Trying out a new hair salon can be quite the risk. Find a great one and there’s nothing like the feeling of post-cut elation. Put your hair in the hands of someone subpar, however, and you can leave feeling utterly distraught. The good news, however, is that London is bursting with reputable salons and hairdressers we’re more than confident to recommend you trust your precious locks with. Here’s our guide to the best hair salons in London – you’re welcome.

Central London

Andrew Jose, Fitzrovia

The best hair salon for: The full works by an award-winning team

Having stood proudly on the corner of Charlotte Street for more than 35 years, Andrew Jose is among the best in the business. The eponymous founder took up this bright and airy residence in 1988, bringing his signature savoir faire that has earned him six nominations for British Hairdresser of the Year to the capital. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading hair stylists, Jose is famous for his work in the model and celebrity space, and has worked with esteemed photographers Clive Arrowsmith, Ellen von Unwerth, and Patrick Demarchelier – so if you’re after model-worthy hair, you’ve come to the right place.

That isn’t to say the salon is pretentious – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The friendly, dedicated team have all been with the salon for years and know their clients on a first-name basis, while offering an array of services which range from the full works (cut, colour and styling) to extensions, treatments, afro weaves, and long-lasting blow dries. Making the most of Revlon’s deluxe Eksperience products, expect a relaxing appointment tailor-made to your tresses, utilising uber-hydrating, strengthening and colour protection formulas. Trust us when we say you won’t want to leave…

1 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RB, visit andrewjose.com

Ena Salon, Covent Garden

The best hair salon for: Award-winning, eco-minded hair styling

Nestled in a Grade-II listed Georgian townhouse on Great Queen Street is independent, eco-friendly hair salon, Ena, set over four beautifully-restored floors that’s simultaneously the long-standing flagship for sustainable beauty brand, Davines, since its inception in 2009. Inside, luxury meets sustainability, and begins with the interior design which honours the building’s 200-year history – think restored stained glass and original panelling, alongside recycled furniture – while the colour palette of earthy greens, deep blues and dusky pinks add to the calm, and colourful illustrations inject some vibrance into the space.

Ena is the brainchild of friends Pedro Inchenko and Johnny Othona and, today, they have cultivated a 35-strong team with specialisms from curly hair to bespoke colour, inclusive of every hair texture and type (they even have an in-house osteopath and healer who cares for the wellbeing of the Ena team). Products are solely from the Davines range, and each client who comes in for the flagship treatment will fill out a questionnaire before dedicated stylists’ pick a product combination – featuring energising shampoos, all-in-one milks, moisturising conditioners and curl serums – to help you achieve your hair goals. From increasing strength and shine to tackling a dry scalp, think of it as your cheat sheet to dream locks. We loved the 90-minute Davines treatment, and it made our tresses feel soft and nourished for days to come – you heard it here first.

5 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5DG, visit enasalon.com

Jivan Room, Mayfair

The best hair salon for: private treatments

Fancy a relaxing pamper sesh? Jivan Room in Mayfair offers an exclusive experience in the heart of the capital perfect for rejuvenating your locks. This one-chair salon creates a private sanctuary customised to your tastes – pick your desired room, aroma, and favourite tunes as founder and skilled hair expert Bina Patel works her magic on your tresses.

While the tailored ambience lulls you into a relaxed state, Bina’s experience in the haircare industry, along with her understanding of wellness and ayurveda traditions, blend across services including hair cuts, classic highlights, free-hand brush stroke colours, and blow-dries for perfectly sleek and bouncy hair. Alternatively, if you wish for healthy hair without a massive transformation, Jivan Room’s popular steam-infused treatment restores the hair’s natural shine and strength while promoting hair growth, and the 72 hair keratin treatment strengthens, repairs, and conditions all types of hair to create a manageable, frizz-free mane. What’s more, you can also treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure while getting your hair done. If the personalised treatment menu isn’t enticing enough, Jivan Room goes the extra mile with home, hotel, and office visits to ensure your hair gets some TLC wherever you are.

