Saco

‘Beauty first’ is the philosophy at Saco. Which means whatever ideas (or ego) your stylist has, they’ll put them aside if they won't make you look and feel beautiful. It’s a refreshing approach, one that means you won’t end up with an asymmetrical bob and a blunt-cut fringe – unless, of course, that’s a look you can totally rock.

Having moved away from the tourist trade at its former Covent Garden branch, Saco’s latest salon is nestled on a quiet Fitzrovia road off Goodge Street, and is perfectly geared to its local clientele: busy office types after a fuss-free, high-end service. The narrow salon is sleek and simple, and there’s not even a whiff of pretension among the talented cutters and colourists. In fact, even a session with Richard Ashforth, one of the founders, is an entirely laidback affair which includes a reassuring consultation and plenty of chat about face shape, hair length and ‘beauty enhancing’ styles.

Cuts start at a very reasonable (for central London, at least) £48, a blow dry comes in at £25, and colour services start at £95.