H2O Hair

About H2O Hair

H2O Hair is an ammonia-free hair salon set in The Sands Complex across from Tahunanui Beach in Nelson, using naturally derived and organic colour products.

Founded by master stylist Gaila Moreu, who trained at the Aveda Advanced Academy in Vancouver and became an Aveda Colour Educator and curly hair specialist, H2O Hair also features senior stylists Claire, with over twenty years' experience across Australia and New Zealand, and Lisa, a locally qualified stylist with over 16 years' experience. The team offers rich, long-lasting colour with the lowest concentrations of PPD dyes, considered safe for pregnant women.

The salon's ambiance is a deliberate part of the experience: no harsh chemical smells, organic coffee and tea from local vendors, ambient music, and a complimentary aromatherapy scalp massage before every cut and style.

H2O Hair: An Ammonia-Free Salon Oasis Near Tahunanui Beach

Set in The Sands Complex directly across from Tahunanui Beach, H2O Hair is a Nelson salon built around a simple idea: exceptional hair care shouldn't come at the cost of harsh chemicals or a stressful experience.

An Ammonia-Free Approach

H2O Hair uses a wide range of naturally derived and organic colour products, offering rich, lustrous coverage and long-lasting results without damaging the hair. The colours and lighteners used carry the lowest concentrations of PPD dyes — less than half a percent — and are considered safe for pregnant women. It's a meaningful point of difference for clients who are conscious of what's being applied to their hair and scalp.

The Team Behind the Salon

H2O Hair was founded by Gaila Moreu, who brought over a decade of salon management experience from Canada and Nelson before opening her own studio. After qualifying in Vancouver, Gaila trained at the Aveda Advanced Academy and spent three years honing creative and technical skills with leading industry professionals, going on to become an Aveda Colour Educator with a particular reputation as a curly hair specialist, alongside strengths in men's cutting and fine hair.

She's joined by Claire, a Nelson-trained senior stylist with over twenty years' experience across Australia and New Zealand — including managing her own salon in Tasmania — known for long straight hair, precise women's bobs, colour work and men's cutting. Lisa rounds out the team as an advanced senior stylist with over 16 years' experience, the last seven in Nelson, known for thorough consultations and a strong focus on client needs.

A Deliberately Relaxing Experience

Gaila's vision for H2O Hair was a place to escape the bustle of everyday life, and that shows in the details. There are no harsh chemical smells thanks to the ammonia-free approach — instead, the salon fills with the aromas of organic coffee and tea sourced from local vendors. Ambient music plays, Phoenix palms sway outside, and every client receives a complimentary aromatherapy scalp massage before their cut and style. Robes are available to protect clothing, and those waiting for colour to process can enjoy a Raglan Roast coffee from next door, browse magazines, or use free internet access.

Services on Offer

H2O Hair's service menu spans haircutting for women, men and kids, blowdry styling, upstyles, a full range of colour services from global colour to foils and toning, and conditioning and hair detox treatments including permanent waves and the Kerasilk Smoothing Treatment, which provides a minimum of five months of frizz-free, manageable hair. A haircut or blow-dry is required after any colour service to finish the look.

Easy to Reach, Easy to Park

Practical touches matter too — plentiful free parking is available in the covered garage at the back of The Sands Complex, with additional parking near the beach for those who fancy a stroll afterwards.

Visiting H2O Hair

H2O Hair is located at Shop 6, 623 Rocks Road, Nelson, and offers free consultations, with appointments not always necessary. With its ammonia-free ethos, experienced team and resort-like atmosphere, H2O Hair aims to be more than just a haircut — it's designed as a genuine escape.

Signature items

• Kerasilk Smoothing Treatment
• Ammonia-Free Organic Colour
• Complimentary Aromatherapy Scalp Massage
• Curly Hair Styling
• Men's Haircutting

Menu

Colour Services

• Global Colour — New growth colour application.
• Top Foils — A smaller foil colour service.
• 1/2 Head Foils — Half head foil colour service.
• 3/4 Head Foils — Three-quarter head foil colour service.
• Full Head Foils — Full head foil colour service.
• Single Foil Add-On — An additional foil added to any global or foil colour service.
• Toner with Lightener — Toning service combined with a lightening treatment.
• Elumen Magnetic Lock — A colour-locking add-on treatment.
• Complex Colour, Ombré, Balayage or Colour Correction — Priced and planned during a consultation.

Upstyle Services

• Upstyle - Short — A shorter upstyle service.
• Upstyle - Medium — A mid-length upstyle service.
• Upstyle - Extended — A longer, more involved upstyle service.

Haircutting Services

• Women's Cut & Blowdry — Includes aromatherapy scalp massage, shampoo, condition and haircut styled with brushes.
• Women's Cut & Natural Finish — Includes aromatherapy scalp massage, shampoo, condition, and haircut styled without brushes.
• Women's Dry or Wet Cut — Available only if the stylist deems it appropriate to achieve the desired result.
• Men's Cut & Style — Includes aromatherapy scalp massage, shampoo, condition, haircut and styled finish.
• Men's Express Cut — A quicker men's haircut option.
• Men's Clipper Cut — A clipper-based men's haircut.
• Beard Trim — A beard trimming service.
• Kids Haircuts — For children up to 17 years old.
• Fringe & Neck Trim — Free for clients maintaining their haircuts with H2O Hair.

Blowdry Style Services

• Natural Finish Blow-dry — A quick natural finish blow-dry.
• Short-Medium Hairstyle — Styling using brushes and tools.
• Medium-Long Hairstyle — Styling using brushes and tools.
• Heated Tools Add-On — Flatirons, curling irons or wavers, if needed beyond the booked service time.

Conditioning And Hair Detox Treatments

• Conditioning Treatment — A treatment option available for every hair type, added to any service.
• Short Hair Permanent Waves — Permanent waves, curls or texture for shorter hair.
• Long Hair Permanent Waves — Permanent waves or spiral curls for longer hair.
• Kerasilk Smoothing Treatment — Provides a minimum of 5 months of virtually frizz-free, manageable hair.

Frequently asked questions

Is H2O Hair ammonia-free?

Yes, the salon uses naturally derived and organic colour products that are ammonia-free.

Are consultations free?

Yes, consultations are free and appointments aren't always necessary.

What's included with a haircut?

A complimentary aromatherapy scalp massage is included before every cut and style.

What is H2O Hair's cancellation policy?

A cancellation fee of up to 25% may apply for no-shows or cancellations within 24 hours, depending on circumstances.

Is parking available?

Yes, free parking is available in the covered garage at The Sands Complex, with more parking near the beach.

What are H2O Hair's opening hours?

Monday is flexible; Tuesday to Friday from 9:30/10am to 8-9pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; closed Sunday.

Who are the stylists at H2O Hair?

Gaila (Master Stylist), Claire (Senior Stylist) and Lisa (Senior Stylist).

Tips

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• {"body":"Monday hours are flexible, so it's worth calling to confirm availability.","title":"Call ahead on Mondays"}
• {"body":"This treatment offers a minimum of 5 months of frizz-free, manageable hair.","title":"Ask about the Kerasilk Smoothing Treatment"}
• {"body":"Free covered parking is available at The Sands Complex off Bisley Avenue.","title":"Bring your ID for parking"}

Good to know

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