Windle & Moodie

Linnea gave me a great haircut, asked all the right questions so that I got what I wanted when I didn’t have a good idea ahead of time, and was relatively inexpensive for central London. What more can I really say?

I have been going to Windle and Moodie for almost 4 years now but have unfortunately been driven to finding a new salon which is a shame.
The reason for this is that although the hairdressers (for both cut and colour) are fantastic, they are completely let down by their inept and surly reception staff. Every time I needed to make or change an appointment it has turned into a lengthy back and forth to the extent where I am tired of wasting my time in this way. Emails are half read and no action taken. On one occasion despite the fact that I cancelled my appointment days earlier, this was not passed on to the hairdresser.
In an attempt to resolve this, I sent an email complaining about the difficulty of making an appointment to the manager. His suggested response was that I book by phone as email isn’t convenient for them and that I deal only with one particular receptionist. When I explained that this did not work for me, the response was that «going on the reviews you’ve chosen to post all over social media and the Internet about our customer service, it’s probably best at this stage that you find another suitable salon where your needs will be better met».

This is hands down the best haircut experience I’ve ever had. I was lucky to secure a same-​day appointment with Jake at 5 pm. I arrived about 5 minutes early and — after «checking in» with the reception — was greeted by Jake at around 5:05 pm. He was very friendly and he immediately sat me down to discuss what I wanted. As usual, I had no idea what I wanted so I proceeded to ask him for advice and went from there. Afterwards I was taken to this downstairs room for the hair wash, which was amazingly relaxing. The ambience of the room was set perfectly — dim lighting and comfortable seats — and the person who washed my hair did an amazing job. I went back up to the main hair cutting room and had my hair combed, after which I sat waiting for quite a bit before Jake came back (I believe he was tending to another customer, which would normally bother me but for this experience didn’t matter at all since I loved everything else so much).
I was extremely pleased with the end results of the haircut. Never before had I been so content and felt so certain that the haircut suited me. AND the way Jake styled my hair in the end was amazing, too. I’ve become inspired to actually «do» my hair — on some days of the week at least! Overall I really loved the experience, mostly because Jake was so personable, tended to my needs/​requests, and just awesome in general. I highly highly recommend this place — especially Jake! You won’t be disappointed.

Unfortunately I had a disappointing experience. Paul Windle cut my hair. He went through the motions of doing a consultation and acting «creative» (as does the salon go through the motions of being «cool») but the actual cut was really disappointing, unflattering, impossible to maintain (even though I said that I needed something wash and go) and when I went home everybody agreed with me that it looked rubbish. Also, when I was leaving he was quite rude, didn’t ask what I thought of the cut, and generally couldn’t be arsed. It was then that it became clear to me that he is only interested in clients if they are eg magazine editors or something, and with other clients he just pretends and then does the minimum possible. I won’t go again.

I read so many comments before I decided to go to this salon. I made an appointment yesterday with MJ. BUT.
MJ was terrible. The haircut was very bad and when I came back home, I saw the write side of my hair is quite longer than the left side.
Unfortunately, I live in Germany and the day which I had my haircut, I came back so I could not go there and ask for the correction!
I do not recommend

I had a haircut with Ravi and she did a wonderful job with my hair. She is a complete professional and layered my very thick and very long Asian hair sooo nicely. I told her I just wanted to tidy up my hair and shape up the layers and that is exactly what she did for me. She’s also a very lovely person that kept the entire process chill which allowed me to enjoy my haircut and relax.
The salon itself is hip and modern. I highly recommend Ravi if you have thicker or harder to manage hair. Two thumbs up!

If you need a haircut in London, go straight to Charles here. I got my haircut for the first time in months since coming to London and wanted something simple — a collarbone length crop with layers that would grow out well and transition well into my conservative finance job in a month. I shared this with Charles, and told him my typical routine with hair: wash and go, sometimes blow dry, and needs to be a length that I can put up in a ponytail for long runs. He immediately registered what I wanted and started working. The time spent in the chair was perfect, he wasn’t overly chatty like some other stylists I’ve had elsewhere, and made sure to check in with me every step of the way. I ended with a perfect, sleek cut that was exactly what I had envisioned (crazy part: I didn’t even show him the picture of the cut I liked, but it ended up looking exactly like it) I’ve never seen my hair so smooth and shiny, and when I asked how he had done it, he explained that it really only took blowdrying (points for remembering my typical routine!) and he even took the time to show me steps for achieving the same look at home. How awesome was that?
Definitely call W&M and ask for Charles the next time you’re in need of a cut! I know I will!

