Michael Barnes

I don’t normally write reviews but I had a good experience at Michael Barnes yesterday and am very happy with my cut. Jade did a great job, and layered my hair really well, especially around the face.

She also took the time to set my hair beautifully as I told her I was going out for dinner after the haircut. I will definitely recommend.

Thank you Jade, hope to come back.

I had a hair cut at Michael Barnes recently. I was very impresed with how friendly and caring the staff are. Great complimentary drinks were offered. The girl who washed my hair also gave me a great hair massage, I wished it could be a bit longer since it was so good. Michael gave me so much attention to my hair which made me feel special. I was expecting a quick cut and out of the salon but it took an hour. I am pleased with the treament I received and very happy with my hair cut. I strongly recommend anyone to try Michael Barnes.

First of all, the hairdresser I had was lovely, a very nice person, but they don't know how to cut curly hair, they didn't do it anything like how I wanted, it was quite simple with half of the hair shorter than the other, maybe with a graduation at the back, but they seemed to concentrate on an awful fringe that I cut off as soon as I got home. They also insisted on a "Moroccan oil" treatment, which they asked me about, and I said no, because it would cost more. But they did it anyway, and of course then I had to be charged, which, because I'm a student, took itself out of my budget which I had saved up for a hair appointment (including a half off voucher). I never should have got my hair cut and styled at this salon, I should have only had the bleaching done, because it's hard to completely mess that up in a salon.

Good complimentary tea, I should have had more of it, it was expensive even at half price.

Next time I think I'll just go round the corner to the places in soho, they're worth it.

Unfortunately I had a terrible experience at Michael Barnes which is a shame as I had read many good reviews online which convinced me to go there with high expectations. I had a "full head of highlights" done by the manager who is the technical director of colour. The end result was nothing like how I wanted which was natural sun-kissed highlights through my ends, and I even showed him various pictures in the brief consultation we had so I trusted he understood how I wanted my colour done, despite the fact that I didn't get to talk much. He acted as if he was confident in how I wanted my colour, and assured me he would get it spot on. The bleach completely damaged my hair after the whole process (for ref: this is not the first time I've had bleach done on my naturally dark hair, and I have never experienced this kind of damage before), and the highlights were so subtle and placed in really awkward places throughout my hair which didn't look natural. The colour was also quite brassy and yellow against my dark base which made it look weird. It just looked like I didn't have much done to my hair, apart from the odd random strands of yellow. The cut was average considering she was a principal stylist (didn't like the way she cut my fringe, and my ends were cut bluntly and uneven) and the blow dry was very painful and traumatising for my now weak and brittle hair as she was rough when combing and tugging at my tangled wet hair. She went onto blow dry my hair with high heat for AGES, and my hair felt like it was frying and literally breaking off which really shocked me. In the end, I couldn't even run my fingers through my hair as it was still so tangled and frazzled. It did not feel silky or smooth but really rough and straw-like. I was so upset, I just wanted to pay and get out. I paid nearly £200 which is apparently 40% off?! what a bump! Never ever again am I going here, I thought my hair would be safe in the hands of professionals in this "fashion salon". I'm very disappointed and upset especially considering how much I paid and all I got was the worst state my hair has ever been in. Now I have shelled out over £100 on high end salon hair products to repair the damage that has been done which is going to take at least 2 months, but I'm desperate to get my hair back into the condition that it was in before I came here. I really, really regret coming here, it's the worst hair salon I have ever been to!

Ok, so i had never been here before so i didnt know what to expect. I had highlights by Sara, who was friendly caring and suggested a fantastic natural colour for me. I then had my hair cut by Chiyono. She was friendly, informative, experienced and gave me total confidence. All staff were friendly and more than happy to get you complimentary drinks. No one pressured you to spend more money than you anticipated which is something i really appreciated. My hair looked amazing in the end and i was very happy. They lost one star because the place was quite small, and tight, however the staff worked twice as hard to please you, but not in a pretentious way, very down to earth and casually. Before leaving i was given a £20 voucher, i will definitely be back!

Ok so I wouldn't have gone if I didn't have the discount either but Brett cut my hair and I have never been so happy with it. He seems to know my hair, how it will sit and the best cut and colour for me.

Ive been to other hairdressers and have been really disappointed with the results. Yes they get busy and your appointment may run over but im happy to drink away (Tea, coffee and wine) and relax and have a chat.
Ive now been going to Brett and the salon for 2 years and love going every time.

