I went to Stephanie for my first ‘curly’ cut a couple of days ago and I am so pleased with the result.

I was at the salon for 1 hour 45 minutes which seems rather a long time, although it whizzed past. It was the first time I’d seen her so we spent quite a while discussing my hair and what I wanted. She also spent time showing me how she was washing my hair and how it should feel at each stage, which was really helpful as I’ve only been following the CG method for just over a month. My hair did go rather frizzy on top, which she then had to address using some sort of cream, but it did the job. I’ve been struggling with the frizz on top myself, so at least I know now that it’s not me: it’s down to product.

It is extremely rare for me to like how my hair looks when I walk out of a salon. I usually just want to get home and wash it! I didn’t need to this time.

She didn’t seem to cut much off, but somehow she cut just the right amount off from the right places. I can now see, my hair doesn’t fall all over my face any more, my fringe looks sensible and the ringlets…well…where did they come from???!!

I will definitely be going back, so thanks for the recommendations.

TreesG - 14 April 2012 06:37 PM

I went to Stephanie for my first ‘curly’ cut a couple of days ago and I am so pleased with the result.

I was at the salon for 1 hour 45 minutes which seems rather a long time, although it whizzed past. It was the first time I’d seen her so we spent quite a while discussing my hair and what I wanted. She also spent time showing me how she was washing my hair and how it should feel at each stage, which was really helpful as I’ve only been following the CG method for just over a month. My hair did go rather frizzy on top, which she then had to address using some sort of cream, but it did the job. I’ve been struggling with the frizz on top myself, so at least I know now that it’s not me: it’s down to product.

It is extremely rare for me to like how my hair looks when I walk out of a salon. I usually just want to get home and wash it! I didn’t need to this time.

She didn’t seem to cut much off, but somehow she cut just the right amount off from the right places. I can now see, my hair doesn’t fall all over my face any more, my fringe looks sensible and the ringlets…well…where did they come from???!!

I will definitely be going back, so thanks for the recommendations.

Hi there - Your hair looks very nice. I do wish I could say the same. After reserving judgement and waiting a couple of weeks for it to settle in after Stephanie, my hair is awful. I did try to be nice, but actually, I am the one who has to walk around like this for a couple of months until it grows out.  I was very clear about what I wanted. . I don’t think that Stephanie is trained to handle curly hair and if she gets it right with a few of you, then great. But I am very upset.

My ringlet curls have disappeared and the shape is totally triangular.  It’s uneven. It is probably one of the worst cuts I have had over the past few years. I went to do highlights today, and the technician made it more blonde than usual so it would look more glamorous to compensate for the cut. My saving grace is that there is length to it, so it shouldn’t take too long to grow out. Until then, I will have to put clips in there and wear it up etc.

I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I have waited, and it looks much worse than the first day. Stephanie wanted to blast dry my hair without a diffuser - a no-no on curly hair - and then didn’t attach the diffuser when she did start to dry my hair. Her handling of my hair was totally wrong for curly hair - plastering it flat to my head. The technique of cutting zig zig is also wrong for curlies - it makes it frizzy.

If I didn’t agree with what Carlos said and thought he was overpriced, at least my hair looked good and he does work at a fashionable Manhattan salon - he wouldn’t last there if he wasn’t good. I also believe that the appearance of the person cutting your hair is important - Stephanie’s own hair and appearance were bad - and that is the brand she is promoting. I tried to ignore that, but it turns out I was right.

Sorry but there you have it. I will be going back to Trevor Sorbie in Covent Garden until I find the perfect cut. Shame I can’t remember his name.

keep on doing the good work

Rini

TreesG your hair looks beautiful! It’s so rare to see long curls that still have such bounce and are shown off well with long layers.

rini, I’m sorry to hear you were unhappy. I would disagree that Stephanie’s own appearance needs work and don’t think those kind of personal comments are helpful. I don’t care how the person who does my hair looks, just how I look with the finished result. I would rather not pay for flashy ‘west-end’ salon standards, just for a great style.

I just had my second cut with Stephanie and am even happier than last time. I wanted it a bit shorter as the underside of my hair never curls up as much and so grew out quite quickly. Again, I have gotten EXACTLY what I asked for.

