Meet the 25-Year-Old Behind One of Edinburgh’s Most In-Demand New Salons

At just 25, Alexandra has opened one of Edinburgh’s most talked-about new salons. QUAiD, now open at 19 Brandon Terrace in the New Town, is already fully booked month after month — a reflection of the loyal client base she has built over eight years in the industry.

Next up, Alexandra will be bringing her expertise to the Hood x St James Quarter Spring Style Edit on 26 March, where she will be leading the hair element of the evening. Guests will have the chance to meet Alexandra in person, chat through their hair goals and get expert insight into colour, cuts and styling trends for the season ahead.

Step inside QUAiD and the space feels calm, tonal and thoughtfully designed: chrome accents, dimmable lighting and backwash chairs with proper neck and foot support designed to make the experience genuinely relaxing. The details are personal. Alexandra has long struggled with migraines and knew exactly what she wanted to change about the traditional salon set-up.

“I essentially wanted to make getting your hair washed the most relaxing experience possible,” she says. “A backwash I’d actually enjoy myself, finally.”

Originally from Peebles, Alexandra left school at 18 and began commuting into Edinburgh to train as a hairdresser. Since then she has built a reputation for bespoke colour, specialising in lived-in blondes, caramel balayage, rich brunettes and auburn tones alongside layered, bouncy cuts clients return for again and again.

But QUAiD isn’t just about Alexandra’s own chair. The salon has also been created as a collaborative space for self-employed stylists, offering a supportive environment where hairdressers can grow their own businesses without feeling isolated.

Above the door sits her grandparents’ name — a quiet tribute and a reminder of what this space means to her.

We caught up with Alexandra to talk about launching her own salon, the colour trends clients are loving right now and what guests can expect when they meet her at the Spring Style Edit later this month.

What made you feel ready to open your own salon — and why Edinburgh?

The move from being employed to self-employed felt big, scary and risky. Although I knew nothing about being self-employed, I took the plunge.

The people who gave me the confidence to do this were my colleagues and my clients. My clients showed me loyalty and support and my colleagues helped my confidence — not just in hairdressing but also in social situations. This support spurred me on and gave me the self-belief that I could run my own salon.

Why Edinburgh? I love Edinburgh — the people, the cityscape, the history and the opportunities.

You originally had an interest in makeup. What made you fall in love with hairdressing?

I’ve always been very creative and loved art and fashion in school so much that I had originally planned to go to university to study fashion business.

I grew up in the era of YouTubers and makeup artists, so when I decided not to go to university, makeup felt like the right path to go down.

I wanted to work and was so eager to spread my wings from the small town I had grown up in. I took a job at Macintyre’s Hair and Beauty as an apprentice. That’s the salon that trained me and made me fall in love with hairdressing.

The reason I quickly fell in love was the thrill I’d get seeing a client’s delight with my work. I really enjoy the social side of hairdressing — constantly chatting with clients and building relationships with them is something that comes naturally to me.

Now, eight years later, I’ve gone from washing clients’ hair to them following me to Brass and now to QUAiD.

Tell us about the vision behind QUAiD

I wanted to create a space where self-employed hairdressers could grow and thrive in their own businesses.

Creating a trendy, relaxed, luxury environment was super important — not just for me, but also as a way to give back to my clients. I wouldn’t be here without their support and loyalty.

QUAiD is described as more than just a salon. How do you hope the space supports creativity and collaboration?

I want QUAiD to be a space where self-employed hairdressers can grow their clientele and develop their businesses.

I’d also love the space to be used for wellness events and networking opportunities for self-employed creatives, helping to empower the next generation of hairdressers.

Ultimately, I want QUAiD to be a space full of opportunity and community for everyone.

You specialise in bespoke colour. Why are softer, lived-in shades so popular right now?

Foiling has changed massively within the hairdressing industry over the past few years.

It’s no longer just a standard set of foils, bleach and purple shampoo — it’s about creating personalised colour that enhances your client’s hair, face shape and features.

Having colour that grows out beautifully over four to six months, rather than a harsh line every six to eight weeks, is becoming much more popular. It’s lower maintenance for clients because they don’t need constant upkeep other than haircuts in between, and it’s also healthier for the hair because appointments aren’t so close together.

Your layered cuts and bouncy styles are hugely requested. What makes a great layered cut?

It’s all about the bounce.

Everyone loves the classic ’90s supermodel bouncy layers. They’re timeless, chic and can work for different hair lengths, face shapes and levels of styling commitment.

Of course, should trends change, my styling will adapt.

What sets QUAiD apart from other salons in Edinburgh’s New Town?

There are so many great salons in Edinburgh, especially in the New Town, all appealing to different demographics. I like to think we support each other rather than compete with one another.

Personally, I aim to give my clients a high-end experience and result, with strong attention to detail and always striving for perfection. I also feel that I have a good understanding of what my clients want and need.

How do you approach a consultation with a new client?

A lot happens during a consultation. I look at the client’s hair, face shape, lifestyle and how much maintenance they are willing to commit to.

It’s about understanding what they want, but also what will realistically suit them and their hair.

I like to ask lots of questions and really get to know the client so we can create something that works for them long term.

What advice would you give someone considering a big colour change?

I always recommend booking in for a consultation. Consultations are free and it’s a great opportunity to talk through your goals and inspiration with a hairdresser.

Bringing inspiration photos is also really helpful. It helps guide the hairdresser on things like toner choices, placement of blonde, how dark you want a brunette or how copper you want an auburn.

I also like to break down inspiration photos with my clients, asking what they like about them. I analyse the photo by looking at the roots, mid-lengths and ends and asking if they like certain parts of the blonde placement, the level of gold in a brunette or the tone of copper in an auburn.

What are your hopes for QUAiD over the next few years?

My hopes for QUAiD are to provide a wonderful space and atmosphere for both stylists and clients where we can all continue to grow and develop.

I’m very aware of my own journey and the struggles of being an apprentice, a stylist and then self-employed. I want to help others through whatever stage of their journey they’re on — whether that’s a stylist building their career or a client building their confidence.

What excites you most about being part of Hood’s Style Edit?

I've always felt most myself behind the chair — it's where my confidence is strongest.

Being part of Hood’s Style Edit feels like a real opportunity to carry that energy into new spaces and push myself in ways I haven't before.

Ultimately, I’d love to use whatever I learn to help others feel more confident too — in the salon and beyond.