New Client Guide

Welcome to Iron + Ivy — Here’s Everything You Need to Know

We’re so glad you’re considering Iron + Ivy for your next hair appointment. We want your experience with us to be exceptional from the very first interaction — and that means making sure you know exactly what to expect before you arrive.

This guide covers everything a new client needs to know.

Step 1: The Consultation (Colour Clients)

If you’re booking any colour service — balayage, foils, tinting, ombré, colour correction, or any lightening service — your first appointment with us won’t be a colour appointment. It’ll be a consultation.

Why? Because we take your hair seriously. Before we put anything on your hair, we need to assess it in person — its condition, its history, its texture, and its suitability for the service you want. This allows us to create a plan that achieves your goals safely and realistically.

What happens at the consultation:
• We examine your hair’s condition, porosity, and history
• We discuss your colour goals and look at reference images together
• We conduct a skin patch test and a strand test
• We build your personalised colour plan
• We provide a quote and, if you’d like to proceed, take your booking fee to secure your appointment

Consultations are complimentary and take approximately 30–45 minutes.

Please note: Consultations must be booked at least 48 hours before your colour appointment.

Step 2: The Booking Fee

For new colour clients, a non-refundable booking fee is required to secure your appointment:

• Standard colour services: from $100
• Balayage, ombré, or large lightening services: $200

This fee is non-refundable, but as a courtesy it can be used towards retail products if you choose not to proceed with your appointment. It is valid for 6 months.

Cut + finish and blow dry appointments for new clients do not require a booking fee.

What to Bring to Your First Appointment

• Reference photos — bring anything that shows the colour, length, or style you’re after. Screenshots from Instagram, Pinterest, or anywhere else work perfectly.
• Hair history — the more you can tell us about what’s been done to your hair in the past (box dyes, bleaching, chemical treatments, extensions), the better we can plan for your service.
• Clean-ish hair — your hair doesn’t need to be freshly washed, but please arrive without heavy product buildup if possible. For cut appointments, come with your hair in its natural state where you can.

Cancellation Policy

We ask that you respect our cancellation policy so our team can deliver the best service to every client:

• Standard services: cancellations outside 24 hours — no charge · within 24 hours — 100% of service charged
• Colour, balayage, ombré, and lightening services: cancellations outside 48 hours — no charge · within 48 hours — 100% charged
• No-shows: 100% of the booked service is charged

If you’re running late, please call us as early as possible. We allow a 5–10 minute grace period and will always do our best to accommodate you.

Our Artist Levels — Who Should You Book?

Our team works across multiple levels:

• Artist & Lead Artist — Highly trained, skilled professionals. Excellent for most services including cuts, colour, and extensions.
• Senior Artist — Advanced training, high-level skill. Great for more complex services.
• Art Director — Senior leadership level with extensive experience and advanced technique.
• Creative Director (Lauren McMurray-Sherwin) — Our most senior level. International award-winning expertise for the most complex and premium services.

Meet the Team

We Can’t Wait to Meet You

Your first visit to Iron + Ivy should feel special. Our team is welcoming, skilled, and genuinely invested in making your experience — and your hair — exceptional. If you have any questions before your appointment, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Book Your Consultation · Contact Us

Iron + Ivy Hair Studio
Shop D1-02A/19 Grant Road, Central Shopping Centre, Queenstown 9300
Phone: 03 428 2595