What Happens During a Colour Consultation

A colour consultation is a short chat, usually 15 to 20 minutes, before any colour goes near your hair. We look at the condition your hair is in, its colour history, the result you are after, and whether we can get there in one visit or over a few. It is free, and I will not let any of the girls colour a new client without one.

The short version

A colour consultation is a free 15 to 20 minute chat before any colour.

We check your hair condition, its colour history and the result you want.

First time colour clients need a skin test 48 hours beforehand.

Box dye, henna and old colour change what we can safely do.

You leave with a real price and a clear plan, not a guess.

What we look at first

The first thing I ask is what your hair has been through. Old box dye, a home bleach kit, henna, a colour you had done somewhere else two years ago, it all still lives in your hair even if you cannot see it. That history decides what is possible and what is not.

Then we talk about what you actually want. Sometimes a client shows me a photo of bright cool blonde and her hair is a dark natural brown. I would rather tell you on day one that this is a two or three session job than rush it and wreck your hair. Being honest up front saves you money and saves your hair.

I also feel the condition of your hair, not just look at it. If it is already dry or snapping, going much lighter might not be safe yet. In that case we might do a gentler change now and build to the bigger result once your hair is stronger.

The skin test, and why we will not skip it

If you are colouring with us for the first time, we do a skin test at least 48 hours before your appointment. It is a tiny dab of colour behind your ear or on your inner arm, and then you wait. It feels like a faff, but hair dye is one of the more common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, and a reaction on your scalp is not something you want to discover mid appointment.

If you have ever reacted to dye before, tell me at the consultation. There are gentler, lower irritant options and we can talk through them.

Bring photos, but your hair has a say

Photos help me understand the tone and finish you like, so bring them. Just know that the same colour sits differently on different hair. Your natural level, your length, how porous your hair is, all of it changes the result. A picture is a starting point, not a promise.

This is also where we decide between things like a full balayage, a half head, or just a toner refresh to freshen what you already have. You do not always need the biggest service to get the look you want.

How long should I allow

A standalone consultation is quick, 15 to 20 minutes. If we go straight into colour after it, allow the full appointment time on top, which for a balayage can be two to three hours. I would always rather you booked a little extra time than felt rushed in the chair.

What a colour consultation costs

The consultation itself is free. Once we know what you need, you get a clear price before anything starts. For colour our pricing runs full balayage £70 to £85, half balayage £55 to £65, full tint £50 to £55, root tint £40 to £47, and a toner from £35 to £40. If your result needs more than one session, I will tell you roughly what the whole thing comes to, so there are no surprises later.

We also have Klarna if you would rather spread the cost. Just ask at the consultation and we will set it up.

Booking your consultation

You can book a colour consultation on its own, or we can do it at the start of a colour appointment if your hair is straightforward. For anything big, a change of shade, going lighter, or fixing a colour gone wrong, book the consultation first so we have time to do the skin test.

Call us on 01582 730381 or book online. We are at Shop 660, Jansel House, Hitchin Road, Stopsley, Luton LU2 7XH. The team, Ashleigh, Keira, Sabrina and Shree, are in Tuesday and Wednesday 10 to 8, Thursday 10 to 6, Friday 10 to 3, and Saturday 10 to 4:30. We are closed Sunday and Monday.