Toni & Guy Academy

Finding (AND trusting) a hairdresser abroad is such a daunting thing. Unless you are absolutely fluent in a language you will probably end up describing your desired cut and colour a bit awkwardly. Unless you go for universal gestures like «1 inch off «and a straight cut, there is many things that can go wrong.
For the past years I have always turned to Toni& Guy or Vidal Sassoon for my cuts. With a global presence (even in China!) you are likely to find one of them around. I simply like the thought of similar training and global standard. Also being on a budget, both of the chains run academies, where you can get your look for less. A lot less. At Manchester´s Toni and Guy Academy a cut is 12pound, color at a max of 25pound.
I have been to both the normal salon and the academy and can truly say the end result has been absolutely comparable.
But what are the differences?
The academy is usually a less «posh» salon, maybe in the basement (Vidal Sassoon Munich) or like in Manchester in a separate training salon.
Cutting takes time as trainees are supervised by directors. All hairdressers are fully qualified and just do a specific training to meet the high standards of the salon. I always found they took a lot of time ensuring the cut was perfect and exactly to my liking.
They didn´t have anything to read for me. If I had known before… playing with your phone for 90 min isn’t really my thing
They only run two appointment groups per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon for you to choose. So no lunch time cuts or after work blow drys
If you are a student or have half a day off and need to look after your spendings this is such a great way to get a top hair cut or color for an incredible price.

Now then, I understand how the idea of going to an Academy could freak some people out, however it’s totally unnecessary!
I first went to the Toni and Guy academy just before Christmas and I was slightly anxious I must admit, but I needed a haircut, badly.
Coming from a town where there’s only about 5 hairdressers to choose from and you know most of the people who work there, looking for a hairdresser in Manchester was a fairly daunting ordeal. I decided to opt for the academy for some reason, I can’t remember why now but was happy with the results as today I went back!
When you call up for an appointment they offer the choice between two time slots 9:30 and 1:30 — the time you are there for depends entirely on what you are having done, today I was out in 2 hours. You pay when you arrive and are asked to sign in, it cost me £12 for a cut and blow dry and I believe colour costs around £30.
You wait to be called through, after your coats are taken you are allocated a seat and then a hairdresser. You talk through what you want and then their supervisor/​teacher (I’m unsure what the correct term would be!) will come on over and ask them about how they plan on going about it, after they’ve talked it through, hair gets washed and cut!
Every step of the way they are watched and corrected if needed however I’ve had very good experiences there twice and the other people there seemed pleased with the results!
If you’re after a good cheap haircut and have some time to spare, here would be perfect for you!

I had a great experience at the Toni and Guy’s Academy. It is a great value for the money (12 pounds) and you leave with a high quality cut. All of the stylists already work at salons full time and are just receiving extra training so that they can work at Toni and Guy’s. The only downside is that it takes about 2 hours because an instructor checks their work at each stage (though I found this very comforting!). However, I didn’t really have any problem with the time because I came prepared with reading materials. All and all, a great deal and definitely worth your time!

Two hours to spare for a £15 haircut is definitely the good deal. Signing some type of disclaimer saying a trainee would do your hair was a bit scary but who knew what treat I was in for when I ventured through the deceptively large academy premises just off the centrally located Deansgate. My hairdresser was male, I’m often not too sure about this, but he was great. No fake conversations of the usual sort. I truly enjoyed getting my hair done even though it did take a ridiculous amount of time. The reading material I’d bought was left to the side, eventually actually left behind as I engaged in fabulous conversation from Lady Ga Ga to travelling Asia whilst the student hairdresser cut the mane with pristine precision. If it wasn’t for his effort to not send me into boredom with his student pace, I probably may have not reconsidered coming back. But as I say I left the place sporting a great hairdo and an uplifting feel to my rest of the day. Definitely value for money, although I didn’t go for a drastic hair change. I may try the colour at a bargain £25 but I’m aware, patience levels need to be high and the very Mancunian barber (wish I remembered his name) needed!

I love getting my hair done at Academy’s! They’re cheap or free, they have great people always experienced doing your hair and you’re going to be supervised! Perfect!
My friend went in for a hair cut here and came out looking so great! It looked worth 50 – 60 pounds and she merely paid a £15! Toni and Guy Academy is as great as any other and the staff is very friendly. You just have to sign a contract stating that a trainee will be doing your hair and then it’s all a joy ride!
So if you would like to get your hair done for a small spend, go for the Academies!

The first time I step into this baby tony and guy I was asked to sign a waiver then hand over ten pounds. I soon as I did this I began imaging how I was going to cover my bald head or perhaps that I should try and call my GP to try and get a free wig off the NHS. Either way my trembling fragile mop sat staring at me in the mirror all delicate and resting on my head, so unsuspecting of what was to come.
Turns out they don’t let just about anybody off the street do it, the students are all well practised and some just at the turning point where the cut would of cost you £50. My hair was very pleased and I’ve been somewhat of a regular since. Once there was too many students and I ended up getting my haircut by a teacher, so essentially got a hundred pound haircut. My hair was over the moon that time. Yours might be too?