Choosing the right hair colour and preparing for your hair appointment

Whether you’re looking for a big change or trying a new salon, stylist, or colour range, here are some things to consider before your hair appointment.

The first, and most important thing, is to book a consultation and allergy test. All hair salons will require an allergy test to be performed 48 hours before any colour service. This is to ensure you aren’t allergic to the product and won’t have any adverse reactions. Also, bear in mind that you must be over the age of 16 for a salon to legally colour your hair in the UK.

During the consultation process, your stylist will ask you several questions, and it’s important to be open and honest with your answers. This helps your stylist get a full understanding of your hair’s history and allows them to advise and colour your hair accordingly. We promise we won’t judge you for what you’ve done to your hair previously—we’ve all been there! We just need to know so we can make the best decision for your hair moving forward.

An in-depth consultation will review previous colour and chemical treatments, give the stylist the opportunity to analyse your hair, and take strand tests if needed. A consultation also ensures you and your stylist are on the same page and that the stylist is the right one for you. During the consultation, the stylist can determine the best course of action for your hair. Photos are a great way to visually show your stylist what you’re after, but it’s important to be realistic. You’d be surprised how many wigs, hairpieces, and AI-generated images are out there.

Your stylist can cover everything from grey coverage and which colours and tones will suit you best, to pre-colour care and aftercare. They will help you choose a colour that accentuates your features and flatters your skin tone and eye colour, while also considering your lifestyle, wardrobe, and makeup choices. The maintenance and upkeep of your hair colour will also be taken into account—whether a low-maintenance, lived-in colour suits you and your schedule best, or if you’ll need a 4-6 week touch-up.

Pre-Colour Care: Preparing Your Hair and Scalp for a Colour Service

• Use a clarifying shampoo to remove any product build-up and impurities 24-48 hours before having your hair coloured.
• Leave some time between shampooing and the colouring service to allow the scalp to settle and avoid irritation.
• Avoid applying products after shampooing, so your hair remains clean.

At Mosu, we use Oway HColor, HNectar, and HBleach—organic, ethical, and vegan colour ranges that are free from ammonia and synthetic fragrances.

• HColor provides full grey coverage while nourishing the hair fibre, making it the first of its kind.
• HNectar is a PPD-free (the most common allergen found in hair colour) range that is both delicate and restorative.
• HBleach is a bleaching cream enriched with precious oils for a soft and gentle lifting process, adding softness without damaging the hair.

At Mosu, we also use HSystem alongside our colouring services, which allows us to work with a lower pH to avoid stressing the hair cuticle. This system can be used before, during, and after the colour service.

Allergy tests and complimentary consultations are available at our hair space. An in-depth chat over a coffee could be the start of a beautiful hair journey. We hope to see you soon.

You can book your free consultation with a colour specialist here.