Dire.......
Had a Brazilian blow dry using groupon coupon deal - 3 venues advertised, but this appears to be the only one that offers the brazillian treatment. I tried to book at the Fitzrovia salon, which has slightly better reviews, but appointments were cancelled at short notice with a request to transfer to this branch, or I was told bookings not being taken because the Fitzrovia salon was about to close for refurbishment (I subsequently noticed that it was open during the week I'd tried to make a booking for).
Most of the conversation between staff revolved around how dangerous the chemicals were & respiratory infections it had given them; they stressed from time that it was OK for the 'ladies'. I presume they meant clients; 'Ladies' conjures up a dodgy Essex disco or a toilet - but so does the salon, so maybe not so inappropriate.
It was later disclosed that a former junior who had been rushed to A&E when she collapsed from the ill effects of the chemicals was back at work, but now based at the Fitzrovia salon, where there was no danger because they don't carry out Brazilian blowdries there at all.
The treatment
I arrived on time, but had to wait while they had to finish showing the non-english speaking hairdresser who'd started that day how to carry out the treatment. As she spoke no english, there was no questions or conversation about how I wanted the finished style to look. There was a receptionist 'translating', but she didn't appear to speak Spanish (I think that was the language of the hapless new stylist) either, so 'translating' consisted of grabbing the stylist's arm and speaking very loudly - interspersed with shouted phone conversations between the receptionist and her mother.
The deal I had purchased included a cut - after first trying to sell a cut for a 25% discount on the normal price when I booked, it was conceded that this was part of the deal. Once the brazilian process was complete, I was treated to having a few lumps hacked off my hair absolutely free. Terrific.
On being offered a drink, the resulting brown stew tasted more like coffee than the tea I'd requested; the receptionist later confirmed that it was, because they didn't have tea.
The most uncomfortable wash basin in the world was followed by an hour and a half perched on a high seat where my feet didn't touch the ground and no foot rest or foot stool - when I tried to adjust the seat, I was told it had to stay at the maximum height because the stylist was quite tall. I also ended up with greasy hands from touching the filthy lever to try & operate the chair.
Whilst I appreciated not having an hour and a half's sales pitch on expensive aftercare products, other than not to let my hair get wet for three days, no aftercare advice whatsoever was offered. The frequent comments by the receptionist that brazillian treatments for short hair were much better because they were so much faster to do must have made the only other client, having the same treatment but on waist-length hair feel great.
I was so astounded by the whole event, I avoided writing a review for a couple of months so as not to be over judgemental. My hair is dire, nothing like after the first Brazilian treatment I'd had a few months earlier (at the excellent Comptons in Whitecross Street, brilliant), and the only thing I can think of to recommend about Eclipse is that you stay away. read more