like to have done with my hair — but she didn’t even tell her half of what I wanted to get as an end result! I was more and more confused.
In the meantime I thought that maybe hairdressed K has something urgent to be done — but then I saw her cutting hair to a client right next to me. Who’s confused –hand in the air (*me raises a hand*)!
We’ve moved to the chair, hairdresser S looked at my hair, and didn’t really ask anything, and I was trying to give her a bit more information, but she didn’t seem interested. We then went to the basin, and I got my hair washed (huge pro — MASSAGE CHAIRS at the basin! Awesome!). I figured, I guess she knows exactly what to do. I shouldn’t be so suspicious.
But it only went worse. The hairdresser wasn’t listening to me at all. I was trying to make sure, she knows what I want, but that didn’t really help. I mean — she did ask the questions! She asked whether I’d like to have my back rounded or with a step. I said, I want It rounded. She cut it with a step. I said I want the back to be very short, right at the hair line, or even shorter. It’s much longer there. I wanted to have very sharp cut, it’s almost flat. I wanted to have my fringe left alone, so I can grow it. She cut it shorter and suggested I could wear a bob pin to keep it in place. She asked whether I’d like to even my asymmetry up one day — I said no, I like it as it is. Then she explained she’s cutting it, so it will be easier to even it up next time. It’s like we were talking completely different languages (I’m 99% sure I WAS talking English, not Polish!).
The end result was very much not what I expected, and I was very disappointed. BUT. I don’t know about you, dear reader. But I’m completely useless when it comes to criticise the hairdresser at the spot. I will tear up and go home, instead of explaining again that this is not what I wanted.
I mean — my hair doesn’t look BAD. It looks OK. BUT. COMPLETELY NOT like what I wanted it to look.
The salon overall is nice and spacious. They offer you complimentary drinks, and prices are not too expensive. Bonus points for the massage chairs, that were the highlight of my appointment.
But I don’t think I will go back and risk that I will again get not the hairdresser I asked for with no explanation of the change, and will not be listened to.
Two stars instead of one, as I do hope they do have some hairdressers that listen and can do a really good job, also the massage chairs were awesome.
Sad to be disappointed. My hairdresser hunt goes on.

Sharon is fantastic. Best cut I’ve had in years. All the staff are wonderful and Oscar always welcomes you with a smile. I love that they take the time to know you, even after the first visit. They make everyone feel like a rockstar.