🍪 Cookie Policy

Last updated: 01/05/2025

This Cookie Policy explains how hairbymichaela.co.uk (“we”, “us”, and “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies to recognize you when you visit our website at hairbymichaela.co.uk (“Website”). It explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and how you can control them.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small data files stored on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites function properly or more efficiently, and to provide information to website owners and third parties.

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies for the following purposes:

• Essential – to enable core functionality like security, form submission, and session management.
• Analytics – to understand how users interact with the website.
• Functional – to enhance the usability of the website.
• Marketing – for newsletter signup, user engagement, and targeted communication.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

🔐 Essential Cookies

These are necessary for the website to function properly.

• Cloudflare
  Used for security, DDoS protection, and load balancing.
  Cookies: __cf_bm, cf_clearance, __cfruid

• Turnstile (Cloudflare CAPTCHA)
  Spam prevention tool used on forms.
  Cookies: cf-turnstile-response

• WP Login System
  Used for user sessions and login management.
  Cookies: wordpress_logged_in_*, wp-settings-*, wordpress_sec_*

• WP Mail SMTP
  Used to manage outgoing email forms; may store temporary tokens for validation.

📊 Analytics Cookies

Used to track website performance and user behavior.

• Google Analytics
  Collects anonymized usage data for performance and user behavior insights.
  Cookies: _ga, _gid, _gat, etc.

⚙️ Functional Cookies

Support website personalization and user convenience.

• Elementor Pro
  Stores builder mode preferences and visitor interaction.
  Cookies: elementor

• BookingPress
  Tracks booking session data to manage appointment submissions.
  Cookies: session identifiers, user input

• Chaty Pro
  Enables live chat or social messaging pop-ups. May store usage or click data.

📨 Marketing & Communication Cookies

Used to manage subscriptions, email campaigns, and newsletter tracking.

• Mailchimp
  May track when users sign up to newsletters or interact with emails.
  Cookies: _mcid, _AVESTA_ENVIRONMENT, campaign-specific identifiers

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. These third parties may collect data directly from your browser and may combine it with other information they’ve collected elsewhere.

5. Cookie Management

You can control and/or delete cookies as you wish. Most browsers allow you to:

• View which cookies are stored
• Delete all or specific cookies
• Block third-party cookies
• Set preferences for certain websites

Learn more at www.aboutcookies.org.

For Google Analytics opt-out, visit: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

6. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.

7. Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies, you may contact us at:

📧 [email protected]