My last hair salon experience was a bit of a disaster, so with baby number two on the way and no knowing when I would be able to book in for another three hour appointment I couldn’t wait to experience The Chapel in Sevenoaks.
I had heard some great reviews about this place and wanted to check it out for myself. I live in Kent, so the location was perfect for me as it meant that I didn’t have to travel back into town – but they also have salons in Islington and Tunbridge Wells.
As soon as I arrived at the salon I felt at ease, I was offered a drink and my stylist Laura sat down and had a real conversation with me about what I was looking for and what I wanted to achieve from today’s appointment. Most importantly for me was the colour, having been turned a sort of reddy orange at the last salon I’d been too, I was desperate to add deeper, darker tones back into my hair. Letting me further relax in the cosy reception area, surrounded by beautiful flower arrangements, Laura went to mix up my colour.
Each of The Chapel salons aims to offer the ultimate relaxation experience, all clients are given the complete one-to-one attention of the talented stylists and technicians. I actually find it very old fashion to run a salon where you are passed from person to person, with a junior stylist called in to wash your hair, so this philosophy was perfect for me. Everything at The Chapel is centred around creating a personalised experience, which also means that they don’t have a conventional price list, and charge by time rather than by service. This was music to my ears, I was so tired of choosing a service that fitted a salon’s price list rather than choosing the look that I wanted. Also I have pretty easy hair to cut and blowdry, give it 10 minutes and it’s dried itself so I begrudged paying the same as someone with a full head of curls.
The cost of the appointment is based on time taken, so your consultation (complimentary), colour, regardless of technique(s), your shampoo, toner, treatment, blow dry and style can be completely bespoke for whatever you and your stylist agree you need! It’s a radical way to charge in a hair salon, but it works and I think we’ll be seeing more salons taking on this approach.
The colour studio was dimly lit and when I was first taken through I was slightly worried about how my stylist would see what she was doing, but a single spot light was put on over our area – again adding to the personal feel. They use Redken colour, which I love and find always gives my hair a deeper, longer lasting colour. Instead of waiting in the chair while the colour was on, I was taken to a relaxation area – which honestly felt more like a spa than a hair salon. Only problem was after 25 minutes I could have fallen asleep!
The colour was washed off upstairs in the loft, while I enjoyed a soothing, gentle back massage and Laura, my stylist, applied not only a gloss to give my hair added shine, but Olaplex which is a scientifically proven system which permanently rebuilds the damaged disulphide bonds in your hair that are broken during the chemical process. It rebuilds the strength, structure and integrity of your hair; a ‘reset’ for your locks, if you will. I was also given an amazing head massage, the whole experience really did have s luxury spa feel.
The final piece of the puzzle was the cut and blowdry which took place at the front of the salon, and Laura treated my poker straight hair to a some added curls. I absolutely loved my new colour and it really showed how much Laura had listened to me in our earlier chat. I left with a spring in my step and a warmth about the day ahead. I could definitely find myself a regular at The Chapel, it has a great vibe and I’m so happy with the results.
