I wanted to get my hair dyed blue. I really, really did. I wanted a kind of teal-y ocean-y peacock mermaid type blue hair. My brown hair was boring and it had to be fixed. Thing is, if I did it myself... Read More
I wanted to get my hair dyed blue. I really, really did. I wanted a kind of teal-y ocean-y peacock mermaid type blue hair. My brown hair was boring and it had to be fixed. Thing is, if I did it myself I knew I'd ruin it, but which hairdressers do you go to with such a non-standard request? After stopping several people in the street and asking them, three had said Number 659, so off I went.During my first visit we just had a chat. I described what I wanted, some ideas and suggestions were discussed and I got a patch test (a dab of hair dye behind my ears to check I won't have an allergic reaction).I returned a couple of days later to say "I'm not allergic to your hair dyes! Hurrah!" I booked an appointment, after struggling to find a time when I could give up the whopping four hours it would take to get everything exactly the way I wanted. At this point they mentioned that, as a new customer, I could expect a 20% discount. Excellent.Finally, the big blue day arrived. I was welcomed and offered coffee which I expected to be instant, made in the salon's kitchen, but noooooo. These guys are so extra, they popped next door to the coffee shop to get it for me. I'm guessing it came from The Great Western Sandwich Co, but it's definitely Dear Green which I am very happy to sip while I wait for my hair to be cut.Soon I had the attention of two amazing stylists - one to cut and one to colour. My tresses were roughly chopped first, with the promise that they'd be tidied up once the dye had set in. The brown was stripped away, the peroxide rinsed out and a first, pale blue dye was applied. This was so if the brighter dye faded a little, it would fade to blue, not to peroxide blonde.More Dear Green coffee, then the brighter blue. Then my hair was straightened and, as promised, "tidied up." My word, these guys take perfectionism to a new level. Finally, a gentle wave was put through the hair and my new amazing look was complete. Boring hair banished, blue hair welcomed in its place. Hurrah.I went to pay, "um... we don't take card." Ah. The nearest place to withdraw cash is Penny Black, the post office down the road. I rushed out and returned but they didn't seem to mind at all that I hadn't had the foresight to bring hard currency with me, so I guess they get this problem a lot.One final comment: I'm used to salons pushing me to book my next appointment, trying to get me to come back and tidy things up within 4-6 weeks. I asked my stylist when I should come back and she said "oh, everyone's different, see how you like it in a few weeks and just book in whenever suits you. You won't need such a long appointment next time." The honesty there is so nice and just added to my great experience.I've never known such an amazing salon. Read Less