Hairdresser Cromwell or Alexandra? When the drive to Wānaka is worth it

Updated November 2026. Service prices are from our live price list and are confirmed at your consultation.

We see clients from Cromwell, Bannockburn, Pisa Moorings and Alexandra most weeks, and the honest answer to "should I drive to Wānaka for my hair?" is: sometimes. This guide is for working out when.

Is there a hairdresser in Cromwell?

Yes, there are salons and barbers in Cromwell and Alexandra, and for a quick trim or a fringe tidy, going local is the sensible choice. We're not going to pretend otherwise. UKIYO is in Wānaka only. We don't have a Cromwell or Alexandra salon, and we don't do house calls.

Where it changes is the longer, more specialised appointments. If you're booking three hours for balayage, or you want a particular stylist for curls or extensions, a 50-minute drive is a small part of the day.

How far is Wānaka from Cromwell and Alexandra?

Times are approximate and depend on traffic, roadworks and how many stops you make for coffee. There's public parking on Helwick Street and the side streets, and more down by the lake. Our find us page has the details.

When is the drive to Wānaka worth it?

• Balayage and lived-in colour. It's a long appointment either way, and you want it right. Kelsey focuses on balayage and creative colour.
• Blonde, foils and fixing colour that's gone wrong. Lightening and correction start with a consultation, so we can see your hair's history before we plan the work.
• Curly hair. A curl cut is a different skill from a standard cut. Jack does curl cuts and extensions.
• Hair extensions. Tape-ins and keratin bonds need a proper consultation and maintenance plan. Jack fits keratin bonds, and tape-ins are done by Jack or Kelsey.
• Weddings. Many Central Otago weddings end up in Wānaka or nearby anyway, so a trial here can be part of a planning day.

If what you need is a quick tidy between colours, there's no prize for driving. Plenty of our Cromwell clients get a local trim and come to us for colour.

What does it cost? Prices for the services worth the trip

From our live price list. The range is by stylist level, Junior through to Creative Director. Prices are from prices, confirmed at your consultation.

How to make the trip easy

1. Book colour and cut together. One trip, one booking, and you leave with the finished result. A first-time balayage with a cut is a good chunk of the day, so plan for that.
2. Do your consultation first. New colour clients need a free 15-minute consultation. If you're driving in, tell us when you book and we'll work out the easiest way to fit it around your visit.
3. Bring photos. Of the hair you want, and of your hair when you've loved it.
4. Pick up your haircare while you're here, or order online and collect it at the salon. Online orders over $75 ship free anywhere in NZ, so you don't have to drive for a refill.
5. Watch the weather in winter. If the road's bad, call us early on 03 443 1040. We need 24 hours' notice to move an appointment without a charge, so sooner is better.

Keeping colour fresh between trips

If you're only coming in every eight to twelve weeks, home care does more of the work. Two ways, choose by budget. Sebastian Penetraitt shampoo ($50.12) is the lower-priced repair option for colour-treated, chemically stressed hair. Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect ($57.12) is the premium pick for keeping colour glossy. Blondes should add Kérastase Bain Ultra-Violet ($57.12) once or twice a week to keep brass down, and Sebastian Potion 9 Leave-In Cream ($60.35) helps dry ends between cuts.

What it costs, how long it takes and how to book

Expect around three hours in the chair for a first balayage with a cut, less for a maintenance colour. Curl cuts are $140 for existing clients and $160 for new ones. You'll find every service on our services page.

Book online any time, or call 03 443 1040. A 25% deposit confirms your booking and comes off your final bill.

Aftercare: what we'd send you home with

What our out-of-town colour clients most often take home so the result lasts until the next trip.

• Sebastian Professional Penetraitt Rescue Repair Shampoo, $50.12
• Sebastian Professional Penetraitt Rescue Repair Mask, $51.88
• Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect 250ml, $57.12
• Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra Violet 250ml, $57.12
• Sebastian Professional Potion 9 Leave-In Conditioner & Styling Cream, $60.35
• Sebastian Professional Twisted Curl Magnifier Styling Cream, $49.24

Why book and buy with UKIYO

We're working stylists at 28 Helwick Street, Wānaka, and the haircare we sell is genuine salon stock bought direct from the brands' New Zealand distributors. UKIYO is Wella New Zealand's No.1 Sebastian Professional retailer. Free NZ shipping on orders over $75, or pick up in salon. Book online any time, or call 03 443 1040.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a salon in Cromwell or Alexandra?

No. UKIYO is one salon, at 28 Helwick Street in Wānaka. We look after plenty of clients who drive in from Cromwell, Bannockburn, Clyde and Alexandra, but we don't have a salon in either town.

How long is the drive from Cromwell to Wānaka?

About 50 minutes on SH6 along Lake Dunstan and through Luggate. From Alexandra or Clyde, allow roughly an hour and a quarter. Parking is on Helwick Street, the side streets and down by the lake.

Is it worth driving to Wānaka for a haircut?

For a simple trim, a local salon usually makes more sense. The drive pays off for longer or specialist appointments like balayage, blonde and foils, curl cuts, extensions or bridal hair, where the stylist matters more than the distance.

How much is balayage at UKIYO?

Balayage maintenance is $285 to $310, and a first-time balayage is $335 to $390, depending on your stylist's level. New colour clients start with a free 15-minute consultation, and the final price is confirmed then.

Can I do my consultation and colour on the same trip?

Tell us when you book that you're driving in from Cromwell or Alexandra, and we'll work out the easiest way to fit your free consultation around the visit so you're not making two trips.

Can I order haircare online instead of driving in?

Yes. Everything on our shelves is on ukiyo.co.nz, with free NZ shipping on orders over $75, or you can collect an online order from the salon next time you're in.

What if the weather turns on the day of my appointment?

Call us as early as you can on 03 443 1040. Our policy is 24 hours' notice to change an appointment. If the road is genuinely unsafe, talk to us and we'll work it out with you.

Keep reading

• Best Hair Salon in Wānaka: What to Look For Before You Book
• Best balayage in Wānaka: how to choose your colourist (and what it costs)
• Blonde specialist in Wānaka: foils, lightening and fixing blonde that's gone wrong
• Curly haircut in Wānaka: what a curl cut with a specialist involves
• Colour Consultation in Wānaka: What Happens, and Why It's Free
• Find Us