Holiday Hair Dos and Don’ts by Pastels Salon Artistic Director Karl Warner

The man behind the tresses of Dubai’s most discerning women sits down with Bazaar Arabia to talk maintenance, care and salon etiquette in time for the festive season

This the season to be looking one’s best – and that means paying a visit to your hair salon for a bit of a refresh ahead of the holiday rush. From caring for your locks to the basics of salon etiquette, Pastels Salon’s Karl Warner sits down with Bazaar Arabia to share his list of Holiday Hair Dos and Don’ts in time for the festive season.

Holiday Hair Dos…

Opt in for hair treatments.

All that holiday styling can take its toll. Karl advises doing a deep treatment at least once a week to ensure your hair stays healthy throughout the season. Not sure what’s best suited for your hair type? Feel overwhelmed with all the products available on the market? Speak to your stylist. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction or can recommend an in-salon treatment to see maximum results.

Give more than two days notice if you need to cancel

This is the busiest season of the year for salons, so if you need to cancel your appointment common courtesy is to give your hairdresser at least 48 hours notice. Looking to reschedule? Be prepared to be flexible – they’re likely booked up back to back. You might even have to wait until after the holiday rush for your appointment. If you know you’re not going to be able to make your appointment, the best course of action is to call the salon immediately.

Be adventurous

It’s the holidays – have fun with your hair! Whether it’s opting for a colour refresh or testing out a new style, Karl recommends speaking with your stylist to see what can be done to revamp your look in time for 2025.

Holiday Hair Don’ts…

Heat style your hair without protector products

With so many events throughout the festive season, it’s only natural to want your hair looking its best at every photo opportunity – meaning you’re likely grabbing your curling tons and flat iron more often than you do the rest of the year. Karl stresses the importance of using a good quality heat protector when styling your hair (like the Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Heat Protectant) to protect and prevent damage.

Go to bed with wet hair

While it can be tempting to hit the hay with damp tresses after a long day, Karl stresses the importance of going to bed with dry hair. Wet strands are fragile and elastic, meaning friction from tossing and turning at night could cause them to break in your sleep. “Plus, your hair will smell when you wake up in the morning,” he adds.

Be late to your salon appointments

Chances are your stylist is working non-stop from dawn until dusk – meaning being ten or fifteen minutes can drastically impact their schedule. If you’re running more than a few minutes behind, Karl advises you call and notify the receptionist as soon as possible. Tardy by more than 15 minutes? Be prepared to reschedule your appointment for a later date.

Looking to book in with Karl? To make an appointment visit pastels-salon.com or call Pastels Salon Ritz Carlton JBR at 04 399 5016.

Lead image from Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s May 2023 issue.

Photography by Christoph Klutsch. Hair & Make-Up by Suzana Santalab.