Plush Hairdressing, a salon in Wagga Wagga, Australia, specializes in creating a comfortable environment for their clients and providing top-notch service. The salon has been recognized by the Australian Hairdressing Council, received business awards, and has placed in the top 20 for the American Crew Face Off Competition. Check out our interview with Plush Hairdressing’s salon director Kathleen Lindsay to learn more about her career and the salon!

BANGSTYLE: How long has Plush Hairdressing been around?

Kathleen Lindsay: Plush Hairdressing opened its doors for the very first time in November 1999.

BANGSTYLE: Can you tell us a bit of background on your career before the salon?

Kathleen Lindsay: I started hairdressing in 1988 and those were truly brilliant years. The 80s were when being a hairdresser was a cool career, and I was in love with that persona, complete with spiral perm and puffed fringe, all held in place with too much hairspray!

As a junior, I worked crazy long hours so I could live life, pay rent, afford my favourite drink – vodka & orange – and the essential food, 2 minute noodles! I went to every training day I could and absorbed as much information as possible, keeping me constantly inspired. I was a dreamer and I moved salons a few times in the early years, not because I wasn’t loyal but because I was always thinking ahead, wondering what was next and how could I be the best at what I was doing.

Fast forward a little over a decade and aside from opening Plush, I’ve worked on fashion shows in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney – these situations suit my personality and regard for hairdressing – I’m quick and take instructions easily!

Our salon collections have been printed in publications around the world, and I pride myself on producing work that is both on-trend yet translatable to clients at the salon level. My cut work is detailed with an ability to make the hair work regardless of what the client does with the hair dryer, and I enjoy working with men’s hair and bridal looks.

The salon has been a Top 20 finalist in the American Crew FACE OFF competition, along with achieving business awards for the salon, and becoming an Australian Hairdressing Council Salon Select Gold Member salon.

I am also an active member/voice within the Australian hairdressing industry and I feel, after 25 years in the industry I have gained the respect of my colleagues!!

BANGSTYLE: What was the inspiration behind opening the salon?

Kathleen Lindsay: At the time, my son was sick and I thought that owning my own business would give me more flexibility. So in some ways, Plush was born from convenience, however as a dreamer, I also wanted to harness my drive to succeed and open a salon which would give me an additional sense of achievement.

BANGSTYLE: What is the vibe and décor of the salon?

Kathleen Lindsay: The vibe is contemporary and comfortable with a little urban twist. We like our clients to feel special, but we want them to relax and feel completely at home, so excellent service is a priority.

BANGSTYLE: What’s on the playlist?

Kathleen Lindsay: We play everything from chill-out to jazzy house and electronica to soul. Groove mostly, which suits the vibe of the salon perfectly! Although occasionally we’ll bust out a playlist to bring back the early days of the 80s – flashbacks to the good times. Most of my staff weren’t born then, but thanks to sing star they’re familiar with the music!!

BANGSTYLE: What kind of client experience do you like to create?

Kathleen Lindsay: 5 star, though with the comfort that’ll make them want to stay over.

BANGSTYLE: Does the salon specialize in a particular look?

Kathleen Lindsay: The classics teamed with a spin to suit the individuality of each client – along the lines of teaming the old with the new. The classics never date when they’re done perfectly!

This season we are prepped for blunt mid-length and muted, cold colours; think soft aquas, muted blues and greys, and icey blondes. For a slightly edgier finish, we’re loving under panels of navy’s, whites and or blacks.

For the confident and fabulous ladies keen for a copper red, we are loving copper red overtones, and for a little more detail, adding an alternation of 2 alternate blonde shades one cool and one honey – perfect for visual texture and particularly for those with finer hair. Our advice to clients is with a new colour you need to be sure; if you would not wear the colour of choice on your body, think twice about wearing it on your head! Suitability is paramount people!

BANGSTYLE: What is Plush hairdressing known for?

Kathleen Lindsay: At a client level we’re known for our perfectionism. Our mantra is if it’s not done right the first time it’s simply not worth doing. And we’re dreamers. We dream big and strive to achieve success!

At the industry level we’re an AHC member and I feel we have a strong voice within our industry; we want to continue to play a part in making our industry the best it can be and a great professional career choice!

BANGSTYLE: Any at-home hair tips for our readers?

Kathleen Lindsay: It always surprises me that clients don’t know this but what you use on your face (ie your skincare regime), you also need to do the same for your hair & scalp.

So your cleanser, moisturizer etc for your face is the equivalent of your shampoo & conditioner for your hair & scalp. The equivalent of your eye cream is hair oil, your face masque is a hair masque, and sunscreen for your skin is similar to heat protectant products or products with UV filters in them for your hair.

It’s not rocket science! Your hair and skin are both made up of the same keratin protein only one is hard and one is soft – think about them as the same.

Choose a shampoo to suit your scalp and the first 2 inches of hair – remember, the shampoo will naturally moisturize the hair and scalp. Choose a conditioner to suit the mid-lengths and ends of your hair and if your hair is past your shoulders you need to consider that the hair is 3-5 years old. Imagine not moisturizing your skin for that long!

And a masque is a must! If you don’t have time, just use instead of your conditioner once per week.

BANGSTYLE: What do you look for in the stylists for the salon?

Kathleen Lindsay: We have a very low turnover of staff; this means when they start with us, they generally stay. We keep our apprentices through to senior and master levels. We choose new staff based on personality, their career goals, their support, personally – it’s hard work. We like to know that their hobbies aren’t going to take over their career so hairdressing needs to be the number one focus. And if they make it past us checking them out on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, well, they’re half way there!

BANGSTYLE: Any future goals or plans for the salon?

Kathleen Lindsay: Absolutely! We’re focused on progression and raising the level of professionalism within our industry.

After a bit of a break from entering our major industry awards, we’re going to start looking at producing more collection work, entering awards and continuing to raise the profile of Plush Hairdressing locally, nationally and internationally!

Check out Plush Hairdressing on Bangstyle and be sure to “Stalk” them to stay updated on all of their great uploads!