Having someone cut your hair, especially for us often misunderstood curly girls, is a major trust exercise but building a good relationship with a hairdresser can make for a lifetime of happy hair. I am so relieved to have found someone who understand my curls, my style and that I can afford to go to regularly to maintain it!

My highlights that I had last time look so natural that I did not need them redone after 3 or so months, but will have a boost next time for a bit more summer blonde.

I do prefer to get home and dry my hair myself and style it as I usually would. I’ve had stylists in other salons finish my hair with a beautiful blow dry which I can never achieve myself. The proof of a good style is being able to recreate it every day!

Stephanie does take her time over a style, but I don’t think it’s excessive. I’d rather that than feel like a hairdresser was trying to hustle me out in order to work on the next customer. I’m happy to hand over half an afternoon to her in return for hair I’m happy with.

Picture attached, no make up this time sorry!

JennyC - your hair looks lovely.
Unfortunately, mine doesn’t - some were happy and some were not.
I disagree with the personal look thing -  flashy West End is irrelevant - it is important that someone who deals with looks and images take care of and have pride in her own appearance. This is not a personal affront, but a professional appearance in whatever profession you are is absolutely important and it is naive to say otherwise. These days, it is vital to take care of your appearance, especially in a big city and especially if you are in the hair and fashion business. You have to instill confidence in your customers. Someone with badly cut hair who takes no pride in her own appearance will not inspire confidence in others.

TreesG - 14 April 2012 06:37 PM

I went to Stephanie for my first ‘curly’ cut a couple of days ago and I am so pleased with the result.

I was at the salon for 1 hour 45 minutes which seems rather a long time, although it whizzed past. It was the first time I’d seen her so we spent quite a while discussing my hair and what I wanted. She also spent time showing me how she was washing my hair and how it should feel at each stage, which was really helpful as I’ve only been following the CG method for just over a month. My hair did go rather frizzy on top, which she then had to address using some sort of cream, but it did the job. I’ve been struggling with the frizz on top myself, so at least I know now that it’s not me: it’s down to product.

It is extremely rare for me to like how my hair looks when I walk out of a salon. I usually just want to get home and wash it! I didn’t need to this time.

She didn’t seem to cut much off, but somehow she cut just the right amount off from the right places. I can now see, my hair doesn’t fall all over my face any more, my fringe looks sensible and the ringlets…well…where did they come from???!!

I will definitely be going back, so thanks for the recommendations.

Wow beautiful! Stephanie sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing JennyC and TreesG

folkoono - 01 March 2012 10:46 AM

Who was it who posted on here about a cut and colour with Stephanie a while ago, was it you Beebop? The post seems to have been deleted now! I would’ve loved to have seen the photos. Although I like the sound of Stephanie I’m not really keen on going to a hairdresser without knowing what their work is like. She doesn’t seem to have a website yet and hardly anything on her Facebook page. I’m pretty happy with the cuts Jenny (from the now defunct ID) gave me as she specialised in mixed race hair. Is Stephanie familiar with this hair type?

Folkonoo- Could you provide the details for your hairdresser Jenny? I am also of mixed ethnicity and have only recently started to stop straightening my hair and wear it curly. I assume that Jenny knows how to deal with curly hair as well as mixed? Does she use CG friendly products etc?
Thanks.

Hi Sparky. I’ve actually changed my hairdresser since my original post but I’ll give you details of both.

Jenny is great at cutting curls. She used to work at Identity in Shoreditch but this closed down in January, so she now works from the Pamper Rooms, also in Shoreditch (24 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3NG). Her contact number for booking an appointment is 07847 913826. I haven’t had a haircut with her since she moved to the Pamper Rooms so don’t know what the products are like there, but the last time I had my hair cut by her, the products were just standard silicone and SLS-containing products, unfortunately. However, I’m sure if you asked you could bring along what you normally use. I personally don’t bother as I like to wash my hair immediately after a cut anyway to get rid of all the tiny bits of trimmed hair, and I don’t feel it does my hair any harm to have those things used on it so occasionally and briefly (though it’s not my personal preference).

The hairdresser I have now switched to is Thomas McMillan, who works at Cox McMillan in Battersea/Clapham. I was really happy with my cut. He doesn’t specialise in mixed hair specifically but he does specialise in curls, and he handled my hair very well. You can find out more about him on this thread: http://www.britishcurlies.co.uk/curl_forum/viewthread/4095/ Again the products he used weren’t CG but I washed them out when I got home anyway, due to the aforementioned ‘tiny bits of hair’ problem!

