Why anyone looking to book a hair appointment could be in for disappointment

Apart from getting to hug our loved ones again (and maybe a drink down our local) ask anyone what they’re most excited for after lockdown and they’re likely to say a hair appointment.

Lockdown has got all of us trying to become experts at at-home hair colour (opens in new tab) and cutting our own hair.

So with the government’s announcement earlier this week confirming a number of lockdown-easing measures, people across the country were thrilled to see that opening hair salons was among the new changes.

From 4th July, hair salons across the country will be allowed to open (opens in new tab) and serve their brassy-haired (opens in new tab), split-end ridden clients after a long circa four-month wait.

MORE: How often should you wash your hair – and will it eventually self clean? (opens in new tab)

But with so many of us rushing to book in a post-lockdown hair cut (opens in new tab)(even with some services currently unavailable (opens in new tab)), and some London salons reporting more than 2,000-strong waiting lists, it could be a while until many of us are actually able to secure an appointment for that much needed trim.

Speaking of this week’s development, Lucan Salem, director of London Chelsea’s HARI’s Salon (opens in new tab), said, "This is amazing news for us and everyone in the industry!

“As a business, we have been working towards the reopening date of July 4th to ensure that our teams, clients and salons are ready, so for us it's business as normal today.

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“Our waitlist has been open for the past month and we have over 2000 clients wanting to book in! We have spent the past 3 weeks contacting every one of those clients, securing bookings (with a 50% deposit) for the reopening and have managed to book everyone in.

“As soon as [the] announcement was made, we received another wave of bookings which is fantastic!” he added, revealing that the salon has extended their opening times in order to allow for any clients who weren’t already on the list.

He also touched on the changes being made to his salons in order for employees and clients to return safely, explaining, “Even though it's going to be busy, we are still going to be working at 50% capacity in salon, with longer appointments to ensure our client and staff's safety stays priority.

“Each client will also receive a HARI’s Care Kit which includes a disposable face mask and gloves, to ensure everyone feels as safe as possible".

Not been able to get in with your regular stylist and just can’t any longer? Check Treatwell (opens in new tab) for any available appointments in your area.

Or if you want to hold out for your regular and are just trying to get through a few extra weeks, these essentials will get your through until you’re able to book in…

How to refresh hair during lockdown

The toning shampoo

Banish brassiness with this powerful shampoo that uses deep violet pigments to give locks a fresh and ashy tone without stripping hair of essential oils.

SHOP NOW: Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo, £18.85, Look Fantastic (opens in new tab)

The hair mask

Packed with hair-healthy omega-9, this ultra-rich, plant-based mask will nourish split ends while deeply conditioning locks to leave a salon-esque shine.

SHOP NOW: Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask, £53, Cult Beauty (opens in new tab)

The colour-enhancing treatment

Enhance faded hair colour with this temporary dye that comes with different shades for blonde and brown locks, has an easy-to-use mousse texture and is completely paraben-, silicone- and sulphate-free.

SHOP NOW: Living Proof Whipped Glaze, £25, Cult Beauty (opens in new tab)

The blow-dry cream

With this cream you don't need an expensive hairdryer or fancy brush technique to nail a blow dry like your stylist does. This will leave hair sleek and manageable with 72 hours of frizz protection.

SHOP NOW: Percy & Reed Tame That Mane Smoothing Styling Cream, £17, Look Fantastic (opens in new tab)

The salon-worthy scent

Nothing says hair salon like the sweet fresh scent you're left with on stepping out of the door. Based on the cult perfume fragrance, this alcohol-free scent is designed specifically to leave a subtle smell while protecting your locks.

SHOP NOW: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Baccarat Rouge 540 Scented Hair Mist, £76.21, Amazon (opens in new tab)

These will definitely keep us going until we can get to the salon!