The Complete Guide to Salon and Spa Etiquette

Posted on January 3rd, 2023.

Small talk, tipping, nudity, unexpected bodily functions – spas and salons can be a hub of unexpected awkwardness. Here’s what the experts really want you to know to get the most from your experience. Meet the Conde Nast Traveller guide to salon and spa etiquette…

Facials

Ditch the makeup

“When having a facial try to remove your makeup, especially heavy eye make up and waterproof mascara which can take the therapist a lot of time to remove. It eats into the treatment time resulting in shorter facial massage – nobody wants that.” Faeye McAuley, Carol Joy London's Global Spa Manager 

Always overshare

“It’s important to fully disclose when filling out your Consultation Cards and highlight contra-indications or adjustments required to ensure your safety. The same goes for the pesky patch test in advance if required. While rare, some reactions to certain products can be quite severe, and new allergies can develop at any age and can worsen over time so for your safety make sure you have them done when required,” Lesley Blair MBE, CEO of British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC) 

Know your goal

“A lot of people come in for a facial to simply relax, and others wish to target a specific issue. Knowing what you want means that facials can be catered to your specific needs and whether you need a course to reduce pigmentation for example, or just one treatment.” Natali Kelly, Aesthetic Practitioner and Reiki Healer Award 

Snap your skincare routine

“We ask lots of questions about your lifestyle and skincare for safety reasons. If you have an allergy to a certain product or ingredient, we need to know about this, and what skincare you’re using. I encourage clients to bring their toiletry bags - there might always be the odd thing that they’re not using correctly or to snap a picture of their skincare products to show me before the treatment.” Katharine Mackenzie Paterson, aesthetician and founder of KMP Skin 

Disclose your medication too

“Medications like Roaccutane might preclude you from having certain facials, the same goes for if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, so the salon or spa you’re visiting will have treatments designed to give you the best experience.” Lauren Gibson, UK & Ireland Country Manager, HydraFacial

Be upfront about cosmetic procedures

“Please be honest – we are not there to judge you about what you have done, but there can be downtime with some more invasive procedures and the last thing we want to do is, for example, cause any movement to freshly placed filler, or perhaps use a peel when you have recently had some laser resurfacing which could be highly irritating. An experienced therapist can generally tell or feel where tweakments have been used, so it just avoids an awkward conversation,” Katharine Mackenzie Paterson, aesthetician and founder of KMP Skin

Listen to aftercare advice

“Aftercare is just as important as the facial itself, after all, you want to preserve the results for as long as possible. For example, if you had a chemical peel that helped lighten pigmentation and then go into the sun without SPF, you will be undoing the treatment and causing serious harm to your skin,” Natali Kelly, Aesthetic Practitioner and Reiki Healer Award 

Massage and spas

Do your glam later

“Therapists will use an oil for facial massage and often offer head massages so to really get the benefits of the treatment, do your hair and make-up afterwards, otherwise all those tumbling curls may not be there after your treatment,” Tara Moore, Spa Manager at Galgorm Collection

Leave jewellery in your room

“You may find that the chlorine reacts with some metals so it’s better to keep them safe and away from the spa. Also if you lose an earring in the pool it’s incredibly hard to find – we spend a lot of time looking for jewellery which sometimes can never be found.” Tara Moore, Spa Manager at Galgorm Collection 

To chat or not to chat

“Some of my clients love to chat, while others like to take time away with their thoughts while they’re enjoying a treatment. Your therapist will take your lead with this, so don't feel like you have to talk or stay silent during your treatment time – this is your time, and you can state what you’d like upfront if that’s easier, we won't be offended.” Alana Dunkley, Lush Spa trainer

Ditch the phone

“Remember if your phone is allowed, do silence it during your treatment for complete. If taking videos in the communal spaces for your social media, do be mindful of fellow guests around you and their privacy – not everyone wants to be in your video.” Tara Moore, Spa Manager at Galgorm Collection 

Your body might ‘react’

“During a massage, your parasympathetic nervous system – also known as “rest and digest” – is stimulated. It’s the muscles of your digestive system relaxing which makes it easier for wind to pass, as well as the change in position from standing up to lying down. We also hold emotions in our body and massage can help to release them and you might feel teary. If you are aware of being stressed, anxious or depressed, let your massage therapist know, as he or she will take that into account and give you a massage that is safe and appropriate.” Dhriti M, Urban Massage therapist

Be as naked as you want

“Nudity is fine in the treatment room. Being fully clothed is also fine. Your practitioner should be able to discern the level of discretion that you feel most at ease with and adjust accordingly. For most patients, I will leave the room for a few minutes for you to get comfortable on the bed, though others would find that odd. Either way, you should always feel safe, heard and cared for,” Joanna Ellner, Acupuncturist and expert in Chinese medicine based at the 180-health club

Cancel if you’re sick

“During an illness, your body is already working hard to fight either a virus or infection, so if you then get a massage and force your body to work on flushing out toxins as well, it could be too much for your system to take. Lying face down to get a massage may also be very uncomfortable, especially if you’re congested and have a runny nose. If you’re too sick to go to work, you’re too sick for a massage.” Nadege Louvet, Urban Massage Head of Quality 

