Barcelona's best hairdressers

For those in need of a good chop, but are worried about coming out of the salon with a blue pillar atop their head like Marge Simpson, permed like Carrot Top or as frizzy as Rik Mayall in the cult comedy Drop Dead Fred (1991), here’s our list of some of the best hairdressers in Barcelona that provide services in English.

• Wapa'm

  At Wapa’m, their motto is “look good, feel good”. Located in the center of Barcelona, this urban spa is designed to meet the needs of a busy, demanding metropolitan crowd. They offer both hair and spa services, using Aveda products, all made with organically grown ingredients.

  Under the artistic direction of Marta Cid, Wapa’m has obtained various national awards for their creativity and progressiveness when it comes to hairstyling. Their cutting-edge approach pairs perfectly with fashion and lifestyle trends. The whole process at Wapa’m, from the lounge where clients wait—listening to avant-garde music, drinking exclusive teas and reading fashion magazines—to their meeting with a stylist full of personality and grace, to a unique, yet comprehensive wellness concept to match their desires, is intended to make everyone’s visit to the salon perfect.

  You can also enjoy their relaxing spa. Choose from a range of top-of-the-line treatments, such as de-stress massages, chemical peels, facials, waxes and makeovers, then lay back and let the professionals at Wapa’m indulge you with a pleasing sensory experience, leaving you feeling balanced and blissful.

• Morgan BHair

  After managing a large salon in Dublin for 19 years, Barry Finnegan decided it was time to go back to what he loves and started his own business, Morgan BHair. The name arose from the desire to pay tribute to his grandmother: “I always promised to name something after her, and since Morgan is also my mother’s maiden name, it means a lot to me.” Morgan BHair moved from Dublin to Barcelona two years ago and has already built up a reputable clientele, overcoming the professional challenges involved in relocating, such as adapting to the different styles and trends of a new location and the increased humidity of Barcelona, which requires product adaptation. “I’ve experimented with many different product lines over the past 30 years, and I truly believe the products I use from Matrix are the best for colour depth, shine and luminosity—my fiancée won’t use anything else, either.” Morgan BHair is also involved in creative and commercial spheres, providing professional hairdressing for adverts, events and destination weddings, while Barry experiments with his own innovative concepts. “I’m always looking for what’s new and how to evolve static styles, and I firmly believe in doing something every day that challenges you.”  

  Appointments can be made with Barry at the Virgola Milano salon on Carrer de Pau Claris 77 or, if you prefer, can take place in the comfort of your own home. Morgan BHair also include a 50% discount on your next hair cut if you recommend a client to them. 

• Lalemana

  Self-professed ‘hair-freak’ Christine Petras, from Germany, has always been fanatical about hair, from making over Barbies to mastering African hairstyling by the age of 14. After working with and educating herself about hair for over 20 years, Christine has set up shop in the centre of Barcelona’s old town, in a charming, 18th-century building that incorporates portions of the city’s historic Roman walls. The salon was her way of continuing with her freelance and editorial work, while having  a ‘home base’. Beyond the aesthetics of the salon and Christine’s expertise, one of the distinguishing features of Lalemana is their attention to sustainability and ethical practice. “The market is moving towards sustainability, so we only use brands that vow not to harm the environment or animals during testing and production, such as fair trade Italian hair brand, Davines,” said Christine. “We are inspired by their products and firmly believe that the solution to many of the world’s problems is self-responsibility, where everyone is conscious of the product choices they make. When we change our behaviour and take care of others, the world will follow suit.” Christine extends her services to beauty and offers various specials each day of the week such as free children’s cuts on Wednesdays, breakfast on Mondays and afterwork vermut on Fridays.

• TheRoom

  Centrally located in the Gothic Quarter on what Catalan owner Jose Lücker has dubbed ‘the Carnaby Street of Barcelona’, TheRoom reflects the merging of two passions—hairstyling and fashion—to provide the ultimate retail experience. During his 20-plus years advising clients on the latest hairstyles and trends, Lücker developed the belief that a look is only complete with both a knockout outfit AND a stylish hairdo. “It was this holistic approach that led to my idea for a multi-concept store, which combines both my passions,” he said. Each of TheRoom’s three floors has its own theme: hair, clothes and events. Lücker’s flair for style is also evident in his collaborative hair and beauty photograph collections, including ‘Selective Memories’ from 2015, and this year’s ‘Somewhere’, inspired by various themes such as cult cinema and Lücker’s favourite fashion era, the Nineties.

  The team at TheRoom promise to suit each customer’s needs, with knowledge of the latest trends in cuts, colour, extensions, treatments and makeup.

• No. 8

  Inspired by the contemporary style of British-American hairstylist Vidal Sassoon, Barcelona hairdresser Lara Crespo-Lopez has translated her passion for modern and cutting-edge hairstyling into a business. No8 opened over ten years ago on a quaint, bohemian street nestled in the Gothic Quarter. “I liked this area and this street in particular because it’s like a little village within a big city,” said Lara. “I have many clients that are locals as well as tourists, so I think the location really shows the characteristics of my work to people passing by.” The salon boasts an urban feel, with large wooden doors, retro-style chairs and mirrors, and contemporary art adorning the walls. “I generally have several exhibitions on display in the salon, from different young, international artists. We change them every 3-6 months to give customers something new to admire while they’re having their hair done,” explained Lara. For those craving a new look injected with an artistic, contemporary flair, No8 is perfect for you.