25 Green Street, W1K 7AX, jivanroom.co.uk

Taylor Taylor, various locations

The best salon for: Fashion show-worthy styling and complimentary cocktails

Yes, you read that right. Taylor Taylor knows how to take things up a notch when it comes to hair appointments: by offering complimentary cocktails. While clients can take their pick of bellinis and martinis, we’d say the real star of the show is, however, the styling. The team of international stylists – working out of salons in Shoreditch, Notting Hill and Liberty London – are experts in the game, knowing how to deliver a fresh cut and finish in under an hour without making the appointment feel rushed.

For when your hair just isn’t cutting it (ahem), trust your locks with Taylor Taylor to redefine your look, elevate your current style and, ultimately, boost your confidence. Add an extra zhuzh by picking from the dedicated haircare treatment menu, featuring the health-boosting Olaplex bond-building technology to the thorough four-step hair facial that’s perfect for detoxifying the scalp and building healthy and strong roots. Whatever you go for, we guarantee you and your hair will be looking and feeling better than when you first walked in – and that’s what we call a win, win.

Visit taylortaylorlondon.com

Live True London, various locations

The best salon for: A full-service experience with relaxed party vibes

A full cut-and-colour appointment can be an hours-long process – so why not do it at a salon which comes with fun, pre-party vibes as standard? With locations across London, including in Soho, Brixton, Clapham and Nine Elms, Live True London promises great playlists, a fun atmosphere and expert cutting and colour specialists who pride themselves on being on top of all the latest hair trends.

The list of services on offer here is extensive. Yes, you could just pop in for a cut and blow dry but why not also treat yourself to nourishing Kerastase Fusio-Dose treatment, an infusion of Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate, or a restorative Olaplex mask? Elsewhere, technical colour services come in the form of foil highlights, balayage, permanent or semi-permanent tints, bleaching and bold fashion colours. And, if you’re actually visiting pre-party, there’s plenty of up-do and special occasion options for that too.

Visit livetruelondon.com

Haug London Haus, Fitzrovia

The best hair salon for: expert advice in a friendly atmosphere

If you’ve ever found an uber-hip hair stylist talking you into a cut or colour you weren’t sure about but couldn’t quite refuse, Haug London Haus is the salon for you. Run by husband-and-wife team Siobhan and Philip (she’s the colour whizz, he’s a maestro with the scissors), and backed up by a small team of carefully chosen and highly-qualified stylists, whether you’re popping in for a trim or have hours of cut and colour stretching in front of you, there are few friendlier places to be pampered in the capital.

This is a true full-service hair salon, with barbering, perms and blow dries on offer, alongside trims and complete restyles. There’s little you can’t have when it comes to colour either: fancy going bleach blonde or bright pink? No problem. Made a complete mess trying to dye your hair at home? Haug is here to help. Just need your roots sorted out? That’s fine too. Having recently celebrated its first anniversary, we recommend you get on Haug’s books fast – it won’t be long before these appointments are like gold dust.

19 Rathbone Street, W1T 1NE, hauglondon.com

Brooks & Brooks, Covent Garden

The best hair salon for: award-winning styling

From hair luminaries Jamie and Sally Brooks, their aptly named Brooks & Brooks salon has been a cornerstone of London's industry for more than 20 years – so you can trust the team here know a thing or two about how to treat your locks. The brand moved to a new location in Covent Garden just last year to start its next chapter, now spanning several meticulously-designed floors of a Grade-II listed building once occupied by Charles Worthington on Great Queen Street. Behind the unassuming front door, you'll discover a bustling boutique run by a team of young, friendly professionals (Brooks & Brooks is famous for its apprenticeship schemes) who are on hand to help your hair's every need.

The dog-friendly and multilingual salon makes everyone feel at home, and offers an array of services from specialist toning and balayage to wedding hair styles and that all-important blow dry. We love the latter, which left us with a bouncy, glossy, 90s-style blow out – but if you'd rather a style with less volume, the team can turn their hairdryer to just about anything. Also don't miss the express 15 minute blow dry, perfect for those last minute nights out or if you're having a bad hair day, and selection of add-ons such as the tension relief head massage (we'd highly recommend), scalp cleansing or hot towel treatments for the ultimate experience. There's a reason, after all, that Brooks & Brooks was awarded Individual Salon of the Year at the Fellowship for British Hairdressing Awards earlier this year.

