Expert advice An appointment with the Head of Art

Kylie Bax with Grant Bettjeman.

Brought up as a farmer’s son in the King Country,

hairmeister Grant Bettjeman loves the outdoors. That’s why he and his wife Phif decided to walk the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track in Southland last summer. Towards the end of their three-day journey, Grant performed a spectacular ‘superman’ slide in the mud and dislocated his shoulder; full recovery would end up being months away. With his blow-waving and comb arm temporarily out of action, Grant recognised that he’d need a new way to keep busy and add value to his team. A light bulb flashed above his head, and so Grant Bettjeman’s rapidly-becomingfamous 15 minute hair consultations arrived in the world. “I’m thoroughly enjoying my new consulting role. It allows me to use all my experience to prescribe personalised transformations, which can then be carried out in our salon or any other salon the client frequents.” Grant’s hair consultation begins with a comprehensive questionnaire, completed before the appointment. The consultation costs $50, however this is refundable if the client decides to have the work carried out at Bettjemans. “All sorts of issues can be addressed in the consultation, but most commonly clients want to update their look, because it’s easy to get stuck in a hair rut. I make recommendations for style, colour and how to deal with specific challenges, like fine or difficult hair.

Cutting costs without cutting corners

Bettjemens in Orakei sits at the pinnacle of the New Zealand hairdressing industry, and the salon’s price structure mirrors this lofty position. However Grant and Phif Bettjeman don’t like to exclude clients who have less disposable income. That’s why you can now enjoy Bettjeman’s famous flair for less at The Cutting Club, located within the salon. The Cutting Club gives Bettjemans newly qualified senior staff a chance to clock up the hair miles and establish their clientele base. Every stylist is fabulously talented – handpicked by Grant and Phif – with at least five years’ experience.