A reliably good haircut in London

[Oomph]

Hello stylish ladies,

after years of boring, long, tangley and much pulled by children hair, I am determined to cut it short.

Could you recommend an excellent salon or hairdresser in london for short haircuts? I don't mind a slightly pricier option, as this is going to be a pretty drastic change. I have long, straight, single layer hair down to my shoulder blades.

Any recommendations much appreciated.

Where are you in London? Whilst I was still working and had the disposable income I used Cox McMillan in Battersea for my crop. It's not been as good since I stopped going there but I can't justify the £50 per month now I'm a student again.

Kasia at Taylor Taylor on Commercial St is amazing, she's taken my hair from varying degrees of long to short several times. Never had a bad haircut in about seven years of going to her. And you get free cocktails in the salon, what's not to like!

Brooks and brooks holborn, consistently great stylists. Not too trendy and not too sloaney, think most junior is about forty five for a cut.

Thank you so much for all these great suggestions. I'm based south, Denmark hill, but work central and would definitely travel to the right pair of scissors. DP is on standby for Friday and in charge of DC!

Try Kuki on Bellenden Road, Pauline & Shingo are both amazing & highly experienced before the set this place up a year ago - google it to find all the (genuine) recommendations its received on the East Dulwich Forum. HTH's x

Oh dear. I'm having real trouble deciding now. Angst!

I have pictures of what I want and will bring them along. That's a good idea, no?

Ooh you're nearly local to me, not far anyway. Can also recommend Poppy at Willie Smarts in Crystal Palace who I go to when I can't be bothered to trek into town.

I asked this years back on here and someone recommend Ben at eleven hair. I haven't looked back since...

Oomph, i can't help as not in London, but i'm thinking of going short myself. Would you post links to the style you're thinking of getting...?

FWIW I did exactly the same as you three years ago. Cropped it all off. Was really nervous about getting a good stylist and spent an afternoon visiting salons having consultations. Brooks and brooks were the only ones where I get a hundred percent. What I like about them is that there's a consistency right across the board, everyone there is cutting hair very very well.

Would second Brooks and Brooks in Holborn, I travel from Leicestershire to get my cut/colour there...

Another recommendation for Charles Worthington (although I don't see Jess). I've been going there for years (Covent Garden and Percy St) and have never, ever had a bad haircut. I've also seen people in there obviously having a dramatic restyle and they really take their time with them and discuss it in depth before doing anything. IMO, hair is one are where you really get what you pay for so it's worth spending a bit more.

Tell them when you book that you're wanting something major.

hello all, thanks so much for all your replies. I got home from work to the usual double mayhem (two under four, dinner bath, sipping of vino, bed)

Duende, here is a link to the cut. Once you've finished laughing at my boldness, tell me what you think!

I agree with all of you that recommend spending a bit more for a restyle, and I fully expect whoever does it to take time discussing it and getting the right idea.

It seems that brooks and brooks and worthington are consistently turning up... Still angsting over the decision!!!

zgaze, fancy that, a neighbour! I like your suggestion of the crystal palace salon, for maintenance in the future! I also like the sound of taylor and taylor, but I wonder if they may be a bit too shoreditch fancy? I tell you who I do not recommend locally: WillisB. Stylist's hands stank of fags, she looked at the picture I had and said "oh, she's got lots of products on" (it was a bob). I was going to a wedding. She blew dried my hair with her hands, and sent me on my way several squids the lighter...And I thought you went to salons cos they have products to, you know, style your hair.

I'm liking the sound of brooks and brooks, and their serious looking website. Do they also take time dong a bit of hair psychoanalysis before they wield their scissors? I think I need it...