*This cut and colour was gifted by DKUK.
So, I'm relatively picky with collaborations.
Over the past couple of months my blog has really gained some traction and I’ve had more collaboration offers than I’m used to… Which I won’t lie, I find very overwhelming. As much as I love “things” and material possessions, I get very overwhelmed really quickly and so I have to be picky before I get stressed. However, on receiving a message from DKUK, I have never said yes to a collaboration quicker, because I read their message and loved everything they stood for.
What is DKUK?
DKUK is a hair salon based in Peckham, with one main goal in mind: to be accessible as possible. They offer gender-neutral pricing: judging haircut pricing purely on the time and stylists experience, stocking a purely vegan hair care product range and letting you pay what you can for your first haircut.
The Twist
The accessibility also extends to their unique hairdressing twist: Whilst getting your hair done you do not have a mirror to look at… Instead, you are sat in front of the artwork. Not only is this DKUK’s way of making the artwork more accessible for everybody, but it gives you a chance to properly switch off and not focus on your face and your hair whilst it’s getting done. (Don’t worry though, they have a hand mirror to check lengths etc. before cutting.)
My experience
I won’t lie, hairdressers tend to fill me with a bit of anxiety. I’ve had experiences where I’ve felt a little judged for the condition of my hair, or it’s just felt a little unwelcoming. So, it’s led to me always having butterflies before a hair appointment. However, my butterflies and worries have never disappeared as quickly as they did at DKUK. The staff were so lovely and welcoming, and Wendy my hairdresser was so personable and easy to chat to. I left with the biggest smile on my face and a really full heart, so I could not recommend the atmosphere more.
When it came to getting my hair done without a mirror, it was obviously a very new experience for me and I was wondering how I’d like it. Turned out, I definitely preferred a mirrorless haircut! I didn’t have to stare at my own face (Which always seems to look worse in hairdresser mirrors) for a couple of hours while they did my hair, and it meant that I was able to focus on other things, like chatting to Wendy. It made it feel more like a time to switch off and relax, and I feel that affected my wellbeing, and was a reason I was so happy coming out of it.
Also, for the final reveal of your hair, they sit you in front of this one art installation, press a button and the art disappears and you can see yourself in a mirror. It was cute and flashy and I love a gimmick from time to time… Would recommend.
The final look...
I always struggle with hairdressers, because my hair is a bit weird. I find that it’s not quite what people expect when they think of Afro-Caribbean hair, but it’s also (obviously) not a European type. It lies somewhere in the middle, and expecting a hairdresser to know how to deal with that can always be a bit hard. However, when I was first in talks with DKUK, they mentioned that they really wanted to cater for all hair types, and so had experts in all, so I hoped that this time was different… And it sure was.
While explaining – rather poorly – what my hair was like and how it dealth with oils and hair products, Wendy listened calmly and responded accordingly. She asked what products I currently used, how I felt about them, recommended products that would probably be better (And they are, I’ve purchased them) and I honestly felt so cared for and understood – not a feeling I often get from hairdressers. She really catered to my hairs needs, and I left with my hair feeling soft and light in spite of the colouring.
As for the colouring – I had shown up not quite sure what I wanted, but knowing I wanted a refresh. Wendy and I looked through the colour book, I pointed at some colours I liked, and then put my trust in her hands… I am in love with the result! It’s a mix of copper, reddish and blonde highlights and looks how I imagine a pumpkin spiced latte would look in hair form. I love that the copper tones also subtly extend to my browner hair at the top – it’s everything I didn’t know I wanted, and you can bet without a doubt that I will be going to DKUK for my next colour.
Would I recommend DKUK?
Honestly, I cannot recommend DKUK enough. I would scream it from the rooftops if I could. Not only do they provide attentive and amazing service, but they also stand for something so important whilst also providing a fun, different experience. If you are ever looking for a London hairdresser, please venture out to Peckham and go to DKUK, I cannot fault them. Also… With pay what you can for your first haircut, what are you really losing?
Thank you so much to DKUK for inviting me down to try your salon, I can guarantee that you haven’t seen the last of me!
Do you like the sound of DKUK? Let me know in the comments!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
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