‘Cut and colour, no chat’: The rise of silent hair appointments

“We understand that there are clients who would prefer not to chat, or who want to zone out or get some work done while in the salon and that’s fine.”

Brittney Wilson, co-owner of Grace Gold Salon in Melbourne’s Brunswick, agrees.

“I dont think it’s self-indulgent at all,” she says. “The last two years have been terrible and exhausting, the least we deserve is to be able to get a haircut or colour in peace.”

“We’ve also had good feedback from our neurodivergent clients … and it’s been lovely being able to provide an experience that is comfortable.”

Wilson, who works alongside her co-owner sister Em, has offered the silent option since October.

“Since lots of our clients are working from home they will sometimes come and get their hair done and work from the salon,” Wilson says. “We’ve also had good feedback from our neurodivergent clients … and it’s been lovely being able to provide an experience that is comfortable.”

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It sounds like a paradise for introverts, but as an extrovert whose love language is flattery to the point of flirtation, I decided I had to experience one such appointment for myself. Could I hold back from lubricating every interaction with a loud, “Oh my gosh! Amazing!”?

When I arrive at RAW salon, I’m warmly greeted by my colourist and hair washer. I smile, explain in as few words as possible what I would like done and then retreat into my emails. Two things become immediately apparent: I feel far less awkward than usual, knowing that my silence will not be interpreted as rudeness; and I get a huge amount of work done.

For hair-washing, the salon has a low-lit “quiet room” designed to mimic a massage space. Wind chime-y music seeps quietly out of the speakers as my head is washed and my scalp reborn in the gentle hands of my hair washer.

This is normally the more awkward part of the hair ritual as I always feel compelled to express appreciation for a decent massage without, you know, moaning. I would normally say “that was wonderful” and find I cannot help myself – I say it here, too.

The blow dry is traditionally the part where both parties understand conversation is off the table. By this time I’ve gotten so much work done I resort to playing Candy Crush. Thank goodness we aren’t talking. I would hate to have to justify my choices.

Anyone concerned about seeming rude for asking for a silent treatment need not worry.

“It’s no different to requesting your favourite stylist and is not taken personally at all,” Douglas says.

Grace Gold salon has an option you can tick on their website, so you don’t even have to worry about asking.

As someone who can barely relax into a conditioning treatment without uttering a compliment, silence is not always golden. Which, you could argue, is exactly why I need to practise it more often.

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