Hopefully will be back here -things have been ... strange since I was last posting reviews!
Hopefully will be back here -things have been ... strange since I was last posting reviews!
Member since:17.02.2006
Reviews:17
Members who trust:2
I don't have a lot of cash at the moment, and my mop of hair desperately needed something doing to it. A friend of mine, who is a colourist for Toni and Guy, suggested that I go to one of the academies, either Toni and Guy, or Vidal Sassoon for a cheap haircut. I settled on Vidal Sassoon because I used to go to Toni and Guy for haircuts anyway, when I had money!
The whole experience was a bit nerve-wracking, from the initial appointment making 'are you up for something modern and different?' ... eek, to the fact that they cancelled my initial appointment and didn't inform me - I only found out when I phoned to check the location.
Anyway, arriving at the academy was exciting and scary. Everyone looked so young, so trendy and so godamned cool. I looked like a rock chick who severelly passed the sell-buy date, still, I decided that I was here now and that I would take whatever they threw at me. Also, I only got charged the student and nurses rate because I said I was a teacher ... HURRAH!
After
being asked if we were 'open' to something 'new and different' we were lead into a room at the basement. I was sat in front of a mirror with the name 'Kazuma' on it ... I wondered who Kazuma was, and did s/he know how to cut hair? Thankfully the Advanced Academy only has experienced hairdressers there, just teaching them new Sassoon styles, so at least you know you're in good hands.
Half an hour in and one guy came around asking if we minded colour being put in our hair. One look at me and I laughed - afterall I have dyed jet-black hair - there isn't a thing they can do with that!
45 minutes in and a series of stunningly beautiful models come in with the maddest haircuts and dyes ever. I started panicking - there was a real theme here, BOWL CUTS ... with bits hanging over in the oddest places. Really looks great on a model or in a magazine, but on me? A secondary school-teacher in South-East London? I think not.
Finally the students come down - I think they had trouble filling the academy because three 14/15 year olds lost their nerve at the door (bless them). Along with the students came their tutors and their interpreters. From what I could gather only one of the Japanese students spoke fluent English - but this did NOT impede the process at all.
Now, this is really the bit you want to know about - the cutting.
Firstly, not a thing is done to your hair without explaining first, to you, what is going to be done. The style is chosen by the tutor - obviously an experienced Sassoon hairstylist. Thankfully the tutor looking after my hair was very much like I imagine myself to be in a few years time - a bit of an aging rock-chick! So I was very happy with her ideas. I would advise that if you don't want a lot of length taken off, or something drastic done to your hair to not go to the Advanced Academy. It is purely for trying something different as the students are there to learn the 'wilder' styles, not a safe trim.
The tutor then explains the style to the student and they ask questions for clarification. I must emphasise at this point, that you are the least important person in the equation. You are simply a head that has effectively volunteered itself to be worked on. That is not to say you're not treated well (one coffee in 4 hours, isn't THAT bad) - although I get the feeling some of the other 'heads' weren't so happy with their experiences! I felt consulted just about enough - afterall, I had said 'do what you want, within reason'.
The hair wash was sublime - gentle and my hair felt so soft afterwards.
The haircut - well, not a snip can be made without a demonstration of the technique by the tutor. I was lucky, my hairdresser was obviously quite experienced and listened well. There were no mistakes from him (unlike the guy next to me) and her constant comments on his work were 'fantastic' and 'beautiful'. There is absolutely no way, anyone would come out of that academy looking like they've been dragged through a hedge backwards (unless that was the look they were going for). There wasn't a gap in our communication because my hairdresser hardly spoke English - somehow you can communicate well using sounds and gestures, and facial expressions! So I never found that to be a barrier.
You should get used to having your photo taken a lot too. Many of them will want before and after shots - and often during!
The whole experience took a bum-numbingly 4 hours - but it was worth it. I love my style, it is simply not one I would have ever, in a million years, asked for. It is so totally different, so very very 'now' and suits me SO much. I absolutely love it (my husband's opinion is another matter entirely ... and I am waiting for my return to my classes on Monday after half term to see what my ever-critical students say!).
So ... summing up:
PROS: a new, modern haircut at a ridiculously low price CONS: a numb bottom WOULD I GO AGAIN: of course - although I can only go during holidays because it's only open during weekdays WOULD I RECOMMEND IT TO EVERYONE: no ... if you are not sure about trying something different then don't give it a go.
Pictures of The Vidal Sasoon School Of Hairdressing
From the side
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