Nikola Staporek rated Gusto Hairdressing Oxford Street 1 stars
3 months ago
I strongly advise anyone—especially those with specific requests or who may face a language barrier—to avoid Gusto Salon. My mother, visited the salon alone, hoping for a fresh haircut that would boost her confidence. She has thin, fine hair and came prepared: she brought reference photos, clearly explained what she wanted, and made it known that her goal was a soft, light shaggy style *while keeping her length*.
Although she knew her options were somewhat limited due to her hair type, she still expected to be treated with care, respect, and honesty by a professional stylist. Unfortunately, that’s not what happened.
To be fair, the staff were friendly—but friendliness means little when the end result is this upsetting. The stylist did initially acknowledge that some of the styles shown weren’t achievable, which we fully understand and appreciate. My mum and I are realistic—she knows what her hair can and can’t do. But what we cannot accept is the drastic and uneven cut that followed, which went completely against what was agreed.
Instead of maintaining her shoulder-length hair, as discussed, the stylist cut it up to her neck—far shorter than she ever wanted. The sides are noticeably different in length, and the style lacks the softness or shape she was looking for. It's heartbreaking that my mum, unsure of how to assert herself in English, felt powerless and just watched it happen in silence. No client should feel that way, especially in a professional setting.
What’s most frustrating is that the stylist went ahead with a style they clearly couldn't deliver. If you know you can't achieve a certain look or aren’t confident in working with specific hair types, then you shouldn’t take on the client—or at the very least, you should set clear expectations *and stick to what was discussed*. That didn’t happen here.
Now, my mum is left with a haircut that makes her feel embarrassed and deeply disappointed. It cannot be undone—we have no choice but to wait for her hair to grow back. And to have paid **£59** for that is honestly humiliating.
This experience has left a bitter taste. A professional service should not only involve technical skill but also trust, transparency, and basic empathy. Sadly, this visit to Gusto Salon lacked all of those.