Everything you need to know

All bookings are made online through our booking system. Simply visit our Book Now page, choose your ritual, select a date and time that suits you, and confirm with a card deposit. You'll receive an email confirmation straight away.

Yes — a deposit is required at the time of booking to hold your appointment. The deposit amount is shown during checkout and is applied to the total cost of your treatment on the day.

We ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the appointment time will forfeit the deposit. Cancellations with more than 48 hours' notice will receive a full deposit refund or transfer to a new booking date.

We understand that life happens — if you're unwell or facing an emergency, please contact us as soon as possible and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Yes, rescheduling is welcome with at least 48 hours' notice. Please get in touch or manage your booking via the confirmation email you received and we'll find a new time that works for you.

We are a by-appointment-only sanctuary. This ensures that each guest receives our full attention and that your space is perfectly prepared for your arrival. We recommend booking in advance, especially for weekend appointments.

Absolutely — our gift cards are the perfect way to share the Auranest experience. You can purchase a gift card online and the recipient can use it to book any treatment at a time that suits them.

A head spa is a deeply restorative treatment that combines scalp care with nervous system relaxation. Unlike a salon scalp treatment that focuses purely on hair health, our head spa rituals are designed to calm the mind, release cranial and neck tension, and bring the body into a genuine state of rest.

Our rituals typically include a scalp analysis, deep cleansing, steaming, treatment masking, scalp massage, and a slow, meditative finish. Many guests fall asleep during their session — that's how deeply relaxing it is.

Our signature rituals range from 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the treatment you choose. Please allow an extra 10–15 minutes on your first visit for a brief consultation and to settle in. Full treatment durations are listed on each ritual page.

Your experience will begin with a warm welcome and a brief scalp and lifestyle consultation. You'll then be guided to your treatment space — a quiet, sensory environment designed to encourage relaxation from the moment you arrive.

Your ritual will follow a structured sequence tailored to your chosen treatment. Warm steam, botanical products, and intentional massage work together to shift your nervous system into rest mode. Many guests describe feeling profoundly calm, even emotional, during or after their session — this is completely normal and welcome.

There's no need to pre-wash your hair. Our deep-cleansing rituals include a thorough scalp cleanse as part of the treatment. We recommend avoiding heavy styling products on the day of your appointment, but otherwise, simply arrive as you are.

We offer a light blow-dry or leave your hair to dry naturally — please let us know your preference when you arrive. We don't offer full blow-outs or styling services. We recommend allowing extra time after your appointment if you prefer to style your hair at home before any commitments.

We are located at Unit 2, 9 Lynden Court, Chartwell, Hamilton 3210, New Zealand. Free on-site parking is available. A Google Maps link is available for directions.

Please aim to arrive 5–10 minutes before your appointment. This gives you time to settle, complete any first-visit forms, and begin relaxing before your ritual starts. Late arrivals may result in a shortened session to respect the next guest's time.

Wear comfortable, relaxed clothing — you won't need to change, but anything tight around the neck or shoulders isn't ideal. We provide towels and a treatment gown if needed. Leave jewellery and hair accessories at home, or remove them on arrival.

Most people are welcome at Auranest. However, we recommend reviewing our eligibility page before booking. Some scalp conditions, recent hair treatments (such as chemical relaxers or colour within the past 2 weeks), active scalp wounds, or certain medical conditions may mean we need to adjust or postpone your treatment.

When in doubt, please contact us and we'll advise you personally.

We follow your lead entirely. Some guests prefer quiet and stillness throughout — and we honour that completely. Others like a gentle conversation at the start before settling in. You'll never feel pressure to fill the silence. This is your time.

We use carefully selected professional scalp and hair care products with a focus on botanical ingredients, gentle formulations, and sensory experience. Product details are available on each ritual page. Please inform us of any known allergies or sensitivities at the time of booking or before your treatment begins.

Yes — our treatments are designed to be adaptable across all hair textures, lengths, and types, including fine hair, thick hair, curly hair, and colour-treated hair. We tailor the product selection and technique to suit your individual scalp and hair needs during your consultation.

Many clients with sensitive scalps find our treatments deeply beneficial. However, please contact us before booking if you have an active scalp condition such as psoriasis, eczema, open sores, or a recent surgical procedure in the head or neck area. We'll advise whether your treatment should be modified or rescheduled.

For general scalp wellness and relaxation, many guests visit once or twice a month. If you're working toward a specific scalp goal (such as improving dandruff, dryness, or hair shedding), a more regular schedule may be recommended — we'll discuss this during your consultation. Many guests also use gift cards and seasonal specials to build their ritual practice over time.

Gift cards can be purchased online through our Gift Cards page. Choose a value or a specific ritual, add a personal message, and your gift card will be emailed directly to the recipient (or to you, to share in your own way).

Gift cards are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. We recommend the recipient books their appointment well in advance to avoid missing out — popular time slots fill quickly, especially on weekends.

Yes — gift cards can be applied to any treatment or ritual we offer. If the value of the gift card is less than the treatment cost, the recipient simply pays the difference on the day.

Yes — free on-site parking is available at our Chartwell location. The entrance is on Lynden Court. Please let us know if you have any access requirements and we'll ensure your arrival is smooth.

We accept all major credit and debit cards, and online payments at the time of booking. Gift cards are redeemable in-person on the day of your treatment. We currently do not accept cash.

We operate Monday to Sunday, 9:30am – 6:30pm, by appointment only. Hours may vary on public holidays — please check at the time of booking.

We'd love to hear from you. Visit our Contact page and send us a message — we respond within 24 hours on business days. You can also follow us on Instagram where we share updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes moments from the sanctuary.