From their sleek, high-ceilinged building at Waterfall Wilds, Medellin offer all the usual cut, fade and colour options as well as manicures, pedicures, tattoos and skin treatments with massage services on the way. Add a fully stocked bar and coffee shop, and an appointment is virtually designed as a getaway.
The launch featured plenty of souped up BMWs and Audis from Midrand's wealthy estates but what became apparent as the evening went on was that it's not just younger and stylish men looking for more beauty options. The mani and pedi station was primarily occupied by middle-aged men with boeps (prominent bellies) getting their first nail treatment. We joined them and the heavily cushioned chair was the perfect spot to observe the rest of the store from while getting our cuticles trimmed, and nails buffed.
A long mirror takes up the front of the store and on the raised dais in front of it, Medellin's barbers were hard at work with a steady stream of fades and trims. There was a brief pause in the buzz and snipping as Medellin's owner stood up to speak about the new store and their future plans. He made it clear that while what's most important is always going to be the quality of the haircuts and the treatments, the brand want to keep bringing more touches to the experience and that this is what the future of barbershops and the like entails.
Sipping on a G&T while our nails were getting done did feel rather civilised, and judging from the interactions between the customers, barbers and nail techs, the personal nature of the store, as much as the quality of the services, is what sets Medellin apart. While the name may conjure thoughts of drug cartels and legends of the world's most powerful trafficker Pablo Escobar, Medellin in Waterfall is definitely designed around the soft life. We suggest you just sit back and enjoy it.
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