Binning the burly brawn often associated with the Barber shop, UNOIT has given the traditional barber an aesthetic makeover – a five star facelift for a completely elevated men’s cutting experience and a contemporary approach to advanced skin treatments, writes Cameron Pine.
Bringing new life to a typically grungy Crown street aesthetic, UNOIT has an appeal to passers-by like no other salon or shopfront in the area – almost as if transferring the art gallery like vibe from the previous tenants. Despite being completely re-modelled to suit founders Costa Zacharia and Jessica Ross’ fresh vision, UNOIT is a barber shop with complete luxe street appeal.
Costa and Jess provide an experience more akin to a five star salon. Despite the efficiencies often associated with a barber experience, the Darlinghurst space is one you can spend a little or a lot of time and still receive the best experience, products and overall service you’d expect from a premium salon or clinic. It really is a culmination of years of experience with two experts in their field – which in turn has created something that is the first of its kind in Sydney.
Architects Black Milk designed the fresh space with a gallery style feel and customised wall patterning. There’s an absence of the commonly intrusive reception desk, instead offering a small plinth where guests check in. As such the space is open for a welcoming and bespoke experience. Each beauty room is given a delicate dose of luxe and texture via a curated flower arrangement from The Fresh Floral Merchants but with the design cue coming from by Jess. It gives each of the rooms a bit of a different vibe via the different shapes and moody colour tones – some rooms feel darker than others, even though the overall design is all about a consistent white.
Jess is one of the country’s most experienced skin experts, having built up and sold a chain of skin clinics. The focus for her now is on a single, elevated and completely tailored approach for her guests, using one affordable and high performance cosmeceutical range, ASPECT – a brand that appeals to both sexes and, in a location like Darlinghurst where the labels come down, it really does appeal to all guests. UNOIT is all about a common appreciation of quality, an elevated aesthetic and a friendly environment, key ingredients for success but sadly few and far between in the aesthetics industry where that one on one experience is often lost.
“We wanted to re-invent the barber and beauty experience- combining expert style and attention to detail with a little extra pampering,” said Principal Barber, Costa.
“We are here for clients who want a regular spot for a quick tidy up, just as much as we are there for those who want to take their time or experiment with new styles, colour services, keratin smoothing, a shiatsu massage hair detox and an endless portfolio of beauty. It’s all about really listening to their wants and needs and making every visit special. By partnering with Jess and her experience in leading edge aesthetics, it takes our service menu to the next level,” he continued.
Amidst a white textured wall, round mirrors and a sleek minimalist vibe, Costa works with the best products available including the sophisticated Italian born Depot range which smells as elevated as the environment, as well as Selvedge, Layrite and L’Oréal Professionnel.
Beyond the vast range of more advanced skin treatments, ASPECT is renowned for its range of products laden in active-ingredients designed to cosmetically correct a variety of skin concerns and shows real results instantly. The team also has experience in laser hair removal, facials and specialist enhancements and Jess is also well on board with ingestible brand, IBIBE – offering guests the most delicious collagen drinks while having a service, with of course plenty of stock to take home.
Jessica combines industry-leading technology and the latest in-clinic beauty techniques. “I wanted to create a space that was welcoming for both men and women as I believe sometimes the specific treatments men need are different to women,” she said. “Working closely with a luxe barber such as Costa allows me to create a welcoming and completely customised experience for every guest.”
Never before has beauty and barber sat so seamlessly side by side without competing or conflicting.
“The men’s market has matured and they need an environment that offers an elevated service,” Costa said.
UNOIT is not in your face or unapproachable either, its appealing to all types and every service is open to interpretation whether it be a treatment using the latest laser skin technology, injectables or a facial – the service menu is a complete delight and nothing like that quick in and out barber with a one size fits all approach.
Looks, location and a long-list of talents from hair and beard styling, colour and right up to ultra former laser, UNOIT is about as good as it gets, don’t ya know!
For more information visit www.unoit.com.au
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