Review: Vanilla Hair & Beauty Lounge

When I heard that Vanilla Hair & Beauty Lounge in Cookham had been given a revamp, I couldn't resist checking it out. I usually have a friend come round to my house to give me a haircut, so it had been a while since I'd stepped inside a salon – and I was debating going for a totally different look...

I popped in a few days before my appointment, to chat to the owners, husband and wife team Paula and Marc Fredman. Marc has worked in the hairdressing industry for almost 30 years, Paula for about 15, so they really know their stuff.

The salon looked good. I'd walked past it on the Station Parade countless times before, and had even nipped in to get a voucher or two as gifts for friends, but this time I looked around and took in the friendly atmosphere and the luxurious decor. I loved the gold velvet sofa, the decadent chandelier-style lights and the large black mirrors. And the chairs were more like leather thrones. There's definitely a cool, edgy vibe to the place.

During my chat with Paula, I met Charlotte, who would be doing my hair. I bit my lip, showing them both a picture of what I wanted – a rose-gold tint, ok, more like pink – and they nodded, smiling. They didn't tell me I was mad, and that it wasn't very 'Cookham', in fact, Paula told me I should: 'Be who I want to be.' And that did it. My mind was made up. I decided to go for it.

The ombré style is bang-on trend at the moment, and Charlotte said that due to its grown-out highlighted look, it's easy to maintain as you can go longer in between colour appointments. That sounded good to me.

So two days later, I arrived for my appointment, ready to go from brown to a rosy pink. After taking my coat, making me a drink and handing me some magazines, I relaxed in the throne-like chair while Charlotte got to work on my 'balayage'. She lightened the hair first, then put the heaters on it. I love the fact you can have an OPI Manicure here while you wait for the colour to work its magic on your hair... As downstairs, Vanilla has a Beauty Lounge offering a wide range of treatments. I was given the guided tour, and really I could have been comfortable there all day – it feels luxurious and apparently the technicians use 'only the best' high-end products.

Back upstairs, Charlotte shampooed my hair and put on the toner. I was getting nervous... What would I look like?! My daughter is a huge fan of Mia And Me, and I was worried – would I come out with a shocking head of pink hair like the character in the show? Charlotte, who has worked at Vanilla for three years, reassured me, telling me I was in safe hands. She said I could always go darker or lighter, depending on how I felt it looked.

I needn't have worried. As Charlotte blow-dried my hair, I was relieved to see the colour was subtle and pretty. I must have been feeling daring though, as I thought I could go even pinker... Paula and Charlotte were really accommodating, and a few days later, on a Saturday morning when the salon was buzzing, they added more toner to my hair. Now I have a vibrant rosy glow – you can't miss me!

If you need a little pampering, Vanilla are currently running a beauty offer on their Pamper Day – £140 (RRP £185), which is for Valentine's and Mother's Day, and you can also buy any three of the same beauty treatment and get the fourth free. http://www.vanillacookham.com/

* Sarah paid her own expenses for her treatment. RRP £120