Need a decent hairdresser in London - maybe Hackney / Islington. Suggestions gratefully received!

[lowrib]

I have yet another haircut which isn't really me, and I've decided, that really was the last time I go to my current hairdresser!

Can anyone recommend a decent hairdresser in Hackney / Islington or somewhere not too far away?

I suspect I'm not the easiest customer as I'm never really sure exactly what I want, so ideally I'd like to find someone who is up for a bit of a chat before the haircut and is good at knowing what would suit. My MIL's hairdresser is brilliant, she did great job last time I was up there, I went in with not really a clue what I wanted, and she just seemed to know how to cut my hair in a way which really suited me. But she's 500 miles away unfortunately!

TIA

[30andLurking]

Pricy, but worth every penny I very occasionally spend with them (which is NOT every 8 weeks, oh no no!), have a look at Taylor Taylor in Spitalfields.
The (non-stylist) service can be a bit hit and miss, but it's a very cool salon, in an East London shabby chic way, they give you a free drink or two, and the cuts are excellent. See if you can get a special offer, they have them sometimes.

Ooh, and did I mention the free drinks...?!

[lowrib]

Ooh free drinks!!

They are a little on the pricey side, but I'll probably give them a go next time I feel flush, thanks .

They've got a 20% off voucher on their website for new customers. Sadly it's only this month though and I don't think I can justify another haircut just now

[JJ]

I had a massive change in September. Had an idea in my head about what I wanted and the guy sat me down with magazines, told me to pick out photos I liked and then we discussed each one. He said "Noooooo" to my first one as it wouldn't suit me (I found that reassuring) and I've ended up with a cut that a lot of people have commented on in a good way. (I went from long, scraggly and usually pulled back to short and I have very curly hair.) He did the colour, too, which is fantastic.

Oops, nearly forgot to say who it was - a local guy, Barry at Mr Russo. It's not a posh salon but is Aveda, so the stuff's nice. They do good facials, too and if you need your eyebrows done, you can get them threaded a few doors down at Sensational Nails.

[cleaningsucks]

jo at charlotte murray in muswell hill is brilliant. charlotte is utterly bonkers though, so don't book her. its about £50 i think and well worth it.

[hackneyzoo]

Ruby Blue on Newington Green are good and reasonably priced, Tony and Guy in Angel aren't bad either, use them both intermittently.

[BiscuitStuffer]

Alix works from his home in Stoke Newington and is fabulous - he was also the stylist for the muscial 'Chicago'. 07968 434 955 - he's Toni & Guy trained but a total artist.

or

Louise in 'Cuts Too' at the Highbury end of Upper St. Fabulous and listens and remembers.

Both very reasonable for London (both about £40).

[Adair]

I go to Beaucatcher in Stoke Newington, and use Karen. She is French so not much small talk (good for me, I just take a book/daydream). I just waved at her 'do whatever, make it look nice' and yes, she certainly does! She also manages to take into account my lifestyle (ie she can see I don't do anything with it!!) and like others have said, remembers. Have used others there and always been happy but really like Karen. And I am a bit hairdresser phobic...

Think it's £38 for cut and blowdry.

[christiana]

Message withdrawn

[ilovegreenbeans]

Idol Hair in Victoria Park Villiage is great. I usually see Greta, although lots of my friends use Christina and their hair always looks fab too. I think they're £35 for cut and style. www.idolhair.com

[8oreighty]

nina is really good...she does Kylie! I have known her for about 15 years now. she's not just funky, does normal stuff too...but very good at telling you what will look good.

[exhaustednurse]

I used to go to Idol hair too when living in East London..Christina was my hairdresser for 3+ years....she is fab, without doubt best colourist I ever had.

[lowrib]

Wow what a lot of of responses! That's brilliant . There must be at least one hairdresser there who can work some magic on me!

I'm really looking forward to trying them out actually, thanks everyone. Mind you I only tend to get my hair done about 3 times a year, so if I try all of them that'll do me for the next 3 years!