"Salon" covers a lot of places. A barbershop, a spa and a nail studio all do things a general salon also does, but each is best at its own thing. Booking the right kind of place is the first step to a visit that goes well.
Here is a plain guide, using the kinds of place you can browse on Saloonly.
| Kind of place | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Unisex salon | Cuts, colour, styling and treatments for everyone | Often the widest menu; check who on the team does what |
| Ladies' salon | Cuts, colour, treatments, threading, waxing, facials | Many also do bridal and party makeup |
| Men's salon / barbershop | Short cuts, fades, beard trims and shaves | Usually quick, with walk-ins welcome |
| Spa | Massage, body treatments and relaxation | Book longer services ahead, especially at weekends |
| Nail studio | Manicures, pedicures, gel and extensions | Gel and extensions take longer than a basic manicure |
| Makeup artist | Bridal, party and event makeup | Book a trial well before the day |
| Skin clinic | Skin treatments and concerns | For a medical skin condition, see a doctor |
Hair: salon or barber?
For a fade, a sharp short cut or a beard, a barbershop is usually faster and more practised. For colour, longer cuts, chemical treatments or styling, a unisex or ladies' salon with a colour specialist is the safer choice.
Face and skin: salon, spa or clinic?
A facial for a glow before an event is a salon or spa service. A treatment for a specific skin concern belongs with a skin clinic, and anything that looks like a medical condition belongs with a doctor.
Relaxation: spa
For massage and body treatments, a spa is set up for it: quiet rooms, longer appointments and therapists trained for the work. Book ahead, because the longer services fill first.
Nails: nail studio
Many salons do a basic manicure. For gel, extensions or nail art, a nail studio has the tools, the time and the practice.
Big days: makeup artist or salon
For a wedding or a big event, book a makeup artist or a salon that does bridal work, and book a trial weeks ahead. Ask what is included and how long it takes on the day.
Booking it
On Saloonly you can browse by kind of place and by area, see each place's real services and prices, and book a time that is really free with just a name and mobile number. You pay at the salon. Many salons also sell products, which you can order and collect at the counter.
Keep reading: How to choose a good salon near you · How booking on Saloonly works, step by step · Saloonly: book salons, spas and barbers near you
Saloonly is a booking marketplace from SaloonERP, built by Lacspace. Details as they stood on 28 October 2026: the website and the Android app on Google Play are live, and the iPhone app is coming soon. Which salons you can book depends on who has joined near you. Features and details can change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a salon and a spa?
A salon focuses on hair, beauty and grooming services. A spa focuses on massage, body treatments and relaxation, with longer appointments and quieter rooms. Many places do some of both.
Should I go to a barber or a salon for a men's haircut?
For short cuts, fades and beards, a barbershop is usually faster and more practised. For colour, longer styles or treatments, a salon with a specialist may suit you better.
Where do I book bridal makeup?
With a makeup artist or a salon that does bridal work. Book a trial a few weeks ahead and ask what is included on the day.
Can I book spas, barbers and nail studios on Saloonly?
Yes. You can browse unisex and ladies' salons, barbershops, spas, nail studios, makeup artists and skin clinics, by kind of place and by area. Which places you can book depends on who has joined near you.
