Humans are creatures of habit: we find a hairdresser we like or are used to, and we stick to them. If, like me, you prefer to put off having a haircut until you are back at home for holidays, when you will trek to your usual salon knowing full well what to expect, then maybe it’s time to be bold and try somewhere new.

It is, of course, very understandable to remain loyal to a salon you know and who knows you, but living in a different city should inspire us to do the very opposite, especially when that city has such a variety of salons on offer, as Edinburgh does. With this in mind, I decided to brave a new hairdresser, and taking a couple of hours out of my, let’s be honest, sleep time, I headed to Egg Hair and Body.

A small salon at the top of Broughton Street, this is the perfect place to spend a few hours giving your hair the luxury treatment it needs. With a student discount of 20 per cent on everything at all times, this salon is popular with students mainly for the beauty treatments it offers, but the relaxed and friendly atmosphere should make this a regular haunt for hair treatment too.

Egg salon has welcoming staff who want to make you to feel at ease and create an experience as good as it can be; they offer tea and coffee, seem genuinely interested when talking to you, and there is a varied and up-to-date selection of magazines. The salon itself is bright and airy without being cold or intimidating. There is an intimate and unstressed atmosphere, and on meeting the staff, my doubts about trying a new hairdresser were swept aside and I immediately felt that my hair was in good hands.

As I was unsure about what colour highlights to choose, having never had any colour done before, Craig, my stylist, listened to my views and suggested bringing out colours already present in my hair to brighten it up subtly. For the cut, we decided that it needed more movement and energy. Craig listened to my doubts and talked me through what he thought should be done, making me feel very involved in the process. The result was a success; the cut makes my hair feel alive again rather than being a dead weight and the colour is subtle and understated but adds a new animation to my hair.

As I was getting my hair done, Craig also offered plenty of advice about hair care; he brought to my attention the effect of Scotland’s water on the maintenance of your hair. As Scottish water is so soft, it does not fully remove residue left on hair by standard hair products, which in the long run will make your hair oily in some areas and dry with fly-away bits in others. The residue left prevents hair from absorbing what it needs, resulting in less nourished hair. The solution to this problem would be to use salon products, which is in itself a problem when living on a student budget. If, however, you choose salon products on the lower end of the price scale, you could be spending around £14 for a shampoo and conditioner, which should last for around two months.

Exam period is the perfect moment to make this splurge as, generally, less money is spent at the pub, and what better place to show off your glossy locks than in a library full of students? Alternatively, suggest these products to that aunt or grandparent who continually misses the mark with Christmas presents.

When your hair is looking ragged and lacking in lustre or you just need a break from the oppressive workload of exam-time, going to the hairdressers for a cut or colour is more than just that; it is an experience, a treat, and it should be a lovely one.

All price and product details can be found at www.egghair.co.uk