28 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5BB, brooksandbrooks.co.uk

Beauty Club London, Oxford Street

The best hair salon for: Tape in hair extensions

Situated just a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, the Beauty Club is the perfect destination for a speedy blow-dry, full-blown balayage or even a brand-new look with a set of luxury hair extensions. With a wide range of clip-in, bonded or tape-in hair extensions from the Hair Club in a variety of shades and textures, you can trust that your locks are in the best hands as each is expertly fitted and can last up to four months. Alternatively, if you wish to add depth and texture to your hair, opt for a professional balayage by Shady Harb who can weave sun-kissed highlights into any hair type with ease. Fancy the full works? Head to the salon's nail bar after your appointment to touch up your manicure too.

28 Market Place, W1W 8AW, beautyclublondon.co.uk

Hershesons, Fitzrovia

Vogue editors choose to get their hair cut at Hershesons – and with good reason. The 5,000 sq ft super-salon on Berners Street caters to far more than just hair, boasting a DryBy nail bar, Farm Girl café, Suman Brows station and Sunday Riley skincare. Cut, colour and styling services are second-to-none, and visitors can enjoy a generous library of magazines and coffee table tomes during their appointment. You could really spend all day here – and why not? The all-encompassing Belgravia branch is also something very special, complete with a private hair-washing and styling area for discreet appointments.

29-32 Berners Street, W1T 3LR, hershesons.com

Saco Hair, Fitzrovia

The best hair salon for: a photoshoot-worthy cut

Tucked away on a pretty lane just off Oxford Street, Saco Hair was founded in London by Aldo Furfaro and Richard Ashforth – a pair with some serious hairdressing pedigree behind them – and now boasts salons in Paris, Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Montreal, Seoul and Moscow. Happily, you'll still find Ashforth behind the scissors at the Fitzrovia outpost and, if you're not sure quite what you want, are bored of your current style or just need someone to show you how to properly care for your hair, there's no better person to turn to.

Saco offers a full colour service, as well as cut and styling options, so whether you're interested in a major style overhaul or simply need a great blow dry before a big event, this serene salon should definitely be on your radar. Saco also produces its own range of hairdressing equipment and professional products created using top-quality organic ingredients – all of which can be ordered online. Should we happen to find ourselves in another lockdown DIY hairdressing situation, we know where we're heading.

4 Charlotte Place, W1T 1SE, sacohairlondon.com

Salon 64, Soho

The best hair salon for: a good time (and stellar cut)

Salon 64 is far more than just a hair salon – it also boasts a café and cocktail bar. As evening approaches, the styling desks disappear and the transformable space becomes an after-hours haunt with DJs. Don’t let all this deter from the cuts though. Under the leadership of owner and celebrity hairstylist Ricky Walters, Salon 64 is your go-to for cool-girl hair. Head here for bobs, choppy layers and impeccable dye jobs – all while charging your phone and sipping from a champagne coupe.

14 Bateman Street, W1D 3AG, salon64.com

Michael van Clarke, Marylebone

The best hair salon for: the famed Dry Diamond Cut

Michael van Clarke opened his eponymous salon in Marylebone in 1988 when “nobody wanted to be there”. Today, the longstanding resident is famed for his trademark Dry Diamond Cut. Clarke and his team cut hair dry to enhance your hair’s natural movement, taking into consideration its weight, texture and condition. The result is a unique, sculpted style that is impossible to achieve when hair is wet. The cut is followed by a thorough wash and style, all conducted in the club-like environs of Clarke’s gorgeous salon. One session in his chair will make you rethink every haircut you’ve ever had.

1 Beaumont St, W1G 6DF, vanclarke.com

Duck and Dry, various locations

The best hair salon for: blow dries

Blow dry bars have taken off in the capital in a big way over the past few years thanks, in no small part, to Duck and Dry. Founder Yulia Rorstrom opened the first branch in Chelsea in 2014 and now the group counts salons in Soho, Mayfair and Islington. Known for their Instagram-friendly interiors, Prosecco bars and group styling areas, Duck and Dry is the place to go for great styling before a big night out, first date or important work pitch. Cuts are available but blow dries are really the focus, with each salon offering a series of signature 'looks' designed to cater to all hair types and occasions. Combine with a trip to Duck and Dry's on-site manicure bar to leave feeling utterly cared for.

