What our team wish clients knew before their appointment

I asked the girls a simple question last week. What is the one thing you wish every client knew before they sat down in your chair? The answers came back fast, and most of them had nothing to do with hair at all. They were about the small things that turn a rushed appointment into a relaxed one. So here is what Ashleigh, Keira, Sabrina and Shree want you to know before your next salon appointment.

The short version

Day-old hair is fine for most services. You do not need to wash it first.

Tell us if you have used box dye or henna. It changes how colour behaves.

A trim, a cut and a restyle are three different things. Book the right one.

Bring a photo, but keep it realistic for your hair type and colour.

New to colour? You may need a patch test 48 hours before your appointment.

Your hair does not need to be freshly washed

This is the one that surprises people most. You do not need to turn up with squeaky clean hair. For most cuts, blow dries and colour work, day-old hair is actually easier to work with. A little natural oil protects your scalp during colour and helps the comb glide.

The exception is if your hair is heavy with product, dry shampoo or a lot of build up. If you have piled on the styling spray for a week, a quick wash the night before helps. Otherwise, leave it. We would rather see your hair how it normally sits.

Tell us your colour history, all of it

Box dye, henna, a home toner kit, that semi-permanent you tried in lockdown. We need to know about all of it. Old colour does not just disappear, it sits in the hair and reacts with what we put on top. Henna in particular can turn a balayage green or stop lightener working at all.

It is never about judgement. The girls have seen everything and we are not going to tell you off. We just need the full picture so we can plan the right approach and give you an honest quote. A toner is £35 to £40, a full tint £50 to £55, but colour correction on top of a surprise we did not know about is a different job entirely.

If you have never coloured your hair before, or it has been a long time, you may need a patch test 48 hours before your appointment. This checks for a reaction to the dye, which can develop even if you have used colour for years. A reaction is a form of contact dermatitis, and it is worth taking seriously.

A trim, a cut and a restyle are not the same

These words get used as if they mean the same thing, and they really do not. A trim takes the ends off and keeps your shape. A cut and finish, £42 to £55, reshapes and styles. A restyle, £60, is a proper change of length or shape and it needs more time in the chair.

If you book a trim but you actually want to go from long to a bob, we may not have the time blocked out to do it justice. Tell us what you are really after when you book, and we will set aside the right slot.

Bring a photo, but keep it realistic

We love a reference photo. It tells us far more than words ever could. The trick is bringing one that works for your hair, not someone else’s. A picture of poker straight glossy hair is a lovely goal, but if your hair is fine and wavy it will not behave the same way once you leave.

Bring two or three photos if you can, and we will talk you through what is realistic to get on the day and what might take a few sessions to build towards. Honesty up front saves disappointment later.

Timing matters more than you think

Our days are booked tightly, which is lovely for us but it means a late start has a knock on effect. If you are running behind, a quick call on 01582 730381 lets us juggle things so you still get the full service. Turning up ten minutes late without warning sometimes means we have to shorten the finish.

It also helps to eat something before a long colour appointment. A full head of foils and a toner can keep you in the chair for two to three hours. Bring a snack, bring a charger, and treat it as your time to switch off.

A few last things before your appointment

Think about what you can actually keep up at home. A high maintenance blonde looks stunning but needs a toner refresh every few weeks to stay out of brassy territory. If you want low upkeep, say so, and we will steer you towards something that grows out softly.

And please ask questions. There is no silly one. The more you tell us before your appointment, the better the result when you walk out. We are Ashleigh, Keira, Sabrina, Shree and Tasha, and we would rather have a proper chat than guess.

To book, call us on 01582 730381 or book online any time. We are at Shop 660, Jansel House, Hitchin Rd, Stopsley, Luton LU2 7XH, open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 to 8, Thursday 10 to 6, Friday 10 to 3, and Saturday 10 to 4:30. Klarna is available if you want to spread the cost.