I first came to Vidal when I had hit a wall in how to have my hair. After a good chat with the…read morestylist, we worked out something new and different for me and after the prerequisite hair wash and condition, she set about doing it, and I have been a fan ever since. I must say from the off that having your hair cut here is not a cheap affair, but the attention to detail in cut and style here is second to none. My stylist nailed the fine balance of spending enough time on the cut for it to be really good without it taking forever and me getting fed up. Even when my hair grows out a little, it still keeps it's shape and style. If you are not on a budget or want a special haircut as a one-off, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Brook St Vidal Sassoon Men's Salon. I have not been to the unisex salon on South Molton Street, but judging by the immaculate hair of my girlfriend of a few years back, they do an amazing job as well.

I used to frequent the Vidal Sassoon academies as a student, but it has been a few years since I…read morelast had an image overhaul with them so I was a little bit nervous. I had no reason to be though! I spoke to the Sassoon supervisor and my stylist, a young British guy at the academy to learn advanced techniques and precision, and went through my style, a few ideas of what I might like to achieve, and the fact that I am low maintenance! I think it is definitely necessary to be fairly open minded if coming to the academy for a cut - they know what they are talking about and you will leave looking like a model! On the other hand, that does also mean a statement look, so be brave and carry it with confidence! They never really know quite how many students in a class might want to practice colour on a given day, but I was lucky enough to have colour as well as a cut, and left the salon very happy with a cute jaw length bob undercut at the back in a gorgeous mink/taupe colour (a violet-brunette) with grey sections flashing through from underneath! I've had the cut for nearly a week and am still very happy with it =D All this for only £12 (5 if you're a student)! I've always had a good experience with the stylists and Sassoon staff - I know there can be times where there are language barriers but I've always been fine. Also, it does take a large chunk of time, so if you are going then be prepared to dedicate half your day. Totally worth it though!

If you're wanting to study fashion, be it design, business, make-up, styling or journalism, this is…read morecertainly the college to opt for. It is one of the most reputable, and many of the established designers and fashion experts have learnt their craft here. I studied two part time courses in both the John Princes Street and Davies Street colleges and absolutely loved them. The teachers know the industry inside out and their expertise comes from actively working in fashion so you can be assured that you are learning from the best. There is an amazingly addictive creative buzz as everyone is immensely enthusiastic about what they do and you truly learn the meaning of the phrase 'passion for fashion'! The facilities are great, including top range and current IT equipment and an extensive resource library at John Princes Street. The college also often holds industry led conferences and seminars. I also predict that the people who attend the London College of Fashion are the most colourful - you are sure to see an amazing selection of obscure (yet fashionable as hell) outfits and hair cuts!

I am studying my postgraduate course here at the moment and it is so brilliant. Apart from the…read morecourse and the teaching (both are fantastic) the school itself is brilliant. On the Princes street campus there is the best library I've ever come across, and they have a great selection of computers with loads of great software programs installed in both Princes and Davies street. The Hub in Davies st is the bar/cafe and does really cheap food and drink. I usually go for a bagel with cheese, chicken and pesto which costs £1.70, total bargain. Just outside the Hub is The Arts Gallery, University of the Arts London, 65 Davies Street, W1K 5DA. Here they have loads of different exhibitions of up and coming artists which is free for all UAL students.

