Relocating to Hong Kong is an exhilarating adventure for many, but adjusting to the sub-tropical climate, high humidity and lifestyle shifts often means your hair and beauty routine needs an immediate pivot. From hairdressing and hair extensions to advanced skincare and permanent makeup, Glow Spa in HK brings expert hair and beauty services.
Glow Spa & Salon is one of Central’s most established hair and beauty salons, celebrating 21 years in the city. Over those years, it’s been a go-to for both long-time Hongkongers and newly arrived residents looking for premium care, professional products and a welcoming, friendly environment.
The 52 staff members hail from across the globe, bringing with them a diverse range of international experience and skills; each one is a specialist in their field and familiar with a range of hair and skin types.
20-year Hong Kong resident Sioban Guilfoyle took over Glow in 2014. Under her leadership, the salon has been built on a simple philosophy: deliver top-tier hairdressing, clinical aesthetics and spa treatments by experienced, qualified experts whose primary focus is caring for clients and meeting their goals.
Sioban and the team understand what it’s like moving to a new city. That’s why she says they go out of their way to greet clients with genuine warmth – plus a complimentary coffee or glass of wine to help them feel at home!
Here we take a closer look at four of the main treatment areas at Glow and introduce a few key members of staff.
1 Hairdressing and textured hair expertise
Hair care is a cornerstone of the Glow brand. Experts in everything from sun-kissed blondes and vibrant brunettes to textured curls and sleek finishes, the team specialises in balayage, precision highlighting, tailored colour and humidity-defying keratin treatments with results that look and feel effortless.
A major highlight is the salon’s dedicated textured hair service, led by senior stylist Cynthia Sarpomaa. With more than 25 years of experience, including the past eight years at Glow, Cynthia works with everything from curls and coils to natural textures, braids and locks. Clients even regularly travel to her chair from across Southern China, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, joining loyal Hong Kong regulars who rely on her expertise.
2 Custom hair extensions and hair solutions
With over a decade of expertise in hair extensions, Glow offers a wide variety of application techniques to suit a range of hair types and aesthetic goals. The salon’s extension portfolio is structured to meet a diverse range of budgets and expectations:
- Top-Tier Global Brands: The premium, world-leading extension ranges on offer include Great Lengths, Gold Fever and Tom Gold Hair, all designed for maximum luxury, length and volume.
- Glow Brand Extensions: This custom, in-house range is curated to deliver exceptional hair quality and seamless blending at an accessible price point.
- Toppers & Wigs (New Launch): Expanding its hair-health solutions, Glow recently launched a specialised line of toppers and wigs. Working closely with clients to understand individual needs, the salon says it will expand this into a comprehensive, fully customisable collection over the next 12 months.
Leading this specialist team is Salon General Manager Michael Mesiti, a veteran of the industry who began hairdressing and barbering at just 15 years of age. Michael previously served as the official trainer for Great Lengths Australia before relocating to Hong Kong to join the Glow team and head up both the salon and its training academy. He now serves as the official trainer for Great Lengths across the Asia region, all while maintaining a distinguished career behind the chair.
Michael is supported by a team of seven stylists who integrate extension services into their broader hairdressing careers, with the aim of delivering seamless, natural results for every client. Among them are Ari Wong, a Creative Stylist with Glow since 2016, well known for his patient, high-precision installations, and Chrissie Lo, a master chemical technician with a great eye for custom colour and tone matching.
3 Advanced skincare and head-to-toe beauty
While hair styling brings the “jazz hands”, skincare is where Glow originated. The salon’s aesthetic team of 11 therapists combine high-tech clinical protocols with classic beauty staples to offer a full, head-to-toe spectrum of care – from targeted clinical facials and laser therapies to everyday essentials like spray tans, lash extensions and long-lasting manicures.
Among this team is Jay Tsui, also one of Glow’s longest-serving team members. Her expertise spans managing medical skin conditions and post-surgery scarring to clearing acne and prepping brides for their big day. You can expect plenty of wisdom and personalised guidance from this trusted therapist for complex skin concerns.
Working alongside her is Tamara Hockly, a UK-trained senior aesthetician and master of advanced, clinical-grade skincare with over a decade of local experience. She specialises in high-precision, transformative treatments including microneedling, transdermal infusion, chemical peels and electrolysis, delivering targeted results each time.
4 Permanent makeup artists
When it comes to semi-permanent cosmetics, Glow’s resident specialists include Texas native Elizabeth Loennborn, an eyebrow specialist who devotes her expertise exclusively to custom microblading and digital nano brows. Elizabeth trained under Laura Mercier before specialising directly under world-champion micro-blader Lindsay Ta, so you can expect a meticulous level of artistry.
Joining her is Henny Tjoa, who was raised in Singapore and is known among the team for her stunning, highly natural finish. Fluent in English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Bahasa, Henny’s dedication shines across every treatment, from bespoke eyebrows to seamless lip blush and precise eyeliner.
Beyond top-tier hair and skin care, the Glow team consists of long-time Hongkongers who have partied here, married here and raised their kids here. They’re always happy to share their insider knowledge on everything from great dining, hiking and family activities to navigating local schools and extracurriculars as you settle into your new home.
Glow Spa & Salon
8/F, Silver Fortune Plaza, 1 Wellington Street, Central
2525 5198 | WhatsApp 9680 2107 | glowspa.hk
This article first appeared in the Autumn 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest mag or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.
