There is no feeling like settling down in a London hair salon before you head on holiday. It marks the start of your holiday mood – you’ve made your packing list, or even finished packing altogether, turned your OOO on and now it’s your time to relax. Below, we’ve personally tried and tested London’s best hair salons that guarantee everything you need for your trip: beautiful bouncy blowouts, incredible colour, and – best of all – time to unwind. From a sleek, marbled icon in Kensington to a haven for creatives in the East Village, these are the best hair salons in London for your pre-holiday appointment.
Best hair salon for: the coolest studio in London
Stā Studios, Bank
Getting your hair done is always a treat, but while many relish the opportunity to get pampered and forget about the world beyond the salon, others struggle to switch off fully or simply have too much to do. Samantha Cusick embraces this with her successful London brands targeted at busy modern women. Her latest venture, Stā Studios, is a hybrid space in Bank, offering a coffee and cocktail bar, a co-working area, and private hair studio spaces. You can even opt for a “quiet treatment” if you need to catch up on emails. The colour of my hair has never been better – neutral blonde highlights starting at the crown, getting stronger towards the ends to create a natural, sun-kissed summer look. Olivia Morelli
Best hair salon for: hair extensions
Beauty Club London
You will be hard-pressed to find a better hair extension specialist in London than Louise Bailey. With over two decades of experience, she is now based at Beauty Club London alongside Moe Harb, the UK’s leading hair colour expert. This duo provides the best hair colour and exceptional hair extensions that look natural and feel like your hair – giving even the finest hair glorious volume and length. Saffron Altmeyer-Ennis
Best hair salon for: subtle colour
Nicola Clarke, Fitzrovia
With 25 years of experience, Nicola Clarke is known as “London’s colour queen”. Upon entering the calming and cool space, I felt my stress melt away. My treatment with colour director John resulted in effortlessly styled waves, and the soft sun-kissed shade left me with a shopping list of Sam McKnight products to try. Sarah Allard
Best hair salon for: afro textured hair
Charlotte Mensah Hair Lounge
Charlotte Mensah, a three-time Afro Hairdresser of the Year, has been caring for clients’ natural and relaxed hair using her award-winning Manketti product range. The experience began with a scalp massage and ended with softer curls and a very satisfying result. Noo Saro-Wiwa
Best hair salon for: scalp conditions
Healthy Hair Studio by Enitan, Hammersmith
Enitan Agidee, Britain’s first Afro hair coach, offers specialist treatments for volume, dryness, and scalp issues. Her extensive knowledge on hair care emphasizes the importance of scalp health. After a detailed analysis, she provided insights into improving my hair’s growth with advice tailored to my needs. Lydia Bell
Best for: gender-neutral hair care
Harness and Mane, Walthamstow
Set in northeast London, Harness and Mane is a salon known for its inclusivity. The founder, Gunel Kelly, underwent an autumn hair makeover with expert colour mixing. The result was a stunning transformation, ready for the season. Jessica Rach
Best hair salon for: first-time colour
Cobella, Kensington High Street
Jordanna Cobella’s salon has been a longstanding name in the hair industry with its sleek and inviting atmosphere. During my appointment, guided by her expertise, I embraced a soft balayage style, resulting in perfectly shaped hair that frames my face beautifully. Olivia Morelli
Best hair salon for: Barbie blonde
STIL Salon, Chelsea
Christel Barron-Hough’s Chelsea salon brings Scandinavian hair styling to life with signature techniques that result in buttery blonde shades. The experience was enhanced by a relaxing atmosphere and thorough consultations to achieve the desired look. Sophie Knight
Best hair salon for: personalised treatment
Mathew Alexander Hair & Make Up, Mayfair
Mathew Alexander blends hairdressing with makeup artistry, providing a complete look that caters to client needs. With careful attention to skin tone and natural hair colour, I left the salon with silky-soft hair that felt rejuvenated. Lydia Bell
Best hair salon for: all-rounder
Blue Tit, East Village
Originally hailing from Dalston, Blue Tit is now a popular choice for creatives. My balayage and blunt cut resulted in a stunning look, with improved hair condition over the following weeks thanks to their use of organic products. Lucy Bruton
Best hair salon for: super soft results
Salon Sloane, Chelsea
Nestled on Pavilion Road, Salon Sloane offers world-class services in a chic setting. The K18 treatment provided me with revitalized hair, and expert stylist Cristian ensured I left with gorgeous waves. Louisa Parker Bowles
Best hair salon for: own-brand products
Windle London, Covent Garden
Windle London’s expertise and unique hair care products have cultivated a loyal following among clients. The products developed here work to nourish and support hair health while providing stunning results. Lydia Bell
Best hair salon for: easygoing service
Arkive by Adam Reed, Covent Garden
This salon radiates personality, with a staff that enjoys creating a relaxed environment. Art director John specializes in natural tones, blending colours for an effortless look. Charlotte Davey
Best hair salon for: reliable results
Neville Hair and Beauty, Belgravia
Neville Hair and Beauty has been my go-to salon thanks to its artistic team and welcoming atmosphere. Jack offers an excellent treatment called ‘Botox for Locks’ that revitalizes hair for lasting results. Louisa Parker Bowles
