Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way is online via Phorest, our salon booking system - just book here. You can also message us through Instagram (@theestablishmenthair) or Facebook, or call the salon directly on 01252 820 238.

Rule one: we never touch your hair without asking first. We'll ask you to tell us about your hair, what you're looking for, and about your lifestyle - a 6am–9pm working day, for example, means a daily hour-long styling routine at home simply isn't realistic, so we factor that in. We also assess your hair's texture and condition and tell you honestly what's achievable before we begin, and we check in with you again after the basin in case you've changed your mind.

Balayage is a freehand colour-painting technique - one of the specialities of our Senior Stylist and Colour Director, Lisa B - used to create soft, natural-looking lightness rather than a solid block of colour. Appointment length depends on your hair's length, thickness and starting colour, so your stylist will give you an accurate time estimate at consultation. Because balayage is designed to grow out gracefully, it needs top-ups far less often than traditional highlights, and your stylist will recommend a schedule based on your own hair and how you want it to look. Explore our balayage service for more detail.

Lived-in colour is a low-maintenance, natural-looking colour approach that's designed to grow out gracefully, so there's no harsh regrowth line to worry about. It's one of Lisa B's specialities alongside balayage and Californian blonde, and suits clients who want beautiful colour without frequent salon visits.

We exclusively use Kao group professional brands - Goldwell colour and StyleSign, KMS, Kerasilk and Varis tools - a deliberate professional choice rather than a commercial arrangement. Our co-founder Claire has spent over 30 years at Kao Professional Hair and is currently Commercial Director of Education for Kao Europe, which gives our team formulation knowledge, sustainability data and early access to new products and industry trends that most salons simply don't have.

Yes - a colour allergy test is required 48 hours before all colour services, with the exception of Goldwell Elumen. This isn't a salon preference, it's a legal requirement, so please book your patch test in good time before your appointment.

T-Bar is an express colour service where colour is applied around the hairline and through the parting, using a maximum of 15 foils. If you'd like a little extra lift elsewhere, scattered foils can be added to any service - up to 10 foils - and are charged per foil and per colour bowl used.

Yes - curly cutting is a speciality of our Senior Stylist, Mike. He creates shape in curly hair that you can genuinely wash and wear at home, which is a skill many stylists lack, so no more fighting your curls into submission every morning.

Yes, we offer men's cuts and grooming for all hair types, led by our Senior Stylist Mike, who has worked in London, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Portugal. Precision cutting is applied across the board, whatever your hair type or style.

Men's Reshades is a discreet, five-minute service done at the basin that blends early grey, applied alongside your normal shampoo. It's popular with men who want subtle colour correction without booking a visible "colouring" appointment.

Yes, children's haircuts are part of our regular cutting service. One parent told us how Mike "was so good at putting my 13 year old at ease: they felt really listened to and valued" - we take the same patient approach with younger clients too.

Yes - a blow dry and professional finish is included free with every haircut. We don't offer a separate "wet cut only" price, because we want you to leave looking finished, not halfway there.

Yes - we offer a full bridal hair service, and trial appointments are available beforehand so you can settle on your look with no surprises on the day.

The Establishment Hairdressing has been trading continuously in Farnham since 2013, when it was founded by Ross and Claire - that's over a decade serving the local area.

We've been a British Hairdressing Awards (BHA) Finalist, entering three times and reaching the Southern Counties final twice - the BHA is the UK's only industry-wide recognition and the highest accolade in British hairdressing. We were also a UK Top 4 finalist in the most recent Goldwell Color Zoom, an international competition open only to salons that work with the Goldwell brand.

We're open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am–6pm, and Wednesday 9am–8pm for a late night - we're closed on Sundays and Mondays. You'll find us at 20 Downing Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7PB, on a street of fiercely independent businesses with parking available nearby.

Please arrive on time for your appointment to make sure we can deliver your full service as booked. Running late can mean we need to adjust what we're able to do in the time available.

Gratuities are always welcome if you feel the team did a great job for you, though they're never expected. We take card payments only, including American Express, so please come prepared without cash.

Our published prices are FROM prices, and may be adjusted after a thorough consultation, depending on your hair's length, thickness and what you're asking for. We'll always talk you through the likely cost before any work begins.

Students get 15% off all services on production of a valid student ID. New clients get 20% off their first visit, although this doesn't apply to hair extensions.

Technical colour services are only available to over-16s. If you're aged 16–18, a parent needs to attend the consultation with you.

Yes, we offer hair extensions with multiple fixing methods available. A consultation and deposit are required before booking, so we can recommend the right method and get an accurate quote.

Our Keratin Smoothing Service uses a vegan formula that smooths hair rather than flattening it, making it ideal for unruly, frizzy or wavy hair. You'll get more surface shine while retaining your natural root volume, and you can style at home with just a light blow-dry and a large flat brush rather than a forceful, high-tension blow dry.

Yes - all chemicals used in the salon are vegan.

Yes to both - we run a referral and rewards scheme, and we sometimes need models for training or competition work. Just ask the team in salon for current details on either.