Sutton + James

About Sutton + James

Sutton + James is a boutique hair salon on Duke Street in Putaruru, New Zealand, known to many locals by its former name, The Last Tangle. Owned and operated by head stylist Claire Sutton, the salon runs on a simple promise: great customer service and plenty of creativity — because, as the team likes to say, life isn't perfect but your hair can be.

The team is small by design: three stylists with years of experience between them. Claire has been hairdressing since 2000 and still treats her clients like family; Angelique brings 18 years in the trade, including time in salons across Australia, and a love of bright colours and out-of-the-box looks. Reviews consistently mention the same things — stylists who listen, a warm welcome and results clients walk out genuinely happy with.

Services span the full salon spectrum: men's, women's and children's cuts, foils and colouring, keratin smoothing, permanent straightening, perms, and treatments including in-salon Olaplex. From natural, sunkissed balayage to vivid purples and blues, this is a team that is always up for a challenge.

Sutton + James: Putaruru's Boutique Hair Salon for Colour, Keratin and Family Cuts

Sutton + James is a boutique hair salon on Duke Street in Putaruru, New Zealand, known to many locals by its former name, The Last Tangle. The rebrand brought a new sign but kept the same recipe: a small team of three stylists, a warm welcome, and a genuine love of creative hairdressing. Owner and head stylist Claire Sutton has been in the industry since 2000, and she still describes spending her days with clients as a lot of fun — in her words, her clients are like family.

The team around her brings plenty of depth. Stylist Angelique has 18 years in the trade, including time in a range of salons across Australia, and a particular flair for bright colours and out-of-the-box looks. Client reviews repeat the same themes again and again: stylists who listen to what you actually want, a relaxed chair-side manner, and results people walk out happy with — from a bold new colour to a hair donation turned into a beautiful new style.

Boutique is the operative word. With just three stylists, appointments feel personal rather than rushed, and the team says it is passionate about creating amazing experiences for clients — not simply turning out haircuts. It is the kind of salon where the owner is around even on her days off.

What they're known for

Colour is where the salon flexes. The menu runs from full colours and regrowth retouches through the complete foil family — T-section, half head and full head — plus scattered foils, foils combined with global colour, highlights and balayage. The salon's gallery shows the range on offer: natural, sunkissed balayage and soft highlights at one end, vivid purples, blues, rainbows and ombré looks at the other. By its own description, this is a team that is always up for a challenge.

The chemical-treatment menu is just as serious. Keratin Smoothing seals the hair shaft with a keratin protein coating, taming frizz and cutting styling time in half, with results that last three to five months — the salon's answer for anyone wanting freedom from the hair straightener. Opti Smooth offers permanent straightening, complete with a regrowth service for upkeep between full treatments, while in-salon Olaplex and moisture treatments cover bond strength and hydration.

Cuts for the whole family

The cutting list is refreshingly comprehensive. Women's cuts and full restyles sit alongside men's cuts and clipper cuts, GHD straightening, and age-specific cuts for preschoolers, primary kids and high schoolers — boys and girls alike — plus senior men's and ladies' cuts. Blow waves, sets and perms round out the menu, from a simple top perm to spiral, full head and long hair perms, and senior cut-and-set combinations.

It adds up to a genuinely family-friendly salon: grandparents, parents and preschoolers can all be fitted into the same price list, and the testimonials suggest the welcome is the same whatever is on the chair.

Planning your visit

Sutton + James is open Tuesday through Saturday, with a late night on Thursday until 7pm and Saturday mornings only. Afterpay is accepted, and appointments can be booked online through the salon's booking system or by phone on 07 883 8632. Because colour and chemical services take real chair time, booking ahead is the sensible move — and if you have something specific in mind, the team invites you to get in touch and talk it through first. First-timers can also browse the gallery on the salon's website to get a feel for the team's work before committing.

As the salon's own motto puts it: happiness is a new hair cut.

