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Annalisa Colarussovia Google

about 1 month ago

I went to the salon this week as a hair model to help the stylists with their training on coily hair. As someone with afro hair, I haven’t had much luck with hairdressers in Edinburgh, so I genuinely didn’t know what to expect going in. As soon as I walked in, Aimee was super sweet and caring. She made sure I felt comfortable, talked me through how the training session would go, asked about my expectations, and explained what they’d be doing with my hair (just a wash and style). Straight away, I felt at ease. What I really didn’t expect was to learn so much. At 27, I thought I’d done all the possible learning there was to do. After scrying the internet for natural hair blogs since 2012, I was convinced I had a PhD in Hair. And yet, I found myself having one of the most open, informative conversations about hair I’ve had in years. Aimee and all the girls there know so much about natural hair, techniques, and treatments. My mouth was honestly hanging open half the time. The girls in training honestly deserve so much credit too — they’re an absolute joy to be around. You could tell how much they cared, not just about learning techniques, but about doing things properly and respectfully. As someone who’s often felt uneasy in salons, their gentleness and enthusiasm meant a lot to me. Like I mentioned, ever since moving to Edinburgh (almost ten years ago now!), I haven’t really had a salon where I could just lie back and let someone else handle my hair. I’ve been my own hairstylist for a decade, and anyone with hair like mine knows how much trust it takes to even think about letting someone else touch it. So yes, this was a leap of faith, and I’m so glad I took it. My hair at the end of the session looked so bouncy, shiny, and healthy, all thanks to the care the girls put in. What I didn’t expect was how emotional it would feel. It made me realise how much gets taken from you when you never fully feel welcome in those spaces. It’s not just about the effort of doing your own hair, it’s about losing that small but important feeling of being taken care of, of feeling soft and feminine for a moment. I even caught myself thinking that if I ever have a child, this is exactly the kind of place I’d want her to go, somewhere she could sit, chat, and feel completely comfortable in her own hair. After talking to Aimee about my hair goals and seeing how much care she put into the whole experience, I can’t help but recommend this salon. I’m genuinely excited to go back!

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Erin Murninvia Google

2 months ago

It's the second time I've been to this place and it doesn't cease to impress me. I've met the owners a couple years ago who are passionate about their business and interesting people and the hairdressers I've had, have been lovely. So knowledgable and tallented. I've been delighted with my hair each time I've left. By far my favourite salon in Edinburgh. I cannot recommend this place enough and I'd like to thank Ellie, especially, for today.

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Madison Rileyvia Google

4 months ago

Gorgeous hair! One of the things I love most was that in my garbled nonsense trying to explain what I wanted done to my hair, the lovely hairstylist, Emma, straightened me out! I get my hair done specifically so I can consult with a professional — an actual expert — when I know clear nothing about the mechanics of hair styling, and McGills delivered. Warm and friendly service, knowledgeable stylists, reasonable prices for Edinburgh, and a banging playlist for you to hum along to while you’re getting your hair done. Shoutout to Emma, Taylor, and Chloe who were working when I was in — you were wonderful! I’ll see you again in 6 months :)

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Laurenwhitelaw xoxvia Google

4 months ago

I absolutely love this salon! The staff are so knowledgeable and are great with helping you decide on what style to go for. They’re also great laughs and always up for a chat with their clients. I also bring my daughter to appointments they all treat her like family. 10/10 every time

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Trudie Murphyvia Google

4 months ago

After being recommended Ellie after struggling to find a hairdresser willing to bleach my 13yr olds hair for Balayage, we were happy with the results on the first appointment and on that same date, mate a future appointment for 11wks time. Three days prior to that next appointment, I was contacted by Ellie asking for a £30 deposit to be transferred to her bank account by means of a deposit saying she was asking for this upfront so as I didn’t cancel. I felt uneasy about this as she hadn’t mentioned a deposit for the first appointment or when booking the follow up so I chose not to respond. She further messaged the following day, now two days prior to the appointment, again asking for the payment to be made. This time I responded saying that it was 11wks since I made the appointment and if this was her new policy, surely it should be against new bookings and not existing bookings. At the first appointment she’d also said she could only accept cash so I’d already withdrawn the cash ready to pay for this appointment in 2 days time. She then said that was fine. Then the following afternoon, less than 24hrs until the upcoming appointment, Ellie messaged to say she was moving house on the date of the appointment and that she would have to cancel. I highlighted that she’d been been messaging me insisting on money upfront only days earlier to which she replied she’d only found out that day she was moving house the following day. This just doesn’t sit easy with me at all and after discussing it with a few others including my own hairdresser this morning, I feel this needs to be highlighted as I may not be the only person she has been quite persistent in her request for a deposit knowing that she wouldn’t be working that day. I pay a deposit on the day of booking at my own hairdressers so that was never the issue nor is someone having to cancel an appointment as things happen but she would have known at least three days prior that she was moving house yet was asking for money upfront. I can’t comment on the other girls in the salon but I would definitely be wary of booking with Ellie after this scenario.