Posted on 26th February 2026
Hair advice from TikTok? It’s enough to make you want to pull your hair out. Thankfully, award-winning Reef Salons is here to set the record straight.
From rosemary oil “miracles” to purple shampoo promising instant brightening for blondes, social feeds are full of bold claims — but not all of them actually work.
At Reef Hair Salons in Durham, our focus isn’t on viral hacks. It’s on expert consultations, tailored treatments and building genuinely healthy hair and scalp for the long term.
Because great hair doesn’t happen by chance. It’s created through skill, experience and a personalised approach that puts hair health first.
Alongside our boutique space at Ramside Hall, Reef Salons’ new flagship salon at Waldon House has been thoughtfully designed to elevate every visit.
Expect privacy-first layouts, calming interiors and dedicated scalp and wellness spaces that feel more spa than salon – all reflecting our core belief that truly beautiful hair starts at the root.
Owner Joanne Clift is here to cut through the noise, trim away the myths and give advice that actually makes the cut.
THE REEF SALONS EXPERIENCE
What sets Reef Salons apart is our special one-to-one service. No double-booking. No being passed between stylists. No rushed conversations while someone else’s colour develops beside you.
Every appointment is fully dedicated to you. That means honest consultations, tailored recommendations and results that are carefully considered rather than hurried.
Our flagship salon includes a separate backwash area for a quieter experience, a private head spa room featuring a Takara Belmont chair and discreet rooms for sensitive services such as hair loss support and men’s hair replacement. It’s luxury, yes – but it’s also thoughtful.
You can move from a relaxing scalp facial straight into a professional blow-dry in the same appointment, all while enjoying a curated drinks and treatment menu. It’s wellness and styling combined, seamlessly.
Reef Salons works exclusively with premium professional brands, including Kevin Murphy, Wella, Oribe, K18 and ghd, with the team investing continually in advanced education to ensure every treatment is grounded in expertise.
WHAT REEF SALONS SPECIALISE IN
We are known throughout the North East for elevated, personalised hair services with a strong focus on hair and scalp health. Luxury blow-dries, healthy colour work, professional glossing, scalp facials in a private head spa room and discreet hair loss solutions all sit at the heart of the offering.
Every service is tailored. Every appointment is uninterrupted. And every result is designed with long-term hair wellbeing in mind.
HAIR MYTHS: BUSTED
“Purple shampoo lightens hair.”
“Purple shampoo isn’t a toner in disguise,” Joanne explains. “It works by depositing pigment onto the surface of the hair to neutralise yellow tones. Used occasionally and correctly, it’s great. Used constantly instead of proper toning? That’s where problems start.”
Overuse can cause pigment build-up, especially on porous blonde hair, leaving it flat, over-grey or even muddy. It can also increase dryness.
The Reef Salons solution: A bespoke in-salon toner or gloss using Wella’s premium colour systems. Professionally mixed to suit your exact blonde, it delivers brightness and shine without heavy build-up. At home, you are recommended tailored aftercare rather than relying solely on silver shampoo.
“Rosemary oil regrows hair for everyone.”
“Rosemary oil has had a big moment online,” Joanne says, “but it’s not a miracle cure for everyone.”
While it may support circulation for some, heavier oils can clog follicles and irritate the scalp if not properly cleansed away – sometimes leading to increased shedding rather than growth.
The Reef Salons solution: A professional scalp facial in the private head spa. Deep cleansing, gentle exfoliation, targeted massage and a signature waterfall rinse work together to reset the scalp and create a healthier foundation for growth.
“You can train your hair to be less oily.”
“Oil production is largely influenced by hormones and genetics,” Joanne explains. “Skipping washes doesn’t teach your scalp a lesson – it usually just creates build-up and discomfort.”
The Reef Salons solution: A rebalancing scalp facial designed to exfoliate, cleanse and restore comfort without over-stripping the scalp.
“Ice cubes seal in shine.”
“Cold water might temporarily flatten the cuticle,” Joanne says, “but it doesn’t repair the hair or create long-term gloss. As soon as the hair dries, the effect disappears.”
The Reef Salons solution: A strengthening K18 treatment, followed by Oribe shine-enhancing care and expert styling using ghd tools. Real smoothness. Real shine. No freezer required.
“More product means more shine.”
“Heavy styling products often leave hair limp and dull, especially on fine or colour-treated hair,” Joanne adds.
The Reef Salons solution: Layered, lightweight styling — Kevin Murphy for movement, Oribe for polished shine – finished with professional tools for results that last beyond the salon chair.
Come and try out the experience by booking your appointment at one of our Durham hair salons TODAY. Book online here.
Find our salons at –
Ramside Hall, Carrville, Durham DH1 1TD
Waldon House, Mandale Business Park, Unit 23, Durham DH1 1TH
