It’s hard to believe that tucked away on the Helmholtzplatz in Berlin’s Prenzlauerberg district, predominately occupied by eco-warrior parents and their progeny,  is a gem of a beauty salon dedicated to all things stylish and modern.  Here you can feel “…good or even fabulous! In fact feeling so good that you couldn’t be better”. Primping, preening and prettifying is  long overdue for some of the local populace, who are in dire need of some retouching of those tired neo-hippie ‘natural’ do’s and if I may be permitted to say, a darn good wax or two.

Thus it was a refreshing change (as I navigated my way through throngs of pushchairs on my street), to find a business, that does not solely cater to either babies or expectant mothers, but provides a little haven for girls (and guys) about town like myself, where we can go and pamper ourselves rotten.

Fine and Dandy, is the beauty salon concept of Berlin-born Sascha Boritzki and Jeffrey Herget (who already own several hair salons in Mitte, Prenzlauerberg and Kreuzberg). Their love for subtle yet stylish detailing is evident  in everything from the interior design to the choice of tea service.  Natural light pours in through the glass walls that encompass two-thirds of the space as you enter the main salon.

Stealing a phrase often used by his British wife, Sascha Boritzki applied the name ‘Fine and Dandy’  not only as the  name of his new salon, but as a mission statment of sorts where quirky style and a feeling of well being are fused into a beauty salon concept. Little English touches such as serving shortbread and Earl Grey teas on chintzy crockery are twinned with modern haridressing and beauty techniques.  Fine and Dandy offer a range of beauty treatments  from ‘ Hair, Face, Nails and Beautiful Things’; beautiful things being accessories such as Linda Farrow vintage sunglasses, as well as art works and books for sale.

After a traumatic  experience in Copenhagen last year where my hair was butchered to the point where I was  left  looking like Barbara Streisand in Yentl, I was a bit scissor-shy to say the least, and opted for a luxurious one hour facial as well as a colour consultation.  For my facial I was greeted by Melanie, whose fresh-faced natural glow was a fantastic marketing tool for her services.  Furthermore this reassured me that I was in good hands, and not going to be made up to look like drag queen.

Melanie was attentive, without being overbearing, explaining every stage and product she was using in a calm and soothing voice. Her gentle and calm manner allowed me to really relax and enjoy my session.  The use of Wunderkind skin products left my normally sensitive skin feeling soft and refreshed, whilst smelling gorgeous without being overpowering.

An extra bonus was the small samples I was given of the products  used during the session. And I wasn’t bullied into buying anything; I really valued not being given the hard sell many salons employ after treatments, allowing me to the space to try the product before committing to something that may or may not suit my skin (or my bank balance).

A few days later I returned for a hair consulation from Sascha himself.  I had my mind set on going sandy blonde, yet after years of dying my hair black as Sascha explained,  it was not only going to be challenging but might have reduced my hair to straw. In his patient and friendly manner, Sascha advised me against my blonde ambitions for a warm autumnal brown. The advice was heeded, as I might have left  looking like a cheap latina streetwalker… Instead we went for the subtle and safer option using a Vidal Sasson Vitamin C colour stripping treament. The colour was not not as dramatic as I had orginally hoped for, yet  it actually suited me down to the ground and left my hair in fantastically shiny and soft condition.

Fine and Dandy certainly cater to the modern upwardly mobile crowd, as they offer Wifi to those customers who have laptops in tow.  I whiled away the time under the heat lamp sipping on Earl Grey tea, skyping away with a friend in London and getting work done.

Another aspect I really appreciated was that the music played (from country to trip hop) was never imposing. F&D are clarly aware that a salon’s primary function is dedicated to the customers comfort and relaxation, unlike other ‘trendier’ salons that pump endless migraine-inducing tunes, confusing me as to whether I’m at a salon or at a rave.

A little hint to those wanting to pay a visit, take advantage of Pimm’s O’Clock after 6pm, where customers are treated to a refereshing Pimm’s cocktail. Fine and Dandy, we do declare!

www.fineanddandy.de