Compton Hair

I have been to Compton twice in the past, once for hair straightening and the other for a cut. Both times I had a great service and treatment so I didn't hesitate to book in for a cut on my birthday as a treat. Little did I know that I was about to have the complete opposite experience. Kalin was the stylist I was booked with and straight from the start, I got a bad feeling from him. I explained what I wanted and he immediately told me no, you don't want that, it's old fashioned. Anyway, after insisting that I wanted it cut the way I asked I was sent off for a hair wash. When I returned, Kalin started to brush my hair. I have quite long hair which I admit is not the easiest to brush when wet but I would expect a professional to know what they're doing. He proceeded to literally pull and pull at my hair so much and became so painful that I had to ask him if he wanted me to do it as he looked as if he was struggling and becoming impatient. He refused. There was even a knot he struggled with he just got a pair of scissors and cut it out. He then attempted to cut my hair and I have to say I've never seen a hairdresser so disinterestesd in what he was doing and couldn't care less. The hair cut I ended up with showed it. The style was not what I wanted, the length is uneven at the front and it looks like it's been hacked at the back. To make matters even worse, when I got home, I noticed that strands of hair all over my head have broken from where he was tugging on me so hard. I now have little short stands that stick up when it's tied back and doesn't look as smooth as before. I have always taken great pride in the condition of my hair and it's so disappointing to have this sort of experience and end up with this result after so much effort on my part and by a so called professional. I would advise anyone to steer clear of this salon, I certainly won't be visiting them again.

The staff were terrible and rude. I booked an appointment based on a voucher. After my treatment, they claimed part of it wasn't covered by the voucher and wouldn't let me leave without paying an excess fee. The person I booked the treatments with should've told me there would be a surcharge when I booked, or the person who confirmed my treatments when I walked in. Their customer service is appalling, and watch out for booking with vouchers. The salon was a tiny hole that seemed messy/dirty anyhow. I wouldn't go back, even with a voucher.

I got a Groupon deal for a facial and manicure here recently. Mel, that looked after me was lovely, very welcoming and professional. I have had a LOT of facials, this was one of the best. She has a very gentle touch and uses some techniques I have not experienced before, but were really good. Went for a drink that evening and all my friends commented on how good my skin was looking. She suggested which Dermalogica products would be good for me but didn't give me the hard sell which I've had elsewhere and annoys the hell out. Highly recommended.

I visited compton's a number of times, and really find the staff fun and very approachable as well as professional. I do not leave in the UK but when I am in London always keen to have my hair done there. Recently I had a facial with my haircut which was really nice and value for money, though the rooms need a bit of decoration. The reason for my comment is that I went for a cut and a new guy called James did it, and I am extremely pleased with the results. Highly recommend popping down for all my friends.

Name: Hanton
Location: London

I went to Compton Hair on recommendation from my sister. I'd been saving up for a while as they are certainly on the pricier end, but they were totally worth it. I booked an appointment with one of their stylists, but he ended up being off sick so I was swapped over to Richard, who had only been there 2 weeks. When I arrived, I was offered a drink so I went for a Macchiato and it was honestly the best Macchiato I have ever had - I know you don't go to a hairdressers for coffee, but with this one you should. Anyway, the hairdressing - Richard was really warm and friendly, with none of the arrogance or 'coolness' you often get with hairdressers. We talked through a lot of options of what to do with my blonde mop, and in the end I settled on an overall colour of chocolate brown and a cut with a heavy fringe. Richard is the top colourist there, and it is easy to see why. The colour is perfect, it is all over and totally solid, there is no differentiation at all - pretty impressive considering my hair was about 10 different colours when I walked in. The cut was fantastic too, he was really accurate and adventurous without being pushy or domineering. The blowdry was great, he really took his time and spent ages getting it to look just right. The overall experience was really relaxed and enjoyable - one of the best things about Richard was that he didn't try to sell me anything extra, no 'extra conditioning treatments' or products that I absolutely have to use, just the cut and colour that I'd booked in for. I went into Compton Hair with straggly dry multi-coloured blonde hair, and I left a mere 3 hours later (I have a lot of hair) with gorgeous shiney chocolate brown locks. I would heartily recommend this salon and this stylist - it is not just a hair cut, it's a hair experience. And, it was the best one I've ever had.

This is a follow up to my previous review from 16/9/10- after posting this I was contacted my Matt from Compton Hair's head office- he had seen my review and wanted to apologise for the experience I had had at the Covent Garden salon and also offer me a complimentary session of highlights, Brazilian blow-dry (BBD) and cut at their Barbican salon. Due to work commitments, holidays etc etc I wasn't able to have this done straight away (he contacted me at the beginning of October) but he was able to book me in for appointment for 11th Nov. So yesterday, with slight trepidation, I went to the Barbican salon and wow- what a difference! The outcome- my hair is fantastic- smooth, sleek, shiny, and straight! Very straight!! The colour is what I wanted, my fringe is perfect and now the cut is even it actually makes my hair look longer & thicker. This is the hair I had imagined I was going to have after my visit to the Covent Garden salon back in August (actually its probably better than I had dreamed for). I would like to thank Scott and Jamie for such a good job (and Matt also for arranging it all)- really really happy with my hair now- only wish I'd been able to come in sooner and get it put right (which was down to me, not them!). I would also like to say that I have learnt that hairdressers do actually like/ need feedback- even if its not so good- they want happy, satisfied customers- too many times have I left a salon with a fake smile and gone away hating my hair- from now on I think I am going to be have to be a bit ready to speak my mind! My initial experience of Compton was not a good one but they have gone out of their way to correct this and have given me a very high opinion of the salon in doing so. Thanks again!

I had my hair done here by Kalin- I'd booked a half head of highlights and a Brazilian blow dry (had a voucher from KGB deals for the BBD for £65 rather than £195); I have shoulder length very fine hair with a long fringe. When I arrived he asked me briefly about colours (I wanted pretty much what I had already- he said it was 2 colours my previous hairdresser used, I said I though it was 3-but he was sure that it was 2...) and started doing the high-lights- he didn't seem that competent with the high-lights and put in very few for a half head (it was more like a T-section really), he then said I needed to have my hair cut before the BBD- I said OK, he washed off the highlights and started cutting- only when he'd been going for a time did I realise that he hadn't asked me anything about how I wanted it cut! He cut it very quickly- it all took about 10 mins max. I had to ask him to cut my fringe as he was just going to leave it- I have a rounded fringe- he grabbed it all and twisted it and then just hacked off the bottom- it was incredibly un-even, I asked him to even it up a bit and he seemed very put out. He then did the BBD and I agreed to pay an extra £20 for a treatment which meant I could wash my hair the next day rather than 3 days wait. He dried my hair and complained that my hair was too over washed and too soft to do anything with. When I went to pay I was charged for a half head of highlights and a full cut & blowdry + the BBD after treatment = £155 + the £65 I'd already paid! I left the salon in a daze and realised that I wasn't even shown the back of my hair! When I got home I found out that he'd missed the whole of my fringe when high-lighting (nice dark root growth very evident), my fringe was very un-even, my hair considerably longer on one side than the other and my BBD was rubbish- my hair was no different in straightness/ manageability as when I went in. I feel like I was totally ripped off.