Hairdressers love taking hair from long to short, using their skills and bringing clients back to the salon more regularly.
But, what about those clients who want to keep their hair long?
Long-haired clients often invest in healthier hair, beautiful colour and versatile styling, and there is a myriad of ways to keep them excited about their hair.
Here, three leading hairdressers share their advice on turning long hair into long-term business…
Latch onto luxury
Daniel Rice, Owner, Daniels Salon, Chelsea, London
I’ve always positioned my salon as a luxury destination, where clients come to feel pampered and enjoy a five-star experience. This approach can have particular relevance to clients with long hair. Clients with long hair often spend more time and money caring for it at home, and they are usually prepared to invest more during their salon visit.
Make sure you have a menu of luxury services that will appeal to clients who want to keep their long hair looking healthy. Think about offering bespoke consultations, luxury conditioning rituals, scalp treatments and personalised finishing services that leave clients feeling they've enjoyed a true experience rather than a routine appointment.
Don’t miss out on the huge potential long-haired clients represent when it comes to retail. They're typically more committed to maintaining the condition of their hair and are often looking for expert advice on the right shampoos, treatments, styling products and tools to use at home. Never assume you know a client’s budget. Talk to them throughout the appointment about the homecare regime you recommend and let them know you have the products to meet their needs.
Once you’ve established yourself and your team as the go-to experts in long hair care, you’ll start to see some real long-term gains.
Get creative with colour
Lloyd Court, Creative Director and Co-owner of seanhanna, Wimbledon
Colour is one of the biggest opportunities when working with long hair, and the ideal way to generate extra profits even while clients are maintaining length.
But don’t stick exclusively to tried-and-tested colour services like traditional balayage or global cover. It’s important to keep your colour menu relevant and exciting and ensure all your clients know what you can offer.
I’m constantly updating my colour offering. More recently I’ve been getting creative with fox tips, which typically see warm roots and mid-lengths transition into dark brown or black tips, creating a reverse ombre effect. But I’ve taken this trend a step further, introducing more vibrant colours into the mix.
Clients who are emotionally attached to their long hair often still crave change. By offering exciting colour ideas rather than reaching for the same formulas, you can keep appointments fresh and encourage clients to visit more regularly.
Reinvent styling
Harry Andreou, Studio U, Winchester
Styling is often the forgotten opportunity with long-haired clients. Many clients wear their hair exactly the same way every day because nobody has shown them anything different.
Simple styling lessons can become valuable appointments in their own right. Show clients how to create soft waves, sleek ponytails, effortless updos or quick styles they can recreate at home. Seasonal styling sessions, occasion hair, blow-dry memberships and styling masterclasses all provide additional revenue while strengthening client relationships.
Whether it’s a Big 90’s inspired blowout, a sleek smooth finish or sexy, soft waves, when clients realise just how versatile their long hair can be, they become excited about coming back to the salon.