Shortcut app launches in United States

The app already available in the US makes it as easy to book a haircut as a taxi

Apple is closing a loophole which allows consumers to install disallowed classic games (Getty)

Apps that make booking on-demand home haircuts as easy as tapping for a taxi have been released in the US.

Services by professional hairdressers and barbers, using software similar to that used by taxi firms Uber and Hailo, are already popping up Stateside.

Launched last week, free app Shortcut offers haircuts and beard trims to time-short New Yorkers in their homes, offices and hotel rooms.

The vetted barbers can be booked from 8am to midnight seven days a week after the booker makes the appointment through the downloaded app.

And the number of customers per booking brings the $75-per-haircut price down if there are more than one person needing a change of style.

The price is reduced to $65 each for two people, $60 each for three people and $50 each with four people.

There is no app currently offering this service in the UK but judging by the popularity of Uber, which hails from San Francisco and has seen a 2,700 per cent rise in London users in one year, it could be rolled out here soon.

Traditional salons and mobile beauty companies in the UK are already having to become more flexible in meeting demands of busy clients who want to look polished in the shortest time possible.

Natasha Dwyer, CEO of mobile beauty company Return To Glory, told Stylist: "We extended our treatments to 11pm earlier this year; we had to bring ourselves in line with services like Ocado and Net-A-Porter.

"Now 50% of our appointments take place after 7.30pm. We’re available when our clients want us."