British Beauty Alert! We Cross the Pond for a Lesson in Punk Made Pretty

Growing up I shared a wall with my brother, Eric—though said wall may as well have been tissue paper on the countless mornings I woke up to his electric guitar blaring. He's been in a punk rock band practically since birth. While he would have fit right in at the Met Gala, it certainly wasn't popular back then to be the only rebel teen in our suburban hometown sporting black nail polish and a six-inch green Mohawk. But there was something about his defiant spirit and irreverent personal style that I always admired.

Fast-forward fifteen years: Eric has since performed in front of raging mosh pits all over the world and I've just landed in London, one of the birthplaces of punk.

Immediately inspired by the city's fresh take on grunge, I make it my mission to get "Londonized," an homage to my brother's punk rock roots.

First stop: Topshop. The British fashion brand's flagship megastore in Oord Circus is also a beauty oasis, offering a range of specialized services. After having my go-to nude mani transformed into studded catlike claws at Wah Nails (where It Brits M.I.A. and Jessie Ware go for their epic nail art), I spot a hair salon tucked away like a hidden treasure, distinguishable only by an illuminated sign spelling out bleach. Inside I see girls with pink mermaid waves and dreamy lavender bobs—and an inspiration wall featuring throwback pictures of My Little Pony (my childhood obsession!). Blame it on jet lag, but before my nails are even dry, I find myself wearing a smock and watching my caramel-colored tips turn pink.

By the time I return to New York, the fuchsia has faded, right along with my hair color inhibitions. I'm hooked. So I pay a visit to genius colorist Aura Friedman at Sally Hershberger Downtown. My request? "Let's go green!" I proudly sport my new emerald curls during fashion week, where I spot a huge punk resurgence on the fall runways. To my delight, this time I am one step ahead of the trend. AlI I can think is, My brother would be so proud.