{"id":6280,"date":"2021-07-02T20:18:45","date_gmt":"2021-07-02T20:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1359041"},"modified":"2021-07-02T20:18:45","modified_gmt":"2021-07-02T20:18:45","slug":"i-had-my-hair-cut-at-the-amazon-salon-and-lived-to-tell-the-tale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=6280","title":{"rendered":"I had my hair cut at the Amazon Salon, and lived to tell the tale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is adapted from Big Spam, TNW\u2019s twice-weekly newsletter. <\/span>Subscribe to it (and our other great newsletters) here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

When I found out Amazon was opening a hair salon near my home in east London, I immediately suspected some nefarious intent. <\/span><\/p>\n

Was Jeff Bezos reselling the chopped locks as wigs on Amazon? Or distilling Remy human hair<\/a> into some form of demonic life extension therapy?<\/span><\/p>\n

I decided to investigate.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Amazon describes the salon as \u201can experiential venue where we showcase new products and technology.\u201d  It opened in April, initially to Amazon employees only, but now also offers cuts to the general public.<\/p>\n

Notably, there\u2019s no online booking system. Instead, you have to make a reservation via email or telephone. It\u2019s one of several hints that the venture isn\u2019t currently focused on revenue generation.<\/p>\n

Another is the pricing. It\u2019s more expensive than the \u00a30 I<\/span> usually pay for a cut (shout out London School of Barbering), but the fees are pretty reasonable for an upmarket salon in east London.<\/p>\n

Still, the price points and high-tech charms don\u2019t seem to have generated substantial footfall yet. There were numerous appointments available on the afternoon I wanted. I booked one for 2PM on a Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Getting the chop<\/h2>\n

I arrive on a typically rainy summer\u2019s day in London. I\u2019m warmly greeted by one of the coiffeurs, who ushers me towards the salon chair.<\/p>\n

Amazella* (*name changed because I forgot her real one<\/del> to protect her identity) invites me to use the station\u2019s Fire tablet and wireless charger while she brings me my first-ever <\/em>can of still water. Is there nothing Bezos can\u2019t innovate?<\/p>\n

While she\u2019s away, I surreptitiously scan the salon for urine bottles and slave laborers \u2014 but Amazella returns before I find the evidence.<\/p>\n

I did, however, discover some unusual items for a salon: AR mirrors for testing how different hair dyes might look on you; shelves of beauty products fitted with QR codes for point-and-click shopping; and an employee commanding Alexa to play \u201conly happy music.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Credit: Thomas Macaulay<\/figcaption>
<\/i><\/a>L\u2019Oreal is supplying the salon product.<\/figcaption>