Freehand balayage and Thick Hair Specialist

Written By Decio Gelinski

Chelsea Burrows Joins the cool cats family.

A smiling woman with long, wavy brown hair stands confidently in front of a light-colored, textured wall. She is wearing a black crop top, black blazer, and beige high-waisted pants with a black belt, holding the lapels of her blazer.

Chelsea Burrows 

We're excited to welcome Chelsea Burrows, our new specialist in freehand balayage and thick hair. Chelsea’s expertise in creating natural, sun-kissed looks and managing thick, textured hair makes her an invaluable addition to our team! With over 16 years of experience, Chelsea brings her sunny disposition and expertise to our Tauranga salon. Originally from Canada, she honed her skills in her home country before relocating to New Zealand six years ago. Chelsea's passion for hairdressing shines through in every strand she touches, making her a valuable addition to our team.

A woman in a blue bikini with wavy, sun-kissed hair stands by a surfboard on the beach. Another woman styles her hair, capturing the relaxed beach vibe.

Sun-kissed Balayage Photoshoot in Mount Maunganui.

A Life by the Beach & a Passion for Hair

Chelsea’s journey led her to the stunning Bay of Plenty, where she fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle and vibrant community. Just like the natural beauty that surrounds her, Chelsea believes in creating hair that looks effortlessly stunning and complements your individual style. Her love for nature is reflected in her color work, resulting in sun-kissed highlights and dimensional tones that mimic the beauty of the outdoors.

A hairstylist with long, wavy brown hair applies bleach to sections of a client's hair using the freehand balayage technique. The stylist, wearing black gloves and a black top, carefully paints the hair with precision in a modern salon.

Painting a freehand balayage. 

The Art of Freehand Balayage & Thick Hair Expertise

Chelsea is a master of freehand balayage, a technique that allows her to paint colour onto the hair for a natural, sun-kissed effect. Whether you’re dreaming of a subtle blonde balayage or a dramatic brunette transformation, Chelsea's artistry will leave you with a look that’s both stylish and low-maintenance.

But that’s not all! Chelsea has a special talent for taming thick hair. She understands the challenges that come with managing voluminous locks and has perfected techniques to create cuts and styles that are both flattering and manageable. From bouncy bobs to cascading layers, Chelsea will help you embrace your thick hair’s natural beauty.

Her ability to create stunning dimensional blondes, rich brunettes, and even vibrant fashion colors is truly remarkable. Chelsea’s attention to detail and commitment to achieving the perfect result will leave you feeling confident and glamorous.

Styling a sun-kissed balayage look. 

A Chat with Chelsea

To learn more about Chelsea and her passion for hair, we sat down with her for a quick Q&A:

  • What inspired you to become a hair colorist and specialize in freehand balayage?

    • I get inspired mostly from people I’ve met in my career and other stylists in the industry. There’s just so much to learn and I love being challenged and trying new things.

  • What do you love most about working with thick hair?

    • Growing up I had so many horrible haircuts on my super thick wavy hair that I was actually bullied a lot for how it looked and it really destroyed my confidence for a long time. So I understand difficulties for finding the right cut and learning techniques to style that don’t take too much time but also look amazing!

  • Can you share your favourite hair care tips for clients with thick hair?

    • For myself the main thing is finding the right products that suit your hair type and also condition, thick hair needs extra hydrations but also control and him depending on how your like to style it.

  • What excites you most about joining the Gato Loco team and working in Tauranga?

    • I’m excited to be able to focus on the areas of hairdressing that I’m really passionate about, and also meet new people from the area.

  • What can clients expect from a consultation with you?

    • Consultations are the foundation of good hair. We need to go deep into your hair history, look at your inspo pics and then talk about your lifestyle and long term hair goals so that we can find the right path to achieving them. Also it’s a good way to make sure we are a great fit for each other, all stylists have their own personal style so making sure that we are suited to work together.

Book Your Appointment Today

Experience the Chelsea Burrows difference. Book a consultation to discuss your hair goals and let her create a personalized plan for you. To see more of Chelsea's work, follow her on Instagram at @sunbleachedchelsea


“I have been seeing Chelsea for all of my hair needs for over two and a half years now. She listens to what I want, provides her professional advice and nails the hair cut / styling every time. I walk out feeling super confident! Chelsea is kind and I enjoy the time I have in the salon with her. I cannot rate her highly enough!”
— Hayley


#GatoLoco #NewStylist #ChelseaBurrows #HairColorist #ThickHairSpecialist #Tauranga #Balayage

@gatoloconz

Decio Gelinski