The secret to a perfect hair appointment

London - You might think the perfect hair appointment would involve a glamorous blow dry or a confidence-boosting new cut.

But it turns out most women just want two inches lopped off while they have a cup of tea, a head massage – and a natter with the stylist.

Convenience is also a key factor, with the ideal appointment taking up only an hour on Saturday lunchtime at a salon less than ten miles away, according to a survey of 2 000 women by hairdressers Toni & Guy.

Sacha Mascolo-Tarbuck, from Toni & Guy, said: “A haircut is a time to relax and unwind. These results show that it’s the little things like drinks and conversation which can make a big difference to an appointment.

“Many of the women who come through our doors lead such busy lives, either with their job or family, that they relish the opportunity to have a cup of tea, read a magazine or even a chat with their stylist.

“But these busy lives also mean that women don’t want to be in a salon for too long, or go to one which involves quite a bit of travelling.

“These results show as well as wanting to have the perfect style, it’s the little things like the drinks and topics of conversation which can make a big difference to their appointment.

“We’ve been welcoming women through our doors for 50 years now, and almost everyone looks forward to settling down with a drink and a magazine, while a stylist works their magic on their hair.”

The study found that in an ideal world, the hair appointments will take place every nine weeks and involve a cut or colour, or just a trim of two inches off her locks.

But rather than just one style, women want to be able to style their hair several ways, wanting a cut which can have at least two different looks.

Once they are settled in the hairdresser’s chair, women want to be offered one drink, with tea or coffee named as the most popular beverage choice.

Almost half of women also said that no hair appointment is complete without a head massage while they read a magazine.

It also emerged that women want to hear an average of two pieces of gossip from their hairdresser, with the most popular topics of conversation found to be local news, TV shows and celebrity gossip.

However, not everyone enjoys a natter as almost a quarter would like to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet without any conversation with their stylist during their appointment.

Almost every woman polled also said their perfect hair cut would mean seeing the same stylist each time.

The study found that 83 percent of women enjoy going to get their hair cut or styled at a hair salon, but one in five admitted they would like it even more if they could sit in a massaging chair while having their locks seen too.

Another 16 percent also said their perfect appointment would be complete if they were offered chocolate to cake to tuck into.

THE PERFECT HAIRCUT...

Is at 12.22pm on a Saturday

Happens every nine weeks

Is nine miles from home

Lasts 1 hour and 12 minutes

Costs £38.56 (about R700)

Sees almost two inches of hair cut off

Can have two different looks

Involves having one drink

And reading one magazine

With £6 spent on new products