Karamella Hairdressing is a boutique hair salon in Bishopdale, Christchurch, built around personalised hair care and wearable styles that fit a client's lifestyle. The team of stylists is hand-picked for their knowledge, customer service, and passion for the craft, bringing a combined total of over 100 years' experience to the salon.
The team is led by Master Stylist Nickki, who has over 25 years in the industry and works across custom colouring, precision haircutting and styling. Senior Stylist Natasha (Tash), also with over 25 years' experience, specialises in curly and textured hair and serves as a trusted senior advisor to both clients and colleagues. Senior Stylist Leigh specialises in classic, timeless styling.
For colour services, Karamella offers a complimentary colour consultation, where stylists discuss a client's hair goals, take a strand test to see how the hair will respond (particularly useful for those chasing brighter blondes), and complete the required patch test ahead of the appointment. The salon also runs an online shop selling Keune haircare products, chosen for being cruelty-free, with free shipping New Zealand-wide on orders over $120.
Tucked into Bishopdale, Christchurch, Karamella Hairdressing describes itself as where the artistry of hair meets the warmth of home. It's a boutique salon built around personalised hair care, with a specialist team dedicated to helping clients reach their hair goals rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all approach.
Karamella's stylists bring a combined total of over 100 years' experience to the salon. Master Stylist Nickki has more than 25 years in the industry, working across custom colouring, precision haircutting and styling, with a focus on building genuine connections with clients rather than just delivering a service. Senior Stylist Natasha, known as Tash, also brings over 25 years' experience and has built a reputation as the salon's go-to for curly and textured hair, serving as a trusted senior advisor to both clients and colleagues. Senior Stylist Leigh rounds out the team with a specialism in classic, timeless styling, paired with a warm, easygoing manner.
The salon's philosophy centres on wearable hair that fits a client's actual lifestyle, while still incorporating elements of current trends where they add a fun touch to a style. That approach carries through into the salon's colour process: new colour clients are offered a complimentary consultation, where stylists talk through the client's dream hair, take a small strand test to understand exactly how the hair will respond (especially useful for anyone chasing brighter blondes), and complete the required patch test ahead of the actual appointment.
Karamella's services are priced 'from,' reflecting that costs can vary by stylist, hair length and thickness. Haircuts and styling range from a Man's Short Hair Cut and Style (from $50, 30 minutes) up to a Lady's Haircut and Long Hair Styling with Curls or Restyle (from $110, up to 60 minutes). Blow waves are available for short hair (from $50, no straightening or curling) and long hair with straightening or curls (from $70). For special occasions, there's Formal Hair Up (from $90), Wedding Hair Up (from $140), and a dedicated Wedding Hair Trial (from $90) for brides-to-be to plan their day-of look. A Clipper Cut (buzz cut) is available at a flat $35, with fades priced and scheduled separately. Colour services — foil highlights, permanent colour, and gloss semi-permanent/toning — are priced individually following the free consultation, and in-salon treatments are priced separately so they can be added onto any other service.
Karamella uses and recommends Keune haircare, chosen specifically because it's cruelty-free. The salon runs an online shop where clients can order their favourite Keune products directly, with shipping now available New Zealand-wide and free shipping on orders over $120.
Client reviews describe the team as friendly, professional and talented, with one client noting they fly from Auckland to Christchurch specifically for their appointments, praising the salon's skill with blonde hair, customer service, and the fact that they're happy to have a client's dog join them in-salon. Another described her first visit with Nickki as warm and attentive, leaving very happy with her new haircut.
Karamella Hairdressing is located at 268 Greers Road, Bishopdale, Christchurch 8053, and can be reached by phone or through the salon's online booking system. Payment is accepted via American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Mastercard, PayPal, Shop Pay, Union Pay and Visa.