Various locations, duckanddry.com

West London

Adem, Belgravia

The best hair salon for: stressed-out tresses

Whether it's sun exposure, bleaching or you've simply waited too long between trips to the salon, Adem Oygur is the man to call if your hair is in need of some serious TLC. His serene, spa-like salon in Belgravia is home to one of only a handful of Japanese steam treatment systems in London. Allow your hair to bathe in the hydrating mist while a tea tree mask gets to work revitalising the scalp and promoting hair growth. All products used here have been formulated by Oygur himself and centre around the nourishing oil produced by his family's organic hazelnut farm in Turkey (pro tip: you can order them on Sephora to tide you over between visits to the salon).

When it comes to cut and colour, Adem specialises in natural-looking styles that flatter the face and achieve the kind of Kate Middleton-esque effortlessly bouncy and healthy look most of us usually only dream about. Compliments are practically guaranteed.

61 Ebury Street, SW1W 0NZ, adem.london

Neville Hair and Beauty, Belgravia

The best hair salon for: precision-cut layers and innovative colouring

Belgravia's well-heeled locals flock to Neville's five-storey Belgravian townhouse for the full works: blow-dries, cuts, colours, manicures, massages and all manner of beauty and skincare treatments. Founder Neville Tucker excels in curating a menu of cutting-edge colour options and treatments, including Shatush, which creates natural, sun-kissed highlights, and Tanino therapy for frazzled, dry locks. In the capable hands of the salon's stylists, no strand of hair is overlooked to create the most flattering, considered cut in all of London.

5 Pont Street, SW1X 9EJ, nevillehairandbeauty.net

Stil, Chelsea

The best hair salon for: colour

Founded by Scandanavian colour maestro Christel Barron-Hough, Stil – which translates from Swedish to ‘style’ – is a minimalist, chic white cube on Chelsea's Fulham Road. During an in-depth consultation, Barron-Hough will talk you through various colour options and treatments, from Prism Lights – the ultimate low-commitment due to its minimal regrowth effect – to vivid tones of warm honey, tingling copper and ‘rosé’ peach. Shades are custom-blended at the colour bar, which sits at the heart of the salon. When not on-site, Barron-Hough’s team of skilled session stylists can be found backstage at fashion week or working on editorial campaigns.

99-103 Fulham Road, SW3 6RH, visit stil-salon.com

Hari’s Hairdressers, Fulham

The best hair salon for: chemical-free dyes and plant-based treatments

Recognisable by its bold red frontage, Hari’s has been a fixture in London since the sixties, when founder Hari Salem opened his first salon in Chelsea. Bianca Jagger and the Rolling Stones were early fans, thanks to Salem’s razor-sharp cuts and clubby atmosphere. Today, it still courts an A-list client base, including Daisy Lowe and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. At Hari’s, there is a focus on chemical-free dyes and plant-powered products, including a sublimely spoiling Rahua conditioning treatment. There is also a deeply nourishing CBD infusion, which dramatically restores lacklustre locks. Hari’s boasts a flagship salon in Fulham, as well as outposts in Notting Hill, Parsons Green and the King’s Road.

88 Fulham Road, SW3 6HR, harissalon.com

Harrods Hair & Beauty Salon, Knightsbridge

The best hair salon for: all-round pampering

Harrods opened its first Hairdressing & Manicure Department in 1894 and this month builds on that beauty legacy with an incredible 16,985 square foot hair and beauty salon that promises to cater to all your pampering needs under one roof. Offering far more than a classic cut and blow dry (although they do that too), the vast spaces features a Backwash Room in which to treat yourself to a 'facial for the scalp' inspired by Japanese head spa rituals, a Conditioning Bar from which to select a custom hydrating treatment and a hair extension library to help guests get the long, luscious locks they've always dreamed of.

