Sassoon Academy Reviews 36

Very disappointed been going for many years
First time ever left with dark brown colour from blond very upsetting absolutely hate it
V Bagarone

I have been coming to Sassoon Academy for many years And love getting a great cut at a tiny fraction of what I would pay in the salon. The staff are lovely and listen to what you want. The students are keen and generally skilled. It does take a long time but you are warned of this in advance and it’s an academy not a salon, where students are leaving their trade.
Read some of the negative reviews and think they reflect a misunderstanding of the process and are from people with their own problems! I love it and would highly recommend.

Started with a consultation with the tutor. I have a chronic scalp condition which causes general hair loss and is controlled with medication. At this stage I just mentioned to the tutor that I have slight hair loss on the sides of my head so it can't go too short there as the hair loss will become apparent. He then said he didn't think it was hair loss and implied it was psychological and said people don't get hair loss there. I then felt forced to explain that the hair loss was due to the scalp condition (which I've never had to do before), when he then assumed it was psoriasis (it's not psoriasis). He agreed to a plan for the student to leave the sides slightly longer, trim on top and scissor comb the hairline. The student trimmed the sides and top and was waiting for his tutor to show him how to scissor comb the hairline when another tutor took over and started scissor combing not just the hairline but all up the sides making it way too short making it top heavy rather than what was discussed and made it a hairstyle I didn't want. He actually asked me if it was short enough at the sides when it was actually way too short. I asked him to take a bit more off the top to balance it out so I could at least manage it better, then the haircut was declared as done. I then went to the toilet and noticed that the sections between the top and sides of the head were significantly longer than the top sections so I was then in the awkward position of having to ask them to fix it. I'm now left with my hair loss areas visible and a style that doesn't suit me. In hindsight I feel that the second tutor should not have taken over as he didn't do the initial consultation - he should of asked the other tutor if it was ok to take over and asked him what the plan was. I don't think I would risk going there again.

Went in for a cut and colour. They didn't even colour it. They thinned my long and thick hair out so much it lost all its volume. My hair was down to my hips and I asked for only a little off, they took it to my shoulders. The bangs were cut way too long and thick so they don't sit right. Absolutely horrific. If you value your hair, do not go.

I had some highlights a few days ago which are ok but I found the supervisor, Amber,very rude, abrupt, snapped at me when I was trying to discuss colours and was generally unpleasant. I had a struggle to have any say in what colours were going to be used and how my hair was going to be lightened. Because of her attitude I won't be returning. I found the whole experience uncomfortable and unpleasant. The student was lovely by the way.
I've been going to the academy for about a year for cuts and on the whole my experience has been ok until about 10 weeks ago I paid extra for a teacher cut which was lopsided and unbalanced. I went back and lovely Damian spent ages correcting it but it should have been perfect the first time.

Went in as the teachers model, awful cut. Completely uneven and unflattering. The next week went into a different salon for a blow out and they asked me if I had a friend cut my hair. The hairdresser took a picture to show me the back, it looked terrible. I had to ask him to fix it, he said he’d never seen such a haircut. At this point i think they just do random weird stuff and palm it off as a revolutionary technique.

I went in for a pixie cut with a photo and came out with a bob which is top heavy, I have wavy hair and was not allowed to style it as I like when I left - it was stuck flat to my head. I appreciate they wanted to check the cut but said I could have it wet and scrunched afterwards. I explained that I couldn't really see what it looked like flat but I had to leave that way. Very unhappy.

My first time at the Sassoon academy couldn't have been any better. Light cut my hair beautifully and carefully under the supervision of the Guru, Aris. They were both charming. Allow plenty of time. The trainees are learning. The time wasn't a problem for me. I would recommend the academy to anyone and I will return.

I absolutely love going to the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Greek street and find all the staff are wonderful both to us clientele and to the students.
As an ex teacher myself they have the right approach and qualities; always instructing gently, never directly criticising but calmly asking if the students had considered various things. They are so supportive and hard-working.
I began attending what was then called the Vidal Sassoon Training School in the early seventies but, after moving from London I used my local hairdresser's for years.
This continued until two and a half years ago when I couldn't believe how much I was charged after being a loyal customer for eighteen years! Truly eye-watering.
Even with the fares for a train journey of over an hour-long I save more than a hundred pounds and so enjoy the whole experience of being back in my beloved London and meeting lovely students from different parts of the globe.

The one star is for the teachers (not the students). I cannot believe how rude the teachers are to the clients and students.

I was having my hair coloured in a small group of 3 students and Amber the teacher was just simply rude and made me feel very uncomfortable. Amongst her rude comments was ‘your hair is green’ whilst holding it in both hands and pulling a face of disgust. The student was lovely and very attentive.

I then had a cut with a different class with just two students, who had very little experience, I heard them talking to another student that it was only their second day. With such little experience you’d think the teacher would be there to guide and ‘teach’ the student, instead she shouted the whole time and played loud music. One of the students ended up in tears and couldn’t continue.

