Studio Fifty18 Hairdressing is a boutique salon on Princes Street in central Upper Hutt, opened in 2018 and named after the local postcode, 5018. It is led by owner-director and executive stylist Teena McCullough — a blonde and colour specialist with more than 20 years in the industry, including time honing her craft in London, a qualified NZQA Assessor and former technical educator who has trained stylists in salons across New Zealand, and backstage veteran of NZ Fashion Week and the Vodafone Music Awards.
The salon's focus is lived-in blondes, dimensional colour and precision cutting, delivered in a safe, boutique and relaxed atmosphere where clients feel welcomed, cared for and confident. Every service starts with understanding your vision — whether that's a fresh cut, a bold new colour or a nourishing treatment — with offerings including a 15-minute consultation, a 45-minute ladies cut and Hollywood Waves, a two-hour styling service.
Studio Fifty18 champions cruelty-free beauty and quality care products, with Afterpay available. Open late Tuesday to Thursday, closed Sundays.
Perched on Princes Street in central Upper Hutt, Studio Fifty18 Hairdressing is a small boutique salon with a clear sense of who it is. Opened in 2018, it takes its name from the local postcode — 5018 — and its cue from owner Teena McCullough's two decades at the top of the trade. The promise is simple: exceptional hairdressing delivered with integrity, professionalism and a personal touch, in a space where every client feels valued, confident and rejuvenated.
Studio Fifty18 was born from a leap of faith. Teena, an accomplished stylist who honed her craft in London, left a full clientele behind in Palmerston North to start fresh in Upper Hutt — a move she describes as both exciting and daunting. She and Willie chose a name with special significance: Studio Fifty18, after Teena's new local postcode.
Seven years on, the salon has become known for effortless, lived-in blondes and modern, on-trend styles. The philosophy is summed up in their own words: at Studio Fifty18, it's more than just hair — it's about genuine connection, quality products and an experience you'll look forward to every visit.
What sets the studio apart is the calibre of its lead stylist. Teena is a blonde and colour specialist with more than 20 years in the industry, a qualified NZQA Assessor and a former technical educator who has trained stylists in salons across New Zealand. Her CV includes time backstage at NZ Fashion Week and the Vodafone Music Awards.
That expertise flows into everything the salon does — from bespoke blonde work to precision cutting — and into its commitment to education and innovation, ensuring every visit leaves you looking and feeling your absolute best.
Blondes are the signature. Teena and the team specialise in lived-in blondes and dimensional colour — styles designed to look natural, grow out gracefully and fit seamlessly into real life. Beyond colour, the service list covers the essentials: a 15-minute consultation to map out your vision, a 45-minute ladies cut, and Hollywood Waves, a two-hour styling service for soft, glamorous waves. Nourishing treatments round out the menu for hair that needs extra care.
Products matter here too. The salon champions cruelty-free beauty, stocks quality care lines such as Keune, and believes in effective hair routines that fit clients' lives — so results last long after you leave the chair.
Reviews paint a picture of a salon where nervousness dissolves quickly. One client who hadn't visited a hairdresser in almost ten years wrote that Teena made her feel so comfortable she "walked in feeling down about myself and left feeling beautiful." Another described a lovely welcome, a stylist who really listened, feeling pampered and relaxed, treats from the drinks menu, and "stunning results."
The atmosphere is deliberately boutique and unhurried — light-filled styling stations, shelves of care products and a relaxed space to unwind. It's hairdressing with warmth, where good conversation comes standard.
Studio Fifty18 sits at 8 Princes Street, Upper Hutt. Hours run 9am to 2pm on Mondays and Fridays, 10am to 8pm Tuesday through Thursday — handy for after-work appointments — and 8.30am to 1.30pm on Saturdays; the salon is closed Sundays. Book online through the appointments page, by phone on 021 278 5018, or by email. Afterpay is available, letting clients spread the cost of bigger colour transformations interest-free.
To see the latest work and a behind-the-scenes look at what the team is creating, follow the salon on Instagram or Facebook. Whether you're after a fresh cut, a bold new colour or a blonde transformation, the first step is the same: a relaxed conversation about what you want your hair to do for you.