Leah Hanson has just opened Inhala Haus at Ettalong Beach. Even though she’s a highly acclaimed hair cutter with 23 years’ experience in hair styling for editorial and fashion, and in training hairdressers, she has now chosen to focus on what she loves most:
‘I love cutting hair in its natural form and helping women feel beautiful exactly as they are,’ says Leah.
Significantly, it’s never ‘just a haircut’ at Inhala Haus. Each visit is a one-on-one sanctuary experience that lies in the name: ‘Inhala’ is Romanian for ‘breathe in’, and ‘Haus’ means ‘house’ in German – essentially, The Breath House. It’s no coincidence therefore that Leah is a Master Breathwork Facilitator and trained in facial fascia release and sculpting, with her relaxation breathwork subtly woven through most services.
As well as the Japanese Head Spa, Leah offers bespoke haircuts and specialises in curly hair (and if you have curly hair, you know how rare it is to find a hairdresser who doesn’t cut and then blow-dry every hint of curl out of your hair). She uses only natural products, and her commitment to this means she doesn’t do colour – a mainstay for so many other salons.
But today I’ve come for the Japanese Head Spa.
Who will love it most? Whether you’re in your twenties or sixties, it’s ideal for busy women (and aren’t we all!) who might be feeling stressed, perhaps have some hair concerns like dryness or oiliness, lack of shine, dandruff, or want to prevent hair loss. It’s wellness-care with a haircare boost.
I’m welcomed with a cup of herbal tea from an exotic range of choices, then invited to lie on a bed where I snuggle under a soft blanket. A soothingly warm eye mask is placed over my eyes. The relaxation kicks in immediately, and the head massage hasn’t even begun. I’m conscious of peaceful music and Leah’s calm, almost hypnotic voice as she tells me what she’ll be doing in a time-honoured ritual of massage, essential oils and hot-towel/steam treatments to enhance scalp blood flow, reduce stress by stimulating pressure points and deep-condition and hydrate my hair to encourage healthy hair growth.
She begins with an exfoliating shampoo to unclog pores and clear the scalp and hair of the effects of hair product build up, hairsprays, excess oil and everyday pollutants. A slow, relaxing massage follows, and I can feel the endorphins flowing. Warm water flows over different points of my scalp.
The first deep cleansing step is followed by nourishing hair treatments, all applied with a relaxing massage. I feel different flows of water including what feels like a spiral waterfall, finishing with a warm towel wrap.
It’s luxurious, it’s therapeutic and my hair feels silky-smooth without being lanky or flat. Next time I tell myself I’ll try her Breathwork treatment – deep breathing to stimulate circulation to the scalp to strengthen and revitalise hair growth … but then again, I not sure I’ll be able to resist the Japanese Head Spa all over again.
inhalahaus.com
WORDS CATHARINE RETTER
PHOTOS SOPHIE DAY