I've been a long time patron of this beauty school. Spa services in London are so expensive and so…read morehit-and-miss that I can't stomach paying a ton for them, so the first time I saw the services menu with the really affordable prices on it, I had to give them a try. In the past 3 years or so I've tried a number of the treatments offered, and they've ranged from mediocre to very good. Never excellent, but also never bad. Your treatment is given by a student at the school, who might be anywhere along the time line of her training. At the end of the treatment you are asked to fill out a brief questionnaire about your experience, how you liked it, what you would have had done differently, etc. So you're also contributing to the education of a student, which feels almost like volunteer work. So, for a full body Swedish massage, one full hour, you pay 22 pounds. I haven't seen anything cheaper in town, and I'm a massage enthusiast. And as I said, I've had some really really nice ones, and some just ok ones. Haven't had a pedicure here because they don't have proper pedicure chairs in the facility, and I can soak my feet in a pot of water at home. The manicure is basic and nice, however. They also do a pre-massage infra-red treatment which warms up the muscles so you get more out of your massage. They're also really good about giving you post-treatment advice about future behaviours and products. Oh also had a facial here once that was really nice. Basically it's the best place to go for affordable beauty treatments in central London. And they're always really super nice to you. Only problem is they don't usually take walk-ins, you have to book ahead. But you can book several treatments back to back and treat yourself to a spa day at a ridiculously cheap price. I'm surprised this place isn't booked out months in advance. Oh also I see men in there a lot, which is cool. All are welcome.

I've got my diploma from here and I can say a lot about this school. This is not just a regular…read moreplace to learn how to do Make-up, but it's a whole lifetime experience. You get to meet people from different places, with different talents and techniques and share experience. You can get any Spa treatment you desire here and you won't have to break the bank for it. The procedures are on the most competitive prices in London. Don't hesitate because of the students, I can assure you that most of the people that study here, work more professionally and have more knowledge that the ones at your local salon. Which is great is that you can give tips, recommendations and tell the person that is treating you, how would you like to be treated or what would you like to change. You can basically instruct the students and you'll also be helping them in their future career. I graduated the Advanced Make-up Design, but like I said, you can get any beauty treatment here, not just Make-up. From nail care, pedicure, beauty therapy, massages, facial care and all of these of affordable prices.

Disclaimer: unlike all the ladies who reviewed this place previously, I went there as a student…read more(short-course facial course) for 6 weeks - not for a treatment ! so I am not reviewing LCIBT as a beauty parlor but as an educational place. I have to say that the quality of teaching is impressive- I was trained by two ladies and both of them worked hard to make the hardest bone names and muscles sound easy and familiar ;-) * I have tried couple of other beauty colleges around London, and trainers there are just freaky ---but that's another issue I had a hand-on experience there (obviously on customers and on other students) which gave me confidence and pinpointed at areas I should work on to improve. so the two good points in this place are (1) quality of teachers, (2) the hand-on experience you get while you are training the not so appealing point was the price.. the course was over £600 which is why I can't afford to sign up for any other courses there- although I desperately want to try couple of other short courses. these prices might not apply if you are diploma student (talking with another student, I noticed she paid nearly nothing for 2-year comprehensive beauty course!)

I visited for an Indian Head Massage, on my budget pursuit to get rid of the pain, tension and…read moreaching in my neck and shoulders. Since ten minutes at Walk-In Backrub didn't seem to do the trick, a more lengthy student therapy was the next on my list of things to try. The salon is located in a posh listed building just south and east of Oxford Circus tube station on Upper Marlborough Street, and is rammed packed full of teenage learner estheticians dressed in white (the crowd of them at the reception counter where I needed to sign in was five deep, no joke) in the mani/pedi room at the front of the building. Once I did get signed in, I moved to the relative quiet of the waiting room, which offered quite comfortable plush settees. My trainee massage therapist came to get me after a while, offered me a cup of water that she already had in her hand (nice), and led me upstairs to the massage therapy room. The area where she seated me looked much like an A&E examination room, but I was somehow unbothered when I considered the £15 I paid for the service upfront. The massage began, and I felt as if the trainee was just touching me rather than massaging. I personally like a heavy massage hand. This said, I've never had an Indian Head Massage before, so I don't know if that's what it's supposed to be like. At one point when she leaned my head back to massage my neck and face, I was dreadfully uncomfortable, as I was slouched up with my neck craned backward simultaneously, so it was sort of the antithesis of a relaxing experience at that point. I left a little disenchanted by the entire experience, but I couldn't get upset when I only paid £15 for it. But then, later that night, I realized that the pain in my neck and shoulders had abated a bit. More so than it had when I had a woman manhandle me for a ten-minute rub elsewhere. I will probably go back for other treatments, because, well, it's so damn cheap. P.S. Book ahead.

