Meet The Team
Abbie Richardson
Director
Truly a beautiful person to be around and the best cut and colour I've ever had done!
Abbie is our Director, bringing an incredible 16 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge. She has a particular penchant for bespoke, lived in colour that is tailored to the individuals needs and lifestyle, and loves creating layered textured cuts. With a calming presence, she is passionate about community and providing a safe space for clients to relax and enjoy a moment of self care; you can always count on her to have a recommendation for her latest book or tv show.
Why do you choose to work with organic products?
Organic products are so much kinder on my skin. And when I started using organic shampoo my scalp healed after years of problems, so it makes sense for me to offer these gentle but effective products within my work also.
Where is your favourite local hang out?
I love going for a swim at London Fields lido, or for a cosy dinner at Elliot’s.
What’s in your beauty bag?
I’m obsessed with products! The branding, scents, they always feel like a form of self care for me. My favourites for hair are Oway Micro Stimulating Shampoo, and for styling I love a texture spray.
What do you like to do to unwind do you have any self care rituals?
Self care is super important to me, and I enjoy going for a sauna and cold plunge, reformer pilates, soul cycle spin classes and learning about nutrition. But most importantly, connection and community - making friends with clients and local people, feeling a part of something bigger than myself. I love creating a safe space for people to talk about anything and feel heard, related to and that they’re not alone.
Abbey Hudson
Creative Director
I would have left 100 stars if I could, Abbey gave me the best haircut of my life and the most enjoyable hairdresser experience I’ve ever had, I genuinely cannot recommend enough. I’m praying my hair grows really fast just to have an excuse to go back and get it cut again!
With over 11 years of experience and 4 years at Glasshouse Salon, Abbey has a deep knowledge of Glasshouse and our values. She is a specialist in enhancing natural textures and colours with lots of movement. Abbey has become known at Glasshouse for her ability to create perfect blondes and her innate talent for putting you at ease in the chair. Abbey is our educator and provides weekly colour training for our staff, ensuring a maintained high quality for all our colour services.
Why do you choose to work with organic products?
Growing up in New Zealand I was surrounded by amazing beaches, forests and naturally preserved landscapes. Being conscious of your impact on the environment and caring for natural ecosystems is literally ingrained in New Zealand culture. Having this huge influence since childhood has made me so considerate of the products I use and consume, working with organic and sustainable products is second nature to me.
What’s your favourite local hang out?
Being in green space is important to me, I spend most of my time in the local parks and on a Sunday I love to pop by the Victoria Park Food Market.
What’s in your beauty bag?
I’ve become really invested in Glasshouse Gua Sha, it’s extra soothing on the facial muscles if you keep it in the fridge. I also love to soak in Palm Of Feronia's Amethyst & Magnesium Bath Soak, which leaves you feeling super soft and relaxed. The magnesium also enhances sleep which makes it the perfect evening bath soak. Oway’s Curl Cream is my go-to for soft, curly and frizz-free hair, along with their Nurturing Drops if I feel that my ends need extra care.
What do you do to unwind?
When I need to make space for myself I actively avoid screens and like to bake, do art crafts or play with my cat Teddy. I got really into yoga over lockdown and find that baths with Epsom salts are similarly beneficial, cleansing toxic energy from your mind and body.
Ashley Wadwell
Senior Stylist
I have no idea where I’ll be living in six months, if I’ll have a different job or who I’ll be dating, but I’m sure I’ll still want Ashley to cut my hair. She is my only certainty in this crazy city!
Ashley specialises in hair and scalp health, using her wealth of knowledge to assist in repairing even the most damaged hair. Originally from the US, she brings a bubbly New Jersey charm to the salon. Ashley has over 10 years experience, and is known for her natural and seamless colour techniques and perfectly shaped cuts.
Why do you choose to work with organic products?
