An urban sanctuary in the heart of Invercargill CBD, Halcyon Creative Limited is a hair and makeup salon created by co-directors Kerry Penisula-Spain and Kyla Allan. Since 2015 the salon has grown into a family of qualified hair and makeup artists who collaborate to inspire and create, hand-picked for their excellent skills so that clients leave feeling positive and nurtured.
Halcyon does things a little differently: its artists charge hourly session rates based on their education, experience, specialities, craft and demand, with pricing kept transparent and a bespoke hair plan shaped for every booked session. Guests are booked independently by appointment and receive undivided attention in a light, spacious and opulent space with an almost zen-like atmosphere of peace and relaxation.
Beyond the chair, a multi-purpose area at the rear converts into a custom-built photographic studio for hire or a venue for one-on-one makeup tuition, workshops, seminars and wedding parties, with a freelance option for on-location work. A registered Davines salon accredited by Sustainable Salons, Halcyon offers memberships and gift vouchers, keeps late nights Tuesday to Thursday, and welcomes Saturday visitors by appointment.
On the upper level of 4 Nith Street, right in the heart of Invercargill's CBD, you'll find something unusual for a hair salon: quiet. Halcyon Creative Limited opened in 2015, and in the years since, co-directors Kerry Penisula-Spain and Kyla Allan have created what they call an urban sanctuary — a light, spacious and opulent space with an almost zen-like quality, designed for clients to come, be pampered and leave feeling positive and nurtured.
Halcyon deliberately works unlike most salons. Rather than a fixed service list, its passionate artists charge hourly session rates based on each artist's education, experience, specialities, craft and demand — an approach the team says is all about transparency. Guests are booked independently, by appointment, so each artist can give undivided attention; having your hair styled, they believe, is an incredibly intimate experience.
Every session is tailored to the individual. Your artist creates a bespoke hair plan that can be accomplished within the time you've booked, and the salon encourages you to read the artists' bios to find the specialist who suits your needs.
The Halcyon family brings serious credentials. Co-director Kerry Penisula-Spain has been in the industry since 2001 and is an award-winning hair and makeup artist whose specialities include bridal hair and makeup application, photographic collections, TV and film makeup, special effects, body-art and character looks. Her screen credits include work for SKY Sport TV, the movie The World's Fastest Indian and Disney's Pete's Dragon.
Co-director Kyla Allan began hairdressing in 1998. She has tutored at the Southern Institute of Technology, styled internationally for Steiner Transoceanic aboard luxury cruise liners, claimed regional and national New Zealand hairdressing titles and held a place on the NZ L'Oréal creative team in 2011. She is passionate about passing a solid skill set to the next generation of stylists.
They are joined by Carina Humphries, a master stylist of more than 22 years who closed her own North Island salon to relocate south and be closer to family; Meghan Van Vuuren, a final-year apprentice who came from full-time work in Hawke's Bay and is especially strong in cutting, blow waving, treatments and foundational colouring; and Ana Bettio, a beauty therapist and makeup artist from Brazil with 16 years of experience, whose brow and makeup artistry the team happily calls amazing.
Halcyon is more than a salon. A multi-purpose area at the rear converts into a custom-built professional photographic studio for hire, doubling as a seminar and educational space. The same area hosts one-on-one makeup tuition, training workshops, seminars and wedding parties, and a freelance option takes the team on location for out-of-town weddings, photo shoots, TV and film pre-production, shows and events. Education sits alongside hairdressing too, with the salon's Halcyon Wings and Make-up Artistry strands extending that love of training.
The Halcyon experience is built around calm. Guests are welcome to simply relax in the quiet or bring their own device with earbuds to enjoy favourite tunes, podcasts or shows during their appointment — your time to unwind and recharge, uniquely yours. The salon features Davines haircare and is a registered salon accredited by Sustainable Salons, and it now offers memberships and gift vouchers for those who want to make Halcyon a habit — or a gift.
Halcyon Creative is open Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 8pm and Friday from 9am to 5pm; Saturdays are by appointment only, and the salon is closed Sunday and Monday, with hours occasionally varying — worth checking when you book. Appointments can be made online through the salon's booking page or by phone on 03 217 2177. Whether you need a considered cut, bridal artistry or a screen-worthy makeup look, you'll find it in one of Invercargill's most peaceful settings.