Are you actually South African?

Yes. Carolyn trained in Cape Town and emigrated to New Zealand twenty years ago. She still speaks Afrikaans. The salon's logo wears the flag because the heritage isn't a marketing layer — it's the chair.

Do you speak Afrikaans in the salon?

If you want to. Carolyn is fluent and happy to switch — many of her clients are Saffa expats who arrived in Christchurch the way she did. Equally, the majority of appointments run in English. Whatever's easier for you.

Are you only for South African clients?

Not at all. Most clients are local to Redcliffs, Sumner and the eastern bays. The heritage piece is for the Saffa community that's been asking — it isn't a filter on who walks in.

Where in South Africa are you from?

Cape Town. She trained there before moving to New Zealand twenty years ago.

The Heritage

A South African hairdresser, in Christchurch.

If you've moved from South Africa to Christchurch, you'll know the question. It's the one you ask another Saffa within five minutes of meeting them: where do you get your hair done?

The honest answer, for a long time, was a shrug. Babalon is the answer.

Carolyn trained in Cape Town, moved to New Zealand twenty years ago, and spent two decades working in other people's salons before opening her own on Main Road, Redcliffs. The chair is hers. The hours are hers. The unhurried hour-and-a-quarter-for-foils-because-that's-how-long-foils-take is, finally, hers.

Carolyn, Cape Town–trained hairdresser, at her chair in Redcliffs, Christchurch

A protea, in flag
colours.

The Babalon mark is a King Protea — South Africa's national flower — its petals tipped in the red, blue, yellow and green of the flag. It isn't a decoration. It's the country Carolyn was trained in. The craft she carries was learned there. New Zealand sharpened it. Cape Town built it.

The Mark · King Protea (Protea cynaroides) · National flower of South Africa

If you grew up the same way — biltong from the Indian shop on Marshland Road, a braai when the weather permits it, a Springbok jersey somewhere in the cupboard — you'll feel it in the chair. If you didn't, the work is the same. The flag isn't a filter. It's a story, and it's hers to tell.

Camps Bay, Cape Town — where Carolyn learned the craft — — Where it began

Camps Bay, Cape Town.
The Atlantic that taught the craft.

For the Saffa community
in Christchurch.

There are roughly thirty-seven thousand Afrikaans speakers in New Zealand. A meaningful share of them are in Canterbury — Halswell, Rolleston, Cashmere, the eastern bays. If you want to book in Afrikaans, you can. If you want to talk about home, the chair is the right place for it. If you just want a properly placed half-head of foils, that's what Carolyn is here for.

Book an appointment See the service menu →

Frequently asked.

— 01 Are you actually South African?: Yes. Carolyn trained in Cape Town and emigrated to New Zealand twenty years ago. She still speaks Afrikaans. The salon's logo wears the flag because the heritage isn't a marketing layer — it's the chair.
— 02 Do you speak Afrikaans in the salon?: If you want to. Carolyn is fluent and happy to switch — many of her clients are Saffa expats who arrived in Christchurch the way she did. Equally, the majority of appointments run in English. Whatever's easier for you.
— 03 Are you only for South African clients?: Not at all. Most clients are local to Redcliffs, Sumner and the eastern bays. The heritage piece is for the Saffa community that's been asking — it isn't a filter on who walks in.
— 04 Where in South Africa are you from?: Cape Town. She trained there before moving to New Zealand twenty years ago.

— Last call

Maak 'n afspraak. Make an appointment.

Babalon is by appointment. Walk in for a chat any open day — book online any time of night.

Book an appointment → Call 027 777 1480