Ever in search of a decent haircut, on a recommendation I tried this place, a boutique salon…read moresituated towards the end of Monmouth Street.
Stuart Phillips himself is, according to their website and literature, a celebrity hairstylist at the centre of the hairdressing world, styling nominees for the BAFTAs as well as a star-studded client list, including (among many) the likes of Mr Big Chris Noth, Ronnie Wood and even The Hoff! Just to be clear, none of whom are my hair style icons!
And when he's not teasing celebrity locks into camera readiness, we're told you're most likely to find him demonstrating his skills on morning TV or in the midst of an A-list party. Wow, fancy eh!
For Stuart to get his hands on your barnet it'll set you back £200 (ladies) or £115 (for gents), for which he will apparently provide a complete lifestyle hair consultation to determine your perfect haircut. Given the price tag, it could be an expensive routine to get into, so you may want to save an appointment with Stuart for if you do actually get an invite to the BAFTAs.
For my first visit I just had some highlights put in by one of their colour technicians, plus a blow-dry and fringe trim. Rest assured the prices for a regular stylist/ colourist are much less than a session with Stuart, and broadly comparable with most London salons pitching themselves at the same kind of level.
My colourist seemed really pleasant and professional as did the other staff I came across and I'm completely happy with what she's done. She listened, assessed my hair, and made some suggestions, which is what you want. It also seemed to me that she worked very neatly and attentively. I'd feel comfortable trusting her enough to take a few more colour risks - well, within reason, I still have to go to work!
The fringe trim was probably the most diligent fringe trim I've had anywhere, from one of the main stylists who stepped out from his current client for a short while to attend to my bangs so I could actually see where I was going again.
The attention to detail for a mere fringe trim impressed me sufficiently to return for a full cut here and to see how they did with the rest of my hair, and I was really happy with the result. I think it's one of the best cuts I've had, and it's held its shape well as its grown out.
One minor observation I have about the experience, which doesn't reflect negatively on the service or skills of the staff at all, is that I think the salon decor maybe looks a tiny bit tired. Obviously it's a subjective matter of personal taste, but I wasn't particularly keen on the heavy wavy frosted glass mirror surrounds. And when you're at the hairdressers you spend a lot of time looking at the mirrors.
It does however make a good impression on entrance, and the Swarovski crystal light fittings and velvet covered waiting chairs convey a certain level of luxury, but for a premium salon, I don't feel the rest of the interior is quite up to the standard of plush or modern captured so well by The Chapel in Islington, or Ena a bit further up the road, which is what I'm comparing it to. So I would hope they perhaps consider a bit of an update in the not too distant future. It really wouldn't take much.
