PINQUE is a hair salon on Hinemoa Street in Birkenhead, Auckland, built around a philosophy the team sums up simply: hair is “the crown you never take off”. The salon was created as a space to indulge in a little luxury and leave with hair that inspires confidence — an escape from everyday life where guests feel heard, important and pampered.
The salon is the dream project of owner and master stylist Karl Mohring, who knew from the age of 14 that he wanted to do something that made people feel good. After 11 years in hairdressing across four salons in the Waikato and Auckland — including working with Schwarzkopf Professional on their Made to Create Team — Karl opened PINQUE, a name blending his love of pink with uniqueness. He describes it as a place to feel heard and pampered, and to leave inspired to live every day to the fullest.
Karl is joined by Sophie Afamasaga, senior stylist and colourist with more than five years of experience turning hair goals into reality; Jordan Wade, an emerging talent stylist and colourist developing his cutting skills and exploring new colour techniques; and salon assistant Georgia McCarthy, who is starting her hairdressing journey with a focus on making every client feel happy, relaxed and understood from consultation to the final reveal. Rounding out the team is Cooper, the salon dog, who holds the title of CFO — Chief Fluffiness Officer — and Director of Client Love.
Appointments can be booked online through the salon’s Book Now page or by phoning the salon directly. Gift vouchers are available for anyone wanting to share the experience, and the team’s latest transformations are showcased in the Our Work gallery and on Instagram and Facebook.
PINQUE is a hair salon on Hinemoa Street in Birkenhead, Auckland, and it wears its philosophy on its sleeve: hair is, as the team puts it, “the crown you never take off”. The salon was created as a place to indulge in a little luxury and leave with hair that inspires confidence — and everything from the name on the door to the team’s way of working is built around that idea.
PINQUE is the project of owner and master stylist Karl Mohring, and it is, by his own account, a dream come true. From the age of 14 he knew he wanted to do something that made people feel good, and hairdressing became the answer. Eleven years in the industry, four salons across the Waikato and Auckland, and extensive training — including working with Schwarzkopf Professional on their Made to Create Team — shaped both his craft and his conviction that a salon should be more than a transaction.
The name itself tells the story: PINQUE is Karl’s love of pink mixed with uniqueness. That spirit runs through the whole place. He describes the salon as an escape from everyday life — somewhere to feel heard, important and pampered, and to leave inspired to live every day to the fullest. He is equally upfront about wanting to be a positive force in the industry: to meet, to train, to educate and, above all, to see happiness.
No salon delivers on that promise alone, and Karl has gathered a small, genuinely enthusiastic team around him.
Sophie Afamasaga is the salon’s senior stylist and colourist. With more than five years in the industry, she has worked alongside a long list of talented professionals and drawn a wide range of skills and techniques from each of them. Bringing ideas to life and turning hair goals into reality is her stated specialty, and she stays on top of trends as they evolve. Off duty, you’ll usually find her on a hiking trail or soaking up the sun at the beach.
Jordan Wade is the salon’s emerging talent stylist and colourist, and he is candid about the journey: he is especially interested in exploring new colour techniques and developing his cutting skills. What he is already certain about is the experience — he aims to make every client feel comfortable and cared for, and loves being part of an industry built on confidence.
Georgia McCarthy, the salon assistant, is at the very start of her hairdressing journey and loves learning at every opportunity. Her focus is on strengthening the basics so every step of an appointment feels amazing, and her goal is simple: that every client feels happy, relaxed, excited and, most importantly, heard. She is also often on the lookout for models as she builds her skills.
And then there is Cooper — the salon’s dog, officially titled CFO (Chief Fluffiness Officer) and Director of Client Love. It is the kind of detail that tells you a lot about the place.
An appointment at PINQUE begins with listening. Consultation is treated as a genuine part of the service rather than a formality — the team repeatedly stresses that clients should feel understood when it comes to their hair, from the consultation through to the final reveal. From there, it is the full salon treatment: colour, cutting and styling delivered with the care Karl describes when he talks about guests feeling pampered and leaving with hair that inspires confidence.
The results are on display. The salon’s Our Work gallery showcases recent transformations, and the team shares its latest creations on Instagram and Facebook, which makes it easy to scout a look before you sit in the chair.
Appointments can be made online through the Book Now page, which links to the salon’s live booking system, or by phoning 09 372 9724. The salon is at 253 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland 0626.
If you would rather gift the experience than book it for yourself, PINQUE offers gift vouchers — a straightforward way to treat someone to time in the chair. Whether you are after a fresh colour with Sophie, a cut with Karl, or simply a warm escape from the week, PINQUE makes the case that a hair appointment can be the best hour of it.