Vidal Sassoon Hair Salon London (Covent Garden)

I went to the one near Bond Street station and had the most awful haircut! They don't listen. I asked for graduating layers at the front; instead she got her scissors and cut the front hair diagonally - not the look I wanted! Also, I paid for the senior stylist, who I thought would give me her undivided attention. Wrong! She spent half her time with me and the other half with another customer. It was a horrible experience, and the finish was not the sleek, fizz-free one I'd hoped for but rather the opposite.

I would never go there again (a waste of my £85) and wouldn't recommend. The place is crowded and you don't feel valued.

by horrible, 14 Dec 2008

Went in for a blow dry. Was told: "Only flat brushes are used here". Strange, don't you think? I was given one shampoo and then the head stylist just brushed my hair back and forth, put no effort whatsoever into the blowdry, then stuck the straigteners on it. My hair is already straight but he did not want the hassle. £40 for that.

I am a hair stylist myself and I can assure you this place is not worth a visit. To listen to this guy waffle on about how great he was as a stylist, when I knew better... He soon kept quiet when I told him I was a stylist myself. Never listen to a stylist's waffle. Half the time they're useless. He was going to Iceland for a competiton - better he stays there!

by sharmeen.nesbitt, 23 Oct 2008

I have just been to Sassoon's in Covent Garden and had the worst haircut ever! The stylist was rude about how thin my hair is at the front, and she didn't listen to a word I said with regard to what style I went in for. I was really looking forward to having my hair done in an upmarket salon but was badly disappointed - especially as where I live, a cut and finish is only a quarter of the price but the results are of a far higher standard. I will be writing to them directly to tell them what I think. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!

by TalkinheadsTurner, 21 Oct 2008

I remember the original Vidal Sassoon saying that people with curly hair should put a bag over their heads, and that is how he would deal with curly hair. Made me feel bad, because I have very long, very curly hair.

by Poldarkettexxx, 24 Sep 2008

I went to the Covent Garden salon for a radical shorter cut and change to blonde. They assured me that they could lighten my hair to an ashy colour from mid-blonde. The end result (after something like five hours and constant re-application of various substances) was shocking white. I was in shock too. The cut was OK but I was left with frizzy ends and hair that resembled very dry straw. Had to seek help at Toni & Guy, who recoloured, intensively moisturised and took off the frazzled ends. The VS salon is far too cramped, noisy and slightly shabby. Would not ever consider going to any of their chain again.

by ali2, 03 Sep 2008

I went to the salon and had one of the worst haircuts ever. VS must be turning in his grave. This used to be one of the best cutting salons ever. Don't waste your money now.

by suze2012 (2 reviews), 08 Aug 2008

Only book with the top hairdresser or colourist at Vidal. Any hairdresser below that and they are not worth the money you have to pay.

I have just been to Vidal Sassoon and had too much hair hacked off. The hairdreser didn't take that much care and did not listen to the amount I wanted off. A 'trim' ended up being a 2-inch chop, when I am trying to grow my hair.

The hair colourist was average as well, not taking proper care with the colour application.

by jad, 23 Jun 2008

I went to the salon in Ave Maria Lane, as I didn't have time to go to my usual hair salon. VS was absolutely appalling! I asked for a blow dry as I was going out that evening, and within 1 hour of having it done my hair was lank, greasy and starting to go frizzy - too many products. I had to go to the gym and wash it all again and style it myself! Not impressed!

I usually go to Daniel Hersheson, who are just amazing. From now on I would never go to anyone else, no matter how desperate! VS should do a visit to check out the service and the quality.

by Patsy13, 03 Jun 2008

I went to the salon in Ave Maria Lane. I have been a regular for quite a while, but when I asked for something 'a little different' - just a bit more bounce perhaps - I was told: "It's not what we do". Needless to say, I will not be going back!

by MaryJane, 16 May 2008

I went to the salon in Ave Maria Lane last week. I wasn't well, but the staff know I have long-term health problems, and I'd had to cancel twice. The cut was perfunctory, I was charged extra for treatment I received FOC on first visit without being told of extra hike in already exorbitant price. The cut is unfinished and wonky and I was left, with a very obvious sore throat, with soaking wet hair to leave the salon! No response from complaints - only the junior was polite, the rest of them were rude, inattentive and gave me a lousy, half-finished cut. Arrogant once they've got you on board as a customer. Avoid at all costs!

by johcole, 09 Mar 2008

I recently went to VS in Brook Street, London and had my hair cut from long into a bob, which is what they are supposed to be famous for (which is why I chose them!) I asked for a long blunt-cut bob with an extra long bit at the front on one side only (for added interest). What I got was a lopsided, messy (where layers had been cut into it, which I didn't ask for) and short bob with straggly bits at the front. He completely forgot about the long bit I asked for. I am going to another hairdresser's to get it sorted out. What a waste of £100! He didn't listen to a word I said and just did what he wanted to. I am very disappointed and will be going back to my usual salon (JLT).

