Headmasters

Avoid this place if you value your hair and want a hairdressers that actually listens to you and doesn’t try and and shove a million products /​treatments in your face every five seconds. Unlike the other reviewer, I unfortunately did not have the same experience in the two times I have been here. The second time I went out of desperation /​thought I would give it another chance but I won’t be doing that again! I always buy salon products and know whats good for my hair and sometimes I will buy when recommended by a hairdresser in a helpful and non pushy way but the sales pitch in here is beyond a joke! Be prepared to get a prescription of hair products based on your hair type and if you don’t give in you can expect to receive a lecture on hair care, when all you wanted was a good haircut. I left this place in tears after my fringe and layers had been butchered and I won’t be returning.

I’ve been to a couple of different branches of Headmasters and always been pleased by the service, price and cut. I’m afraid to say I was a little let down by the Manchester branch.
There are all the same standards as at the others — polite staff, good timing, nice music, but there was an air of pushiness and a sense that I had done something wrong somehow.
When I arrived they talked me through what I’d like and the stylist told me she wouldn’t give me a fringe which was kind of what I wanted but I trusted her judgement. She gave me a pretty rough head massage and rubbed some nice smelling stuff in my hair before trimming it and giving it a nice blow-​dry. I was really pleased with the cut but I felt she was always trying to sell me hair products which I didn’t want and could never afford. I’m sure they have some kind of commission or perhaps a quota to fill but it felt really pushy and unnecessary.
I’d recommend Headmasters in general, but perhaps be a little more assertive than I was and you’ll get what you want.

Headmasters is a fantastic salon. The staff are friendly and chatty, the décor is sleek and stylish and the products used by the stylists are top of the range.
Throw in a head massage as part of the cutting process, drinks and loads of magazines, and you’ve pretty much got the perfect hairdressing experience.
The stlyists listen to what you want (no unwanted perms or ill adivsed fringes here) and don’t deviate from it. They offer advice and helpful opinions on how best to maintain your hair and the whole experience is really just like having a chat with a friend.
Top class.

What an appropriate name. Have you ever been to a salon that made you feel like you were back at school (in a world where school included a glass of chardonnay, a head massage and some biscuits)? Headmasters is one of those places where the stylists are… outspoken. I’ll give you an example. I went there for an introductory offer, as staff at one of my old jobs were getting discounted deals. I thought, why not. (My beloved Alex, I felt like I was cheating on you. If that makes no sense whatsoever, check out my Salvation review.)
I only went really for an up-​do for my birthday night out. Now, I have to say, there’s a receptionist in this place that is a rare find. She is literally one of the nicest people I’ve ever spoken to. On the phone she was helpful and friendly, and in the salon she bent over backwards for you. Great employee.
So, I was there getting the up-​do, and I was very impressed by the fact that Jamie, the stylist, asked all about what dress and shoes I was wearing so that he could style the up-​do to match (based on the information he said having it all completely up would be too severe), so I let him do what he does best. The fantastic receptionist had booked me in with him because up-​dos are his speciality. Now, maybe I invited this, but I asked him if my hair felt like it was in good condition.
Jamie: It’s okay… the, er, colour’s a bit… strange.
Me: Strange? Like how?
Jamie: Well it’s darker at the bottom than it is the top.
Me: Oh, I see, that’ll be because of my roots. I did them the other day.
Jamie: Please tell me you’re not using permanent home hair colour.
Me: Why… is that bad?
And so began the lecture. Permanent home hair colour is bad, m’kay, in fact, it all is, but if you insist on dyeing your hair yourself you should use semi-​permanent. Also: «You notice how your hair’s completely dull. There’s no shine. It’s flat colour.» I turned to my mother while he went to get the hairspray. «I think it looks shiny,» I whispered. «Me too,» she agreed. I’d only coloured it a few shades lighter. But he bossed me into believing I’d murdered my hair and of course, I sought extra treatment. My friends tell me I was completely suckered in, and I lost £106 in the ongoing process, but he hypnotised me into becoming that one thing I’m not. Precious about my hair.
The colouring session led to more lectures, thank goodness I gave the right answer when I was asked how often I washed my hair. It still brought on an evangelical speech about how many customers wash it every day thereby stripping it of its natural oils. What brush am I using. How long do I wait after getting out of the shower to hit it with the blowdryer. I felt like asking if there were multiple choice options, three lifelines left, can I phone a friend.
The amazingly kind and flattering receptionist and the wine and the complimentary head massages and the tea served in a proper little pot get this place its third star, otherwise it’d be in the two star doldrums. Because I have to be honest, I never went back. And Alex at Salvation has never lectured me about what I do to my hair once. He simply offers friendly advice where it’s needed. (I’ll never leave you again, promise.)