Great location. Great espresso. Great service. Great men’s haircut. Can’t complain. Walk to Timberyard for some latte afterwards!

My 3^rd time in this salon and I have to say, I feel that they know their business. The location is perfect and so close to stores, restaurants and coffee shops.
The prices are reasonable but it all depends who takes care of you (the more senior the more you pay)
I have always been happy with cut and colour and always welcomed well.
They have a great espresso machine and updated magazines available.
Try to come with a vision of what you want and take your time discussing it with your stylist beforehand.

Takashi is hands down the best colourist I have ever seen. He was recommended to me 7 years ago by a friend who always had great hair, and even though I no longer live in London I make it a priority to go in and see Takashi whenever I am back. No matter what, he gets it exactly right. People have actually seriously stopped me in the street asking me where I get my highlights done because the colour suited me so perfectly. He’s worth every penny.

When I first came into the salon they sat me down in a chair in front of a mirror and asked what I wanted done to my hair. I told them I simply want a blunt cut below the chin and emphasized that I didn’t want it too short, about mid-​neck. I ended up with a haircut well above the chin, far shorter than I wanted. If they’re going to bother asking what I want done then at least they should listen. After having explicitly stated what I wanted done there is no reason to end up with something different. This salon was also full of the least charismatic hairdressers I’ve ever encountered.

Alas, a hair salon in London where the stylists and colorists actually take the time to listen to your what you have to say and how you want your hair cut and colored. I’ve paid the price (literally and figuratively) half-​a-​dozen times over the last two years living as an American expat in London and finally, yes, finally, I have found a salon I am happy with.
My stylist is MJ. She listens, she gives feedback when needed, and she can cut hair like no other. My color technician is Ravi and what can I say, she colored my hair exactly as I described I wanted it colored.
I recommend both MJ and Ravi but what I don’t understand is why they charge the same rate and even more, how to tip! Tipping (in salons) is something I have struggled with since moving to the UK and it is further complicated when the stylist and the color technician charge the same rates. Personally, the stylist is more skilled than the color technician and spends a considerable amount of time longer on pampering me than the technician. So, the stylist should technically receive a larger tip but wait, the color and cut rates are the same so, oh gosh, what is a girl to do? Google, that’s what she does.
And when Google turns up a result page with a very wide range of «how much to tip» opinions (including to tip the person who shampoo/​conditions your hair, WTH?), the girl has nowhere to turn but to what her gut feels. And this girl’s gut feeling changes as quickly as the weather in England.
The one BIG downside to Windle & Moodie is the fact that they do not serve wine. I’d really appreciate to throw back a couple of glasses of wine whilst sitting in a chair for two hours. A girl can dream, can’t she?

Finding a good hairdresser is hard work, and kinda stressful. Since moving to London i’ve put off getting my hair cut for over 4 months, because i didn’t know where to go, and every time i looked online at reviews, nothing seemed amazing.
Anyhow after much debate, i finally contacted Windle and Moodie via email, as i was unsure which of their employees would be suitable for what i wanted done. The person i spoke to was extremely helpful, and recommended Charles.
Now i think the hair dressing appointments might work differently here than they do in Australia. When i was making the appointment, they were only booking a consultation, and then from there you make the appointment. You have to do spot test also if you want colours done, so be aware of this before you make the appointment. I was lucky enough that Charles had availability for the consultation and cut to happen at the same time.
The salon is very modern and the staff make you feel at home as soon as you enter the premises. After a quick chat about what i wanted done to my hair, it was then off to the basin for a massage and hair wash. Its like an oasis in this area, its set away from the noise of the salon.
It was now onto the hair cut. And i must say Charles is very good at what he does. He listened to what i wanted accomplished from the visit, and ensured i was happy every step of the way.
I will be going back to see Charles in 6 – 8 weeks, and i highly recommend him.

