Team GLAMOUR.com head to North West London for a little pampering - and a complete overhaul. Tested by: Hannah Lyons Powell, Online Junior Features Editor The Salon: Situated on West Hampstead's West End Lane, HOB Salons' North London outpost boasts all the polish, expertise and glamour of a central London hair salon but with all the charm and friendliness more associated with a local. With expansive mirrors and comfy chairs flanking both sides of the salon, the room feels cosy without being overcrowded, whilst the warm welcome at the door put us at ease in a heartbeat. The Treatments: After a pretty relentless summer rather fortuitously filled with holidays, sun, sea and sand as well as the glorious weather at the homestead, my lacklustre and totally tired-looking hair was in dire need of a little R'n'R and, in truth, a major overhaul. Where once a grown-out and honey-hued dip-dye once stood, overly long locks with a straw-like appearance, all capped off with some mis-matched brassy hues, now took centre stage. Within seconds I was greeted by the friendliest staff and soon put into the very capable hands of the salon's owner and Senior Stylist Rob and their Colour Director, Brynn. After rattling off a number of my most recent pontifications about my hair - e.g. the pros and cons of whether or not I would suit a bob; should I keep it long; should I keep my fringe and if I do, should I make it thicker and more of a brow-skimmer? - Rob and Bryndecided that a good three or four inches off the bottom would make the world of difference and inject my flagging long locks with some bounce, lustre and much-needed thickness. Soon enough Rob was chopping off months of poorly nourished and damaged hair and giving my own naturally wavy locks a new lease of life. With the cut now done and my fringe restored, Bryn and I decided to keep with the gentle dip-dye I've so come to love. However, to give my new 'do some chutzpah and to make a difference for party season, he would raise the colour whilst reviving the existing hues through the lengths.

Using the new ammonia-free ILLUMINA colour technique that also does away with the need for time-consuming foils, Bryn got to work on my colour, utilising the old Brazilian technique of balayage whereby the dye is almost painted on to your hair giving the colourist better precision and therefore a more natural and complete colour. The Verdict: To say that my hair needed some love when I turned up at Hobs Salon in West Hampstead that evening is a major understatement but the salon's expert and oh-so-friendly and knowledgable team made short and sharp work of completely transforming my look. But let's face it, the evidence is in the reactions of your nearest and dearest; my mum, for one, has since told me that I look younger, my dad - shock horror - actually noticed that I had had my hair done, whilst friends and colleagues have been kind enough to offer me a slew of compliments. Indeed, it's the kind of cut and colour that you're so pleased with, you do end up genuinely flicking your own hair around like a shampoo ad. The salon itself, their expertise and warm staff are a fab hair and beauty bolthole for North Londoners to have on their doorstep - and they're open seven days a week, FYI. Plus, with a deal for a wash and blowdry that comes in at under £30, I think I just found my new Saturday morning ritual, as well. A colour starts at £45, and cut and blowdry from £42. For more info visit HobSalons.com

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