Curly hair specialists in London

[LauraM]

It is so nice to know I'm not alone out there! My curly hair drives me bonkers, I hate going to the hairdresser and frequently feel frustrated with the whole thing! Maybe I will treck across for an appointment with the magic man at Unruly?

[Guest]

so how was everyone's appointment at unruly?

[Lucylastic77]

I might be getting ahead of myself here but I honestly can't thank you enough for having this forum, and for sharing the knowledge on Unruly. I've just made an appointment with Anthony (Michael was booked up...perhaps next time!) and I am beside myself with excitment that I am finally going to get my hair cut by someone who actually understands thick curly hair!

I put a google search in for curly hair specialists London with an imposing sense of doom that all I'd get back would be Afro salons but instead not only do I find the name of a wonderful man and his salon that has actually recognised the need for this speciality, but that I'm not alone in my constant state of fear everytime I walk into a new hairdresser's (my last 2 good ones have hung up their scissors to have babies...can't blame them, but still, VERY inconvenient for me!!!)

My friends are absolutely no help in this situation with their shiny, straight locks...Yes I know I've got amazing thick curly hair (well...sometimes), but they don't know the trouble I go through to make it look like it hasn't been possessed by Beilzibub...my husband calls me Kevin (Keegan) every morning. Charming.

I'll let you know how I get on with Anthony, but to be honest, as long as he doesn't look scared, I'm happy!!!

[philippa_w]

chloe I dont have the answer but.....i too have experienced the 'oh so sexy' box look and had never used so many clips, grips and bands in my life!
I'd like to find a good salon in portsmouth that can cut curly hair too if anyone knows any...?

[european]

and was very disappointed.. the girl did not know a thing about curly hair and no sign of michael at all.. don't go to there....

[nel...de helen]

Oh my god i have fineally found a hair dresser that can really cut curly hair..and not just say he can!..i have come home with a proper hair cut that isn't a triangle and looks really really fantastic..i now want my hair to be curly.all those years of wanting to fight it are gone..i'd like to thank the girl from this site that recommended him but can't remeber your name sorry..he is good but does get very booked up-you can find michael price at unruly studio London.

[pocketpip]

I have now been to Unruly a couple of times- Claudio has done my hair and I have been very happy with the cuts, and for the first time have walked out of a salon feeling that my hair looks nice. This is also the first time that a hairdresser has actually known to re-wet my hair to get the curls back in place after cutting, rather than trying to style it after it has all been combed through. Usually I just ask hairdressers to not bother drying/styling my hair, and jsut tie it up and do it when I get home!

I have some recommendations for products, although I like curls rock, it can make your hair feel a little dry. I have come up with a winning combination which I have used for years, and always works.

I always use a base product, I swap these now and again so that my hair doesn't get too used to them. This product is to provide some moisture and modereate hold. My favourites are Potion 9 by Sebastian (smells delicious too) and Be Curly by Aveda. although these products aren't cheap (best value on lookfantastic.com), they do last for a long time as you don't need to use much. I then use a 'top' layer, which provides the hold which the 'softer' products don't give. for this I use Sheer Blonde (i'm not blonde) Funky Chunky. it is a clear gel, and just holds really well with no stickiness. This is definitely a winning combo! I used to live in Devon, and my hair was in much better condition with the soft water, but now i am in london, these products make my hair the best that it can be.

My method: I always rinse my head upside down in the shower to wash out the conditioner, then run my fingers through, and scrunch. Blot out excess water with a towel (head still upside down) then run the product carefully over hair without disturbing curls. i then flick my head the right way round, and gently run product over upper surface of hair, to try and tame any possible fly-aways. repeat this with the gel. I usually then blow-dry until about half dry, and leave it to dry naturally.

This works for me, so hope it is helpful!

[sd189]

Hi all my fellow curly-tots

Thank you soooo much to whoever recommended Unruly Studios- I never heard of them until I saw this forum and I had my haircut there today with Claudio- and it was grrrreat! I felt at such ease with someone who knows what they're doing...and I was very pleased with the result- so I recommend every to go there!

[clairemaggiebaker]

laurent or Nadia at John Frieda on Alford Street

[Curly Van]

Hi all,

This is actually the first time i turn to the internet to find some hair solutions and i'm really glad i did cause it seems like you guys have posted some great advice on this forum.

I've recently moved to London from NY. My hair there used to be great. I dont know if it was the water or the air but my thick curls were always nice and bouncy. Thing is i had found this amasing curl conditionner from Bumble and Bumble which used to bring my curls back to life each time but i've recently ran out. I've looked around the shops for curly hair products and usually cant even find a decent shampoo and conditionner for curly hair, let alone curl cream to tame my hair!

I totally agree with previous posts. I feel like the London water has made my hair dry and havent had a good hair day in a month!

I saw a few of you recommend this product called Tigi curls, but where can i find that? Do they sell it at Boots or do you have to order it from the internet or go to a salon?

If anyone can give more recommendations about hair products that can easily be found in London i'd be very grateful.

Thanks,

Van.

PS: I also only got my haircut once (i'd always dreaded the hairdresses, fearing they would not know what to do with my hair!), it was in Brooklyn New York at this salon called the Beehive. A friend recommended it and i was 100% satisfied. My hairstylist knew exactly what she was doing and i trusted her to go from long (without shape) curls to a short curly bob with layers (so that i would not look like a triangle). It's always so nice to find hairstylist that actually appreciate curly hair and know how to style it. I'll definately have to try the Unruly salon as my bob has sadly lost its shape after 3months.

