Before Your First Visit: What to Expect at The Establishment Hairdressing
First time booking with us? Here's exactly what happens
Trying a new salon can feel like a bigger decision than it should be - especially if a previous cut or colour hasn't gone the way you hoped. If you're a little nervous about booking your first appointment with us, this is for you. Nothing here is a surprise on the day; it's simply what actually happens, step by step, from the moment you walk through the door on Downing Street.
We've been trading in Farnham since 2013, and the one thing that hasn't changed in that time is rule number one: we never touch a client's hair without asking first.
Walking in the door
You'll be greeted with a smile, offered a refreshment, and given the Wi-Fi password - no rush, no forms to fill in standing at a desk. We're on Downing Street, a road of fiercely independent businesses, and the salon itself is spread across two floors: downstairs tends to be livelier and more sociable, while upstairs is quieter and more relaxed. If you have a preference - maybe you want a chatty atmosphere, maybe you'd rather sit somewhere calmer - just say so when you arrive or mention it when you book. The team will always try to seat you where you'll feel most comfortable.
We're also a dog-friendly salon, so don't be surprised if you spot a four-legged client having a cut of their own, or hear about Coco and Louie, our two French Bulldogs and unofficial team mascots, who visit from time to time.
The part that actually matters most
Before anything happens with scissors or colour, you'll sit down with your stylist for a proper consultation. This is the part of the visit we take most seriously, because it's where a good result actually starts. Expect to be asked to "tell me about your hair" - what's been working, what hasn't, and what you're hoping to leave with today.
We'll also ask about your lifestyle. If your day runs from 6am to 9pm, a style that needs an hour of styling every morning isn't realistic, and we'd rather tell you that upfront than send you home with something you can't maintain. We'll ask what you dislike, too - sometimes the most useful information in a consultation is what a client doesn't want, and we've learned that people often show real passion the moment they turn to make eye contact instead of just talking to the mirror.
Your stylist will assess the texture and condition of your hair to work out what's realistically achievable. We're honest at this stage, even if that means telling you something isn't possible in one visit - because you're our billboard. If it doesn't look good leaving the salon, it won't look good after your first wash at home without a professional finish behind it. You'll be shown options and told clearly what is and isn't possible before we begin. And if you ask for "an inch off," we'll ask you to show us the inch - because everyone's inch is different.
During your appointment
Once you and your stylist are on the same page, the service itself begins - whether that's a cut, a colour, or both. If you're having colour, you'll need to have had a colour allergy test at least 48 hours beforehand (this is a legal requirement, not something the salon can waive, and applies to all colour services except Elumen). Your stylist or the team will let you know in advance if this applies to your booking.
After the basin, we check in with you again - because sometimes what felt right in theory changes once you're sat back in the chair, and we'd rather ask than assume. Throughout your visit, don't be surprised if other members of the team chat with you too; it's a genuinely communal salon, and the whole team tends to talk across each other's clients. Many people end up leaving with a few different perspectives of advice as a result, which clients tend to enjoy rather than mind.
Leaving with more than just a finished style
Before you leave, you'll get advice on the products, tools and technique to use at home so the result actually lasts - not just a good look on the day you leave the salon. We work exclusively with Goldwell and KMS, so any product recommendation is about what will genuinely help your hair, not just an upsell.
If you're still deciding whether we're the right fit, our About page has more on how the salon started and what we're about, and our FAQ page covers the practical questions - pricing, payment, age guidance and more. And if you're a new client, you'll get 20% off your first visit, on the house, simply for giving us a try.
Your first visit starts here
Book your first appointment with us
A full consultation, a warm welcome, and no surprises - that's the promise for every first-time client.