The Ray Cochrane Beauty School outclasses every high-end spa I've ever been to…read more Their facials are AMAZING. They use Dermatologica products, and also offer the most relaxing paraffin facial as well as microcurrent and vacuum facials. Often they'll add on a microcurrent or other treatment gratis. (Their bacials are quite good, too!) Their leg and Brazilian waxes are the best I've ever had. Nearly painless and incredibly thorough, the girls even take care to tweeze any hairs that got missed. Their manicures and pedicures are thorough and the paint doesn't chip for weeks. If you're lucky, sometimes you'll get both the mani and pedi done at the same time, by two estheticians. The ultimate in pampering. I also tried out their G5 and vacuum suction body treatments for the little bit of cellulite on my thighs. It actually worked and I haven't had cellulite there ever since. Even though they're still training, the estheticians are super knowledgeable, incredibly nice. The prices are also unbeatable.

The prices here are unbeatable. If I lived in London I would be here every week…read more The girls are very nice. Going back again before I leave town.

This is tigi's training academy where hairdresser learn current trends, sophisticated hairstyling…read moreand colouring skills and how to use TIGI products. Alongside the core hairdressing business they also offer make up courses for professionals. If you are looking for a restyle they are always after female models to use for demonstration purposes and remember this could be your opportunity to get your hair cut by the best for free. The staff are friendly and cool and the cute Scottish receptionist brightens up the day as soon as you enter the academy. You can also purchase products here which are of an excellent standard and really work.

This is a great school and a provides a good platform for make-up artists. With various courses…read moredepending on what you want to learn, there is a lot to pick from. The team at the school are great and knowledgeable. You get to work with a good range of products, brands and formats which allows for great exploration. The aftercare at the school is second to none and something the AOFM team work hard on. This aspect creates wonderful experiences for their alumni and is something that keeps this school really relevant and fresh.

From the owner: AOFM is renowned for being one of the world's leading makeup schools with education centres in…read moreLondon, Paris and New York. AOFM has revolutionised makeup education by creating the first makeup school to be owned and operated by working freelance makeup artists. Our students are taught by top international guest artists who work with some of the biggest names in the fashion industry. Not only does AOFM specialise in makeup training but we cover complete course in Hair Styling, Airbrush Makeup, Nails, and Special FX makeup. Giving our graduates that real competitive edge! At AOFM, we always go above and beyond to take our graduates outside the 4 walls of the classroom. AOFM offers over 700 assisting and job placement opportunities in the industry. Working on Fashion Weeks in London, New York, Paris, Milan and Berlin, high-profile magazines, and famous world wide events like Cannes Film Festival. No other Academy comes close to the aftercare and support we give our graduates!

There came a time when I had to face the unavoidable fact: I needed a haircut. I dropped in a few…read morelocal hairdressing places and inquired after the cost of a simple trim, nothing fancy, no shampoo, conditioner or hair drying services, please. Mostly I was quoted a price over £15, often over £20. I don't mean to sound like a skinflint, and for a good haircut I don't mind shelling out the money, but the exchange rate from US dollars to GBP means that a quick trim was looking pricey. The I found Alan D School of Hairdressing. Here's the deal - you ring them up using the number on their web page and ask for a student haircut. You'll be given a few time slots during the week, pick one, and make an appointment. Turn up on time to their studio just off Oxford Circus and let them know what you're there for. You'll be asked to sign a contact saying that you can't sue even if a terrible accident involving your hair and a pair off scissors happens, and then you hand over £3 (yes that's all!). You'll be led down stairs, handed over to a student hairdresser who with a teacher will consider what you want done, make some decisions, and then you're off to a shampooing/conditioning/ haircuting/blowdrying treatment. A word of caution: the students are not always experts and they have little investment in the result of your haircut, so while it's a good bargain, be cautious. The teachers are sometimes stretched thin and are not always watchful. A trim is fine but if you want to try something bold, look elsewhere. (Or be prepared just in case an accident happens).