Signature items

• Balayage
• Keratin Smoothing
• Olaplex Treatment
• Opti Smooth Permanent Straightening
• Full Head Foils
• Spiral Perm

Menu

Colours

• Full Colour — Single-process colour from roots to ends.
• Regrowth Retouch — Colour touch-up on new root growth.
• Highlights — Lightened pieces through the hair for brightness.
• T-Section Foils — Foils through the parting and front to lift the visible sections.
• Half Head Foils — Foils through the top and sides for a lifted look.
• Full Head Foils — Foils through every section for full coverage.
• Scattered Foils & Roots — A root colour with scattered foils for blended depth.
• Scattered Foils & Global — All-over colour with scattered foils for dimension.
• Balayage — Hand-painted, freeform colour for a natural, sunkissed gradient.

Cuts & Styling

• Women's Cut — A tailored cut and finish for women.
• Men's Cut — Tailored gents' haircut and finish.
• Women's Restyle — A whole new cut for a fresh start.
• Clipper Cut — Short, neat clipper-based cut, low fuss.
• High School Girl's Cut — Cut and style for high-school-age girls.
• High School Boy's Cut — Cut and style for high-school-age boys.
• Primary Kid's Cut — Kid-friendly cut for primary school age.
• Preschool Kid's Cut — A gentle cut for the youngest clients.
• Senior Men's Cut — Gents' haircut for senior clients.
• Senior Ladies Cut — Ladies' cut and finish for senior clients.
• GHD Straightening — Smooth, styled finish using GHD irons.

Blow Waves & Perms

• Women's Blow Wave — Wash and professional blow-dry styling.
• Cut & Blow Wave — A cut followed by a styled blow-dry finish.
• Senior Blow Wave/Set — Blow-wave or set styling for senior clients.
• Senior Cut & Blow Wave — Cut and styled finish for senior clients.
• Senior Set & Comb Up — Traditional set and comb-out styling.
• Top Perm — Perm through the top section for lift and curl.
• Full Head Perm — All-over curl and body from roots to ends.
• Spiral Perm — Defined spiral curls for lasting wave.
• Long Hair Perm — Perm designed for longer lengths.

Chemical Treatments

• Olaplex Treatment — In-salon bond-building treatment for stronger hair.
• Keratin Smoothing — Keratin coating tames frizz; hair stays soft and manageable for three to five months.
• Opti Smooth Permanent Straightening — Permanent chemical straightening for lasting smoothness.
• Opti Smooth Permanent Straightening Regrowth — Straightening touch-up on regrowth between full treatments.
• Moisture Treatment — Conditioning treatment to rehydrate the hair.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book an appointment at Sutton + James?

Bookings can be made online through the salon's Timely booking system via its website, or by calling 07 883 8632 during opening hours.

Where is the salon and when is it open?

The salon is at 1 Duke Street, Putaruru. It is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am–5pm, Thursday 9am–7pm and Saturday 9am–1pm, and closed on Sundays and Mondays.

How long does a Keratin Smoothing treatment last?

Three to five months. The treatment seals the hair shaft with a keratin coating to tame frizz and can cut your styling time in half.

Can I bring my children in for a haircut?

Yes — the price list includes preschool, primary and high school cuts for boys and girls, alongside men's, women's and senior cuts.

Do you do creative or fashion colours?

Yes. The stylists love bright colours and out-of-the-box looks, and the salon's gallery features purple, blue and rainbow colour work alongside natural balayage.

Does the salon accept Afterpay?

Yes — Afterpay is listed among the payment methods the salon accepts.

What is the difference between Olaplex and a moisture treatment?

Olaplex is a bond-building treatment for strengthening the hair, while a moisture treatment rehydrates. The team can recommend the right option for your hair.

Tips

• {"body":"Appointments are made through the salon's online booking system, or call 07 883 8632 to talk it through.","title":"Book ahead online"}
• {"body":"The salon stays open until 7pm on Thursdays — handy if daytime hours don't work for you.","title":"Thursday is the late night"}
• {"body":"Saturday trading finishes at 1pm, so book early for weekend slots.","title":"Saturdays are mornings only"}
• {"body":"Keratin Smoothing keeps hair smooth for three to five months, so it works as an occasional reset rather than a frequent visit.","title":"Plan around keratin"}
• {"body":"The team is always up for a challenge — bold colours, restyles and out-of-the-box looks are all in their wheelhouse.","title":"Bring your ideas"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Cuts for preschool, primary, high school, adults and seniors — a full family salon","payments":"Afterpay accepted"}