Confession time: Does the cost of maintaining your perfect 'do ever keep you up at night? Do you break out into a sweat each time you need to get your roots redone? We’ve all been there and have the irate Ansaphone messages from our bank manager to prove it. But, short of trying to recreate the salon experience in our own bathrooms (the free coffee doesn’t pass muster), what is there to do? Get thrifty.
London is filled with salons offering amazing services at rates you and your savings account can agree upon. All you have to do is decide on how extreme your makeover will be — and have the inside scoop on which spots are the best, of course!
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Photo: Courtesy of Josh Wood Atelier. Josh Wood
Services available: A classic blowdry with a fully trained assistant at the Josh Wood Atelier concession in Liberty.
When: This happens on a continuous basis.
Cost: £25
What makes this program great: It's a wonderful way to experience the thrill and luxury of being "seen to" by a member of Josh Wood's team. Wood is a world-class colourist and stylist, and his employees are just as impressive. We're fairly certain once you've experienced a blowdry here, you'll be going back for more.
What you need to know before going: You will need to book in advance and ask for a blowdry by an assistant.
Services available: A classic blowdry with a fully trained assistant at the Josh Wood Atelier concession in Liberty.
When: This happens on a continuous basis.
Cost: £25
What makes this program great: It's a wonderful way to experience the thrill and luxury of being "seen to" by a member of Josh Wood's team. Wood is a world-class colourist and stylist, and his employees are just as impressive. We're fairly certain once you've experienced a blowdry here, you'll be going back for more.
What you need to know before going: You will need to book in advance and ask for a blowdry by an assistant.
Josh Wood Atelier Hair Lab, Liberty, Regent Street, London, W1B 5AH. For reservations, email reservations@joshwoodcolour.com.
Photo: Courtesy of MichaelJohn. MichaelJohn
Services available: The illustrious salon hosts a "model day" at its Mayfair flagship store and offers significantly reduced cuts or colouring services on alternate weeks.
When: Every fortnight.
Cost: It's £10 to £15 for a cut, £20 for a tint, £25 for T-section highlights, and £35 for a full head of highlights.
What makes this program great: Normally a cut at the salon, whose clients run the gamut from rock stars to royalty, starts at £60 and a colour treatment from £85, but by allowing an NVQ2-level trainee to tend to your locks, you're experiencing the pleasure of a top-class Mayfair salon service at a bargain-basement price. Professionals are on hand throughout the treatment to make sure the trainees are doing a great job.
What you need to know before going: The colouring treatments take place during the day, either at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. And, the cutting sessions take place in the evening. All the trainees are learning as they cut, so timings can vary. Expect highlights to take around 90 minutes.
Services available: The illustrious salon hosts a "model day" at its Mayfair flagship store and offers significantly reduced cuts or colouring services on alternate weeks.
When: Every fortnight.
Cost: It's £10 to £15 for a cut, £20 for a tint, £25 for T-section highlights, and £35 for a full head of highlights.
What makes this program great: Normally a cut at the salon, whose clients run the gamut from rock stars to royalty, starts at £60 and a colour treatment from £85, but by allowing an NVQ2-level trainee to tend to your locks, you're experiencing the pleasure of a top-class Mayfair salon service at a bargain-basement price. Professionals are on hand throughout the treatment to make sure the trainees are doing a great job.
What you need to know before going: The colouring treatments take place during the day, either at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. And, the cutting sessions take place in the evening. All the trainees are learning as they cut, so timings can vary. Expect highlights to take around 90 minutes.
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MichaelJohn, 25 Albermarle Street, London, W1S 4HU; +44 (0) 207 629 6969.
Photo: Courtesy of Radio Hair Salon & Gallery. Radio Hair
Services available: Radio Hair has a plethora of offers to get your foot through one of its East London salon doors. There's a 15% discount for new clients who have been recommended by existing ones; plus, it offers model haircuts at both its Broadway Market and Redchurch Street branches. Model colour services are available at the Redchurch Street locale.
