Blue Tit Crouch Hill — Local services in London

TLDR; Not curl friendly for 3A-3B hair / bizarre experience / frazzled curls as in photos

I’m a curly haired POC gal (mentioning this since it’s very different from the typical Caucasian thin /wavy) and have long embraced my curls. I can safely say there’s definitely a miscomm where during consultation after I’ve informed that I have TEXTURED hair and layering would probably be the best my stylist Anna insisted on a no layer + failed to inform prior that my curls were going to be straight with a blow out at the end - I thought that my curls were going to be restored after the cut but nope my horror seeing the curls gone and they tried putting in curls with a curling iron after I asked if it was going to be curly like ??

Everything would’ve been fine if they had apologized immediately and worked on a solution- but they got slightly defensive and made it seem like I was putting up a a fuss mentioning that they did communicate about ‘smoothing it out’ to take out the frizz and weight (well appreciated for the weight since they did remove a dense layer and the length was exactly what I wanted hence the stars but my curls ended up frizzier than before and frazzled) and that the curl pattern would come back after a wash ( it didn’t lol). They straighten your hair to cut it? I’ve been a client of many curl stylists in London and none of them had done this - I would’ve loved if it was made crystal clear to us curlies BEFORE the cut that our hair would be straight and we won’t see it being natural at the end. I wouldn’t have proceeded - when they straighten your curls they usually have no idea what they’re doing - In its natural state now after the blow out wore off I look like Einstein (unfortunately not exactly hair goals lol

I paid in full with respect to the effort/ time and seeing that I was distraught Anna was courteous enough to mention that I could call back if I’m not happy with the natural state (she had another client waiting felt like I had to leave)- unfortunately I won’t have time before the holidays so hunting down a fix abroad and truth be told just don’t let them touch your curls!!

The thing is I doubt I would’ve been as disappointed if I knew it wasn’t a curly inclusive salon- I did my research and consulted BT on Instagram prior that I’ve got 3A-3B hair and they recommended Anna. Fast forward to now I’m not even sure about going back to fix it - most of my curls are gone 😂 - maybe they just didn’t have curly stylists at my price point or location which is fine I just would’ve appreciated if BT was honest.

Another odd thing which might’ve been an oversight? I didn’t get snacks either with my drink (they do have a great drinks menu so kudos to that) that others were offered - felt like I had to ask which should’ve been a given LOL I let that slide since I wasn’t hungry anyways but felt strange since the salon wasn’t even full.

Overall I’d say if you’ve got wavy - 3A or Afro hair based on other reviews they’d probs be able to sort you, anything in between I’d suggest elsewhere, it was an expensive mistake for me to think of trying out a local with good reviews. Really loved the inclusivity they try to implement with pronouns etc but do hope BT takes constructive feedback positively - I didnt get the sense that their stylist was open to/ capable of handling feedback 😅As with any job / business just own up to mistakes it’s ok

Ps: they tried calling me when I’m abroad for a fix and I’ve told them to email me but they’ve gone radio silent since so yeah go figure about customer...

I'm typically one of those standard British men who won't shell out more than £10-£15 on a dry cut at the closest barber to my work or home. At the end of a typical haircut that lasts 15 minutes, I will look into the mirror presented to me to show the back of the cut and nod painfully and, in a very British way, say that it is perfect, knowing all too well that halfway down the street, I will be cursing their name and hating my new hair cut as the cold air hits it. Thankfully, this lifelong trend of me lying to myself no longer continues at BlueTit Crouch Hill and with Chris Merrick. Fortunately, Chris and I share similar interests in film, TV, and video games, so the conversation flows naturally and is enjoyable to geek out. I imagine this is the same with whoever he is working on; he'll find a natural conversation. When booking through the website, you can ask for a quiet session. Either way, whilst the conversation flows, it never interferes with his concentration and precision focus on his craft. Chris is incredibly skilled and does an excellent job every time. The work and how I feel after is worth the extra money, and if, like me, you get your hair cut every three months or so, it works out fine as you are investing in a pleasant experience and the ability to walk away actually satisfied with your new hair cut, knowing you are...

Afwul. Absolutely awful. Had my hair cut with half a head of highlights in October. The haircut was wonky and completely disconnected, I wanted a simple tapered short bob and it was a complete disaster; this was even after I called back and went in with Chris. The highlights were a lovely colour, per se, but nowhere near enough and I also had these redone. Afterwards it was .. acceptable, provided I kept my hair in one style only and didn't go crazy and try and maybe y'know put it behind my ear. I could still clearly see the roots from my previous visit to the Clapton the colour from August, and as I have a lot of hair, it just looked 'rooty'. It also did not suit the style so I ended up with very light blonde in crown and parting and level 5/6 natural brown in the back which was so short it was almost shaved in the back, not just the nape where it should have been but instead extended up beyond the occipital bone. It looked awful. I complained a 2nd time and went in to the Clapton salon where Imogen salvaged what she could... but, for want of a better phrase, you can't polish a turd. Over £160 spent, 9+ hours in the salon and I was left with an awful, outdated and poorly executed style....