Our List of 'Must Takes' For Every Hair Salon Visit

At The Chapel we're determined to make sure that every one of our guests gets the very best from our salons and enjoys the very best possible experience before, during and after their appointment. Many people naturally assume that when it comes to getting their next amazing cut, all they need to arrive with at their salon is a head full of hair and ideas. Yet a little bit of basic preparation before your visit  will take things to the next level, both in terms of helping your stylist achieve your perfect look and providing the truly relaxing and pleasurable experience you deserve.

To which end we've compiled a short list of things you may want to consider beforehand, or bring with you on the day, to ensure you get the very best from each trip you take to the hair salon.

First off, when you're looking for that next major style change, your head is full of inspiration and you've probably seen a fantastic image somewhere that's triggered your decision. Our advice is don't just come along with that picture in your mind's eye, bring all the visual reference you need to communicate what you're looking to achieve as effectively as possible. Please never feel embarrassed to do this, on the contrary your stylist will love you for it, and you'll stand better chance of getting exactly what you hoped for.

When it comes to leaving the hair salon feeling a million dollars our other recommendation is to bring your make-up. if you're a wearer, make-up can often get wiped and washed away, fully or partially, during an appointment. Bring your basics to refresh your look before leaving and you can guarantee stepping out of the salon looking fully fabulous, with hair and face to match. This is especially important when you've had a fresh colour treatment as this can sometimes make your skin initially appear a little paler than you may be used to.

In terms of relaxation and really enjoying your appointment, here's a few practical tips we've picked up over years of looking after guests. If you've paid to park while you're having your hair done, always make sure you leave a little comfort zone of extra meter time - there's nothing worse than clock-watching and rushing for turning pleasure into stress. At The Chapel we believe relaxation is all about switching-off for a moment, quite literally, so we always encourage guests to put their phones in a locker with other belongings, or at least set them to 'silent mode'. Always feel free to bring a good book - making small-talk with your stylist is certainly not compulsory in our salons, and we understand that a great read often provides the complementary escape you're looking for. Finally, don't forget your diary, if you've had the ideal experience we want you to enjoy, then we hope you'll come again!