Bibas Hair & Beauty

I’ve never written a review on a website before, but I was so upset with my haircut at biba that I am breaking with convention to post here.
I phoned for an appointment and made it clear I wanted a trim only, because I am growing my hair. However, when I arrived and after I had my hair washed, the (older, male) stylist offered to cut layers in, which I absolutely did not want, so I refused politely. I just wanted a trim, this was made super clear from the off. However, as the ‘trim’ progressed, the stylist kept badgering me, showed me a really silly picture of a haircut that was nothing like mine, criticised the condition of my hair, which is really not actually bad at all. At one point he said, well, if a client comes here and tells me her hair is damaged — I NEVER said this. After a certain amount of badgering and critiquing I felt so uncomfortable that I eventually gave in and let him trim off some hair at the front — he basically cut off about six months worth of growth. He then blowdried my hair into what can only be described as a helmet.
I know the Jennifer Aniston style is supposed to be back, but I DID NOT want that, and I ended up looking like a washed up regional weather presenter. I still can’t do anything with my hair a couple of weeks later. I think he’s taken weight out of the length, the whole head looks stupidly top heavy. It’s a sadistic haircut. I don’t know how long it will take to grow out. Every morning I start the day feeling depressed because I’m confronted with it and there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do to make it look less awful.
It’s not just the haircut, if I had asked for it then I would probably be thinking, oh well, it’s my own fault. But the badgering and the criticism wore me down and I should have been stronger and I am also totally furious with myself for weakly allowing this to happen because it was absolutely contrary to what I said I wanted.
I hope that by posting this sad tale others will avoid feeling like I do right now. I can’t remember the last time something upset me this much.
if you want helmet hair, then I recommend Biba. Otherwise, avoid like the plague :-(

I regularly see Ellie for waxing and she is fab. So friendly, professional and good technique. I’ve left off one star because of the miserable and rude man that sometimes answers the phone (based upstairs in the hair salon.) I think he might be a manager. He really doesn’t do the place any favours!

My stylist (I’m not sure of her name — a middle-​aged thin blonde woman from New Zealand) did an absolutely wonderful job! She talked through what I wanted in great detail before she began, asking lots of questions and showing me pictures to be sure we were on the same page.
The first time you visit, they give you a 30% discount! Just make sure you ask for it, as they were going to charge me full price (49 pounds) until I reminded them.

I booked an appointment for a gel manicure, and, never having had my nails done professionally before, was really excited.
Off to a bad start, as they saw me 20 minutes late. To be fair, the receptionist did come down and reassure me that the manicurist wouldn’t be much longer, but I felt that seeing I was a first-​time customer, this was a very poor show. I was also on my lunch break, so was pushed for time.
Once I was in the door — well, I felt that, although she was friendly, the manicurist didn’t really listen, as I had to repeat myself many times as we chatted. All of this, I could have handled but the actual procedure was done very poorly. She was clearly using a bottle of polish which was near its end and obviously very dry, as she kept tutting, tapping it and shaking it to get more product out, which was not reassuring. And the gel colour itself? It’s come out very gloopy, and the polish has all pooled at the tips of my nails, causing lumps and bumps. It is not smooth to the touch, and looks lumpy and unprofessional. Genuinely think I could do a better job with the equipment if I had it at home. They are also asking £15 to remove it when it starts to chip. Pass. I’ll go elsewhere next time. Real shame as I am looking for a good nail bar, and they are 2 minutes from my office, but sadly they aren’t going to get a repeat visit.
Edited to say: I was away from London for the weekend, and got this botch-​job fixed AND new gel nails done, for less than half the price I paid Bibas. Also, the manicurist asked me please don’t tell me you got those nails done here??! I reassured her that no, I didn’t. She was really horrified. The gel manicure was at this point not even ONE WEEK old, and on top of all the other problems I listed, the colour had faded from (what was supposed to be) pink, to a watery orange.

