It is always difficult to find your hairdresser in a new city. After experimenting with a few…read moresalons in London and leaving unsatisfied, I discovered The Lounge in Soho. Conveniently located by Berwick Street market (which is how I first noticed it), The Lounge is a cool little salon adjacent to the sex shops of Walker's Court. I made a booking with Ferdia through their seamless online reservation system, which I wish all salons offered. Their system allows you to select your hairdresser (or use the first available) and the service(s) you are after, choose the date you would like to come in, and then it shows you all available times that you can then instantly book. Simple and stress-relieving. The first time I came to see Ferdia, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my hair but knew that my partially grown bangs looked atrocious. Her styling and cutting knowledge became readily apparent as she cut my hair into a beautiful "lob" with sideswept bangs (this was early 2013) that accentuated my cheekbones. I was not expecting such a great cut, especially at such reasonable prices. The offer of complimentary coffee, tea, and freshly-delivered brownies improved an already enjoyable experience. Everyone on the staff is very friendly and professional. I have never had anything but a haircut here, but would trust them with anything based on the looks I have seen come out of the salon. Even though I no longer work in Soho, I will make a trip out there just to get my hair cut with Ferdia (okay, and maybe to squeeze in a bit of shopping while I'm at it).

I came in first to see Michael, who did a fantastic job on my cut…read more Unfortunately, we seemed to get our wires completely crossed on colour and I left quite unhappy. I actually cried about the colour when I got home and I've never actually done that before. Embarrassing. Ouch. He attempted to correct it at a second visit but things were still unfortunately nowhere near what I had wanted. I spoke with Michelle, the fantastically attentive manager, throughout this and when the first correction failed, she finally put me in touch with Lottie, who has gotten me closer to my desired colour and whom I will be seeing from now on. Hopefully in another visit or two she'll have my colour where I wanted it to be. Everyone at the salon went above and beyond to help me out throughout all this, and that's incredibly rare, especially when something fails to meet your expectations. They've gone the extra step to make sure that I'm with a stylist who understands what I'd like out of my hair, and I feel like I'm in very good hands with both Lottie and Michelle in general. As for the salon itself, it's a small footprint with an upstairs (for cutting and clipping) and a downstairs (for colour and washing), located just opposite the Co-Op on Berwick Street. The general feel is very unpretentious and relaxed, with a hip vibe, good energy, and cheerful staff. In terms of accessibility: the stairs down to the wash stations and colouring area are very steep and quite narrow, so if you have any mobility or balance issues, they really might not be for you. The wash station chairs are also a little awkward, and I wouldn't recommend them if you have any neck or upper spine issues. Lighting throughout is exposed/bare fluorescent tubes. Tea, coffee, and sweet nibbles (usually brownies, but this time of year mini mince pies) as well as beer etc are complimentary and a really lovely touch. Prices are in line with the neighbourhood, and the products used are indie brands. So in essence, after a somewhat disastrous start, I now feel like I've actually found an excellent stylist to take care of me. I'll update this review (hopefully with pictures) after my next visit in a couple months' time.

I had been eyeing this place ever since I moved to the area a year ago, but had convinced myself…read moreThe Chapel was out of my price range. What a mistake! For the same price I had been spending for cuts and color, I could have been receiving them with savory nibbles, wine and chocolate biscuits! The Chapel is very different from other salons, and not just because they feed you and allow you to meet stylists as chirpy and charming as Lucinda. The first "I've never done this before" happens if you want to change your hair color. The Chapel requires a skin allergy test 48 hours in advance, which may sound annoying, but it comes with refreshments and is free of charge, so enjoy it! When I went in for my test, I was seated on one of three comfy sofas in the waiting room. I had arrived a bit early and settled into a couch with an Ottolenghi cookbook (no magazines in the waiting area caused another pang of "how different"). Looking around at the coffees people were enjoying with a foil wrapped sweet made me regret turning down a drink when one was offered by the man at the reception desk. I had enough time to convince myself I NEEDED the cookbook before Lucinda popped into the room. The bright Australian casually sat herself down next to me, giving me the feeling we had known each other for ages. She and I discussed the new cut I wanted and we pawed through a tackle box filled with color swatches until I found the perfect new hue for me. Lucinda explained that The Chapel charges by the hour and not by the service. The amount of time needed for an appointment is determined before you are in the stylist's chair, so you know what the bill will be in advance. When read about the charging policy online I thought the whole practice would fill me with anxiety. I imagined the feeling I get when I'm in a taxi, watching the meter click higher and higher. Luckily, this isn't the case at all. I was full of excitement when I returned a couple days later. Dropping my bag off in a little locked drawer, I was ready to unwind. I had decided to treat this as a little spa break and indulgently requested wine when asked if I wanted a beverage. I sipped my complimentary vino while Lucinda applied my color. This was done downstairs, in front of a modern fireplace. I then curled up on a bench seat with a magazine (they do exist here - they're just not in the initial waiting area) and nibbled my veggie crisps. I love the big reveal when you blowdry your hair after dying it and see your new shade for the first time. This time did not disappoint. I had it done weeks ago and am still in love with it. The cut is great too. A little choppy in one place, but I just haven't had time to go back in and have it fixed. I have a strong feeling that would be done quickly and with a smile. The Chapel made me feel more important than I have since I quit my "real job" in Washington, DC a year ago. It's a wonderful place that I can't believe exists. Just too good to be true.