Since I started working in salons, I was surrounded by highly fragranced and toxic products, having no idea the harm it can cause to the body. Breathing in thick clouds of hair spray and getting headaches from colouring my hair, it eventually clicked with me and I knew I needed to make a change. I have done a lot of research into why to choose organic, like reading labels and researching on the EWG website to figure out each ingredient’s purpose. I have peace of mind knowing that what I’m breathing in and the products I am working with, are not harmful to me. Moving from New Jersey, USA to London, my mission was to start fresh and search for a non toxic, organic salon and I am so happy to have found Glasshouse.
What’s your favourite local hang out?
London is filled with so many amazing things to do and see! I would say hanging out in beautiful parks such as Victoria Park and London Fields with my dogs is the best time! Breathing in that fresh air, seeing the dogs play, and having a nice picnic is just a perfect day for me. I also love strolling through Broadway Market, especially on the weekends; great shopping, great energy and amazing food.
What’s in your beauty bag?
In my beauty bag, I keep it simple; for makeup I love RMS UnCoverup Concealer; it’s super lightweight, beautiful coverage and gives the skin a nice natural finish. When it comes to hair I keep it simple with products; I love Oway’s Thermo Detangling Cloud- A rich conditioning which perfectly detangles your hair and provides maximum heat protection. I also love Oway’s Glossy nectar just to give my hair that extra boost of hydration and shine!
What do you do to unwind?
To unwind, I love to be outdoors on a beautiful day with my Husband and my two dogs hanging out in a park, going for a nice long walk; that brings me the most joy!
Rubi Potter
Senior Stylist
Absolutely loved Rubi, she made the whole experience so wonderful and calming. Best hair appointment in such a long time; will absolutely be back!
Rubi is our senior stylist, originally hailing from New Zealand and bringing over 10 years of experience and a warm and friendly demeanour. She is a true colour expert, with a particular affinity for lived in low maintenance blondes and effortless balayages with a strong attention to detail and a history of building lasting relationships with her clients.
Why do you choose to work with organic products?
Working so closely with products everyday it’s important to me to minimise as many nasties as possible, and I am conscious of the environmental benefits.
What's your favourite thing about working at Glasshouse?
I love the attention to detail, from the calming and inviting space to the location and of course the high quality products and services.
Where is your favourite local hang out?
I love wandering along the canal on a sunny day and browsing all the cute cafes and shops on Broadway Market.
What’s in your beauty bag?
SPF is an essential and Evolves face cream with SPF 30 is a current favourite! I also always have a lipgloss or balm at hand and the RMS Lip2Cheek comes in so many fun shades, making them perfect to switch between depending on my mood. Other than that, when being a hairdresser, you're in need of a good hand cream and the Austin Austin hand cream is always a lifesaver!
What do you like to do to unwind?
A long hot bath with candles and a face mask, a fresh blow dry, a good book, no screen time and a walk without any distractions; bonus points if it’s somewhere by the sea.
Lauren Heinrich
Director of Business Development
Lauren oversees our operations and business strategy, bringing a wealth of experience from her background in corporate consulting. A creative at heart, she loves working in the salon with the team and clients while also using her expertise to grow the business behind the scenes. Originally from Portland, Oregon, and spending time between the U.S. and London, she loves the community that East London brings - between facilitating relationships with the team, giving product recommendations, or just having a little chat, she brings a welcoming energy to our front of house.
Why do you choose to work with organic products?
In today’s world, it is near impossible to avoid environmental toxins - it is so important that we as consumer to make the switch to organic when possible when so much is out of our control. At Glasshouse I love that our clients can come in and have peace of mind that our products are good for them and the environment and enjoy their experience knowing they are contributing to a more sustainable world.
Where is your favourite local hang out?
I adore Victoria Park and Victoria Park Village. I feel so lucky to live in the neighborhood and have access to so many wonderful outdoor spaces and fab eateries.
What’s in your beauty bag?
Right now I am in love with the San-ceuticals lip oil, the Rowse Melatonin Sleep Mask, and just about anything from Palm of Feronia--but the Deep Glow Facial Oil and the New Moon Aromotherapy Pulse Oil are favorites.
