If you’re spending an extended period of time abroad, be it for work or leisure, hair salons are probably the last thing you think about.
But, it’s important not to neglect your beauty routines even when you’re not at home, and a regular haircut and hairstyling are essential especially if you are living in more humid climates or a place with a lot of sun exposure.
Finding a good quality hair salon in a place you don’t know really well can be a bit daunting, but we have a few handy tips to help you find the best one for you.
Some of these may be obvious, but others will come in handy especially if you’re not sure where to even start.
1. Look at Social Media
I know what you think, you would probably first head to google maps or local listings to find a good place, but social media can make your search so much faster!
Check location listings on Instagram for example and you will see examples of some work from local salons right away. It’s then only a few clicks away to find their profile and contact details.
2. Word of Mouth
While social media can be often considered the new word of mouth for service and product tips, don’t forget about the old-fashioned way – just ask around.
If you already made some local connections, or are friends with the property owner where you live, you can ask them for local recommendations. It is more likely that locals have places they used for a long time and are happy with them, and it will save you a lot of time doing research on your own.
3. Do Your Due Diligence
Once you found a few places you could consider, it’s important to know what to look out for when you’re choosing the salon. Having fancy certificates on the walls is certainly not one of them. If available at all, check the customer reviews on review platforms. If you can’t find them, check their social media and if there are any tagged posts. Lastly, call them up and ask if they can do the specific treatment or styling you require, and about their experience with similar work.
4. Be Open-Minded
Visiting a hair salon abroad will be probably quite a different experience to what you are used to at home, so you need to keep an open mind. Don’t spend weeks searching for the best hair salon, when you can find a good one in close proximity to where you live. Manage your expectations if the standards are not as high as you are used to.
We hope you found these tips super useful and they will help you find the salon that works for you! Good luck and let the hunt for a new hairstyle begin!