Colour Consultation & Skin Test

What happens at the appointment

The whole visit takes about 15 minutes. One of our stylists will:

• Chat through your colour goals, hair history (including any box dyes, bleach, or previous salon work), and lifestyle
• Assess your current hair condition and discuss what's realistically achievable — sometimes big changes need a staged plan
• Apply a small dot of the hair colour we'll use to a discreet patch of skin, usually behind your ear
• Explain what to watch for over the next 48 hours and confirm your main colour appointment

The £30 fee goes straight onto your account and comes off the total cost of your colour service, so you're not paying twice.

Why the 48-hour wait matters

Hair colour (especially darker shades) contains ingredients like PPD that can cause allergic reactions in some people. Reactions are rare, but they can be serious — anything from itching and redness to swelling or breathing difficulty. The skin test gives any delayed allergy time to show up before we apply colour all over your head. If you notice any itching, redness, burning, or swelling at the test spot, rinse it with water and call the salon straight away — we'll discuss alternatives or reschedule.

If your skin stays clear for 48 hours, you're good to go ahead with your colour as planned.

When you need a test (and when you don't)

You'll need a fresh skin test if:

• You're new to Park Row for colour
• It's been more than 6 months since your last colour with us
• You're trying a significantly different shade or we're switching product formulas
• You've had major health changes, started new medication, or are pregnant

If you've had colour at Park Row within the last six months and nothing's changed, just call the salon to book your colour — Janet, Lynzie, Beckie, Alicia, or Jess will check your records and let you know if you can skip the test this time.

Getting the best result

Be honest in your consultation about everything you've done to your hair — home dyes, henna, straightening treatments, the lot. The more we know, the better we can plan a colour that works with (not against) your hair. If you're dreaming of a dramatic change (dark brown to platinum, for example), we'll talk you through a realistic timeline, because some transformations take a few sessions to protect your hair's integrity. And once your colour's done, we'll recommend the right Keune shampoos and treatments to keep it looking fresh between visits.