The minimalist waiting area at Aqffin

These days we’re all about multi-tasking, correct? So much to see/do/experience that going to one place for just one thing seems oh-so-outmoded and just a plain waste of time. Bingo! Voila Aqfinn, a hairdressing-artistic fusion that allows you to restyle your hair and your mind; reshape your locks and your creative vision; feed your split-ends and your artistic fervour (ahem).

In the midst of the slightly grittier end of Commercial Street in East London sits Aqfinn; upstairs a salon, downstairs a creative space that plays host to various burgeoning eastern and western artists. You could be fooled for missing the place entirely as you walk past but as you enter this stylish haven there’s no missing the cool Japanese aesthetic and ultra-modern fittings. The place is so minimal that I initially thought that they were closed, this is perhaps not such a good thing…

When I visited the salon there was no exhibition to view downstairs – a little disappointing – but the glossy painted bricks and minimalist decor indicated a cooler existence than the usual swivel chairs and hair-covered floors of your local hairdresser. The edgiest coffee table magazines adorned the table by the sofa, although the clientele seemed very mixed – I could have sworn there was a city boy waiting to be seen to as I left.

My hair was attended to by one of the style directors who did a great job, albeit a silent one – no gassing about Peter and Jordan in this salon! This, I much prefer, don’t get me wrong, but I do think that it should be the stylist’s job to try and engage you in some kind of dialogue about your hair. I always need a prod and a poke to start talking about how I would like my hair (sometimes a glass of wine helps, admittedly).

In the absence of wine or conversation (this sounds like a bad date), we continued. Unlike a bad date, the experience was not wholly negative, as my stylist gave me a simple, not-too wild trim and reshape. Strange though, considering the cooler-than-cool exterior and general ice-maiden quality of the place, I would have expected the hairstylists to impart even just a touch of that to the resulting ‘do but alas, I left looking surprising conventional!

Aqffin's salon space

Having the curly mane that I do I wasn’t really up for the Japanese Straightening service offered here. It ain’t cheap (from £150) and it sure ain’t quick (up to eight hours) but I am assured that it offers stellar results and can even strengthen the hair. Phi-ten solution is spritzed on to the hair, which is then ironed, washed and blow-dried giving your hair a permanent straightened effect Go on, bin the GHDs (you know you want to). For the less adventurous Aqfinn offers Redken hair and scalp treatments from £10. I am a huge Redken fan so top marks for being a stockist.

Aqfinn’s website has information about upcoming shows and events, as well as profiles of the artists that it has supported in the past. Next time you fancy a bit of emerging artistic talent with your blow-dry then I think you know the place to go, just bring a good book so you don’t get bored!

www.aqffin.com