Journal
Finding a salon in Amsterdam where you can speak English
· 4 min read · by Naam
Around 60% of Amsterdam residents speak fluent English, but salon websites often do not reflect that. Check three things: whether the site exists in English, whether prices are listed, and whether you can book online. At Bella Rosa all three are true.
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The three things you want to know in advance
Whether the salon speaks English is one. Whether you know in advance what you will pay is two. And whether you can book without making a phone call is three — because calling in a language you do not speak fluently is exactly the barrier people get stuck on.
A salon that publishes its prices saves you a conversation. You do not have to ask what something costs, and you do not have to negotiate or work out whether you can afford it. That is not just easier, it is fairer: you know what you are starting.
If a treatment says "from"? Ask what it depends on: hair length, amount of work, or the number of zones for a laser treatment. A salon that can explain that clearly probably works transparently in other ways too.
How to filter quickly
Search in English, not in Dutch. Queries like "English speaking hair salon Amsterdam" or "gel nails Amsterdam" surface the salons that deliberately cater to international clients — and those almost always have an English site too.
Then look at the price page. No prices is a signal. And check whether the site has a real English version or just a translate button: a real English version means somebody made the effort.
Reviews are the third filter. Do not just look at the star count — read whether any of them are in English. That tells you more than an average.
What to expect on a first visit
For a new client we allow extra time for a consultation. We discuss what you want, look at your hair or nails, and say honestly whether it is achievable in one appointment or needs more time.
Bring a photo if you have a specific image in mind. A photo works better than a description in any language, and it prevents misunderstandings about what "just a bit off" means.
For a colour treatment we do a patch test 48 hours beforehand. That is a legal requirement, not a formality. So do not plan your first visit for the day before you need to be somewhere.