Soigne. Sleek. And oh-so-chic. That’s always been the best way to define the women of Paris — and that doesn’t even begin to describe their hair. Aside from incredible skincare and style, French women have also perfected the just-out-of-bed hairstyle that looks purposefully messy yet polished at the same time. While these women have been effecting the je ne sais quoi of French allure for generations, if you want to achieve the same in the City of Light — at the loveliest haute-couture hair establishments — book an appointment at one of these salons. You’re sure to come away with the very best blowout that moves effortlessly during the day and yet by night looks like it has been tousled just enough by the hands of a lover.
Now, get ready for your scalp massage and some serious shine. You’re welcome – or should I say, “Je vous en prie.”
David Lucas Salon at the Hotel de Crillon
Hollywood A-listers are very familiar with the salon by David Lucas. It is located in the ultra-luxurious Sense spa at the Hotel de Crillon, a Rosewood property, prominently situated on the Place de la Concorde. The salon adjoins the spa and opens onto the magnificent Cour Gabriel, a grandiose environment decked out in green, thanks to plants chosen by Louis Benech, one of France’s most celebrated landscape designers. Mr. Lucas defines his salon as “bright and luxurious, yet very intimate,” and told me that his salon team is available seven days a week — and is also available to perform blowouts in guests’ hotel rooms, for the ultimate convenience. He added, “I prefer the ultra-natural look, so we always recommend flexible blow-drys that allow the hair to position itself naturally and elegantly.” What else would you expect from one of Paris’s best luxury hair salons?
The upscale salon is based on a belief that a new hairstyle is the start of a new life — what many try to conjure at the end of every breakup, but often wind up more miserable with questionable bangs or a color that is so drastic it doesn’t quite fit. It’s important to understand what’s going on in a client’s life. “I gather information from each client to find out what they want and why. This is important, as very often a change in cut or color corresponds to a change in someone’s personal or professional life,” Mr. Lucas explains.
Mr. Lucas told me that his focus is on offering repairing, energizing, hydrating, and nourishing active ingredients to protect and beautify the hair. That’s why his salon uses products — especially the Flexible Hairspray — that shapes and finishes without weighing down the hair. He added, “With me, everyone is a star deserving the best service and attention at the salon. It’s in my nature.” Make sure to check out his new product line that includes a Scalp Brush, and especially for the fair-haired, Blond By David Lucas.
Blowouts at this luxury Parisian hair salon cost about €95. And when all is said and done — treat yourself to something else — a divine delicacy at the gleaming new Butterfly Patisserie in the Hotel de Crillon, where the signature chocolates are encased like gleaming jewels.
David Mallett Salon at Ritz Club & Spa
If you are a guest of the inimitable Ritz Paris — and only if you are a guest — you can book a blow dry at the David Mallet Salon. The Ritz Paris, bien sur, is one of the world’s greatest hotels. Even the ladies’ room, right off the Ritz lobby, is bedecked with gold, gold, and more gold — including the hotel’s signature swan faucets.
The highbrow hotel is now owned by Mohammed Al-Fayed, who (in the book Eternally Ritz Paris, Assouline Press), says, “Falling in love only takes a second. It happened to me the first moment I saw The Ritz, the most beautiful hotel in the most beautiful square of the most beautiful city on earth.”
He is right of course — the Ritz Paris is as good as it gets — and that says a lot. It has a rich, storied history that would take pages and pages of copy to convey. Coco Chanel lived here for 34 years. The Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson stayed here for years, in what is now called the Windsor Suite. The Hemingway bar was named after the famed writer, who used to visit here. There are many more stories about the hotel, which is also a retreat, a residence, a fashionable destination, a final home, a fine-dining spot, a rock-star haunt, a seat of power, a dream of a lifetime, and a diplomatic refuge. And home to one of the world’s best luxury Parisian hair salons, where you can get an eloquent but sexy blow dry.
Mr. Mallett told me, “Every treatment at the David Mallett Salon at Ritz Club & Spa is rooted in the same philosophy: Creating the ultra-natural glamor that stems from lightness and simplicity.”
David Mallett is a celebrated Australian hairstylist who has traveled the world for more than 20 years, from fashion shoots to prestigious appointments with elegant women who love his styles. His signature, a mix of elegance and naturalness, is the essence of Parisian chic. The Salon opened in August 2022, simultaneously as the Ritz Club & Spa unveiled its transformation. Blowouts start at €280 if performed by David Mallett and €120 if done by a stylist. After your visit, you can experience some of Paris’ best shopping, cafes, and culture in the 1st arrondissement — including the nearby Louvre or Jardin des Tuileries. Or better yet, just stay right there at the hotel spa and experience Serge Lutens for some of the world’s best perfumes. (Personally, I am crazy for and recommend the Rahat Loukoum, a voluptuous, soft, sweet fragrance composed of gourmet flavors, with almonds, mint, rose, and pistachio. It smells like Turkish candy.) No matter what you do — even if you enter the hotel and salon feeling like Gerard Depardieu — you will exit as Catherine Deneuve — on the best day of her life.
Balmain Hair Couture
Take advantage too of the Balmain salon, whose ambassador is the world-famous Russian model Natalia Vodianova. The Balmain salon caters to mere mortals as well as high-profile celebrities such as Irina Shayk and Vincent Cassel. “Their choice to trust our salon for their beauty and wellbeing needs is a tremendous source of pride for us,” says Liudmilla Aksenova, spa director.
The salon is beautifully situated in the heart of the 9th arrondissement, within the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand, an IHG Hotel on the lovely Rue Scribe. “Our valued clients have access to a wide selection of food and drinks at Café de la Paix, and our location offers a breathtaking view of the iconic Opera Garnier, just across the street,” Ms. Aksenova added.
A beautiful blowout here ranges from €95-215, depending on hair length, from short to very long cuts. The salon uses the Balmain Hair Couture professional product line, which includes hair care, styling products, and accessories. The professional instruments and tools are also from the Balmain Hair Couture brand. “We are committed to maintaining high standards by using only professional-grade products and tools to provide clients with an exceptional experience.”
The salon’s staff can make “house calls” to other Paris hotels — or your Paris apartment — and especially during Fashion Week. Your blowout will result in hair that is vivacious — and oh-so-French and flirtatious.
Amusez-vous bien.
Featured image courtesy of Ritz Paris.
