How to find a good colourist (London)

[zora34256]

I have been experimenting with highlights past couple of years due to getting very grey, only tried twice so far. After months of lockdown and not attempting diy I am planning my trip to the salon. It's not a good look! Lots of silver at the top and washed out colour otherwise.. I need an artist really. Trouble is I don't know a good colourist and have no clue how to find a good one. Just Googling it is too overwhelming and really depends who you get in big reputable salons I guess. Last time I've invested my time and money in a posh salon and was not super happy.

Are places like Josh wood colour specialist really worth it? Again, they have so many people working there so how do you know? (Can't afford director level, it's like £500 🥵)..The whole thing is bloody expensive, so a big gamble..

Anyone can help? I live in North London. If you can recommend a person that's great or how would you go about finding the right place?
I would definitely consider an academy if I knew any but think they are not opening as yet..

OP i had wonderful highlights done at Brooks and Brooks in Holborn and also regularly use The Chapel in Islington-highly rated

I have mine done at Not Another Salon on Brick Lane. They are more well know for vivid colours but their natural looks are great. I last had mine done in October (didn’t make it before lockdown) and I have never had an issue with it. I have it done by Arron and I pay about £200. Happy to message pictures.

Although disclaimer- my hair hasn’t got any grey in it

Can you narrow down 'north London' a bit?! I'm in n16 and have a good salon for colour, but equally waiting lists are massive atm as everyone tries to make up for 3months missed appointments

thank you all for your suggestions, I will check them out online. @MobLife and @AllNewDownThere anyone in particular in the salons you mentioned?
@forrandomposts I am in N12 but willing to travel a bit as don't expect this type of colour job often..
thanks again!!

Bumping for the evening crowd - I'm look for the exact same recommendation myself - a colourist to deal with grey roots, part coloured hair, similar to Josh Woods but North London and not a month's salary!

Natalie at Percy and Reed Great Portland St is fab.

Look up Dayna Vaughan Teague on Instagram. She is based in your area and comes to your home. She used to work in Charlotte Murray in Muswell Hill. Amazing with colour, and brilliant stylist too. She's done my hair for many years (just changed names for this post so I'm not recognised locally).

@abellys comes to your home I love the sound of that .. I am going to look her up!

Jason @ Josh Wood is amazing and nearer £230/280 for balayage. I go twice a year (in London for work) and he recommends home root colour for in between which my local hairdresser (Glasgow) then apples and trims cut between visits.
That said excuse my username, lockdown has not been kind to any of us

Thanks @Lockdownhairdontcare will add to the check list. Dayna sounds promising but I now hear she is not taking appointments till October...

I have a marvellous hairdresser in Clapham. Nothing flash but has served well for more than 20 years. Am naturally rodent she brought it up to light brown blonde in my younger days. Am now pretty grey and nearly 60. Highlights every 6/7 weeks. Blonde, caramel and light brown. £150 for highlights, cut and blow dry.

She knows me; I know her. Can it be recreated when walking in for the first time. I think a lot of it is relationship based.

l also go to Jay (Jason) at Josh Wood. Will be seeing him very soon in fact for a much needed tint. Although expensive, the level of service at Josh Wood is exceptional and it's a treat to go there.

I go to Jo Hansford, and having been a client for 20 years. I stopped seeing her decades ago, and currently see a junior colourist called Louisa, she’s great and prices still reasonable, ie. under £150.

I have my roots done, and some highlights around the front. Jo Hansford are particularly good with blondes, (although I am a brunette!)

If you want balayage, Sally at George Northwood is the person to see.

I’ve been going to Sam for over 10 years. He’s fab! www.johnfriedaaldfordst.com/

I recommend Paul at Brooks & Brooks, he's an amazing colourist. I've been going to Brooks & Brooks since they first opened (or rather, Jamie Brooks has been cutting my hair since before he and Sally opened Brooks & Brooks). They're multi-award winning but reasonably priced and genuinely lovely people.

Wow! Nice selection. Thank you all colourful ladies, always good to have A name, especially with the big salons and their huge list of staff.. It's particularly reassuring that you all stuck with your colourist for ages! This is what I am hoping to find.
For now I am waiting to hear from Brooks & Brooks as they were just the first I called but will see how that goes, I wish I can try them all.. (maybe I will )