Macintyre’s Hair & Beauty ★9.3

About the salon

Macintyre’s has been a New Town fixture for well over a decade, tucked onto Thistle Street a few steps from the George Street shopping run. It is a full hair-and-beauty house rather than a hairdresser with a sideline: transformation work on hair, a beauty menu and dedicated nail specialists all under one roof.

Services

The hair side is unusually complete. Alongside cutting, blow-dry and colouring sit balayage and highlights, hair extensions and weaves, keratin smoothing, perms, braiding, curly-specific cutting and children’s haircuts. The beauty side covers facials and waxing, and nails are handled by specialists rather than squeezed between hair clients.

Technology and brands

The strengths here are technique-led. Balayage is painted freehand so the grow-out stays soft; highlights are foiled where a client wants precision instead. Keratin smoothing is offered for anyone fighting frizz long-term, and extensions and weaves are fitted as a specialist service after consultation. Curly hair is cut as its own discipline.

Team and stylists

The salon built its reputation over more than ten years on a team of experienced stylists rather than a single name, and that mix of skills is what makes the wide menu credible — extensions, colour correction and curly cutting each need someone who does them regularly. Colour and smoothing begin with a consultation.

The Space

Thistle Street is the quieter parallel to George Street, so the salon has a central New Town address without the pavement traffic. Inside is a classic layout — styling chairs, backwash, and separate space for beauty and nail work, so treatments are not carried out in the middle of the hair floor. Late opening on Thursday helps after office hours.

Who it’s for

A good fit for anyone planning a real change — extensions, a colour correction, keratin smoothing — and for families who want adults, children and curly hair handled competently in one place. It also suits city-centre workers booking hair, nails and beauty into a single stop.

Questions and answers

Can I book online? Yes, through online booking as well as by phone; extensions and colour changes need a consultation first.

How long will my appointment take? A cut and blow-dry is about an hour, highlights two to three, and extensions or keratin can take most of a morning.

Do you cut men’s and children’s hair? Yes — children’s cuts are on the menu, and men’s cutting is part of the standard hair service.

Can I combine hair and beauty in one visit? Yes; nails or brows while colour develops is how regulars use the salon.

Do you sell gift vouchers? Yes, and they can be spent on hair, beauty or nails rather than one fixed treatment.

Opening hours