Oh my goodness, I cannot quite belive the fantastic experience I had today. I booked in for a cut…read moreand colour and was expecting to come out maybe looking perhaps a bit off what I was hoping for but they by far exceeded my expectations. You have to be prepared for a no frills environment but the price you pay by far makes up for the slightly shabby interior. I had my hair bleached, a toning colour put on and then a restyle hair cut all for £20. Yes £20 measly pounds. OK it took 2.5hours but that's about how long it normally takes, you don't get offered a drink so maybe take your own if that worries you but I swear to God I've got the best haircut I've had for a very very long time. My other top tip is tip. There's no way to know its acceptable other than by trying but considering they saved me about £60 it was worth tipping more than average. Will update my profile pic with my new white blonde crop asap.

Founded in 1882 by Edward, Prince of Wales (later Kind Edward VII), the RCM is one of the great…read moreeducational institutions of the UK. A world-leading conservatoire of music, the list of former students reads as a 'Who's Who' in the world of British Classical music, including Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, the conductor Leopold Stokowski, Dame Joan Sutherland and Sir James Galway. Designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield, the main building was completed in 1894. Its red-brick façade rather freely mixes Classical, Romanesque and Gothic elements, all framed by two large towers in the French Baronial style. It provides an imposing prospect from the steps of the Royal Albert Hall opposite. The interior includes two major performance spaces in the Concert Hall (added in 1901 to the designs of the architect Sidney J Smith) and the more intimate Britten Theatre, alongside practice rooms and a smaller recital hall. The Library has an important collection of original scores and manuscripts from late mediaeval times to the present, and an impressive museum of instruments, which includes 800 items from 1480 to the present. The college provides academic courses for 600 students from undergraduate to postgraduate level, and the libraries and museum can be accessed by those undertaking research contact them ahead of your visit to discuss your requirements. The building is open to the public for performances, which focus on major classical works, opera and chamber music, and the museum is open to the public (free entrance) from Tuesday to Friday from 14h until 16.30h. Recitals are also held in nearby churches and other public buildings. The studios can be hired by musicians, and the halls can be booked for conferences and other major events.

For starters this has nothing to do with the College itself. It is about the "museum" inside, the…read morelay out and the staff. The college is located in the outside of the city of London. It is more like the suburbs of the city. It is in a very traditional looking part of town and is directly across from the Royal Albert Hall, which is very fitting. However, when you enter the college you are immediately in the college you are in the Lobby where there is a desk manager in attendance to keep the students of the campus safe from strangers (Stranger Danger!!!). However the guy who was working when I was there was very weird. He kept ignoring us and our questions. He mumbled so we couldn't really hear what he was saying. The directions located on the building to point us to the museum where they house very old instruments like pianos violins, and a wait for it.... harp guitar. Yes that's right citizens harp guitar. It was very interesting. The directions led us in circles and we accidentally ended up at the studios where the students go to re-string their instruments or practice. The museum was very small and very cold in order to preserve the instruments. The lady working there didn't really say much. She just sat there. My mom was really tired from walking around all day so we decided to take the elevator back up to the main floor to leave. So when we got in the elevator we assumed when we hit 1 it would take us back to the main floor in the lobby. No. It took us INSIDE a students studio room. As we were in the elevator were thinking "Oh wow this is some really nice elevator music. Very cool" when the doors opened all I saw was a bow moving back and forth, back and forth. I almost wanted to click the close door button and run away. The girl who was practicing turned around and gave us a very weird look but she never stopped playing. So good for her! But seriously who puts an elevator in a studio room?! I mean really? really?! that's just ridiculous. But if you're the girl whose room we accidentally burst into, SORRY! But again so weird your studio has an elevator in it. There are also free shows to watch the students perform but we didn't get a chance to see it because it's not every day that is available. Maybe if I saw this it would have heightened my experience here.