Hair Tips & Advice

What to Expect at Your First Colour Appointment

Thinking about getting your hair coloured for the first time — or trying a new salon? Here's exactly what happens at 1elevenhair from the moment you arrive, so you can feel completely at ease.

It starts with a conversation

Before anything touches your hair, Simone sits down with you for a proper consultation. This isn't a quick two-minute chat — it's a real discussion about what you want, what you've had done before, how much maintenance you're comfortable with, and what your hair is actually like to work with.

Bringing photos is always helpful. Even if you can't find the exact look, images give Simone a sense of the direction you're heading — light or dark, natural or bold, subtle or dramatic.

Understanding your hair first

Your current hair condition matters more than most people realise. If you've had previous colour, bleach, or chemical treatments, Simone will assess the condition before recommending a service. This isn't just caution — it's how you get results that last and hair that stays healthy.

For first-time colour clients especially, a strand test may be performed to confirm how your hair will respond to the products being used.

The service itself

Depending on what you've booked — foils, full colour, balayage — the application process will vary. Simone works through the service methodically, keeping you comfortable and informed throughout. You'll never be left wondering what's happening.

Processing time varies by service and hair type. Simone uses this time to check in, answer questions, and make sure you're relaxed. This is your appointment — there's no rush.

The finish

After rinsing and toning, your appointment wraps up with a professional blowdry included in all colour services. You'll leave with a clear picture of how to care for your colour at home, what products Simone recommends, and when to come back in.

Ready to book?

Colour appointments at 1elevenhair are by phone, Instagram DM, or Facebook. Simone will confirm your appointment with all the details you need, including the address in Cheltenham.

How to Make Your Blowdry Last Longer at Home

A professional blowdry is a thing of beauty — but it doesn't have to be a one-day wonder. With the right habits and products, you can easily stretch a salon blowdry to three or four days.

Start with the right products

The products used during your blowdry play a big role in how long the result lasts. At 1elevenhair, Simone uses professional-grade heat protectants and finishing products that create a base your blowdry can hold onto. Ask what was used during your appointment — using the same at home makes a real difference.

Protect it at night

This is the step most people skip — and it's one of the most important. Before bed, loosely twist your hair up into a soft bun or braid and secure it with a silk scrunchie (never a tight elastic). A silk or satin pillowcase also dramatically reduces frizz and smooths the cuticle while you sleep.

Avoid humidity where you can

Steam is the enemy of a blowdry. If you're showering, pop a shower cap on or keep your hair well above the steam. Similarly, if you're cooking over a pot or stepping into a humid environment, your hair will feel the effects faster.

Use dry shampoo the right way

Dry shampoo is best used before your hair starts to look oily — not after. Apply it at the roots the night before, let it absorb overnight, then brush through gently in the morning. This extends your blowdry without leaving that chalky residue that builds up when dry shampoo is applied to already-oily hair.

Refresh with low heat

On day two or three, a quick pass with a round brush and low heat from your blow dryer can revive the shape without starting from scratch. Focus on the roots for volume and the ends for smoothness.

Book your next blowdry

When it's time for a fresh one, Simone is ready. Blowdry and styling appointments are available at 1elevenhair's home salon in Cheltenham — by phone or Instagram DM.

Why a Boutique Home Salon in Cheltenham Might Be Exactly What You Need

There's a growing shift happening in how women choose their hairdresser. More and more clients are moving away from large, busy commercial salons — and towards smaller, more personal experiences. Here's why that makes sense, and what makes 1elevenhair different.

You get undivided attention

In a commercial salon, your hairdresser is often managing two or three clients at once — foiling one, processing another, squeezing in a quick cut between rinses. It's efficient, but it's not personal. At a boutique home salon like 1elevenhair, Simone's full attention is on you for the entire appointment. That means better results, better communication, and a genuinely relaxing experience.

The environment is calm

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the noise of a busy salon — the music, the conversations, the general chaos — a home salon is a completely different experience. 1elevenhair is a private, quiet space in Cheltenham where you can actually relax, have a proper conversation, and enjoy the appointment rather than endure it.

You're not rushed

Appointments at 1elevenhair are never double-booked. There's no next client waiting, no stylist checking their watch. Simone takes the time your hair actually needs — which means the results are consistently better, and you leave feeling like the priority you are.

It's genuinely local

1elevenhair is based in Cheltenham and serves clients from right across Melbourne's Bayside and south-eastern suburbs — Mentone, Moorabbin, Highett, Sandringham, Beaumaris and beyond. Supporting a local small business means your money stays in the community and you build a real ongoing relationship with your hairdresser.

Simone knows your hair

When you see the same stylist every appointment in a private setting, they get to know your hair over time. Your texture, your growth patterns, how your colour behaves, what your hair responds well to. That accumulated knowledge produces better results the longer you come back — something that's hard to replicate in a high-turnover salon environment.

Come and see for yourself

If you've been looking for a hair salon in Cheltenham or the surrounding area and want something more personal than the standard experience, Simone would love to meet you. Get in touch by phone or Instagram to book your first appointment.