I really wanted to like this place but was hugely disappointed. It was my first time and I live just up the road so was hoping this would become my regular hairdressers. The girl at reception was really friendly and professional and the same girl washed my hair. So far so good, I thought. A senior stylist, a young looking girl with long blonde hair, was assigned to cutting my hair and she was dreadful. While I was having my hair washed she was walking around the salon looking really bored and was preening herself infront of one of the mirrors and touching up her make up. She seemed friendly enough when it came to cutting my hair but she gave me the worst hair cut I have ever had. My hair was cut unevenly and I had to return to the salon to have it rectified. I was told the reason for the uneven cut was that she had over-​directed the back. I am really unhappy with the cut and am waiting for a few weeks before going back to my usual hairdresser, who is further away from where I live but who is far better.
Bibas really need to up their game, make their customers feel valued and do a good job. There is a reason why CV Hair and Beauty, on the same road, is so busy and fully booked. Disappointing.

Just called Bibas for highlight with Matthew but they said that he is not working there anymore?! :(He is the only who give me natural hair colour and highlight ever! Anyone knows where is he work right now?
And as always, I am very satisfied with Mark’s haircut! Thank youu :)

I have been going to Biba’s for many years, and every time I have decided to try another hairdresser out of convenience or economy I have regretted it. The staff are attentive and listen to what you want and you always get a professional service. Would definitely recommend.

Yay for lovely hairdressers!
I have been to Biabas three times now and they have been pretty decent each time.
The best bits:
* They’ll give you a discount if you’re a ‘Biabas Virgin’
* Kate, is a completely sweet aussie lady who always cuts my hair beautifully.
* They’ll offer you a cuppa (sometimes they forget to give it to you, but the thought is there!!)
* The man on the phone is so cheerful! He makes me giggle every time I call them.
* They always seem busy, but i have never had a problem trying to get an appointment.
The less good:
* They seem to looove products! Once they left so much gunk in my hair that I looked a bit greasy by the time I met my date.
* I bought and tried their posh shampoo… and I honestly don’t think it was any better than bog-​standard stuff you get in boots.
They also gave me some discount vouchers to give to friends, so send me a message if you want one (it is for 30% off… then I think I get 20% off for recommending you. Win win!)
Sooo, come here, use the discount… but avoid the hair products.

I have been going to Biba’s Hair & Beauty for 16 years which speaks for itself. Now that my daughters are grown up and make their own decisions, they have experimented with other salons and returned to Biba’s.
I like the mixed clientele Biba’s attracts, from young women interested in looking stylish to people like me who want low-​maintenance elegance and men of varying ages and styles. My colour is really good and the cut is fantastic. I also use Biba’s for beauty treatments.
I particularly value the fact that the salon rings if the stylist is running late and their willingness to come in early for a really special occasion. Above all, while they remain willing to advise me, they know me and keep on creating styles I like and can manage between appointments

Really disappointing.
I decided to use a voucher from wahanda because I’m looking for a new salon. The voucher I had was for a cut with one of the owners. I booked a week in advanced and when I arrived the owner said he decided that he wasn’t going to cut my hair because one of his regulars wanted that spot… sorry, I thought we all made appts the same way.
So, he sent me to one of his junior stylists. To be fair the stylist was nice, but unfortunately the average cut he gave me only lasted about a week before it turned to a hot mess. Think sort of 80s mullet meets a bob. Not a great look.
Really disappointed to be first shuffled off so quickly and then get a haircut that I could have gotten in a strip mall.
Not worth the trip.

I have been going to their beauty salon section for the past year or two! Despite leaving in Clapham, I keep going back there regularly and I’m not planning on changing for now. So that gives you an idea of how satisfied I am with the service.
The girls are all sweet & professional and most importantly efficient. 5mn from Russel Square tube, take online booking, text you reminders, always nice & friendly atmosphere in there.
I have never tried any of their hairdressing services though but I might give it a go in the future. You never know!

