Josh Wood Atelier and Jo Hansford

[TexanKenDoll]

My lovely colourist is leaving the salon I use and I'm looking for advice on specialist London colourists please. I had decided to change my colour anyway (currently very blonde, want to remain blonde but more grown up and less fashiony if that makes sense) so perhaps good timing anyway. Could anyone tell me if they have experience of the above salons? I live in very central London and able to go during the week so no constraints on time/travel.

Not me personally but brother's ex gf used to go to Jo Hansford. Hideously expensive and to be honest when she had it done at a local salon it looked the same!

Thank you, that's always the risk! I lost a lot of hair after cancer three years ago so it's something I worry a lot about. Silly, I know!

That's not silly, totally understandable. I had a consultation with Sally Northwood recently (at George Northwood) and have made an appt. think she's getting very popular.

They used to be within Josh Wood I think but opened their own salon, five mins from Oxford Circus.

Thank you. Looks good and less pricey. I'm never certain how much you're paying for the name. I've had my haircut by some 'celebrity' hairdressers in the past with mixed results..

Sorry, realised my last post may have sounded a bit wanky. What I meant, was since losing most of my hair, I went on a desperate 'let's throw some money at the problem' hairdresser rampage, with mixed results!

Hey Texan, just to say Wearing it Today blog is running a special offer - 20% off at George Northwood. Can't remember if its just for cut or applies to colour as well. Anyway try quoting that when you book an appointment.
I'm dying to use it but my hair is a bit fragile at present so have to pass

I'll look into it, thanks for the tip

I go to Jo Hansford and have done since my hair was messed up at a local salon, wouldn't go anywhere else now! it is more than i paid locally but not hugely different and a completely different experience so is worth it. I see Ashley, shes one of the cheaper girls so not sure what the top ones charge. They are def very good at blonde (I have highlights).Lovely team.

I've been going to Jo Hansford since I was 15, so that's 24 years now and would recommend her in a heartbeat. I've been to a few other supposedly good colourists over the years but always migrate back to Jo.

Once upon a time I used to see Jo but as my pockets aren't as deep as my mother's, I now see Gemma who is also great. I'll finish by adding that pretty much all the colourists have trained under Jo and Gemma, and it's quite usual for Jo herself to cast her eye over new clients/new colours if she happens to be passing.

I refuse to pay the silly prices for refreshments though, so be sure to take lots of nibbles and a big drink!

I've been going to Karine Jackson recently.

She is also very good for colour, just off Charing Cross Road - I am a brunette though.

I go to Aveda in Covent Garden and strongly recommend Allwyn there for colour.

Don't recommend Daniel Galvin as have tried their colourists a couple of times and both times not at all what I wanted despite the high price.
Did try Jo Hansford long ago and I wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped because she insisted on giving me an 'ashy' colour ( think Camilla Duchess of Cornwall) which doesn't really suit my skin tone. However this was a very long time ago and perhaps I was unlucky.

Have always been pleased with John Frieda in Aldford St.

Haven't tried Sally Northwood - do report back if you go.

I also used to go to Trevor Sorbie (one of his stylists). For ages whenever I went I had shoulder length hair (and below) and he'd just cut off a good length - sometimes jaw length - without consulting me or not - ie talk like "you'll LOVE this".

after about a year I got pissed off - went there one last time and said don't you dare cut off a load as I don't want that, the stylist listened to me.

But I was very angry with his cavalier attitude of before - and his salon diva persona!

I've been going to Jo Hansfords since i was about 18 years old (i'm 36 now), when I started going on model nights. I did go to Vidal Sassoon for a short while, but came back to Jo's salon as always found the people and the quality of the colouring brilliant.

I go to one of the colourists called Zenda and have been for several years, she's great and has trained with Jo from the beginning. She's got great attention to detail and takes pride in making a perfect colour every time. I really trust her. I always get lots of comments from friends once i've been and even in the weeks after i've had it done, so it seems to last well.

Their latest salon is lovely and feels like a real treat when i go. In terms of prices i think its great value for the quality and experience. Its nice that Jo's is a family run business with a real interest in what they do. I wouldn't hesitate recommending Jo Hansford's salon and do so on a regular basis.

Good luck with your search for a new colourist :)