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Palminder Kaur reviews Essensuals Hair Salon in Clifton, Bristol

I am a recent convert to the Bristol hair salon treatment after my mistreated head hedge (as I like to call it) was preened into a shiny bouncing mane. Unfortunately as well as being lazy I am also not that clever and soon let things deteriorate into the following state.

I had four inches of natural healthy hair at the roots – the rest of it was a flat, arid, pink brown from all the dyes I had had on it. The colour a squashed field mouse might appear if someone was shaking it up and down in front of your eyes very quickly. Rescue treatment definitely needed.

As soon as I walked into Essensuals Hair Salon in Bristol I was greeted warmly, seated and my hair thoroughly investigated. Ne’er a twitch of an eye betrayed any horror at the state of my mop. It was handled with professional care rather than squeamish distaste. Mark, the owner of the hair salon, chatted with me about not only what I wanted but also my daily styling habits, routines, how often I wore my glasses (to determine how any hair framing my face might rest) and what products I used. He then listened carefully to what I said.

Maintaining his composure admirably, he responded to my request for his opinion on what I should do with it. He suggested I wear it a couple of different ways if I ever had the time or inclination to style it. I have actually taken one of his suggestions and worn it like that every day since, and guess what? It really suits me! Even better – it makes me look younger.

My colourist Beth was an enchanting young lady who obviously has a real passion for what she does. Beth’s studied art and can really see the potential a complexion has to carry a colour. With nerves as steely as Mark’s Beth spent some time checking the various different conditions of my hair then going through colour samples with me and offering her opinion when requested.

I was offered magazines to read while I was waiting and refreshments throughout my time at Essensuals Hair Salon. Going that little bit further to make you feel pampered is obviously the deal here. To work at Essensuals stylists and technicians have to be professionally qualified and trained for years to high Toni & Guy standards which is certainly a reassuring if, like most people, you're precious about your barnet.

It was certainly a lengthy procedure, they have their own label of products (label.M) and from this they used some honey & oat shampoo, peppermint conditioner, protein spray, shine spray and soft wax. I inevitably ended up investing in a couple of these and so far one week later - I've been able to maintain the condition all by myself. Hopefully ensuring it never gets back into a state.

I have been told by hairdressers before that applying a black dye to bleached hair will look flat and unattractive but Beth has made the bleached bits, if anything, look slightly shinier than my natural strong and thick black Indian hair.

It's not only obvious that the folk at Essensuals are good at what they do it's apparent that they love it and take a great deal of pride in it too. When I left my hair was shinier and silkier than I genuinely could have believed possible considering the state it was in.

To experience Essensuals Hair Salon in Bristol for yourself go to http://www.bookings4hair.com/ or call 0117 9254433.