I have had a fear of hairdressers for years. I never seem to find a decent one. By decent I mean,…read morewhere they listen to what I want and I dont run out the door and immediately put on the hat that has been hidden in my bag. All that has now changed. The Chapel, as its name might suggest has converted me. Its a new religion. Upon arrival I was given a full tour of the space and it was explained to me how the salon works, which is different to anything i have experienced before. The waiting area is big fluffy comfortable couches where I'll meet my stylist to chat about my haircut as I want it. Tea/Coffee/Wine and snacks are offered, complimentary. You can see why I fell in love at this exact moment.... have a chat, have a drink, talk about my hair in a way that makes sense to me. As a friend pointed out to me recently, hairdressers have the power to change how you look, very directly and it is SO important to be comfortable with them being in charge of that for you. What is lovely about the whole experience you don't feel like another customer, you don't feel rushed through the salon as if they have some quota to meet. There's a sense of value to you. At every point through my haircut I was offered a chance to play with my hair and see how it felt and whether i liked it or not. I'm not the girliest girl, but the part of me that relishes in make-up and dressing up simply lights up in this place. Its not snooty, or overarching, it just makes sense. I will be going back again and again. Hair Hallelujah!!

I recently went blonde and had been dealing with so many horrible hairstylist experiences, leaving…read moremy hair in a state of real damage and breakage. Desperately needing help, I booked a consultation with Natasha--and I wish I had booked my blonde appointment with her in the first place! Natasha was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to sit down with me and create a personalized hair repair routine for my blonde hair, even writing everything down on cards so I wouldn't forget. What really stood out to me was how genuine and thorough she was. It's so rare to find a hairstylist who doesn't just try to push products on you but instead genuinely explains what your hair needs and why. Even though I could tell I was her last customer of the day (the front desk staff looked ready to lock up), Natasha didn't rush at all. She patiently went through photos of the products I had at home, explaining which ones she recommended, which to skip, and what routine she thought would work best for me. She was even honest about the products she wasn't familiar with, which I truly appreciated. I genuinely appreciate hairstylists like Natasha--knowledgeable, honest, and caring. If more hairstylists were like her, the hair industry would be so much better. I highly recommend her!

Andrew can fix any haircut and I highly recommend having him cut your hair.read more

why the poor review? I ask why the high reviews? walk into their salon and ask them…read morewhether any of the hair dressers are trained by any standards and the answer will be no. in other words they hire anyone that has some level of experience but Hobs abides to no standards in terms of training. what does this mean for customers? it means they can justify their high prices compared to any other hair dresser salon that exist in the UK. i get my hair cut by a qualified hat dresser that actually went to college to learn how to cut by the experts. an expert using the scissors . i want proper training. not like a white van driver who thinks they can drive because they've got x years experience but someone actually qualified and trained by an expert. I'm not saying they're bad at cutting fair. we all know anyone cut use a trimmer and that's easy anyone can do it. . I'm just trying to justify why their prices are three times more than average and they offer nothing special in comparison to others. you want us to pay a high price? Prove its worth it

Ya know here is the thing, I like this salon, I really do but I probably won't go back. My styalist…read morewas very skilled, and I got a great cut. I described the style of cut that I wanted, and she said "well I think it will look better if we do it a bit differently"... of course I caved and let her do what she thought was best. Did I get a great cut? Yes. Did I get lots of compliments? Yes. But did I get the cut that I went in to get? No. I wanted a particular style, not just a great cut. I would recommend this salon to people who rely on the stylist to create their look, but I quite like to create my own.

