Outline: new independent hairdresser opens in Edinburgh's Candlemaker Row

A new hair salon painted bright yellow with psychedelic art has opened in Edinburgh’s Old Town at number 27 Candlemaker Row.
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The new hairdresser, which is in the former Deadhead Comics shop, boasts a style that suits the street’s counterculture feel with its 60s yellow exterior and bold art.

Owner Kay Corbett, from Edinburgh, said she offers all the usual hair services, but also has a focus on making sure customers enjoy sitting back, chilling out while having a trim in her new, cosy environment.

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Outline, in 27 Candlemaker Row and Kay Corbett, the owner picture: Kay CorbettOutline, in 27 Candlemaker Row and Kay Corbett, the owner picture: Kay Corbett
Outline, in 27 Candlemaker Row and Kay Corbett, the owner picture: Kay Corbett
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Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, the hairdresser talked about the inspiration behind the design of her new business, which opened on Saturday.

"It was pretty grey when I took over the property in August, so I just wanted to brighten it up and make it a lot more cosy looking,” said Kay, 34.

"I used Edinburgh designer Tyrone Stoddart to focus on a 60s psychedelic and Haight-Ashbury look for the building and he came up with this great design.”

Haight-Ashbury is a district in California and used to be a popular place for hippies to hang out in the 60s. From this the neighbourhood bore a bohemian style which has gone on to influence counterculture fashion and design around the world.

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"I feel like Candlemaker Row is the naughty cousin of Victoria Street, so I wanted to go with this feel,” she laughed.

Kay, who used to work at Hot Head as a hairdresser, said she came up with the idea of setting up her own salon during lockdown after being off work for four months.

With her husband running his own tattoo business Insider, in Henderson Street, and no desire to go and work for another hairdresser, she decided to open one herself.

"I just thought when I had all this time off that this was the time to do something like this,” she added.

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With a focus on providing a relaxed environment, Kay said her business is not sales driven, and she won’t be pushing endless shampoos, conditioners and hair products on you to buy.

"Here it’s about coming in, chilling out, getting a great haircut or colour, and not leaving with a million things you do not need!”

Despite opening while the country is in lockdown turmoil Kay said business has been going well.

"I think small salons are actually doing pretty okay at the moment,” she added.

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"For some people, getting their hair done is the only thing they get out to do all week, or every few weeks, at the moment, so there’s still customers coming in.”

Outline is open from 11am until 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday and closed Sundays and Mondays.

The outside of Kay’s business was painted by prolific signwriter Thomas Robertson, known as Tatch, whose work is exhibited across the city above various businesses in the Capital.

He’s made a name for himself with his business Journeyman Signs, painting some of Edinburgh’s most recognisable signs including Maxie’s in Victoria Street, Mckenzie Leather in the Old Town, IJ Mellis in Morningside and downtown Leith’s Nauticus.

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