THE LOCATION

You’ll find this stylish gender neutral hair and beauty salon near the centre of Wokingham. Yep, you heard me, gender neutral! With the news all over this debate, it certainly got my attention and it’s the first one I’ve noticed that’s prices are based on hair length and service not the presence of the X or Y chromosome. Fellas, you pay the same. Honey B Beauty Bar is actually on the edge of a rather non-descript housing estate. Although surprising, it’s by no means a negative – I’m just going to say free parking, no race against the meter and no need to stress in the town’s challenging one-way system. Winner winner.

THE VIBE

Glam, cool and quirky. Forget the rather clinical vibes of large city salons, this place has bags of personality – just like owner Honey. Lots of large full-length mirrors for hair cutting, colouring, extensions, dry styling. In fact no matter how deep you’ve gone into Pinterest, Honey’s team can make it happen. There’s a couple of manicure stations and, my favourite, the pedi plinth covered in fake grass with a hot pink velvet, button back chair perched on top with an Abigail Aherne rabbit lamp sat next too it. It’s  a corner of the salon where you can disappear down the rabbit hole and escape the daily grind before popping back up with perfectly perky feet.

Now for the barnet. Honey B uses cruelty free, vegan free products where possible. Expect to see award-winning brands like Oribe, Tropic, Jessica, L’Oreal, Hair Rehab, Balmain and more. The Oribe shampoo and conditioner feels good and left my hair silky smooth. The packaging is really luxurious too. Rather brilliantly, they use disposable, bio-degradable towels. The green bit aside, I likes the fact only my head was going to be in contact with this large Thirst Pocket – gets around the ick factor.

I have, Honey, the Lady Boss herself, tooled up for my blow dry. On a personal level, she’s my age, knowledgeable, professional and has every L’Oreal qualification going. She’s also really glam. I liked her a lot. Honey asked how I wanted it to look, where I’d like my parting and then chatted away as she worked her magic. The result was a bouncy, lightly curled do that felt like it would hold for days. I was bit worried the setting power she applied at the end would feel a bit like cardboard, although it felt a bit odd, it did its brilliantly. Three days my blow dry lasted. THREE DAYS! I reckon it would have been longer but I felt I was pushing my luck on hair hygiene.

Good job, every new client receives a shampoo perfect for your hair type. And you can have Shampoo For Life every time you recommend friend you get another bottle (worth up to £46!). They also offer loads of brilliant discounts: 20% off colour on Wednesdays; Emergency Services, Military and NHS all get 10% off and students and seniors are treated too.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Those who are time poor with high standards. From basic maintenance to red carpet ready, Honey B Beauty Bar sends every customer out of their doors  feeling a million dollars.

Not for: The salon doesn’t deal in the dark arts of facial paralysis, so if you’re for botox, fillers and all that malarkey, walk on. Right now, they don’t offer those relaxing, cat nap treatments – but watch this space, it’s coming. Fellas wanting special rates.

££: Very reasonable. A blow dry starts at £20 to £45 with Honey; cut and blow dry from £28-£78. Nail treatments start at £15. But the ZenSpa Pedi with Geleration I had  is £45.

Honey B Beauty Bar, 56 Meadow Road, Wokingham, RG41 2TD. Tel: 0118 978 1100 honeybbeautybar.com