Wait until you get to Spain
Next time you go to book your pre holiday haircut wait until you get to
Spain. From my own experience Spanish hairdressing salons are generally
much cheaper and less busy depending on where you go. Of course, a city
hairdresser will always be more high profile and bustling than those in
smaller towns. I, personally use the local hairdresser in our small
town. Although, it doesn’t look particularly glamorous from the
outside, inside it is clean, has all the necessary basic equipment
without being dated.
Back to basics
Bianca, as the hairdresser is called is far less “scissor happy”
than any hairdresser I have ever known in the UK. She serves the local
community and she informs me that they are not into fancy hair and
beauty techniques and like to stick to what they know. Having said
that, even if you have limited Spanish and bearing in mind that she
doesn’t speak any English, she always seems to know just where you are
coming from and can cater to any hair request.
Learn Spanish in the salon
The duration of a haircut can range from 20 minutes to 2 hours
depending on the number of phone calls that she receives on her mobile
and friends, family members dropping in to chat. If you are keen to
learn Spanish, being sat in a hairdresser’s chair for two hours will
certainly improve your listening skills. If you are not up to reading
in Spanish yet bring your own material unless you are in Marbella where
I am sure they make provisions for their English speaking clientele.
Having said that, once they start making provisions for the English
speaking community, you can guarantee that this will be added to the
bill. In other words, the more geared towards expats they are i.e. with
English speaking staff, the more expensive.
Children are welcome!
Although she may lack the sanctuary like image that Marbella salons
have, Bianca has made an effort to make her salon unusually child
friendly without installing a ball park! All children are given a
lollipop and can sit at the coffee table covered with colouring in
books and crayons whilst their mothers get pampered.
Be Prepared
Prepare yourself with the following vocabulary before you embark upon the challenge of going to the hairdressers in Spain:
Peluquería – Hairdressers
Peluquera / o - Hairdresser
Lavar y peinar - A wash and blow dry
Iluminaciones, mechas - Highlights, streaks
Sólo las puntitas - Just the ends (a trim)
Con capas – Layered
Written by
Susan Pedalino