The Salon

hair salon — Kelvin Heights · Queenstown

About The Salon

The Salon is a sun-bathed, boutique hair studio set right along the shores of Lake Wakatipu at Kawarau Falls in Kelvin Heights, Queenstown. Designed as a calming sanctuary and solace from the bustling world outside, the studio offers a peaceful space where clients can relax, take a breath, or comfortably catch up on work from a laptop while receiving expert hair care.

Owned by stylist Amber Walker, who brings more than two decades of international competition, training, and salon experience, the boutique focuses on bespoke, lifestyle-tailored hair styling. With an intimate setup of just four styling stations, every visitor receives personalized, dedicated attention from fully qualified senior stylists in a bright, modern, and stress-free environment.

The studio places strong emphasis on hair health and sustainability, utilizing professional EVO haircare and colour systems alongside premium restorative treatments like Olaplex and Lakme K2.0. Whether visiting for precision cutting, blonding, subtle blending, or a restorative basin treatment and scalp massage, The Salon delivers a welcoming, high-touch experience tailored to every guest.

The Salon: A Waterfront Hair Sanctuary at Kawarau Falls in Queenstown

Tucked right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in Kelvin Heights, The Salon provides a refreshing break from the bustling pace of Central Queenstown. Conceived not simply as a place for a haircut but as an intentional sanctuary, the light-filled studio blends high-level salon craft with the peaceful atmosphere of an alpine lakeside retreat.

Founded by salon owner Amber Walker, the space was created out of a desire for a serene, stress-free work environment where clients feel instantly at ease. Backed by over two decades of global hairdressing experience—spanning international competitions, advanced training, and continuous learning—Amber established The Salon to focus on bespoke cuts and colours designed around each client's everyday lifestyle. Working alongside her is Elaine, a stylist with more than 20 years of experience who honed her craft in London and across top salons in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, bringing a passion for detailed colour placement and precision cutting.

An Intimate, Four-Station Studio Experience

Unlike high-turnover, noisy commercial salons, The Salon operates with just four styling stations. This deliberately boutique layout ensures a calm, intimate setting where you never feel rushed through a process. Clients are welcomed with a friendly smile, a fresh cup of tea, and an invitation to tailor the visit to their needs: catch up on work from a laptop, get lost in a magazine, enjoy a deep scalp massage at the basin, or simply take a moment to breathe.

Dedicated Craft and Sustainable Products

Every technical service at The Salon is anchored by careful consultation and premium product choices. The studio exclusively partners with EVO, an Australian family-owned haircare brand dedicated to formulas that care for both clients and the planet. From permanent and demi-permanent EVO hair colours to targeted in-salon EVO Top Drop treatments, the products are chosen for their performance and mindful ingredients.

In addition to tailored colour work—including balayage blonding, dimensional highlights, and subtle grey blending—the team specializes in precision cutting across all hair types, including specialized techniques for natural curls. To restore depleted hair, clients can choose between targeted restorative services including Olaplex bond repair and Lakme K2.0 deeply hydrating treatments.

Signature items

  • Lakme K2.0 Treatment
  • EVO Top Drop In-Salon Treatment
  • Blonde Services & Balayage
  • Precision Curly Hair Cutting
  • Olaplex Restorative Treatment
  • Luxe Blow Dry

Menu

Hair Colouring

  • Blonde Services — Specialist blonding including retouches, highlights, and hand-painted balayage.
  • Global Colours — All-over single-process colour applications.
  • Retouches — Root regrowth maintenance and colour touch-ups.
  • Grey Hair Blending — Soft, natural blending techniques to integrate grey hair.
  • EVO Professional Permanent and Demi-Permanent Colour — Technical colour services utilizing professional EVO hair colour systems.

Special Event Styling

  • Luxe Blow Drys — Professional wash and blow dry styling for everyday polish or special events.
  • Hair Ups — Formal styling and updo arrangements for events and occasions.

Precision Hair Cutting

  • Women and Men Hair Cuts — Precision tailored haircuts suited to individual lifestyle and style preferences.
  • Trims and Fringe Trims — Maintenance trims and fringe reshaping to keep hairstyles sharp.
  • Restyles — Complete hairstyle transformations designed specifically for your look.
  • Curly Hair Cutting — Specialized precision cutting techniques dedicated to natural curls.

Nourishing Hair Treatments

  • Olaplex Treatment — Bond-building restorative hair treatment to strengthen and repair damaged hair.
  • Relaxing Basin Hair Treatments — Conditioning treatments administered at the basin.
  • Luxurious Scalp Massage — Soothing massage to stimulate the scalp and promote relaxation.
  • Lakme K2.0 Treatment — Deeply hydrating and repair treatment designed to restore moisture and hair health.
  • EVO Top Drop Treatments — Targeted in-salon treatments for personalized hair and scalp care.

Frequently asked questions

Where is The Salon located?
The Salon is situated at Unit 8 Alpine Lakes Drive, Kawarau Falls, Kelvin Heights, Queenstown, right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
How many styling stations does the salon have?
The Salon features an intimate layout with only 4 styling stations to ensure a personal, unhurried appointment.
What haircare products and colour lines are used?
The salon uses and retails EVO professional haircare, styling products, and permanent/demi-permanent colours, alongside treatments from Olaplex and Lakme.
Who are the stylists at The Salon?
The team includes salon owner Amber Walker and senior stylist Elaine, both of whom have over 20 years of international hairdressing experience.
Can I work on my laptop during my appointment?
Yes, the salon is designed as a comfortable, multi-functional space where clients are welcome to use their laptops or simply unwind.
How do I book an appointment?
Appointments can be booked online via their Timely booking portal or by contacting the salon directly via phone or email.

Tips

  • {"body":"With only 4 styling stations, appointments can fill up quickly; reserve your slot early through their online booking system.","title":"Book Online in Advance"}
  • {"body":"The space is intentionally set up for both productivity and downtime, so feel free to bring a laptop or settle in with a cup of tea.","title":"Work or Unwind"}
  • {"body":"Add an EVO Top Drop, Olaplex, or Lakme K2.0 treatment at the basin to rehydrate hair exposed to Queenstown's dry alpine air.","title":"Try an In-Salon Treatment"}

Good to know

  • {"wifi":"Designed as a laptop-friendly space to work during processing time."}