It's often thought that catching up with long-standing clients is as much a part of a hairdressing appointment ritual as the hair service itself. However, in 2019 London salon Not Another Salon turned this on its head by offering The Silent Haircut as part of their service menu. In their salon literature the description reads 'While so many of us love a chin wag at the hairdressers, many just need some time out and that should be ok to ask for.' The salon, which has always been a champion of inclusivity and non-judgemental services, introduced the service so clients didn't feel embarrassed asking for quiet time.
Since then, requests for silent haircuts have continued to increase as well as the number of salons offering them. Steven Chapman, founder of The Hoi Polloi barbershop, says that silent haircuts isn't just for those who hate small talk, it can cater to many different types of client, from those who suffer with anxiety or sensory issues, have busy work lives to those who's first language isn't english. Steven explains: "Newcastle has quite a large foreign student population, so people who struggle to speak english found it hard to speak for the full 45 minutes in a different language that wasn't their mother tongue. It just removes the stress from the situation." Steven also realised that clients who found the salon experience stressful would normally put off making an appointment until their hair was unmanageable. "Now quite a few of those are four weekly regulars because they don't have the same stress around the experience, so they're more happy to book their next appointment straight away. This is now something they can manage and it's also boosted revenue," he said.
The Silent Haircut – How does it work?
The salon stylist will still talk clients through their consultation, and ask any hair related information throughout the service, but the rest of the time is quiet. To have a quiet appointment, clients have to ask for a 'silent' cut or colour when booking. Owner of the salon Sophia Hilton said, "In order for us to be a true non judgment company we need to consider all our clients needs. With mental health issues on the rise, feeling comfortable to say when you need time out couldn't be more important."
Do Salon Staff Enjoy Silent Haircuts?
For stylists talking to clients is just as big a part of their role so how do they feel about removing this element? At The Hoi Polloi, barbers use their silent haircuts as a break in the day, "When you have a silent haircut booked in it gives you a bit of respite and a chance to think. You really concentrate on the haircut, and the feedback from the staff is positive. I don't think they'd want to do them all day every day but people enjoy giving them as much as clients enjoy having that option." explains Steven.