Hope this helps! x

Hi Folkoono,
I was literally reading about Thomas as I got the notification you had posted a reply!
Your cut looks great by the way! I think I will give Thomas a try at some point as there have been so many good reviews. I don’t have a clue what style I’d like but I need a trim and would rather go to someone who knows what they are doing as I am trying to stay curly and I’m sure my current hairdresser wouldn’t have a clue! I can’t say I’ve ever had a ‘good’ hairdresser who can actually give me good advice on how to deal with my hair, but after the good reviews I’ll give Thomas a go, even though it’ll be a trek for me too coming from North London! Anyway, I won’t waffle on! Thanks for your reply! 

Sparky,

I had no real idea what I wanted either (I’ve never really had shape to my hair until now) but we had a great chat first about what I liked and didn’t like about my current hairstyle - for me it was firstly to have a trim and also to eliminate some of the flatness I had on the top. He took everything I said on board and then suggested some things he thought would suit me, and talked me through the entire cut. It was very reassuring!

I live in north London too (Tottenham). It took me about an hour to get there but it was definitely worth the trek!

Snap, I live in Tottenham too!
That sounds good, I could sure use some advice! Does he use CG friendly products….not that I know a great deal about this as I’m completely new to all this and am just about using a sulfate free (sodium lauryl sulfate SLS, sodium laureth sulfate SLES, ammonium laureth sulfate ALES), paraben free & phthalate free shampoo and conditioner…. havent’t started on styling products yet, and generally am finding the mass of info and technical chemical info mind boggling! Lol! It sounds helpful though, just trying to get my head round it all! Perhpas Thomas can explain it to me in laymans terms!

Ah, cool! Hi neighbour

No, he doesn’t unfortunately (I had a sneak peek at the leave-in/styling cream he put on and it definitely had silicone in it). But as I said before, I don’t think will do any harm for someone to use those things on your hair once in a blue moon, if the great majority of the time you avoid them. I’ve always been too scared to bring in my own products but I imagine he wouldn’t mind if you asked him - in fact he might actually be quite interested to see what you use. He told me he was thinking of developing his own line of products.

Hehe, it can be pretty confusing and there will probably be a lot of trial and error before you find something that really works for you. I don’t actually have the CG book so I’m not fully versed in spotting all the nasties by myself yet. Up until now I’ve relied almost entirely on product recommendations on here. There’s a good list of high street stuff in this thread: http://www.britishcurlies.co.uk/curl_forum/viewthread/215/ I would recommend some of the products I use for you to try but it sounds as though you have slightly different curls to mine if you’re a 2c/3a with fine hair, and they might be a bit too heavy.

Ladies you are lifesavers!!
I discovered last Wednesday that my hairdresser had moved country….what a catastrophe:-( so I turned to the internet for help and found this website!
I rang Stephanie and she managed to fit me in on Thursday - I was delighted with the result though it is a bit shorter than I might have liked but I probably didn’t explain the amount of bounce it has! I am super thrilled to have found a brilliant new hairdresser:-)

thank you all x

I went to see Stephanie a couple of weeks ago -brilliant !  I think the first person who has ever seen my head of curls and managed to resist cutting loads off and adding layers where I don’t want them (I usually emerge from a haircut feeling as if I’ve gone back ten steps in my quest to grow my hair -I’ve been trying for years to no avail.). Stephanie really listened, cut my hair really carefully and the result is one of the best cuts I’ve ever had.  She cut it wet which I know is usually a no no for curlies, but she had looked at it so carefully first I suspect that’s why it still worked.  You might want to take your own products as she doesn’t seem to have specialist curly girl stuff, but the cut is so good, that’s not a problem.  I’ve also been to Matthew James in Birmingham, and I’m as happy with my Stepahnie cut, and she is so much closer for me.

I completely second this post! I have been going to Stephanie for a year now, and she never disappoints. The shape and curl are always perfect. Her prices have gone up to £40 now, but a bargain compared to other options.

Thank you ladies for all of your advice!

I will be booking an appointment soon with Thomas as I haven’t read anything negative at all about his services. am looking forward to having a nice shape to my hair rather than lovely curls in a mop!

Will keep you posted.

God bless you all! Xxx