This review is for their eyebrow threading services. I was able to pop in last minute on a Friday,…read morewhich was awesome. Location is in Neal's Yard - super cute and easy to find. Their hair salon is downstairs, so you have to go up the spiral staircase for everything else. I laid down in a room upstairs for the threading, so it was a nice, private experience. My mom came with me and the lady let my mom come in too. Lol. So my mom sat on a chair in the corner in the private room. The lady who did my brows was super nice and made sure that I was comfortable since I'm 9 months pregnant. Overall, the experience was quick and I'm satisfied with the results. I asked her to keep my brows full (didn't want them too thin) so she did just that. It was a little pricey for what I'm used to paying for eyebrow threading (12gbp), but I think that's expected of a salon in central London in Neal's Yard. I would come back for their threading services.

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT. and please check google for screenshots of the…read moreconversation I had with them to gain insight. My sister went in with grown out bleached hair asking for a specific type of brown and left with black/blue tinted hair. She booked her appointment for a hair colouring (hair colouring always includes blow drying in every salon, note that a blow dry was not booked separately as it is a package) and a haircut. I messaged them on instagram and showed them my sister's hair and after a simple message of trying to understand how they can take that dark colour out and change it to the lighter colour she requested in the first place without bleach the person got very defensive and rude. Initially they were refusing to refund any part and they were rude in their replies. Then they ignored me, I sent multiple voice notes talking in a calm and respectful manner and asked to resolve the situation and they ignored that also until i messaged them more sternly. Then they said they can refund PART of the hair colouring money, separating blow dry from the hair colouring, which btw they barely dried her hair when she left it was still wet, they tried to do everything to make it difficult for us. I tried talking to them nicely and honestly have never seen anywhere treat clients this way. so unless you are ready to gamble your hair, do not go to this place. because if you hair does not turn out the way you asked or if you have any issues instead of being caring to the clients they will treat you badly and lack communication and accountability! Please read carefully through the conversation we had. I will be taking legal action because this is ridiculous and absolutely outrageous to treat clients this way. A salon who works on peoples hair for a living should be more sensitive and understanding to how precious peoples hair are to them! Not ruin it then act entitled.

Really lovely salon in South Ken. Had my hair styled for a night out and it was gorgeous. I would…read moredefinitely go back.

The decor and lighting makes it look bright and spacious, the staff are very welcoming and the…read morequality of work is absolutely amazing. The prices are very reasonably for the area. Highly recommended. Five stars

I went to have my haircut at Richard Ward as a very belated birthday present from a very forgetful…read moregrandmother. It had to be a present; this place really is so expensive I will never be able to go back on my own wallet. The look of the place is ultra swanky, all upstairs above the Duke Of York Square with lots of different rooms devoted to all the different niche areas of hair dressing. There seems to be just as many assistants as there are hairdressers and in addition there are people to bring you coffee, food, do your nails and generally smile encouragingly as your style takes shape. I liked the cut and with a colour it was completed in just under 3 hours which seems about average in this city. It's definitely one of the best hairdressing experiences on offer in the capital and I did feel like everything was 'being taken care of'. Without being totally sexiest, I would imagine that women, especially those with a bit of money and time, would really, really, enjoy this one.

Adolfo was great. Excellent way with people. Really natural and upbeat. Nice and friendly but most…read moreimportantly, super professional and skilled. My hair looks perfect and he took his time. Highly recommended. Much better than my previous experience here. Adolfo puts effort on his work but also tries to make the client happy... I have been to RW twice before and the highly ranked stylist was so standoffish and borderline careless that even though the hair result was beautiful, it felt like a favor more than an almost £200 cut.

Victoria did a blow out of my curly hair, turning it into the smooth, straight locks that I wish I…read morehad! I am from the US, never before had been to Neville or to Victoria, but found it to be the best blow out I had ever had! Wish I could take the salon AND especially Victoria, back to the US with me! Ruth Wade

Nice salon, was happy they could do my hair as I didn't have an appointment. Sammy did a great job…read moreand I was very happy when I left! Staff was friendly. Thank you again!