First satisfying haircut in London! yay!
I had Anthony and he’s great. He’s nice, not intrusive, focused, and he listens! I was missing my hairdresser of 10 years a great deal since I moved to London but I think I’ve found a replacement!
Oh and they have awesome chairs in the hair-​wash corner. I totally fell asleep for a few minutes.

I recently moved to London and have been looking for a new stylist. I emailed and spoke in person with two really nice girls, one Brit and one American, both with dark bobbed cuts. I asked them questions about my growing out cut and what to do next. The two girls suggested I come in for a consultation with MJ. I want to reiterate how exceptionally cheerful and nice these girls were (the two with the dark bobs), they were a wonderful first salon experience and made me want to come to Windle & Moodie.
MJ was very patient and helped me determine that I might want to grow the awkward layers a bit more before I made an appointment. I appreciated this because it showed me that this stylist actually cared that I was happy with my hair and wasn’t just looking to make more money.
When I was finally ready to make an appointment, I contacted Windle & Moodie and dealt with a new person. Her name was Ren. This experience was completely different than the first (wonderful) experience that I had. The new girls tone was completely rude and unhelpful over email.
I was out shopping on Covent Garden one day and decided to head in to the salon, hoping that the two dark bobbed girls would be there, or at least hoping the rude and unhelpful email interaction was just a fluke. Ren (the blonde American) was so off-​putting and undeniably rude (my suspicions were confirmed), so I decided to go to a different salon.
The tension was obvious and it seemed like another catty, stressful salon. I am upset, and confused, because the salon seemed so friendly and upbeat when I went in before.
I’ve been taking my business to Richard Ward (which I have to admit, is ok. It’s not catty, but I felt more of a connection with MJ.)
I might come in and try MJ again in the future because she was cool and extremely helpful, but I felt uncomfortable with the whole atmosphere. If I DO go in again, I truly hope it’s a day when Ren isn’t working and the other two wonderful girls are.

After several serious misses at salons that came highly recommended, my limp, fried, badly coloured hair was in need of nothing less than a miracle. Somewhat jaded but still hopeful, I submitted an enquiry through Windle & Moodie’s website and received a prompt, detailed response to all my questions. (Another good sign; several highly reputable salons never bothered to reply or return my calls or were vague or rude if they did.)
When I went in for my appointment, the receptionist was warm and friendly and made me feel immediately welcomed. A personal pet peeve of mine is feeling sized up in a new salon, (which is unfortunately common, as we all know) so naturally, I was already impressed.
Jamie assessed my colour and almost instinctively knew exactly what I wanted without having to ask too many questions, though he was very careful to communicate with me and make sure we were on exactly the same page before getting started. We had a fun, pleasant chat as he fixed some horrendous mistakes made by a previous colourist at a different salon.
After that, MJ took over, very patiently and thoroughly went through all my hair concerns and neuroses without making me feel the least bit rushed or bothersome, then went to work. She would periodically stop to explain what she was doing and give me options for continuing, which makes perfect sense, but so few stylists have ever taken the time to do with me. She then showed me different ways to style my cut that look great and are actually practical and within my skill range. I can’t tell you how many times a stylist either skips that part entirely or works their professional magic and goes right over my head, killing any hopes of actually being able to recreate the look on my own.
When everything was said and done, I left with one of the best styles I think I’ve ever had. I’ve definitely found «my» salon now.
Don’t kid yourself: Windle & Moodie is definitely worth it. The extra details definitely stand out.
**Update: I decided to go back to a bobbed style I had years ago but eventually let grow out, partially because it was hard to find a stylist who could do it perfectly without making it look too kitschy. For precision cuts, Simon’s it. Again, super friendly and fun to chat with and endless patience with styling tips. I don’t think there is a less than stellar stylist or colourist in the place.