When: The model cuts happen every Monday at the Broadway Market branch and every Tuesday at the Redchurch Street branch. The colour therapies occur at the Redchurch Street branch on a Tuesday.
Cost: The cuts are complimentary, and the colour is £20.
What makes this program great: The salon itself. The Redchurch Street branch doubles as a gallery, with mini exhibitions opening every three months or so. Plus, the technicians who'll be working on your hair are normally fully trained stylists who are being brought up to speed with Radio Hair's techniques, so your locks are in very safe hands.
What you need to know before going: Make sure you book well in advance.
Services available: Radio Hair has a plethora of offers to get your foot through one of its East London salon doors. There's a 15% discount for new clients who have been recommended by existing ones; plus, it offers model haircuts at both its Broadway Market and Redchurch Street branches. Model colour services are available at the Redchurch Street locale.
When: The model cuts happen every Monday at the Broadway Market branch and every Tuesday at the Redchurch Street branch. The colour therapies occur at the Redchurch Street branch on a Tuesday.
Cost: The cuts are complimentary, and the colour is £20.
What makes this program great: The salon itself. The Redchurch Street branch doubles as a gallery, with mini exhibitions opening every three months or so. Plus, the technicians who'll be working on your hair are normally fully trained stylists who are being brought up to speed with Radio Hair's techniques, so your locks are in very safe hands.
What you need to know before going: Make sure you book well in advance.
Radio Hair, 74 Broadway Market, London, E8 4QR; +44 (0)203 417 6411.
Radio Hair, 93-97 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJ; +44 (0) 208 617 0024.
Radio Hair, 93-97 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJ; +44 (0) 208 617 0024.
Photo: Courtesy of Daniel Galvin.Daniel Galvin
Services available: Snap up a graduation offer, which is a half-head of highlights, cut, and blowdry.
When: This offer runs throughout the year.
Cost: £149
What makes this program great: It’s a chance to get your hair cut and coloured by the latest batch of graduates from the salon's in-house three-year apprenticeship program.
What you need to know before going: If you're looking for just a cut and blowdry, this isn't the offer for you, as the services aren't available separately. The appointments are available Tuesday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and late night on Thursday.
Services available: Snap up a graduation offer, which is a half-head of highlights, cut, and blowdry.
When: This offer runs throughout the year.
Cost: £149
What makes this program great: It’s a chance to get your hair cut and coloured by the latest batch of graduates from the salon's in-house three-year apprenticeship program.
What you need to know before going: If you're looking for just a cut and blowdry, this isn't the offer for you, as the services aren't available separately. The appointments are available Tuesday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and late night on Thursday.
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Daniel Galvin, 58-60 George Street, London, W1U 7AT; +44 (0) 207 486 9661.
Photo: Courtesy of Martyn Maxey Hairdessing.Martyn Maxey
Services available: Snap up the chance to get a blowdry or a haircut and blowdry at this award-winning central London salon.
When: These deals are available until November 22.
Cost: £25 for a blowdry and £50 for a cut and blowout.
What makes this program great: This offer extends to all of the stylists working at Martyn Maxey, a team known for sorting out tricky hairdos and lacklustre hairstyles. If you're looking for a real change of direction, this could be the salon for you.
What you need to know before going: To access this deal you will need to tweet about the salon once or mention this article. One haircut and one blowdry is available per person.
Services available: Snap up the chance to get a blowdry or a haircut and blowdry at this award-winning central London salon.
When: These deals are available until November 22.
Cost: £25 for a blowdry and £50 for a cut and blowout.
What makes this program great: This offer extends to all of the stylists working at Martyn Maxey, a team known for sorting out tricky hairdos and lacklustre hairstyles. If you're looking for a real change of direction, this could be the salon for you.
What you need to know before going: To access this deal you will need to tweet about the salon once or mention this article. One haircut and one blowdry is available per person.
Martyn Maxey, 104 Wigmore Stretet, London, W1U 3RN; +44 (0) 207 629 6161.