ESHK Hair Moabit

ESHK opened in London in 2005, starting in East London, and has since grown into a group of salons across London, Berlin, New York and Toronto. The London branches are at Goswell Road in Barbican/Clerkenwell, Charlotte Road in Shoreditch (the salon moved there after about a decade on Pitfield Street) and Bermondsey Street near Borough Market.

Cutting is a core part of the work. Stylists work across curly, thick, straight, wavy, short and long hair.

Before any colour service, the salon asks for a consultation and a skin patch test at least 48 hours ahead, with a signed form, and regular colour clients repeat the test every six months. Bleach clients are advised not to wash their hair for 48 hours beforehand, and bleach and toner appointments are booked after a consultation by WhatsApp or phone. Free consultations are offered to talk through colour, cut, goals and cost, and colour and haircut appointments on the same visit are best booked with the same stylist.

A card deposit secures each booking, and cancellations cannot be made through social media. Cancellation notice is generally 24 hours, with some branches asking for 48 hours, and late cancellations or missed appointments can incur a percentage of the booked services. Prices are set according to the stylist level and the hair length or time a result needs, and the salon notes they may shift slightly after consultation.

The salon describes its atmosphere as unique but relaxed and warm. The Shoreditch space has a shop front, dark wooden floors and coloured tiling, and the Bermondsey salon has handcrafted finishes. The business states it is open and welcoming to everyone, including LGBTQ+ clients and team members.

ESHK aims to pair a creative, skilled team and quality products with a warm setting, with the goal of getting clients the hair result they want. Consultations and skin tests come before colour, and the salon does not promote outside awards.

Relaxed and warm, with a shop front and wooden floors in Shoreditch and record listening stations in Berlin.