Lovely Hair — Local services in Howick

ZERO STARS IF POSSIBLE. AVOID ON SUNDAYS as the lady cutting hair is not Lydia. She gave me the worst haircut of my life; I asked for a little trim and she took 6 inches off. Everything you tell her you want at the start, you might as well have not said anything at all because she will 100% disregard anything you say and cut your hair however she feels like. She is a freestyle hairstylist! Your hair will come out with zero style at all. You would seriously have more luck handing a pair of scissors to a blind four year child. I'm sure Lydia is a lovely lady and a great hairstylist, however the lady rostered on Sundays who is not Lydia should honestly go back to whatever hairstyling school she went to and relearn everything. My advice would be to ONLY BOOK AN APPOINTMENT HERE IF IT IS LYDIA. And if you choose to do otherwise, be prepared for 1) someone who has never seen a ruler in their life, 2) the rare breed of hairstylist with zero knowledge of layers, texture, or shape, and 3) to bring a paper bag so you can put it over your head for the the walk to your car after your appointment. If you have a job? Hopefully your boss lets you work from home for the next 6 months. Have plans for after your appointment? No you don't, you've left the country. Specific things you tell her you do not want in your haircut? She WILL do it for you! You want 1 inch taken off? She will take off 6! If after you have read all this way and plan on visiting on Sundays? Save yourself the time, fuel, and mental anguish, and take the money you would have spent here and buy a lottery ticket instead. You'll 100% have a better chance of striking the jackpot than a decent haircut...

Update 21/6/24: Lydia is nice and gives great haircuts and I think the guy I mentioned doesn't work there anymore.

Tldr: my most recent haircut with the guy there had mixed and questionable service and quality that makes me hesitant to go back. I would've given 2 stars but my first few cuts with the women were good and they were friendly.

The first few times I went to Lovely Hair the staff were nice however my most recent visit which was booked with the guy was different from the others. He was friendly at first and gave me tips to style my hair, however after quickly cutting my hair, I wanted him to adjust it so it was shorter (the bangs I requested were also kind of non-existent) however he disregarded what I said, quickly told me I looked fine and hurried me away. I went back after a bit because I wasn't happy with my haircut, and as he was making the adjustments, he was sighing and irritated. As I politely asked for him to make my bangs thicker he kept protesting saying that it was fine and that I was too sensitive, and then eventually that one side was wonky and thinner because of hair loss (which I don't have issues with) not because of his cutting. In the end I could see he was getting more exasperated so I had to comply and just decided...

Two months ago, I got my permanent straightening at this shop, and the results were amazing! My hair had just been permed and then straightened again, so it was already badly damaged. my hair is very fine and hard to manage. But Lydia still handled it really well — the result was super glossy, sleek, and smooth! I’m so satisfied! I’ll definitely come back and do it...