Reviews by kells

Fordham Soho (Hair Salon)
20 June 2008

When I first moved to London a year ago, I remember Googling London salons, finding this one and then reading as many reviews as I could get my hands on. Their website said Sienna Miller had her hair done there (although doesn't every salon say that??). As she has my dream hair, I was sold immediately!

I booked in for a consultation and, new to city and on a budget, was recommended to book in on their colourist trainee day. Always a bit apprehensive about trainees, I decided that for about £20 it could be worth a shot. I had a full head of foils done under the supervision of a senior colourist who listened to what I wanted but obviously couldn't be too attentive as they had clients of their own. My stylist was friendly and chirpy and I felt quite safe in his hands. The colour result wasn't bad but wasn't really what I wanted either - the highlights weren't very fine so looked too chunky in my quite coarse hair. But for the price, I was just quite happy to have my blonde roots restored!

I'm not sure I'd go back and pay full price (if I remember correctly, they weren't cheap), because the salon didn't really give off a great vibe. It did have an overrated feel to it, as people have mentioned below, and the cuts and colours coming out weren't really my cup of tea either. Although, I see they've changed things up since I was there last - the name, the decor too... So who knows, I might give them another go in the future.

The Lounge Soho (Hair Salon)
20 June 2008

I've tried out quite a few salons in London since moving here last year and have to say Jolene at The Lounge is a true find!

The salon is cool but not pretentious. The staff are all lovely and very friendly - you don't feel intimidated at all (as you sometimes are made to feel at hair salons!)

I love the way Jolene really listens carefully to what you want and then comes up with a solution with you for the best way to go about this. You don't feel like you are being pushed through quickly so they can move onto the next client. A lot of care and thought seems to be put into the colour too, but she still works at a speedy pace and I am always happy with the results.

She recommends ways I can prolong the colour, cut and condition of my hair so that I can maintain it at home but also cut down on the number of colouring appointments I need (which has to be a good thing!). And even if I don't have a pro blowdry booked in, she does such a great job with the 'rough dry' that I can at least see the final colour result.

The massage chairs are out of this world and the shampoo and conditioning treatment don't feel rushed. The complimentary coffee/tea/wine and super-yummy biscuit offerings are really just the icing on the cake to a great service - but are important mentions too! They also offer a menu selection for the little cafe next door and will pop by to pick up your food while you're being pampered.

While not the cheapest prices by any means, I think The Lounge is still very reasonable and 'cheap' in comparison to some high-end salons in London which give only a fraction of the result you get here. Although not quite 5/5 (I'm still waiting to find my dream salon where I walk out with dream salon hair!), I would highly recommend, as this has been my pick of the bunch so far!!

Hari's (Hair Salon)
20 June 2008

As someone who is prepared to pay a bit more than average to have my hair looking good and well looked after, I booked in at Hari's after moving to London and reading about the salon in an issue of Vogue. The prices and reviews seemed to reflect a great cut and colour service and I felt I could entrust them with my hair... but I was left bitterly disappointed.

After an intial consultation with a senior colourist who was lovely, she recommended I wait a further 4-6 weeks before booking in as my hair had been quite damaged by sun and sea on a recent holiday. After bearing terrible re-growth for the next 5-ish weeks to get my hair into a better condition for colouring, I booked in with a different colourist who the original one had recommended.

After waiting quite some time to be seen, he finally came over to discuss my hair about 15/20mins into my appointment. I was told that he wouldn't be able to do anything with my hair in the appointment time allocated and I was to come back another day. So I re-booked, and when I returned had a slap-dash foil job done which wasn't what I asked for, wasn't done with any care and actually ended up a bit stripey. The lowest point though, was being left at the end to blow dry my own hair with no explanation. (Although I have come to learn this is quite standard in London, I did not know this at the time and was not even offered a pro blow dry for an additional cost.)

I was thoroughly disappointed overall with the service and have not returned since... However, on a lighter note, the Brazilian waxer at Hari's is the most amazing discovery and I would recommend her to anyone!!