What do you like to do to unwind?
Yoga is absolutely integral to my physical and spiritual health. Additionally, after years of wanting to pick up a journaling habit, it has finally stuck with morning pages - three "stream of consciousness" pages first thing in the morning. It really helps clear your mind to focus on what matters, and it’s fun to read the entries back and see how you have grown. I highly recommend for anyone, but especially those who are creatives!
Olivia Crighton
Founder and Director
Fusing her love for anything creative and hands-on with a passion for looking after the environment, Olivia Crighton has built herself a reputable and respectable business in one of London’s most creative communities.
Olivia is the founder and director of Glasshouse Salon, having launched the salon in 2013 after wanting to bring natural, organic and ethical hair and beauty to a wider audience. A trained hair stylist and New Zealand native, Olivia worked freelance as a hair stylist for top publications when she first arrived in London over ten years ago. The idea for Glasshouse came after Olivia noticed a surprising lack of organic and wellbeing focused salons that put hair condition above everything else. Olivia oversees the business from top to bottom, takes care of the team (and everything in-between!) whilst juggling family life with her young daughter.
Why do you choose to use organic products?
There are so many great benefits to working with more natural and organically based products, my initial attraction over 10 years ago was from a health perspective. Using fewer potentially harmful chemicals and including more gentle, natural ingredients is important to me not only for my own wellbeing but for my staff and clients’. The ethos of Glasshouse Salon has a big focus on hair condition - our products minimise compromise on the hair whilst colouring and we are able to repair damaged hair on the same day - which is very unique to the Organic Colour Systems brand. When we are gentler with the hair we can achieve better, more long-lasting colour results. I also love to support local, independent brands with their ethos in the right place - everything we sell in the salon and online at Glasshouse Shop has been carefully selected for their ethical principles, unique formulas and high performance. As an independent business owner, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Favourite East London hangout?
I love Glasshouse’s location in lively East London - I was very drawn to Netil House when I was looking for spaces back in 2012 and the community feel of of the building really appealed to me. I now live in South East London, but I still enjoy travelling in for work and knowing I get to spend my time in a building and an area that I love. I run most of my meetings upstairs in the cosy Palm Greens cafe. The terrace is also lovely in the sunshine and we’re so lucky to have London Fields right on our doorstep for some peace and quiet away from the salon!
What’s in your beauty bag?
I’m often on the go which means practicality is a must when it comes to makeup. I always carry around an RMS Lip2Cheek and their “Un” Cover-Up - they’re small and versatile; ideal for a quick touch-up. At home, I’ve been loyal to Organic Colour Systems’ Power Build Shampoo for almost ten years now. It’s an effective protein-based shampoo but the natural ingredients, gentle pH and sulphate-free formula mean it’s perfect as a body wash too. I do regular hair treatments with Organic Colour Systems’ Power Build Revamp - not just because it’s brilliant at maintaining hair condition but also because it’s a nice treat to spend 15 minutes by myself in the bath, especially with the demands of being a mum. Finally, The Natural Deodorant Co’s deodorant balms are the best products of all time - I’d recommend them to anyone looking to introduce more natural products into their regime.
What do you do to unwind?
The ultimate fix for me is to get into nature. I love to go rambling in the countryside with my daughter, especially near the seaside as I absolutely love the sea air. On a normal day when I can’t immerse myself in nature, I love to run a hot bath with epsom and dead sea salts. It’s the best way for me to unwind and help with aches and pains after a long day. I love to ‘clear the space’ in our home by opening the windows wide to allow a fresh breeze in and infuse aromatherapy oils into the air. My staples are lavender, rosemary and frankincense.
I also try to dedicate a little time each week to some light meditation and spend some time writing any thoughts, ideas, gratitudes or aspirations onto paper. I never keep or look back on the notes, but I find the process of writing very therapeutic. We don’t have a television, but I do love to snuggle up with a hot tea and a good film on my laptop as much as the next person.