The big debate: are virtual hair consultations the future?

We’re back with another big debate from our August issue of HJ, and this time, two salon owners discuss hairdressing and the virtual space. Do you think virtual hair consultations are the future?

Yes

[caption id="attachment_90440" align="alignnone" width="700"] Anil Salhan, owner of BLACC + BLOND[/caption] Virtual consultations were something we implemented at BLACC + BLOND during the Covid-19 lockdown. Although salons are back open, I believe virtual consultations will become a thing of the future. Virtual consultations are not only beneficial for the client who doesn't have to spend time and money travelling to the salon, but it's also beneficial for the stylist who in theory could take more bookings if clients are happy to have a video consultation.

Virtual consultations are also a great way for stylists to build relationships with their clients out of the salon.

Think about it: if a client books in for a colour consultation and you block out a considerable amount of time, you may end up realising what they want is unachievable almost immediately. Virtual consultations can help prevent this. They are also a great way for stylists to build relationships with their clients out of the salon. Why not offer more general catch ups about their hair – for example, how they can improve the condition at home and what products they should use. Virtual consultations can help build and maintain relationships and keep clients loyal. The metaverse is a popular topic. Discussions have already begun about clients being able to create an avatar and change their hairstyle easily, daily if they wish, with just a few clicks. With that in mind, I think we will start to see and hear a lot more about hair and beauty going virtual and clients being able to expand their hair and beauty experiences online as well as offline.

No

[caption id="attachment_90441" align="alignnone" width="700"] Safy B, Safy B Salon[/caption] Throughout lockdown, as hairdressers, we were forced into a fully digital world, there was no face-to-face contact, in person engagement or the chance to meet and greet clients. It was a strange time that I'm sure we will never forget. Fast forward to 2022, and the digital influence is very much present, however for us as hairdressers and salon owners, the client engagement has somewhat returned to normal. More than ever we are embracing the in-person consultation with the clients as a chance to interact and begin the foundations of our client/stylist relationship. Being a client facing industry, connection is the foundation of loyalty and it is, in my opinion, vital.

Being a client facing industry, connection really is the foundation of loyalty and it is, in my opinion, vital.

As well as this, being able to touch the client's hair to assess the health, condition and the strength is so important. Although during a digital consultation you can see the hair, there is nothing quite like assessing it yourself. It may be that what you think looks healthy over a screen is in-fact seriously damaged and not as strong as you may think. Likewise if you need to conduct a strand test, this is simply not possible digitally and will require the client to visit the salon in due course anyway. Of course is some situations, digital consultations are the only option – perhaps your client lives abroad, travels for work or finds it difficult to physically get to your salon. In this case I would recommend a digital chat but then book them for a slightly longer appointment. You can see the full article in the August issue of HJ. Which side of this debate do you agree with? Have you read our big debate on whether you should allow phones on the salon floor?