Went here for the first time today after seeing a lot of good reviews for this place and I wasn't let down! Really lovely salon with friendly staff. The lady I saw(Gemma) took her time to understand my routine and what I wanted to change and why. The complementary head massage was to die for (I couldve fallen asleep!) and the cut was lovely. My only issue was the price (£55 for wash cut and b/dry) but was it was definatly worth it and I will be going back! read more

Love this place first of all because of it's ethos - which is to be as environmentally friendly as possible AND they only use Aveda products. The owner is passionate about this and seems to be 'genuinely about' being a business that makes much less of an impact on the earth! I've used the salon for haircuts and highlights, both of which have been really good and skillfully done. I also feel that they take the time to understand what you want and then work on getting it right. You get complimentary drinks, snacks and a head massage - which all add to the experience. The only thing I would say is that you need to be careful about what you are being charged for - eg. you are generally asked if you want a blow dry, but it's not clear from the question that they will charge extra for this. This is standard practice in Aveda salons, so I knew it would be an extra charge when I was asked - but a friend of mine (who had never been to an Aveda salon before) did get caught out. But don't let that put you off as it's a really good hairdressers. Up till now I've been visiting the Aveda Institute in London (I work in London), but will be switching the Essence! read more

NOW known as Koulla Swann I visited the Koulla Swann hairdressers originally for a consultation and showed the hairdressers the colour I wanted to be (I was assured this would be fine!). This was to cost me over £300 but they agreed a 25% discount available to new customers. At the beginning of May I returned for the colour change. After spending over 9 hours in the salon I left with the wrong coloured hair, hair that was incredibly damaged and has been ruined and chemical burns to my scalp. I returned the next day to complain and the attitude of the staff, both bairdressers and the Manager was absolutely horrific and at first they refused to do anything! After a rather heated talk which lasted close to an hour they agreed to try and fix it, the following morning (refused to do it on a Saturday). I explained I would need half a days holiday and were they absolutely sure they would be done in 3.5 hours. Yes, I was assured! 4.5 hours later my hair was soaking, they hadnt been able to do all they wanted and there was no time for the deep conditioner they insisted I needed. My hair condition has been absolutely ruined and two weeks on, after a number of intense and repairing conditioners I am no closer to how my hair was and have been advised to cut it all off or let it grow out. The colour is not what it should be and my naturally curly hair no longer curls! Plus I still have a sensitive and scabby head. NEVER use this salon unless you wish to be absolutely distraught by your experience (previously essences and also in Reading) read more

Now known as Philola. Booked in for haircut, had a chat with stylist about colour and she offered to do a 'glossing' treatment which I was happy about especially as 25% off new customers. we agree the price and she goes off to mix up. A few minutes later an Irish woman who I assume is owner marches. Over and tells me it's going to be quite a bit more expensive than I was told. So I said I would just have the cut, she then tries to backtrack and lowers the price but says I won't get any discount. At this point I was feeling quite uncomfortable and felt as though she was trying to pull a fast one. So out of principal I cancelled the treatment and just had the cut. Overall it's a nice salon but my experience was marred by the owner who put me off going there again and I wouldn't recommend to a friend. read more