Normally, I'm not much of a beauty queen. I am not a follower of fashion, and don't collect shoes or handbags. I also have a bit of a phobia about having my hair cut, as I've had quite a few really dire hair cuts. I also find it difficult to justify the exorbitant prices top salons charge. I worry that a hair dresser (or stylist) will judge a cut by how much hair is on the floor, rather than what's left on my head. However, when a friend suggested Billy Basin, I thought I'd give it a try, despite the costs.
This Hampton Hill High Street salon is an upper end (for non-London, non-celebrity place) establishment. You won't get a cheap and cheerful cut here - you become fully aware of this when you walk in and see the opulent reception desk, the expensive hair product, and the complete lack of cheesy 'hair style' posters on the walls. All the staff are dressed in black (including the Saturday girls), and all, as you might expect, have fashionable hair cuts.
Once you're in, you'll be asked what you're hoping to have done (you will have specified what procedures - i.e. colour - you are wanting when you made the appointment) and what you'd like to drink - anything from coffee to wine to Diet Coke (my usual option). You'll then be taken to have your hair washed and your head massaged. The head massage is one of the highlights of the experience.
I either have a wash, cut and blow dry, or half a head of highlights and then the wash, cut and blow dry - I have my hair coloured about twice a year. I get the same person (Renate) to do it each time, and she has a note of the colours I like (different shades of golden blonde - just a bit lighter than my dishwater blonde natural colour) on the computers. I now trust her completely. She has a good knowledge of which products won't weigh my hair down, and how much 'styling' I like having done. She is also friendly without being nosy.
Renate is not the most expensive stylist there - like many top salons, having your hair done by the owners and partners will cost you more. However, I pay around £35 for the wash, cut and blow dry alone, and over £100 for the colour as well. This is not a cheap option (which explains why I have my hair cut and coloured so seldom). However, it is a real treat, and I do walk out feeling a million dollars (and a few pounds lighter) read more