It started in a school hostel with a borrowed comb. Darelle Gardner was still young, but already the go-to for anyone needing a quick braid or tidy-up before class. “I used to do everyone’s hair before school,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be in this industry.”
Years later, after working under others and learning the ropes, Gardner decided to go it alone. She opened Colour Rush at The Square in Sunninghill, the suburb she had long called home. “I’ve always loved the vibe here,” she said. “And I lived close by, so it made sense.”
Starting out was anything but glamorous. “Getting your feet on the ground, building up clients, hiring stylists – those early days were the hardest,” she said. “Opening your own place sounds exciting, but the startup phase tests you.”
She never really imagined herself as a business owner. “I thought it would be easier working for someone else,” she said. “And to be honest, it probably is. But I wouldn’t go back. I love working for myself.”
The salon name came to her while watching a documentary about makeup. “There was a brand that sounded similar, and I thought it would work. Nothing deep. We’re good at colour, and it just sounded right.”
What keeps people coming back isn’t just the cut or colour – it’s the atmosphere. “You can find great stylists in any salon. But what makes us different is the vibe,” she said. “We’ve got a tight-knit team, no drama, no gossip. Everyone gets along and it shows.”
Clients, too, are treated like part of the family. “They’re not people I necessarily hang out with, but we’ve got those catch-up conversations. You want to hear how the breakup went, if they got married, how the honeymoon was. That kind of thing.”
Gardner’s approach is rooted in honesty and openness. “From the first phone call, the service needs to feel friendly. If someone’s not happy with something, I want them to tell us. That kind of trust is important.”
Consultations are thorough and focused on practicality. “Someone might come in with a picture, but it has to suit their lifestyle. If they train a lot or tie their hair up all the time, certain styles won’t work. You’ve got to recommend something realistic.”
And recommend she does. “Most clients want guidance. They might say they always wear their hair long and dark, but they actually want you to suggest something new.”
Trends for 2025, she said, lean into softness and movement. “It’s all about layers, texture, curtain bangs, messy bobs. Big blowouts are back. The super sleek look is out.” For men, it’s a continuation of fades, but with more curl and length. “Definitely more experimental, depending on what their job allows.”
In terms of colour, icy blondes are fading – though some diehards remain – and butter blondes, copper tones and “lived-in” roots are on the rise. “The idea is to look like you haven’t just walked out of a salon – even if you have.”
On the product front, bond builders are trending. “We invested in a new one recently – you mix it into the product and it protects the hair during processing. It’s a game-changer.” Scalp care is also growing, but mostly for clients with specific concerns. “People won’t stick to it unless they have a problem. No one has time to do treatments just for fun.”
Her team is kept current through regular training and clear expectations. “In interviews, I look at their work and make sure they understand how we do things. It’s not strict rules, but there’s a way I like things to be done.”
She credits two key mentors – one who taught her the craft, and another who helped her understand the business side. “I learned so much from them. I wouldn’t be where I am without that.”
Today, Colour Rush has grown beyond hair. “We’ve added a collagen sunbed, an aesthetic practitioner, even a lipo machine,” she said. “It started with just me. Now it’s a full team.”
And the future? “We’re always growing. Watch this space.”
Colour Rush: Colour Rush – The Square Shopping Centre @Sunninghill
