Leanne Kelsall books a chop with the stylist to the stars Stuart Phillips at his award-winning salon in Covent Garden.

I’ve always found getting a trim to feel more like a chore than an indulgence. That was, until multi award-winning stylist Stuart Phillips cut my hair.

His celebrity clients include Jamie Oliver, Serena Williams and Michelle Collins, and a two-hour appointment with him comes with a price tag of around £250. It’s a styling experience like no other and a price that, having been lucky enough to have had this much-loved hairdresser tend to my tresses, I’d gladly pay again.

In fact, £250 is a drop in the ocean considering Stuart’s 25-year experience. He might be the salon owner and style director but he’s somewhat a celebrity in his own right. Stuart’s career has led him around the globe, appearing on TV and in glossy magazines, and working behind the scenes at award shows and movie sets. Fun fact: he was in the Guinness Book of Records for the world’s most expensive haircut which he surpassed years later with a £20,000 VIP service that included cabaret-style entertainment and champers on tap.

These days Stuart lives a little more low-key, directing his energy and passion for hair into his award-winning salon in Covent Garden.

It’s a very special salon indeed, even for London standards. There are state-of-the-art cutting chairs, Swarovski crystal light fittings and every client receives a complimentary Shiatsu head massage.

Despite its star-studded clientele, the salon is relaxed and everyone’s made to feel welcome. Stuart has personally hired most of the team, who’ve have been working at the salon almost as long as he has. If it’s ego-free expertise you’re after, this is the place to go.

Celeb or not, all clients get VIP treatment. Stuart’s incredibly friendly and approachable which instantly put me at ease. We barely stopped chatting during the two-hour cut and it was as if I was spending the evening with an old friend.

The appointment includes a consultation to determine your face shape, bone structure, body type, lifestyle and so on. Stuart then suggests some cuts that will work best for you and enhance your natural beauty. I learnt a lot about my hair from Stuart – he went into great detail. As it turns out, the style I’d been opting for all these years wasn’t doing any justice to my oval-shaped face. No hairdresser had mentioned that before.

Stuart prides himself on attention to detail. Never has a hairdresser spent so long perfecting the ends of my hair. He genuinely cares about giving each and every client the very best cut, no strand out of place. He’s extremely dedicated and doesn’t do things by halves – a trait that has led him to become one of the best hairdressers in London and successful in many other areas too. (Ask him about his collection of exotic musical instruments or his background in bodybuilding.)

It was a genuine pleasure to have my hair cut by Stuart, topped off by the natural warmth, friendliness and expertise he brought to the appointment. Not only did I leave feeling more confident with possibly the best haircut of my life, I also had heaps more knowledge about the styles that suit me best. It’s a trim I won’t be forgetting for a while and that’s exactly what the appointment promises.

Stuart Phillips Covent Garden – Where & How?

Stuart’s salon is located at 25 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9DD. To make a booking, visit www.stuartphillips.co.uk or call 020 7379 5304.