And if you’re hungover

“It takes 24 hours for the body to eliminate the alcohol, so it’s never a good idea to have a massage (even lymphatic drainage) because the toxins are moved too quickly through the body. This essentially sends a rush of toxins to the liver and kidneys to deal with which is not ideal at all. Massage releases toxins from the muscles into the bloodstream, which can heighten the negative effects of alcohol. Both massage and alcohol can have a dehydrating effect too, this doesn’t just make you thirstier – it can intensify hangover symptoms. Post 24 hours after a hangover is safer to receive treatments.” Nadege Louvet, Urban Massage Head of Quality 

Be early to reap the rewards

“Always arrive early for the treatment, that way you can make use of the spa facilities, take a shower and be relaxed for your treatment so you get the maximum benefit.” Faeye McAuley, Carol Joy London's Global Spa Manager 

Get involved

“If part of the treatment involves choosing the massage oil that you almost love the smell of, we do want you to pick, instead of saying “I don’t mind”. The essential oil blends used in many massages have very specific benefits, which you may or may not want. Also, if the therapist chooses their favourite oil instead of you choosing yours, there’s a chance that you may not like it, or it could trigger an unwanted memory for example. You are going to be surrounded by this smell for a while, so it needs to be something you like.” Antonia David, Training Manager Elemental Herbology.

Hair

Speak up

“We’d rather know at the time if something is a problem. If you’re getting your hair washed in the salon and water is splashed everywhere, speak up or forever hold your peace. If your makeup is already done and you’re concerned about coming off, a good stylist will ensure they’re super careful – and will not mind being told to be so. Likewise, if you hate head massages – tell us, we never mind.” Jonathan Andrew, Fudge Global Ambassador

Hold off on the shame

“Please do not worry about washing your hair before coming to the salon or it being greasy. If you are having colour services like a tint then the hair is better to be dirty as the scalp will retain its natural oils which protect it from being sensitive to colour. We want you to look glamorous on the way out but it doesn’t matter on the way in.” Jo Hansford, expert hair colourist and salon owner 

Don’t leave unhappy

"There may be a time you’re not completely happy with the outcome and that’s okay. Just let us know so that we can fix it for you before you leave, we never want anyone leaving our hands unhappy and will always do our best to rectify anything.” Pash’can Mitchell, Afro & Textured hair specialist and educator

Take in imagery

“Points of reference are helpful. Whether they are celebrity pics or photos of friends they will definitely aid consultation and make sure your hairdresser’s vision is aligned with yours. Pictures also help a hairdresser to manage a client's expectations and are a good way to identify differences in texture, thickness & natural hair colour, all of which are important to consider when recreating a trend-driven look.” Mathew Alexander, hair stylist and salon owner 

Be realistic

“Many celebrities use wigs, hairpieces and extensions to create their ever-changing looks, your natural hair cannot take the pressure of continuous colour changes from light to dark and back again on a regular basis without eventually breaking and becoming fragile. We will always advise on what is achievable and realistic, please take our advice as we are professionals in our field.” Jo Hansford, expert hair colourist and salon owner

Tip if you like

“It’s no longer expected or essential to tip – especially if you picked your stylist. We always really appreciate it and often someone less senior may wash your hair for you. Any of us are grateful but you won't be treated differently if you don't tip.” Pash’can Mitchell, Afro & Textured hair specialist and educator 

Hair removal, nails and tanning

Choose the right time for hair removal

“For any person that has periods, avoid hair removal three days before and three days after. It can minimise the discomfort you experience by planning your hair removal appointments around your cycle. Also, try and schedule hair removal on your non-gym days because sweat and bacteria can enter those open follicles and cause irritation.” Ejiro Owusu hair removal expert, and founder of Ejiro Okorodudu

Prep the week before you tan

“If you’re waxing do it at least 48/72 hours before the spray tan, it leaves the legs stripped of dead skin and can give an uneven and streaky finish. Always get your toes done before you get your tan done as the process of a pedicure (feet in hot water and being scrubbed etc) will remove the tan from your feet and then the day before your tan, exfoliate your skin, and if you want to shave do it at least 24 hours before tanning to give the skin a chance to renew, so the tanning agent has skin to bind with the skin and pores have time to close.” James Harknett, celebrity tanning expert

Factor in travel plans

“If you are waxing before a holiday or for a reason, make sure you come in at least 3 days beforehand. You may be slightly red after a treatment which will calm down over 24 hours but it is always best to avoid chlorine or salt water for a few days post-treatment in case of irritation.” Trish Coulton, Bondi Body waxing and hair removal studio

Leave your nails the pros

“Please don’t be tempted to trim your cuticles – however tempting it might be. It should be left to a professional who will only take what needs to be removed. Likewise, do not pick gels/polish - this weakens the nail plate over time causing them to become weak and almost paper-like. Have it professionally removed, even if you don’t want anything reapplied.” Julia Diogo, manicurist

Be real with time

“When booking a nail appointment always let them know if you already have something applied to your nails like gels etc, beforehand. Removing this will add at least 45 mins to your appointment - so they need to know how much time you’ll need.” Thea Green, founder Nails. INC

Source: CN Traveller