If a simple short, back and sides doesn’t quite cut it for you (get it?), London is also home to several unique salons offering settings and services that go above and beyond haircuts.
(Photo: Salon 64)
Looking for a hair salon that’s a cut above the rest? There are a wide range of places in London to get your hair needs met that are far removed from your traditional backstreet barber or hairdresser. Many are situated in cutting-edge (ok we’ll stop now) districts like Soho and Shoreditch, while others can be found dotted around the city suburbs. We’ve picked out 7 of London’s most unique hair salons below.
Salon 64
Get your hair cut then let your hair down at this salon-turned-nightclub in the heart of London’s Soho. The brainchild of celebrity stylist Ricky Walters, the renowned salon’s relatively inconspicuous shopfront masks the transformation that comes after hours when it turns into a pulsating club. Venture inside, however, and it’s clear soon enough that this is no common-or-garden hairdresser, with oversized herringbone floors, a regal blue colour scheme with pops of royal raspberry, and styled concrete set against opulent marble and golden detailing. Little wonder that such entertainment icons as Sandra Bullock and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been drawn here during their London soirees.
14 Bateman Street, Soho
The Rabbit Hole
(Photo: The Rabbit Hole)
A haircut might seem like a relatively eco-friendly endeavour, but if you’re a true purist then you might be tempted by a salon that has an exclusively 100% vegan policy. Step forward The Rabbit Hole in the artsy west London district of Hammersmith, where all products, ingredients and snacks are vegan and even the staff follow vegan lifestyles. As for the salon itself, the aesthetic is modern, chic and minimalist, with sleek faux leather chairs, selfie-worthy mirrors, and a smattering of tasteful green rabbits dotted about as well as a sprinkling of other greenery. It’s doggy-friendly too – just don’t let them scare the rabbits.
6A Charleville Road, Hammersmith
Bleach
When it comes to hair colouring, lots of people trust their DIY skills at home, but for a truly professional job then look no further than Bleach. Their two London venues – one in Dalston and another in Brixton – specialise in dipping your locks in some of the vibrant colours on the spectrum and have helped drive the relatively recent dip-dye trend seen on such notable figures as Lady Gaga, Alexa Chung, Pixie Geldof, Daisy Lowe and Alice Dellal. Whether you simply want a funky new look that’s guaranteed to turn heads everywhere you go, or you’re after the perfect hair-do to complement your special occasion costume, then Bleach stand ready to meet your needs.
Two venues across London
Taylor Taylor
(Photo: Taylor Taylor)
Ornate chandeliers hanging from the ceilings give you an idea of what to expect at Taylor Taylor – sheer, unadulterated, bordering-on-the-ostentatious splendour. Spread across three London venues – one a hair’s breadth (there we go again) from historic Spitalfields market, another in Portobello and a third in the upscale Liberty department store – their boutique salons feel more akin to private members club than anything else. Each interior has its own personal style but all are inspired by the Baroque extravagances of the French courts blended with the formality of 18th-century England, and are sprinkled with period pieces and one-off vintage finds.
Three venues across London
Tuttii Fruittii
The Fruittii story began in 2014 when an old caravan was transformed into a playful technicolour space that turned getting a haircut into an immersive experience. The vision was an inclusive haven in which people of all backgrounds could feel empowered to request the look or style of their dreams. In 2016, their brick-and-mortar salon opened its doors in Deptford, southeast London with the art-filled space quickly becoming a focal point of the community. But the salon is about more than hair. With cocktails & nibbles on offer, a glorious soundtrack, surreal surroundings and a social atmosphere, clients are taken on a multi-sensory journey. They also host ‘Pay What You Can Afford’ days to ensure that no one is priced out.
Norfolk House, Brookmill Road, Deptford
Hari’s
(Photo: Hari’s)
Ever dreamt of getting your hair cut in the jungle? Well, Hari’s flagship salon on South Kensington offers something akin to this experience. A fixture of London’s hairdressing scene since the 1970s, founder Hari Salem opened his first salon on the Brompton Road in 1976 and it swiftly became something of an institution among the city’s hair aficionados, eventually spawning five different outposts across the capital. The South Kensington salon on fashionable Fulham Road combines everything that has made Hari so successful for over four decades, with high-tech amenities and a focus on plant-powered treatments – reflected in the array of soothing greenery that surrounds you while your hair is tended to with all the care of a seasoned gardener.
Five venues across London
Beauty Club London
Seeking a Clark Kent-style transformation? Step into a veritable Superman’s phone booth at Beauty Club London and you can depart looking like a new person – if you wish, of course. Tucked away behind bustling Oxford Street, this buzzy salon is a one-stop shop for your non-invasive cosmetic needs. Not only do a steady stream of loyal patrons flock here for their hair requirements, but also for its two nail bars and acclaimed lash extension services. The salon is also home to one of London’s most renowned hair extension specialists, whose low-maintenance techniques are designed to add length or volume to natural hair.
28 Market Place, Oxford Street