[FredOuter]

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[curls&waves]

I had an amazing haircut back in October -the best one ever- with this Hungarian stylist who was incredible but he is in Budapest and not coming to London for a while. So I needed a trim and got an appointment at this well known salon. I specifically asked for someone who was good with curly hair and that was a complete disappointment. From the moment she started cutting I knew it would be bad. I let her blow dry my hair so I couldn't really see the disaster on the spot as it would have been to late. I'm back to the curls today and there is no layering..its really short on top and long on the sides. She completely messed up the shape I had and now I will have to cut more in order to fix it.
I'm happy I found this website because I will definitely go to unruly.
One tip on a product is the 'curl cream' from trevorsorbie. you can find it at boots.
I'll let you know how it goes at unruly.

good luck with your curls ladies.

[charlieplunkett]

hello, i have a different problem. i have really straight hair and it will NEVVER curl. have you got any good tips, products or tongs... ect that will help and keep it curly please!

[unruly mike]

HI Guys,

I just checked back to see whats being said here these days, I am pleased to have an almost never ending stream of women (Mostly curly - but not all) coming to Unruly having heard about me and my salon through this thread. I would firstly like to thank each of the people who's posts state how pleased they have been with the work coming from my salon. Also to the few that have anything less than positive to say I thank them for giving us a try and for any/all feedback. My salon as it is is not Curly exclusive (although we might open one someday). The team I employ are not hired for their curly hairdressing skills alone and it can often take several months for them to master the different approach. If you are reading this thread thinking of switching to another salon and seek a stylist that is confident with curly hair please do come and see us. If you decide to call be aware that for the few of us (Michael, Claudio, Anthony, Charlotte and Dhiran) that have particularly mastered curly hair we get booked up pretty quick. Also please arrive with your hair dried as you would do your best own curly effort. Not tied back or straightened in the least. Also be prepared to spend more time than normal especially on your first visit. Do bring pictures. Don't be scared, we are in Notting Hill but not a super trendy bunch of freaks.

To the recent post regarding having straight hair that won't curl here are my tips - Naturally dry or rough dry your hair with your hands (No brush, no tension) fully, ending upside down. Once dry, mist in a few passes of hairspray then brush with a soft paddle or Mason Pearson brush This will give some hold and prep your hair (You could use texture mist or some other gentle thickener. Sit up again and ensure your hair is tangle free. Section off an inch tall section spanning your neck, take an inch wide inch tall section from either side to start and wrap it around the barrel using the smaller 16mm Babyliss Pro ceramic curling tongs (The white ones only from beauty suppliers or salons). Slightly pinching the trap button to ease the tension pull the barrel away from your head until the end is between the barrel and the trap. Then wind up closer to your head. If you want the less atractive Victorian doll look keep it clean and do each one in the same direction with the same amount of hair and work up the head untill you have finished. Personally I think this looks awful, UNLESS as you get better you do this then pin each one to cool then shake and massage your head to get a pretty foxy massive disco-fro. Otherwise if you seek a more natural non Victorian doll look do each section slightly different sizes and in alternating directions. This way you might be able to acheive the random-ness of real curls. It is only fair for me to point out that this is still not going to be easy or possible in a rush, before you master it you can expect a few scars and kinked curls. A good tip is also to be aware that as you wind the barrel close to you head watch that the hair is tought between the head and barrel not the trap which will give a nasty looking fold near your root. Also dont mess about with each curl once out of the tong just wind it with your finger then rest to cool while you move on. Once the whole lot is done then massgae your scalp and shake your head and scrunch the curls gently. Be aware that after a few moments it will drop so don't pull it down. I actually have one straight haired client who I showed this to that took some tongs away and practiced, I saw her recently at a wedding and shuddered when I saw her, I thought she had been to another salon, B***ch!!!(Joke!!) but no she just did a darn good job herself, wicked!! She uses the 28mm ones that are quicker and a bit more user friendly, more big waves than tight curls. Don't bother with the jumbo ones, I keep trying but they do very little. Also forget the GHD's to curl hair (other hairdressers reading this will be gasping in disgust). GHD's are great for straight, flicks or waves but just as you could dry your hair sticking your head out the sunroof racing down the street. You'd be better off with the correct tool, get some tongs.

The same technique can be used to sort sections of curls that just dont behave or have lost their curl, or if you suffer as many do with the nape being naturally straighter than the rest. I clearly could write about this topic all night, maybe I will go and post more on our blog.

Thanks again!!!

please come and see us at Unruly soon.

Michael
x

[curlygirl44]

Hi everyone. I'm a UCL post-grad with shoulder-length curly hair who, like everyone else here, is afraid of the horrible triangle head syndrome. I've had great luck in London getting my hair cut with Stephanie, a stylist at J Hair (54 Warren St). Stephanie has naturally curly hair herself (always a good sign - although recently she's taken to cutting it so short it looks kind of straight) and had her own studio in Bulgaria for 18 years before coming to London. I like Stephanie because she's one of the only stylists I've ever had who understands the principle of cutting 3 inches of curly hair when wet = hair that suddenly looks about a foot shorter when it's dry, and actually listens when I say I want to keep my length. She gives me a genuinely good cut - Stephanie doesn't just rely on dumping tons of product on your head to keep things under control, as non-experienced with curly hair stylists tend to do. With my hair she did a good job tidying up the shape of the hair at the back of my head so it can move nicely.

J Hair itself isn't the poshest salon in the world, but its clean and professional and centrally-located, and cuts are about £35 (less if your hair is shorter than mine). Mention my name (Margaret) when you book an appointment with Stephanie and she'll give you 20% off your first cut.