The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Located on the ground floor of a shaded and
chic apartment building just across from the CAC’s wall, Butterfly is one of Maadi’s most popular veteran hair salons. Also known as Khaled
Butterfly to some, the name refers to the head honcho and owner of the salon,
Khaled, who cuts and dyes the hair of veteran customers and newbies upon
request.

Flanked by glass doors and large windows,
the salon space is sunny, well-cooled and decked out in the usual hair salon
furniture: large mirrors in front of hair-styling seats, shelves displaying
L’Oreal Professional and other hair products, makeup and jewellery, the
proverbial TV screen showing Fashion TV footage, and the hair washing sinks
with dark leather armchairs.

A separate room towards the end is for the
pedicures, facials and waxing services. A large massage bed also functions as
the eyebrow-threading and facial bed, while two large and comfortable leather
arm chairs sit before large foot basins for your pedicure.

With its cool interior, spotless hygiene
and savvy stylists, Butterfly has accumulated a steady following of both expats
and Egyptians over the years. Khaled is excellent when it comes to hair
colouring, especially the tri-colour mixes. His specialty is getting that
golden brunette shade just perfectly, but on the downside, he’s not at all
adventurous when it comes to brighter, funkier colours and will refuse point
blank to cater to your requests if they sound outrageous to him. Hair colouring
costs 250LE, touching up roots costs 185LE and highlights cost 450LE.

While Khaled gives great trims (100LE for a
cut) and efficient blow-drying (50LE) followed up by a quality Babyliss, he’s
too conservative and inflexible for any funky haircuts; at least in this
reviewer’s experience.

Aside from Khaled, the highlight of the
salon is their beauty technician Magda, who previously worked at the Marriott
Zamalek and has a deft and light hand. Her pedicures (50LE) are quick, gentle
yet thorough; qualities you’ll greatly appreciate when you’re in a hurry and
desperate for foot therapy. Her deft
hands will also tweeze your eyebrows (30LE) with minimal pain, and her
threading will wreak minimal havoc even on sensitive skin.

Waxing and sugaring
services are both provided, with half-leg sugaring for 50LE, a half-arm for
40LE and a full body sugaring for 275LE, while waxing a half-leg will set you
back 60LE and a half arm 50LE. Magda also offers facials for 150LE and
artificial nails for 95LE. Based on this reviewer’s experience with her
sugaring and tweezing, we’d definitely consider coming back for the facial.

Well-equipped and efficient, Butterfly is
the hair salon you head to when you need a good blow-dry or a rich new hair
colour, or if you just feel like indulging yourself in a pedicure or a Moroccan
bath. However, bear in mind that the salon fills up on weekends, especially
during the evenings, so be prepared to wait for Magda’s undivided attention.