I would highly recommend the salon, all the hairdressers are really nice friendly and they are all happy to help.

Fantastic, first visit was due to a competiton win, both myself and my 17yr old daughter had a great time. We were made to feel very welcome, which I must say is not a common thing in most salon's. My daughter has great hair and after Bret had finished cutting it, she looked fabulous; my hair on the other hand was very thin and weak & it just never grew, I could see Micheal thinking, yeah maybe she needed to win that competition. Since then I have never looked back, myself and both of my daughters now aged 19 & 17 visit regularly, my hair is stronger, longer and is not a constant emabrassement any more, I look forward to going out now, rather than just crying in the mirror (not a pretty sight) this is with special thanks to Bret, he is a magicain with colour & of course a pair of scissors.
Thank you Micheal Barnes for that first cut and thanks to all the team for making every visit worth the 50mile round trip

Michael Barnes ticked all the boxes. Despite being a 'fashion' salon, it was friendly and unpretentious, with staff who know what they're doing.

Brett (a technical director) cut my hair and did a really good job. No complaining when I said I wanted to keep the length, and no whining that I have a lot of thick hair that takes time to cut (I get this a lot). He was also loathe to cut in loads of layers - a change as usually people hack at my hair without my even asking them to! He kept me amused with constant chatter and I felt well looked after.

Of course, this central London salon comes with central London prices (around £50 for a cut and blow dry and £100 ish for highlights) but they do 40% off on the website for new customers. Definitely worth a go if you're in the area and want slightly more personal service than the trendy salons that get you in and out in 45 mins.

Michael Barnes is a nice salon located on Shaftesbury Avenue. Firstly visited as I had a discount, offered a whole range of drinks. Had one stylist for colour - did a nice job though I found him to be a bit rude to other stylists. Michael cut my hair, he again seem nice and chilled out. The cut is nice, think it's growing on me a little bit more after a day or two.

Tucked in behind the Shaftesbury Theatre, Michael Barnes hair is a very reliable, good value hairdressers, being a shade or two cheaper than most of the big name west end salons without sacrificing style, service or attention to detail. The eponymous Mr Barnes is very down to earth despite having won awards for his inventive avant-garde creations at hair shows, but all the stylists are friendly and skilled too.

Yes, I admit that I only booked an appointment here because they were offering 40% for first-timers. However, I can say that I will strongly consider returning and paying full price for my next haircut!

I had my hair cut by Michael (not 'the’ Michael, I presume), who was one of their principle stylists. At first, I was a bit dubious about my cut, as it seemed very fluffy and not suited to my hair type/shape at all. However, the guy must’ve known something that I didn’t, because once all was said and done (and my hair had a chance to adjust to its new lightness), the cut looked great and really suited me.

The place was clean and welcoming. The staff seemed very friendly and accomodating and I was repeatedly offered refreshments while I waited. I do wish the shampoo girl could’ve been a little more forceful with the head massage (too light of a touch), but that’s the only thing I could complain about! All the customers there seemed to be loyal clients that were clearly satisfied. Convenient location and great hours (open late some nights and on weekends!). Highly recommended for if you need an updated 'do or even just a trim. Prices on par with professional salons across London.

It’s strange that I managed to work on Shaftesbury Avenue for two years and never noticed this place. Although it is kind of tucked away at the top of Shaftesbury Avenue (over high Holborn, up near New Oxford Street). Once you find it though it’s actually a pretty welcoming place.

Walking into a hairdressers (as opposed to your a 'barbers’) can be a bit intimidating: lots of bright lights, mirrors, pictures of 'beautiful people’ and usually a girl behind the counter who looks really annoyed that she has to take a few minutes away from filing her nails to say hello and get your name.

But Michael Barnes is nothing like that. Everyone in here is ultra-friendly and the guy who cut my hair actually listened to what I asked for and then…you know…did it without trying to put his own stylistic interpretation on my admittedly pretty boring 'side parting with short back and sides’ look.

The salon has been around for over 30 years apparently, so they’re obviously doing something right. Definitely worth making an appointment.

I discovered this great salon and will definately be going back. The staff are attentive and friendly and really take care of you. I've been in places where I've felt completely daunted by the super trendy haidressers who make you feel intimidated with their 'coolness and underlying bitchiness, but here they are fashionable and cool while still making you feel great. There is a steady stream of coffee, tea or juices while you have your hair done, and the overall feeling is a good one when you leave. The prices are reasonable given that this is a fashion haidresser who has worked on top models and actresses and at fashion shows.