Finding a hairdresser you can truly trust is one of those things that sounds simple but takes time to get right. South London has hundreds of salons to choose from — from busy high street chains to independent boutique salons tucked down side streets — and the quality varies enormously. Whether you’ve just moved to the area, had a bad experience somewhere else, or simply feel like it’s time for a change, this guide will help you find the right hairdresser for you.
1. Start With Reviews — But Read Them Carefully
Online reviews are the obvious starting point, but not all review platforms are equal. Google reviews are the most trusted because they’re tied to verified accounts and harder to manipulate. Treatwell reviews are particularly valuable for salons because they’re linked to confirmed bookings — you can only leave a review if you’ve actually had an appointment, which means they’re far more reliable than anonymous platforms.
When reading reviews, look beyond the star rating. Pay attention to:
- Whether reviewers mention specific stylists by name — this tells you the team is consistent, not just occasionally good
- How the salon responds to negative reviews — a professional, constructive response is a good sign; no response or a defensive one is not
- Whether the reviews mention the same services you’re looking for — a salon praised for blow dries may not be the right choice for a complex colour
- Recency — a string of five-star reviews from three years ago means less than a steady flow of recent ones
At Chroma Hair & Beauty in Brixton, we’ve been consistently top-rated on Treatwell for multiple consecutive years — based entirely on reviews from confirmed bookings. You can read what our clients say on our testimonials page.
2. Look at the Salon’s Portfolio
Most reputable salons will have a gallery of their work — either on their website or on Instagram. This is one of the best ways to judge whether a salon’s style matches what you’re looking for before you even pick up the phone.
When browsing a salon’s portfolio, look for:
- Work on hair types similar to yours — a salon that mainly shows fine blonde hair may not be the best choice for thick, dark, or curly hair
- The specific services you want — if you’re after balayage, make sure their portfolio shows balayage results, not just cuts and blow dries
- Consistency across multiple photos — one great result could be luck; twenty great results across different clients is skill
Browse our gallery to see a selection of our recent work across cuts, colour, and styling.
3. Check the Full Range of Services
The best salons offer more than one or two services. If you’re looking for a hairdresser you can build a long-term relationship with, it’s worth choosing a salon that can handle everything your hair needs — cuts, colour, treatments, and styling — rather than having to go to multiple places for different services.
At Chroma Hair & Beauty, our full hair service menu includes:
- Cuts and blow dries for ladies, gents, and children
- Root tints and full colour
- Highlights, baby lights, and balayage
- Bleach services and colour correction
- Olaplex bond repair treatments
- Hair up and styling
View our complete pricing list for full details on every service we offer.
4. Prioritise Experience and Expertise
Years of experience matter — particularly for complex services like colour correction, balayage, or bleaching. An experienced colourist will assess your hair properly before starting, manage your expectations honestly, and know when to push and when to hold back to keep your hair in good condition.
Look for salons that are transparent about their team’s experience levels. At Chroma, we have both Senior Stylists and Directors — our most experienced practitioners — and our pricing reflects the level of expertise you’re booking. You can find out more about our team on the Meet the Team page.
5. Book a Consultation First
For any significant colour service — balayage, highlights, bleaching, or colour correction — always book a consultation before committing to a full appointment. A good salon will offer this as standard. It gives your stylist the chance to assess your hair properly, understand what you want, manage your expectations, and give you an accurate quote.
Be wary of any salon that will quote for a complex colour service without seeing your hair first. What your hair looks like online and what it looks like in person can be very different, and a good colourist needs to see and feel your hair before they can give you an honest assessment of what’s achievable.
6. Consider Location — But Don’t Let It Be the Only Factor
It’s tempting to just search for the nearest salon and go with whatever comes up first. Proximity matters — nobody wants a two-hour journey for a haircut — but within South London, most areas are close enough that a 10 to 15-minute journey opens up a significantly wider choice of quality salons.
Our salon on Acre Lane in Brixton is easily accessible from across South London. We regularly serve clients from:
- Stockwell — less than 10 minutes by tube or bus
- Clapham — a short bus or tube journey via Clapham North
- Camberwell — a straightforward bus journey along Coldharbour Lane
- Herne Hill — a 10-minute cycle or bus ride
- Streatham, Balham, Peckham, and beyond
7. Transparent Pricing Is a Green Flag
A trustworthy salon publishes its prices clearly — online, upfront, and without vague “from” figures that bear no resemblance to what you actually pay. Hidden costs, surprise add-ons, or prices that only become clear once you’re already in the chair are red flags worth taking seriously.
At Chroma, our full price list is published on our website and covers every service we offer. What you see is what you pay — toner is always included in our colour packages, and we’ll always tell you upfront if your hair requires anything additional.
8. Pay Attention to How the Salon Communicates
How a salon handles enquiries and bookings tells you a lot about how they’ll handle your appointment. Is it easy to get through on the phone? Do they respond to messages promptly? Is the booking process straightforward?
At Chroma, you can book instantly online via Treatwell, or call us directly and speak to the team. We’re available Monday to Sunday and always happy to answer questions before you book.
9. Trust Your Instincts When You Arrive
First impressions matter. When you walk into a salon for the first time, pay attention to how clean and organised it is, how the team interacts with each other and with other clients, and whether you feel comfortable and welcomed. A great hairdresser doesn’t just cut and colour hair well — they make you feel at ease from the moment you arrive.
10. Build a Long-Term Relationship
The best results come from building a long-term relationship with a stylist who knows your hair. Once you find someone whose work you trust, stick with them. They’ll learn how your hair behaves, what works for you, and how to adapt their approach as your hair changes over time. That kind of knowledge is genuinely hard to replicate — and it’s the reason so many of our clients at Chroma have been coming back to us for years.
Find Your Perfect Hairdresser at Chroma Hair & Beauty, Brixton
We’ve been serving clients across South London for over 20 years from our salon on Acre Lane in Brixton. Whether you’re looking for a reliable local hairdresser for regular cuts, a specialist colourist for balayage or highlights, or a full hair and beauty destination — we’d love to welcome you.
Find out more about us, browse our client testimonials, or book your first appointment today.
Phone: 020 7274 5486