She barely watched my hair being cut and didn’t like it when I said enough had been cut off the front.

This was truly a dreadful experience. Part of the experience should be teaching the students how to treat clients and ignoring what they want, being rude and critical is a terrible start to a career in hairdressing.

VA Academy you need to send your teachers on a customer service course. It takes very little to be polite and treat customers with respect.

Such a fantastic buzz about the academy, this was my first time there. Went for a cut and wow so pleased with the result, trendy and beautifully cut. Everyone was super nice and really listened to what I wanted. Natalia who cut my hair was fantastic, friendly with such attention to detail. Will definitely go back again, a great experience, many thanks to all

Awful experience. From the second I sat in the chair, the senior stylist (James, Floor 2, London) was telling me how bad my hair was and laughing at the cut. The trainee who cut my hair was lovely and chatty, and started cutting my hair how I wanted it to be cut. However, James clearly had his own opinion about how my hair should be and at the end of my cut, he picked up the scissors and started cutting. I asked him not to touch my fringe and he chopped half of it off without my permission and saying he’s done me a favour. It looked terrible and I didn’t recognise myself in the mirror. I have never been so mistreated by somebody I’m paying to cut my hair, especially a senior stylist.

Mel

3 reviews

Vidal Sassoon Academy used to be really good with the teachers being passionate and Professional and ensuring that students took good care of the models hair with cutting and colour. However, the last five or six years, the standards of Customer Service and respect for the models and their hair has really gone downhill at the Academy, especially where the teachers are concerned. Some of the teachers have a complete disregard for the models and their hair, and contempt for models, which is not a good example for the students. Teachers sometimes talk to the models as if they’re stupid and don’t know what it feels like for their scalp to be burning if the bleach has been on for too long. I complained about my scalp burning, and was told by one of the teachers, Pink, that this was “normal”, and that the colour was taking to my hair. I’ve been having my hair coloured for over 10 years, so I was not born yesterday. If your scalp is burning, it’s because the bleach has been left on for too long. More recently I booked a morning appointment at the Academy only to be told when I got there, there were not enough students for models so could I come back in the afternoon, which I did as I didn’t want to wait another two or three weeks to have my hair coloured. This effectively wasted my whole day because I had to go back at 1.30pm and was there until 6 pm. I got a feeble apology from one of the teachers, but no offer of a full or partial refund for the inconvenience it caused me. VS Academy’s customer service has really gone downhill and the teachers are rude. What happened VS Academy? You used to be so good :/

I was a little nervous going to the academy for the first time… but was a great experience… Maggie M was my ‘trainee’…. I use inverted comma’s because I would not have known she was training… she was so good! Damian, her tutor, guided her throughout, but I felt in very safe hands with Maggie… extremely professional and a pleasure to be around!she will do brilliantly in whatever she does, I have no doubt👏⭐️👏⭐️👏⭐️ a good experience all round!

My academy's student haircut was a while ago, at the end of September but here it is. The tutor in charge, Italian I believe, was professional attentive and made every effort to make me and everyone feel comfortable. The student who was graduating did a great job. Thanks, Barbara

My 5 star rating is for Paula who provided excellent customer service and helped save what would otherwise have been a totally disastrous visit to the Sassoon Academy at 5 Ave Maria Street, London.
I arrived, along with 6 other clients, on the morning of 16 October '23 for confirmed 10am hair appointments, only to find the Academy closed.
Having unsuccessfully tried to contact somebody by phone to find out what was going on, Paula by chance arrived to collect something. She explained the reason for the closure was due to a main event being held in another Sassoon venue. She couldn't have been more apologetic and spent some time going the extra mile in making phone enquires to arrange suitable, alternative appointments for all of us, before continuing on with her main tasks. Paula is a credit to the organisation.

I got a last minute cancellation appointment and was really excited about having my hair done.

The adverts state that the trainee will work with what you want.

I was told to arrive at 1.15pm the latest which I did, however despite the professional staff on Reception (one who had booked me in)waited until after 2pm before the lead trainer for my section(6 models) arrived. The student who was working with translators had little or no prior experience evident from the fact she refused to condition my hair despite being told it was dry by Katy/Kitty. I had to go back into the queue standing and waiting around again for one of the washbasins to be free- she seemed unsure and initally after one shampoo took me back to the 'trainee salon area'

The trainer who I believe is called Katy or Kitty(mid length ginger hair) was caustic and came across arrogant in her approach. She asked me what I wanted- my hair had grown mid length and I asked for a trim, long layers to add movement. My hair dark, has a slight wave in it, and works when it is longer and the weight pulls it down making it smoother. I specifically asked for not shorter layers as it works against my hair and gives a raggedy look. I asked for classic-and sleek. I was immedietly cut off sharply informed my hair couldnt be blow dried smoother becasue it takes too much time and described my hair as curly/wavy.