I’ve been going here for over two years now for haircuts and have recently started venturing downstairs to the Beauty Salon. The whole place is well-​run, the staff and cheerful, helpful and kind and the rooms downstairs and wonderful — mellow music, comfortable seating/​tables and yummy smells.
I thoroughly recommend this salon for everything.

Went to the beauty bit here and not the hairdresser, although as I was going in someone came out with a really good haircut so that’s a good sign! The place is much more luxurious than other places I’ve been. My beauty therapist was just lovely (name begins with ‘T’ but I can’t remember her whole name). Took me into a room with calming music and really warm and relaxing. The wax they use there is amazing — it’s warm rather than hot, not sticky and it’s chocolatey — and it’s really not painful. Felt like I was a really valued customer and would definintely go back. They do loads of other treatments and stuff as well — all listed on their good website.

This is a story of new beginnings & inner strength.
Back in the day when I was married, I was also broke. And then one day my husband left me. I was distraught. I was a pile of mush. I had long hair because he liked it that way.
Fortunately I have a mom that knows how to take care of her daughter. The day after he left me, I had a long talk with my mom about what a cock he was and how I was in a mess because I was so broke.
Me: (wailing) «I’m sick! Eric is an ass! Eff him! And I have long hair! It looks so awful!» (more wails)
Mom: «Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Go out & get your hair cut»
Me: «But I am so broke, I can barely pay for food!»
Mom: «I’ll send you $ 500»
Me: *Sniff* «…K…»
Two days later, thanks to my wonderful mother & Western Union, I had enough money to keep me afloat and then some while I earned my first pay check. And the first thing I did, after making sure I had food to eat and chucking my wedding ring back at the bastard I moved to London for (that was dumb, I could have pawned it), was get my hair cut.
Since I wasn’t picky who I saw, I was able to get an appointment that weekend. When I came in, the hairdresser was very sweet & knowledgeable & I bet he loved me even more when I told him I didn’t care what he did, just make it short & easy. Not only did he do that but he made it look fabulous. Granted shredding a symbol of 2 years with a man that you suddenly and utterly despise can help with that but he set me free and added a little sass while he was at it.
My mother’s money also funded my ticket to the company Christmas party where I received my first kiss no less than a week after my husband left me pissed & blurry eyed. From that moment on I realized that everything would be okay. I was clearly desirable, I had a good job, a well located apartment… it was an expensive city but I could totally do it if I wanted to. I could be the single girl in the city! I didn’t get to be that before because I was with the bastard!
I ended up staying for 5 more months. There was a lot of crying but a lot of growing up. And I thank my mom, that guy at the Christmas party and Bibas for that chance to realize how strong a person I really am.

Pretty good salon close to the Brunswick centre and amenities of Bloomsbury. I have only ever visited for hair cuts though they do a range of other waxing and beauty services.
My haircut the first time I visited was great — the stylist was friendly and recommended a great product for my hair; letting me test it out to see what I thought. Unfortunately the next time I visited even though I had the same stylist the cut wasn’t as good and this has made me look for another salon.
The prices were average and it is quite easy to get an appointment. I would recommend it if you are looking for a simple haircut and friendly staff. They are also one of the only stockists of Aveda products in the area so a good place to pop in to pick up supplies of their haircare products as they have a good selection.

I actually get my hair cut at Bibas on a regular basis and adore my lovely hairdresser there. She is very sweet and chatty and after cutting my hair about 3 or 4 years, knows what I want which is great because I never have to struggle to describe just how I want my hair to look, she just works her magic and I leave a very happy customer. Two of my sisters go here too, as they offer student discounts and that’s how they got us all hooked to their exceptional skills. One of which, regularly colours her hair and the expertise and time spent for the price is a job well done especially seeing as her hair is jet black and they turned it into a glossy tawny brown, which is no easy task. They use Aveda products here and I just love the smell of it, it’s definitely one of those treats that I can’t bear to give up despite the pending recession!