I'm going to London the end of June. Would it be CA-razy to get a haircut while I'm there? Does anyone know of a good ~ possible walk-in place since I probably won't be able to get an appt.? Any experience out there?

Ummm, are you male or female? What's your age and preference--conservative, trendy?
Re walk ins, when I flew back to London from the U.S. in December (a long travel day as I took a morning flight from Orlando at 7 am, then hung out in Chicago until my evening BA flight), I felt beat up and skeevy and wanted to find someplace where I could get my hair shampooed and styled before catching an afternoon Eurostar to Brussels. It was very difficult to find a walk-in place--I asked at several shops for recommendations. Eventually, I got my hair done for £25 in a studio in the basement of one clothing store (whose name I have forgotten). My hair was nice and clean but the styling was lame.

Sorry ~ Female/fifties - I'm looking for something new and perky so maybe trendy but not too far out. Something that doesn't have to be fixed - blow and go with a great cut.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34504497

Hmm, I heard a nice story about an American woman who went into a London hairdressers and said, "I want a shag".
When the laughter had died down a bit the hairdresser said, "Sorry, Love, I'm the other way inclined!"
He finally worked out that she wanted layers.

Don't know what link Italiano meant to give you ('cause it winds up back here) but I copied a link for you talking about the Vidal Sassoon hair school.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34420891

There is also a chain of salons-name escapes me right now, that I think are walk in. But in my experience, anyone who expects blow & go to look great without some styling help will wind up being disappointed unless you have very thick but straight hair.

Why would you take a chance on having a bad-hair-vacation? Just because they have a shop in London doesn't mean they have any more of a knack for cutting hair.

Go to your regular hairdresser who knows you and knows your hair. If s/he is good she can give you a good style right here at home. Before you visit your stylist find a cut you like in an international magazine aand have them duplicate it.
I always like to get my hair cut a week before for a special occasion. That way if there is something I want to change then I'll have time.

London has some of the best hair stylists in the world -- but the good ones are VERY expensive and don't work at walk in places. You could certainly get the type of style you want - but it will cost you.

Except for the Sassoon school expect to pay a good deal more than you would at comparable salons in the States (except for maybe in Manhattan)

I would go to Toni and Guy in Covent Garden or if money were no object, to Charles Worthington or to Nick Clark on Beaumont Street..(especially if you have long hair)

You intend to waste your valuable vacation time getting a haircut from a place that takes walk-ins.UNBELIEVABLE!

Hi MFoley,

If you're gutsy enough to go for a new look while in London, and you have the time to spend in a salon, then I say GO FOR IT. A new look makes for a wonderful souvenir. Or, if it's a disaster, then you'll have a good conversation piece:
"What the hell happened to YOU?"
"I went to London."

But a walk-in? Oy.... I suggest that you put your internet skills to work for you NOW and get an advance booking at a good salon. Many places will take online inquiries via email. Aveda.com lists its affiliated salons, so that's one place to start. Doesn't Elle.com have regional beauty listings, too?

Or, if you don't want to have your time blocked before you get there, your hotel may be able to get you a last-minute booking somewhere decent, though don't count on it.

Good luck! Post pix!

Toni& guy and Vidal S. hair school offer free haircuts. I think you need and appt. Do a search.

I got a cut and color in December in London at AlanD. They are all over London. I went in the early afternoon and got an appt. for that evening. Bottom line was it was expensive and just "ok" as far as hair do's go.

My daugter did the same thing in Paris and liked her result a little better.

I've heard that the Vidal Sasson School usually does a decent job. Sorry no personal experience.

Thank you for your suggestions and advice. Haven't decided yet if I'm gutsy enough, but I do think it would be an interesting souvenir and unforgetable experience good or bad ~ experiencing life there not just seeing things. I

Michaeljohn is a very good, quality salon.
There is a branch in Beverly Hills, CA. The
London salon is on Albemarle Street, I believe (near Brown's Hotel), or in the very
near vicinity. I would call ahead and explain
what kind of hair you have (short or long,
curly, etc.), and ask for a stylist who specializes in your type of hair. The standards are very good, but an appointment is necessary (probably could
be made when you get to London). Also
second recommendation about Charles
Worthington.

Ha anyone hear of a salon in SOHO called Fish in Darbly St.? I found this recommended in a 2002 post on this site. Is is for real?

I had several cuts at the Vidal Sassoon school as a student (over 10 years ago). All work was supervised by an instructor, but they were definitely wanting to hone their avant garde skills. I had an asymmetrical hairdo after one cutting and had to ask that they tone it down a bit.
They might be a bit more conservative now.

Have a wonderful trip.