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Toni and Guy Academy, 71-75 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DG
« See the other 3 reviews we have for Toni and Guy Academy, plus the phone number and map
25-11-2007 (updated on 21-10-2008)
My hair was exceedingly long. Some might say exceedingly lovely. Full and thick and shiny and curly. It was a length of joy. A tousled delight. And so obviously I decided to get it cut.
I went to Toni & Guy thinking 'they’re cool young hipsters, they’ll give me some sexy sassy coiffure’. I told her I wanted it no shorter than shoulder length. First up she hacked off “the bulk” and then washed my hair. At this point I fell in love with her. It is difficult not to be enamoured by someone rubbing your head. It is a wonderful sensation.
Then she got down to business and I rapidly began to fall out of love with her as it became apparent that 'no shorter than shoulder length’ translates as 'shoulder length at the longest point’. The bits of my hair that tumbled over my face and slumped forlornly on my lap were longer than the bits left stuck in my head. They collected around me like beautiful autumn leaves, except they looked up at me with big sad curls asking me 'why? why? We did so much for you! Remember when you put those ribbons in us? You’ll never be able to do that with what you’ve decided to keep!’
And I tried to look back at them imploring that this was evidently not my choice and they should blame the girl with the scissors and lack of basic communication skills.
And as it went on my reputation as a stoic was being severely tested as it got worse and I could only hope that it would look better when she had finished/when it was dry/when it was styled/when it grew back in several months. Generally I don’t make a fuss about these sorts of things. I take what I’m given and deal with it in private. But I was so disenchanted with how I looked that I actually couldn’t not say anything and each time she asked me “are you alright?” my face instantly lit up bright red and it was obvious that “fine” meant, “I truly resent you for what you have done to me.”
It is the ugliest haircut I have ever been the sorry recipient of. And it is so short I can only wait for it to grow out. I left the hairdresser’s and stepped out onto New Oxford Street and bawled. I tried to tie it back but it’s too short to do so and I bawled again. I went home weeping and sobbing each time I caught my hideous reflection.
I woke up the next morning, saw myself in the mirror and relived the entire ordeal and cried again.
Now, I’m not a vain person. I’ve just got really shit hair. And a few days ago it was really nice hair. I am genuinely devastated and will be for approximately the next four months.
The moral of the story is: go here for a free haircut but be IMPENETRABLY clear when telling them what you want.
4 people thought this review was helpful
26-11-2007, 01:05
Toni and guy are by far the worst ever.
26-11-2007, 13:35
I feel for you. Really I do. At least it's winter and you can wear a hat for the next four months...um, sorry, that's the best I could come up with...time heals all wounds? No, not much help either...
26-11-2007, 13:51
I'm getting over it now, and I have a lot of great hats.
26-11-2007, 14:23
Hey BushGirl, you're the Review of the Week for Qype London:
26-11-2007, 17:12
I went somewhere for a free haircut once and had a similar experience. They cut me a truly hideous fringe. It also took almost 3 hours! I knew I was in for trouble when the manager came over to show the apprentice how to hold the scissors...
27-11-2007, 20:10
I've had similar experiences at Toni and Guy (albeit years ago) - a mate 'in the industry' also once told me that at T&G they only cut hair into one of five or six set styles (whatever is deemed 'trendy' that season) REGARDLESS of what you ask for or what suits you. I don't know how true that is - but I've not been back since!
27-11-2007, 21:38
It is true, I've never been there but you can always tell people who have. For some reason Toni and Guy must teach their stylists to always do some 'short choppy look' and it seems to me this is their trademark - no matter how styles change. They seem to have a signature look, and it's weird, I've never noticed this before apart from with them. I noticed a mother and teenage daughter (rough as) in matching Toni and Guy haircuts whilst shopping the other day. I wouldn't mind if they were cheap haircuts, but they aren't...the whole company has always reminded me of one of thoses cheap Italian restaurants, that maybe got one good review back in 1999, and has steadfastly refused to change anything since then. I've never been there, I would strongly urge anyone not to go their either...
28-11-2007, 15:27
I've only ever had my haircut once in Toni & Guy. I came out with a mullet. Never again.
28-11-2007, 15:33
I do feel for you; I stopped going to Tony and Guy about 11 years ago (even then they were starting to get a bit formulaic).
02-12-2007, 03:32
Oh my goodness. What a story.
02-12-2007, 05:00
Well, I felt sorry for the girl because she was clearly just doing wat she was told and was as embarrassed about it as me, she even said to me "hair grows back" which is something you never want a hairdresser to say to you.
06-12-2007, 13:11
Thanks for the warnings! Me and my waist length hair will not be going there...
30-01-2008, 16:09
I would only ever go to toni and guy because their training is of the highest standard and for 3 years in either cut or colouring, whereas other colleges are 2 years in both cut and colour.
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