Six questions before your first appointment
These are the six questions we hear most often, on the phone and in the salon. The answers describe how we work at Scherenwerk — from how long a colour appointment takes to the patch test and the trial appointment for brides. Anything still unclear, we'll discuss during the consultation at the start of your appointment.
- How long does an appointment take? A men's haircut takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and a women's cut with wash, cut and finish takes around an hour. A root touch-up colour takes about 90 minutes, since the colour needs 30 to 45 minutes to develop after application. A balayage — the freehand lightening of individual strands without a hard regrowth line — takes three to four hours depending on your starting length and desired result. We'll tell you the expected duration when booking, so you can plan your day.
- Do I need to wash my hair beforehand? No. We wash before every cut, and for colour services we actually work on unwashed hair on purpose: the natural layer of sebum protects the scalp. So come to a colour appointment without freshly washed hair and without dry shampoo, hairspray or styling wax — product residue can make colour uptake uneven.
- Do I need a patch test before colouring? If this is your first time colouring with us, or if you've ever reacted to a hair colour product before, we recommend a patch test behind the ear at least 48 hours before the appointment. It only takes two minutes with us. Please also let us know about any medications or skin treatments you're currently using, and whether you've recently coloured with henna or a home remedy — both can affect the result.
- How much does colouring cost — and what determines the price? Three things determine the price: the length of your hair, the amount of colour and lightener needed, and the time involved. A root touch-up is noticeably cheaper than a full-length balayage, and heavily pre-coloured or very dark hair requires more processing steps. After assessing your hair, we'll give you a firm price range before the first brush stroke. You can find our current base prices on our pricing page.
- How does bridal styling work? First, a trial session, ideally four to six weeks before the wedding. In this session we match the hairstyle and the position of the veil or hair accessory to the dress and daylight conditions, photograph the result and note down the products used. On the wedding day, we follow this plan so there are no surprises. Allow about two hours for the trial session, and around 90 minutes for the day itself.
- What happens if I'm not happy with the result? Tell us — ideally while you're still in the chair. We'll make small corrections to the cut line, length or finish right away. If you notice something once you're home, get in touch within 14 days — we'll take a close look at your hair and discuss what can sensibly be reworked. With colour, keep in mind: a correction often needs some time to pass, so the hair isn't put under too much strain.