Salon 103

Finding a stylist who gets your hair right the first time matters more than convenience, though on this side of the lake the two often line up anyway. Once someone settles into a chair that works for them they tend to stay, coming back every four to eight weeks depending on the cut and the colour rather than starting the search over again.

Salons vary widely in what they are set up for, so be specific when you book. Colour work, particularly a big change or a correction on hair that has been coloured before, takes far longer than a cut and often needs a consultation first. Bring photographs of what you want and of what you do not, mention any home box colour honestly, and say if you are working toward a wedding or a family event so the timing can be planned backwards from that date. Ask what the appointment includes and roughly how long to set aside, and if the household is coming in together, book the chairs at once rather than hoping for a gap.