by bretty, 28 Sep 2007

I have really curly hair that's incredibly hard to manage, so I started going to Vidal's several years ago and have never looked back! Yes, it's expensive but you can get discounts with student cards. The staff are great, the salon is clean and tidy. I've only once had a problem and that was the way they blow-dried my hair and it went incredibly frizzy when I set foot outside, but I went back and a senior member of staff sorted it out with no problem. My hair always looks great and does so for a good 6 weeks afterwards. I would recommend this salon if you have hard to manage hair or are looking for something a bit out of the ordinary. It's a fantastic hairdressers!

by elou88 (2 reviews), 02 Sep 2007

I find Vidal's terribly overrated and overpriced. I have been to the one in Covent Garden about 3 times but only because I've had a discount voucher. You are generally made to feel second class. The salon is always loud and busy and you feel terribly cramped. The staff are intimidating, always cut far too much off and don't seem to listen to a word you say. I'm not tight, but each time I have used a voucher it's always included a free shampoo; however, not once has this been offered to me.

by kittyava, 20 Aug 2007

I went to the Vidal Sasson in Knightsbridge. Overall I was happy with the haircut, but found that they rushed the finish and thus it didn't look quite as it should have. Vidal Sassoon seem to create styles that they prefer rather than listening carefully to the requests of customers. It's usually difficult to stop them once they are half way through a cut or in my case drying my hair into a bush. But overall a nice cut.

by avari, 17 Jul 2007

They might be good at hair cuts - I didn't have the chance to find out. Their attitude to customer service is shocking. My sister was turned away from 2 'free' consultations, even though she had both booked in advance and had a £150 colour appointment booked with them. They left her waiting 30 mins on both occasions before telling her there was no-one to see her. Even though she had booked. They are crap. I'm currently trying to get a refund on some gift vouchers I bought there. Considering how they treated my sis, I have no desire to give them my business. This is proving difficult and I'm now having to write to the MD directly. It's pathetic.

by Spencerpjf, 11 Jul 2007

Vidal Sassoon, or the newly reformed Sassoon, have the most technically rigorous training in the industry. The philosophy of precision and working with the natural hair, using to the point cutting and wrap drying techniques, give the client maximum suitability and control over their hair.

The so-called slipping standards I would say do not lie within the quality of hairdressing, but within the attitude of society today. 30 years ago the hairdressing industry was brutal - those who trained back then would probably use the word 'military' in their description. These days the assistants that train are used to a much more relaxed attitude, as in this day and age they wouldn't stand for harsh discipline!

Sassoons, unlike other big salon names such as Toni & Guy and Francesco group, has still refused to sell out. It is the only corporate name in the industry that has yet to franchise itself, which means that its standard of training remains consistent throughout the company. Despite what people think, its philosophy focuses on the cut and, when it comes down to it, that's what's important. Too many companies these days treat clients like they are in a factory - same cut on all. It's nice to see that Sassoons still hold to their philosophy and haven't sold out. 5 stars for what really matters: the cut.

by brandon_flowers, 09 Jul 2007

I went to the Vidal Sasson in Ave Maria Lane and left with a sore and abused head. The person washing my hair kept pulling it and asking me to lift my head this way and that as he wasn't able to adjust the chair. The stylist battered my head and pulled at my hair with the flat brush - I literally felt myself being lifted out of the chair each time. I finally had to comment that he was hurting me, which he laughed at. He then asked if I wanted it 'ironed', which I flatly refused otherwise I probably would have left with burn marks! Overpriced and a shoddy finish.

by Tina Marie, 10 Jan 2007

Best hairdressing experience I've ever had. After taking a three-year course in hairdressing I felt like seeing professionals in one of the larger salons in London.

My expectations were low but I was surprised at how good my results were, I'm very picky about my hair but I found that they listened to what I had to say about my hair before they knew I was a professional.

Their client care is the best around I strongly recommend them, five star treatment.

by Hetty, 26 May 2006

Well I like Vidal's, I don't know what your all complaining about. I am merely a 15-year old student but I travel from Portsmouth to get there.

My style is what would be called outrageous, but that's what Vidal is famous for and always has been. If you're just looking for a mediocre haircut try another barber along the way.

They have dyed my hair many colours, at the moment sky blue and always give me the right tips to keep it healthy. I have never been treated with such respect even though I am young. I love it there.

by B0b, 08 May 2006

I went to the salon off Bond Street, and paid over £50 for a mediocre haircut. The hairdresser kept chatting and flirting with his colleagues and took ages to finish the cut - longest haircut I've had! He put way too much finishing product before blow-drying, making my hair sticky and stiff. I went back and asked to get it re-done, which they did for free.

by Silk (2 reviews), 23 Mar 2006

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