Advice needed on whether it’s worth going to a top hairdresser (one off)

[AtlasPine]

I’m around 60 and not glamorous. I have long, fine fair to mousey hair which hasn’t been cut or coloured for a while although pre-COVID I get highlights and a cut from any random local hairdresser who has space when I have time, usually paying around £100. The last one who did it has left my hair very dry and brittle - although it’s beginning to grow out as obviously I haven’t had it done for months and months now.

Is it worth paying for a really good consultation, colour and cut (I’m in London) or would I be wasting my money? How much might it cost? Will I be surprised at how much they can make of my hair or will I look as ordinary as usual within a day or two? I don’t really have many hair styling skills (blow dry hanging upside down in about 3 minutes) and have a very non-stylish life generally, which I’m quite happy with. But as I age I realise that maybe I need to work a little harder with my hair.

Thanks to anyone who can answer my questions!

Try Percy and Reed at Great Portland Street. Neil is good. Avoid Richard Ward. Horrendously expensive and very up themselves.

Thanks again for all the tips, both here and in pm.

I once had a junior stylist at a local salon who just "got" my hair and was brilliant. None of tbe other stylists in the same salon were as good, not even the "Executive Stylist" (the boss) who cost twice as much. Unfortunately this woman knew she very good and found a job at a posher place in London Zone 1, and I could no longer afford her! I've been looking for someone as good as her ever since, with no luck.

I'm in my 60's too and have found a local hairdresser who is very good with my shoulder length hair, she colours it ver well too (lots and lots of very fine high and low lights) Years ago when i was expecting my first son I splashed out on a big name hairdreser for a cut and colour the week before he was born, on that occasion it was worth it and i looked far better than I expected in the new baby pics. I use a Babylis big hair on mine, it works ver well. I also have a big stock of jumbo velcro rollers for even more lift on the days I fancy that. I would also advise against Toni and Guy, I went to them once when my hairdresser was away and got a horrible granny bob and terrible highlights, I had to threaten to sue to get my money back.

Another recommendation for Mark Anderson. You have a really long chat before he touches your hair. He's good at understanding what you want and he's very skilled technically so haircuts grow out really well. He doesn't seem to have any agenda (eg you can't have this or that because of your age or whatever).