Mirror Mirror Hair Design

I visited this salon for the first time after it was recommended to me by a friend. After all there are so many hairdressers around one could go to a different one for every single haircut for years to come. Before finding this little gem I had some really horrible cuts at some of the big hairdresser chains. Having rather curly hair seemed to present a real problem to most hairdressers. I was always hoping that they wanted me to look funky, but I assume they just couldn’t cut it properly.
The salon is owned by Sally, who is also the main hairdresser, but I normally book my cut with Sophie. I love the way they are dealing with customers. They always … and I mean always … ask me what I want to have done before they start the whole routine of wash, cut and so on. I find the questions very comforting, because even though they know me and my hair they give me the option to change my style if I want to. I normally have colour and cut done, but I also had the Brazilian Blow Dry done several times with them, which turned out beautiful every time and was marginal cheaper than in the more central salons.
The atmosphere is always relaxed and friendly. Most people are regulars, but you also have the walk in customers. Sally is also offering a reward scheme, which gives you a stamp for every £25 spend in a single transaction and £10 off after eight stamps.

Sadly, I was very disappointed with my treatment at Mirror Mirror. I came across the salon on salon addicts website and as I have been ‘burnt’ before when booking through a website I contacted the salon direct to check prices and availability. I explained how I got the number and wanted to book for a wash and blow dry today. I was booked in and arrived for my appointment. The hairdresser doing my hair was very polite and washed my hair. Then, the manager/​owner came up to me and asked how I booked, I explained and she replied that this is not how it works and that the service was more expensive with a more senior hairdressersitting at the sink with my hair wet, in front of all the customers she continued to moan at me. I explained that I did call and check everything, she just looked blankly at me. When i eventually asked ‘what should I do’ she reluctantly said she would HAVE to honour the booking. I was amazed at how rude and offensive an owner of a local business could be to a new client. I am looking for a new hairdresser but certainly won’t be visiting this place again. In its defence the girls working there seem nice and polite especially the one who did my hair and the one star I give is totally for them. However, although I like to support local businesses, I will not give my money to such a rude and unprofessional person.

The booking process was slightly painful with no clear explanation of pricing but a request for £30 up front, but once I arrived at the salon all my reservations melted away. My stylist (I don’t remember the name but she was a senior stylist) took time to discuss my hair and find out what I wanted, including giving me plenty of advice where I wasn’t sure what I wanted. I was there for 3 hours in total and was given plenty of tea and magazines. The only downside was the bill at the end was more than I expected — I was clearly being sold up on extra colours etc which weren’t explained as I went along. However it was my first haircut for over 6 months after a bad experience at another Forest Hill salon, and I was so pleased with the end result that I didn’t care how much it cost!

Another year has passed and I am very pleased to be able to write another five star review for Mirror Mirror. Please ignore the negative reviews written in 2011, it is now 2013 and Sally and her team are still providing expert cutting and colouring and the new addition of Lauren at reception is a bonus ! New residents in Forest Hill should make an appointment as soon as possible. I understand that manicures will be available soon great news.

Mirror Mirror could really do with looking in the mirror and asking if it’s the fairest of them all. The reply would be a resounding noooo as it’s dated interior makes it feel unprofessional and cheap. Because of it’s location with little competition, they have probably got a good cutomer base of people who have been coming for years and it is relatively cheap for london prices with good discounts for standbys. This is a pity as the manger seems really nice and skilled but I just think the place could be so much better if it had a modernising refit especially as there are many new houses in the area where I am sure more upmarket clients could be found. I am sure they are probably losing unnecessary custom to Dulwich (sorry my inner mary Queen of shops has just poppped out).
On the plus side, they do discount days, there is also a sunbed in the shop (if you like cooking yourself) and the colour I got was ok (that’s hair colour not skin). It just seems to lack a certain something and not somewhere I would use except in an emergency were I needed something on the doorstep.