87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, harrods.com

Lockonego, Chelsea

The best hair salon for: personalised cuts and a warm welcome

Having been an integral part of SW10's thriving beauty scene for more than 12 years, the mission at Lockonego is simple: great cuts tailored to your exact needs and an atmosphere that makes you feel like one of the family. Co-founded by Ben Cooke and Jonny Long (who is also behind the Saunders & Long grooming line), the pair count stars including the Beckhams and Carey Mulligan among their fans, and offer a range of services to suit even the most exacting of customers. As well as a full range of colour, cut and blow dry options, Lockonego offers an extensive range of options tailored specifically to afro hair, alongside Brazilian blowouts and extensions. They even offer specialised cuts for children.

394 King's Road, SW10 0LN, lockonego.com

East London

Neil Moodie Studio, Spitalfields

The best hair salon for: modern styles with an inclusive approach

One of the newest additions to London's premium hairdressing scene, Neil Moodie Studio opened in mid-2022 offering a chic space catering to both East London's cool kids and the City's CEOs. The eponymous founder is famed for his work on editorial shoots and campaigns for the likes of Jimmy Choo, Vogue, Dior and Miu Miu and has recruited a coterie of similarly expert cutters and colourists to work the chairs at his first standalone salon.

Occupying a bright, sophisticated boutique just off Spitalfields Market, the emphasis here is on treating every client as an individual, with every appointment tailored to your requirements. As such, prices are structured by service, rather than gender or hair type, with the option to mix and match treatments from Olaplex, Keratin Complex and Moodie's own haircare line, with your cut or colour. Not sure what to go for? Moodie's team is brimming with advice for every look and budget.

16a Lamb Street, E1 6EA, neilmoodiestudio.com

Glasshouse, Hackney

The best hair salon for: organic haircare and a sustainable-first approach

Glasshouse takes sustainability seriously: a vanguard in eco-conscious haircare, its Organic Colour System launched more than two decades ago with a focus on chemical-free, performance-driven products, packed full of organic and natural ingredients. Glasshouse partners with the Green Salon Collective, which aims to reduce waste in the hairdressing industry. Hard-to-dispose-of materials, such as colour foils, are safely recycled or composted and 100% of all profits go to Haircuts 4 Homeless and FareShare, a UK-wide charity working to relieve food poverty and reduce food waste.

The light-filled, minimalist salon space tempers industrial features with lots of trailing greenery, and there is also a wonderfully stocked shop, featuring eco-friendly, independent brands including Austin Austin, Wabi Skincare and Homework.

139 Mare Street, E8 3RH, glasshouseshop.co.uk

Bond, Shoreditch

The best hair salon for: hairdressing with heart

If you believe a good haircut shouldn't cost the earth then Shoreditch's Bond salon is the place for you. Designed to feel like an upscale apartment, this intimate salon is as much a place to hang out and relax as it is to get a really great set of highlights. All products used are vegan and cruelty-free, with Redken colour and R+Co shampoos, conditioners and styling products being the brands of choice. Cutting, colour and blow dries are all on the menu, alongside a range of hair remedies design to rehydrate and reconstruct damaged and dry locks.

44 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH, bondshoreditch.com

Blue Tit, various locations

The best hair salon for: perfectly laidback cuts

Blue Tit opened its first salon in 2011. It now boasts 12 locations across London including Dalston, Clapton, Streatham, Brockley, Brixton, Crouch Hill and Portobello. This trendy group courts young creatives, drawn to the relaxed, contemporary cuts, stylish interiors and complimentary wine and cocktails. A Saturday afternoon in Blue Tit is often better than the night out that follows.

Various locations, bluetitlondon.com

South London

Crab Salad, Peckham

Best hair salon for: creative cuts and colour

A quick glance at the website of this intriguingly named salon in Peckham and it becomes obvious this is a place that doesn't take itself too seriously – even while committing itself fully to helping you get the best hair of your life. A hair salon aimed squarely at the Instagram generation, the group of young stylists behind the scissors at Crab Salad, many of whom are Blue Tit alumni, are happy to give you a quick trim but are really capable of so much more. Have a sharp fashion-forward cut or unusual colour in mind? This is the salon for you.

1-3 Peckham High St, SE15 5EB, crabsalad.salon

Read more: London's best facials