She left the student who seemed unsure, consulting her giggling fellow student for advice(albeit the one shampoo and no conditoner scenario and having been left to negotiate for this) The woman Kat/Kitty left the student mostly unsupervised- she would come around tell her what she wanted doing but then leave her to her own devices- I had to prompt the student myself to keep the hair taut and wet as she had been directed- this seemed to be with almost every section.

She received good feedback but cut my hair much shorter and I have been left with the dreaded scaggerily hacked in look with short layers that won't lie straight because too much has been cut out When Katy/Kitty told the student to diffuse my hair she snapped at me that she had told me they couldn't dry my hair smoother- however in my section 3 other students were either having their hair striaghtened or dried smoother(long hair) and the 25 minutes diffusing could have been spent doing this especially as she had not supervised and my lovely hair had been hacked through. My hair looked much better before but despite Katy/Kitty telling a different model 'Oh well it will grow back' is a poor excuse given she seems to be on a ego trip over common sense and applying practical supervision to her teaching.
I was dismissed and referred to 'Well pin the top of the hair and diffuse the rest so the lady feels her curly hair isn't. Her manner is brash and humilaiting and if she almost enjoys the brash put downs. Perhaps
She told the student that she had done a good job but cut the layers not how she had shown her and too short- had she supervised and watched her when she was cutting then perhaps there would have been a greater sense of responsibity and accountability. The impression given was one of not listening to the client and the Vidal Sassoon etiquette and general customer service was missing Of course in a model cut appointment, there is an expectation of some delay and going with the flow but I would imagine it is important to teach the value of respect and dignity too which seems to go amiss to the trainer.

I am left with having to grow out the unflattering haircut which she asked the student to cut touching the shoulder blade but it actually springs far up and is unflattering( have a squarish face). Afterwards, Katy/Kitty said the student had never cut hair before and this was certainly evdient so a little unnerving if the case is there has not been any prior classroom practice using training mannequins. There is also the issue of her not supervising the student or witnessing her cutting or teaching her the basics such as shampooing and conditioning.

Moving forwards, and really whatever postion Kitty/Katy holds, no e her intimidating, no nonsense approach might work in a factory or somewhere where arrogance is rewarded (Vidal Sasson?) found her attitude is dehumanising and patronising at the very least.

The group of Japanese students with their translators were lovely but it is apparent Katy was more interested/invested in having a jolly with them over supervising her students.

I think I would put my precious time and pay a professional salon in future. I think Vidal Sasson should be paying students in recompense given the poor standards.. Doesn't the VS experience start at this point? Basic manners don't cost anything,

Please save your money and time and fuelling the arrogance of some of the staff who clearly get off by putting others down - not a good look!

Stunning haircut by Sassoon Academy Greek St today. The stylist started working with me and my style of look straight away so it felt very personalised and was also expertly carried out plus fun. There is amazing attention to detail and I left with the exact haircut I wanted that was also crafted to my hair type - so even better than I could have imagined.

My haircut was lovely and cut into a long bob style after having lots of damaged pink ends. The girl who cut my hair was very sweet. However, regardless of the haircut, the customer service was awfully rude.

I was told via Instagram message (after I booked an appointment through there) to go to Sassoon's Greek Street address. Upon arrival, I was met by a woman in her 20's with ginger hair, wearing an 'I <3 Vidal Sassoon' top. She instantly had an attitude and said that I had not returned any of calls to confirm my appointment so it got cancelled. I showed her my Instagram confirmation for the correct site, time and date, and provided my name, to which she realised that my confirmation was correct. The wrong phone number and name was put down for another person and I wasn't on their schedule. No apology for her mistake and for coming at me with smoke?

After lots of disorganisation, and a similar situation that seemed to occur with an elderly woman, they sent me to the Ave Maria location (30 mins away and more money on TFL) to not be seen until 14.30 when my appointment was at 13.00.

The receptionist (who's name I did not find out but used they/them pronouns with short black hair) was actually extremely helpful and tried to advise. They made up for the fact their colleague had no customer service skills and no embarrassment/apology for their rudeness when I came in.

As much as my hair cut was nice, the disorganisation here is appalling. If you book via Instagram, definitely triple check with them it's all confirmed in their books before making the trip. Next time, I think I will spend the extra £20 at my regular salon to save the unexpected stress, time, money and cold attitude.

Other side of the review. Attended as a student. I am an experienced hairdresser who attended for further training. Don’t think everyone who attends is new. It’s a great course and I paid A LOT of money to attend. The tutors are great and very good at their jobs. They spend a lot of time explaining the cuts, making sure we know every step and then watch us and correct as we go. That’s why it’s 3 hours. (They have 2 tiers of clients, the students and the models. The students pay much more!). A great week, all but one of my models was superb and a delight to interact with. One was not happy about waiting and thought she should be in and out in an hour, even though she had been advised 3. This negatively affected my learning experience for the whole day. It’s an amazing environment and I will come back as a model and get my hair cut. Models, be patient, enjoy the experience and you will get an amazing haircut for the fraction of the price you should do.