Expert Advice: Getting your clients back into the salon when you reopen

With many clients unable to make their hair appointments due to isolating, shielding or maybe even feeling uncomfortable to attend their hair appointments due to the 'new normal', we're seeing more clients than ever attempting DIY hair treatments at home. 

It's important to educate clients, post on your website, blogs, social media, newsletters etc about why it's not advised to colour your hair at home. Most colours are a combination of multiple different colours, creating a special formula

specifically for your hair needs. Shop bought colours will not have this technology and result in very basic results.

As hairdressers, we are able to apply the colour correctly to the areas needed; applying it to other areas will cause unwanted bands and build up. Moreover, our colour choice is limitless, there are so many different ranges; for example, we stock six different types of L'Oreal Colours in salon each formulated different for different hair needs. In a store it will be very limited. These are just a few of the reasons clients shouldn't colour their hair themselves. 

Be there for your clients who may be looking for advice on how to maintain their colour at home whilst they wait for their next appointments; there are many great touch up products that are basically a 'spray paint' for hair with multiple different colours that will wash out with the next shampoo.

Finally, share with your clients how you are ensuring that your salon is a clean, safe and welcoming environment so they are kept at ease when attending their next appointment and are fully aware of the changes that are being made. The government is regularly updating the policies in place and it's our duty to keep up with the requirements as well as remind our clients of the new rules in place, whilst making them feel as comfortable as possible. 

It doesn't matter if your salon is currently closed or open, make sure you are still keeping in touch with your clients. Email them updates, interact with them on social media, post interesting content and before/after shots, all of this will help remind clients that you are still there and ready to welcome them back into the salon! 

Katie Allan is founder of MAYFIVE Hair in London and has worked as a stylist at London Fashion Week, BAFTA, been featured on ITV's This Morning and has been an ambassador for L'Oreal, and is renowned nationally and internationally through her work as a Colour Degree Expert.