I have been going to Windle and Moodie for about 3 years (yes! It’s that good!) but since funds have been a little tight recently, I put off a haircut until last week.
Prior to finding this GEM in Covent Garden, I had had several successively crappy haircuts (you know the ones where you leave and start sniffling because it looks so bad and you can’t believe you just paid £40 for it?!) with various recommended hairdressers — luckily my old hairdresser back home recommended a list of places for me to try in London — and this was the first one.
It’s amazing. Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for. I almost always go for the cheapest sylist — £45−50 — but that absolutely does not mean you get a cheaper looking cut — if someone’s working at Windle and Moodie it’s because they’re damn good. I’ve had 4 different stylists since working here (two left!) and they’ve all been great — everyone has been really genuine, lovely and knowledgeable. There’s no snobbery, they will happily give you really useful tailored haircare tips (they know their stuff), and I can almost guarantee you’ll love your cut.
A lot of the sylists work freelance for big fashions shows and I’d say this salon is probably one of the best in London — these people are in demand.
The salon is always clean, sharp looking, and the preferred products they use (Bumble and Bumble) smell beautiful. And there are sometimes sweets in jars on the waiting table!
Last week I had a cut with the lovely Micheal for the first time, who’s been working there since I’ve been going to W & M’s, who sweetly spent a lot of time styling my fine flat hair into something a bit more volumised when I mentioned I was heading out for the night post haircut. I think he’s the least expensive there at the moment.
One minor grump is that sometimes I get an *exquisite* head massage and sometimes not — I guess it depends on how busy they are, but I’d love for that to be a guaranteed part of the process.
Try it!

I have a phobia of going to hair dressers because I tend to get hairdressers who loves giving me graduated bobs because they thought it looked ‘cute’ on me.
which meant I always left with the horribly feeling of being unsatisfied.
Bön for my stylist was really good. My hair was a mess as I have dyed it for over 5 years ranging from pink streaks to full head of ginger. I had no idea what I wanted, nor did i bring any pictures. So he asked a few questions about how I dress and how I style my hair usually.
I found him really quick with the scissors considering my old hairdresser used to take an hour with my haircut. He constantly checks if you are happy with the haircut and whether I want to go any shorter, or lighter.
I then had my hair styled with HD’s to get a wavey effect and some products.
I left with really soft hair which is first for a long time!
No haircut bob disaster this time round.

I reviewed Windle (now Windle and Moodie) last Autumn after a brilliant experience. Though I meant to go back in the Winter, life’s ways meant that it was 8 months til I went for another haircut! A few weeks on, and it’s holding on really beautifully.
Again, I saw Bön. Again, he was awesome. The ends of my hair got a bit blunter treatment this time around, which I don’t like as much as the slightly less-​severe look I had last time, but I still like the shape and cut on the whole. The whole process was great and the freshly-​madeover salon is very relaxing. At one point I had 2 stylists drying my hair — one of each side — brilliant! I got the prettiest, softest, wavy blow-​out and style at the end. I just kept petting my hair.
During my cut, Bön let me look through his photos of recent runway work for London and Paris fashion weeks. I love that the stylists here have their hands right on the pulse of the avant garde world of runway fashion and yet still give me a look that’s not crazy and out there (unless I’d asked for crazy and out there — then I’m sure it could’ve been done!).
A few days after my cut, I was looking up the W&M site to show a friend and I was surprised to see they’d put my former review on the salon website. Which was pretty cool. Once again top marks to Bön, his lovely helpers (there were so many!) and the Windle and Moodie team. :)

I have fallen in love and I think this relationship will have me committed. My years of flirting with hairdressers, letting any old Tom, Dick or Harry run their fingers through my hair is now over. I have found THE best hairdresser in London.
I walk past Windle the whole time and have never been in, fearing for the price tag. I didn’t need to have a fear, generally hair cuts are about £40 in London, and here for £50 you can have the best hair cut of your life! So I turn up and book an appointment for later in that day. I have Colette cutting my hair and for once she Listens to what I have to say!
I have a bad back and always struggle with the hair washing sinks. I normally ask not to have my hair washed because of this, at Windle I didn’t have to worry. The electric chair rose up and laid me flat, dipping my hair into the warm stream of water. They even have a selection of shampoos and taylor the wash to your hair type.
So I showed Colette a picture of what I wanted and we had a chat about what would suit my face and hair type. All through the cut I felt like it was a team effort, both of us finding what would be perfect for me. Over an hour and a half later we did it. I had a «pretty shaped head» as she put it!
Thank you Windle and Colette, this was worth every penny!