How to choose a salon near you: seven things worth checking

Trying a new salon is a small gamble with your hair, your skin or your evening. A few minutes on the salon’s page usually tells you most of what you need.

1. Are the prices on show?

A salon that lists its prices is a salon that expects to be held to them. Check whether the price says "from": longer hair, thicker hair or extra work can cost more, and it is fair to ask how much more before you start.

2. Does it do the thing you need?

Look past the headline services. If you want a balayage, a fade, gel nails or a bridal trial, check it is on the menu, with a duration that sounds right for the job.

3. Is it the right kind of place?

A barber, a unisex salon, a spa and a skin clinic are good at different things. Saloonly lets you browse by kind, so you can compare like with like.

4. Can you choose who does it?

If a friend recommended a particular stylist, book them by name. If not, "anyone" usually gets you the earliest time.

5. Do the hours suit your life?

A salon ten minutes away that is closed whenever you are free is not really near you. "Open now" and the free times on each page show when you could actually go.

6. How easy is it to change your mind?

Plans change. On Saloonly you cancel from My bookings up to the time each salon sets; after that, you call. It is worth knowing before you book.

7. Start small

For a big change, book something small first: a trim, a blow-dry, a brow shape. It tells you how the salon listens, keeps time and treats you, before you trust it with the big appointment.