The best afro hair salons in the UK
- Posted by
- Imani Cottrell
- Published
Fleabag said it best: “Hair is everything. It’s the difference between a good day and a bad day.” While it may not always be everything, a good hair day can really make all the difference. But for women with afro hair, finding a hair salon that can give us that can be a struggle. These are the top salons with a loyal (and sometimes famous) client base across the UK.
Despite there being a hair salon on almost every high street, finding one that not only caters to afro hair but really understands its needs is not easy. Black women on average spend six times more on their hair care than white women and we are clearly more than ready and willing to spend money on ensuring our hair looks the best it can - especially when it means supporting black-owned hair brands. However, finding a good quality hair salon that will allow us to have fun with and enjoy our hair is something many black women have yet to experience. It can feel like a moment of celebration when you find a salon that knows how to work with your hair and make it looks its best. With so many different options possible with afro hair, different salons may specialise in different areas, including nurturing natural hair in all its glory.
Carry on for some of Stylist’s favourite hair salons which will make you excited to experiment with your hair.
Hair Lounge
347 Portobello Rd, London W10 5SA
Why we love it: This multi award-winning salon is run by Charlotte Mensah who has been awarded ‘Afro Hairdresser Of The Year’ three times – so she is an expert in afro hair care and maintenance. Charlotte even has her own styling range, including her famous Manketti hair oil which nourishes and conditions curls.
Junior Green
55 Kensington Church St, Kensington, London W8 4BA
Why we love it: The award winning stylists at Junior Green are skilled at afro hair cutting, styling, colouring and treatments, and have also won awards for their bridal hairstyles. They create a number of innovative hairstyles for natural, permed and relaxed hair.
Freedom Edge
256 Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 4HN
Why we love it: This salon offers colouring and treatment services that have been created with the different types of afro hair texture in mind. They also offer the DevaCut which is the genius way of cutting curls when dry to see where they fall naturally, allowing the perfect shape to be created.
Mimi et Mina
16 Needham Rd, London W11 2RP
Why we love it: With a focus on exceptional customer service, Mimi et Mina care about helping women express their individuality by creating bespoke hairstyles. They are great for cuts and blow dries, and are experts at colouring hair while maintaining healthy curls.
Glam Gorgeous
290 Barlow Rd, Manchester M19 3JB
Why we love it: This is the ideal place for weaves and braiding, the salon focuses on creating natural looking weaves with a variety of options available, and they offer multiple braid styles from Sengalese twists to crochet braids. They also have mobile services so are flexible to meet you wherever you are.
Unruly Curls
Peoples Hall, 2 Olaf St, London W11 4BE
Why we love it: This salon specialises in and celebrates curly hair, director Michael Price believes that naturally curly hair doesn’t need to be tamed, instead they focus on enhancing the natural movement and bounce of curly hair.
Ruth Codinha
6 Central Station, Forth St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3NZ
Why we love it: Ruth has over 20 years styling afro and multicultural hair, so you know you are in good hands. She is great for cuts, colouring, extensions and relaxing.
Chop-Chop
362 Old St, London EC1V 9LT
Why we love it: Chop-Chop offer quality haircare without a high price tag, and stylists are specially trained to work with a wide variety of different hair types including afro hair. Their services include cutting, styling, and braiding, and head stylist Sherman Hawthorne is an expert in cutting and styling afro textured hair.
Adornment365
81 Acre Lane, Brixton, London, SW2 5TN
Why we love it: Adornment365 is committed to promoting and supporting the natural hair and loc movement. Not only do they offer real and faux locs, cuts and colouring; but they also offer personal consultations to optimise your hair and scalp health.
Beauty Splendour
65 Belvidere Ave, Glasgow G31 4PA
Why we love it: Founder Promise Okoye wants her clients to love their hair, and Beauty Splendour a KM Hair Extension certified salon will help you do that. They are known for their high quality braids and hair extensions in a variety of styles.
Radiant London
178 Jamaica Road, Bermondsey, London, SE16 4RT
Why we love it: Radiant London is known for their amazing weave and colouring services, and have an extensive braid styling list. They also offer a build your own wig option so you can create a bespoke wig that will suit you. There will be something for everyone at this salon.
Cococheno
17 Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2LA
Why we love it: This unisex salon is truly inclusive for everyone, they care and style hair of all types and textures including afro hair. Not only are they known for their keratin treatments, colouring, and relaxing, but they also teach clients how to care for and maintain their style while at home.
Estate Salon
137 Great Junction Street, Edinburgh EH6 5JB
Why we love it: Founder Ify Oweka is passionate about making sure the customer gets what they want and offers a range of options for afro hair. This salon is great for extensions, weaves and natural styling options that keeps hair looking its best.