Murdock Reviews

I’ve not used their barbers but I’ve bought some of their products and they are good. I like the beard moisturiser, feels nice but I have to use quite a big dollop of it. The beard shampoo is good. The beard balm is nice but not something I will stick with since I prefer a short beard. They’re not overly fragranced either. Their cologne is a bit strong and traditional, but I only got a small sprayer of it in a gift set once so haven’t bought the full size. They delivered fast too, even using Royal Mail - no idea how they managed that. I’ll try more of their products as I get round to it but for now I’m sticking with the beard moisturiser.

Overpriced average haircut. The barber was a cool chap so I don’t blame him and if the cost was 50% less than I’d be happy - just the corporation that now owns the business and clearly hikes the prices and just siphons of the profits. The Covent Garden salon is an absolute disgrace - filthy, dated, hair not swept up and just very tired and dirty looking. I went to use the toilet downstairs and it’s all very run down. When you pay that much for an haircut - you want the experience. My local 20quid joint puts Murdock to shame experience-wise. They do supply Camden Pale Ale so there’s one good thing. I’d find an independent barbers next time, a place that takes pride in their business, and put my money there instead. Sad. Used to be good.

Bought 50g tub of sea salt paste to find it only half full. Total weight, inc tin, was only 70g. E-mailed Murdock with pics but they said they could find no fault and offered me a 20% discount on my next order. I won’t need it as I won’t be buying from them again.

I've been to Murdock in Covent Garden twice and had a terrific experience both times (Myles was my barber there).

Due to availability, I booked a session at Murdock Soho with head barber Katherine, as I needed to use a gift voucher that was about to expire.

Things didn't start well at reception. My BuyAGift voucher stated there would be a £20 supplement to pay for a hot towel shave, which I had also booked. The receptionist first told me it would be £26, then changed her mind and said £25, as I "had a bit of a beard". I had four days of stubble, nothing remotely like a beard. I challenged this and offered to show her the BuyAGift page which clearly stated the £20 supplement and it didn't depend on how much stubble or beard one had. She said she'd check and came back and agreed it was £20.

I'm sure they get plenty of people with gift vouchers (they sell them on their website) so it should never be in doubt what they cover and what the extra costs are. So why was I quoted two different higher prices to begin with? If I hadn't challenged (and I'm sure plenty of people don't) then where would that extra £6 have gone?

I was kept waiting nearly 10 minutes later than my appointment was due to start. Fair enough, Katherine was still attending to another customer, who seemed to be a friend given the bubbly farewell she gave him. When she greeted me however, it was a different story. No smile, no "hi, how are you?", just a sullen "can you come through". Her whole demeanour was one of not wanting to be there (she even picked up her phone to answer a text at the beginning, although she did apologise, but nevertheless, unprofessional). I did not feel welcome.

She asked what I wanted in terms of a haircut. I said I was looking for some ideas but she just asked what did I usually have and went with that. She was quite ferocious and far too fast with the clippers on the back of my head - I felt that she could easily have taken a chunk out the way she was going. It felt like she was trying to get it over with as soon as possible. The final haircut was good though but nothing spectacular to justify the price.

The hot towel shave was good and she was very careful with the open razor and reasonably thorough, although I noticed later there was a bit on my neck that she missed.

What struck me though was the distinct lack of engagement from her. She asked a couple of going-through-the-motions perfunctory questions but nothing that constituted a conversation, in contrast to all of her colleagues who were talking to their clients in a way that didn't leave an uncomfortable silence.

I had booked a full service treatment which was supposed to last 105 minutes and costs £105, according to their website. I was out in just over 80 minutes and feel that she could have spent much longer discussing my haircut and possible styles that would suit me - but she didn't.

Poor customer service. Overpriced.

Always a good haircut and friendly service. Ordered some of their products online and they came quickly. Free drink is always a nice touch too...

Very good haircut with Gwen in the shoreditch branch - understood what I wanted and carried out it as desired. Plus great chat!

I’ve had my haircut here a couple of times. One of the comments below said it’s like a lottery and I think this is true. You can get someone who knows what they are doing or someone who doesn’t. For the blanket prices they charge I would expect a high minimum standard.

My first experience in the Soho branch was ok - my haircut was actually good but the guy was rushed and disinterested - maybe he was having a bad day.

I went back, but to the shoreditch branch and my experience was not good at all. I thought at the time it was fine - when I paid it did feel like £50 was a lot for what I got. When I got home I was checking it out in the mirror and there were many problems.

My haircut wasn’t symmetrical; where my hair was shaved short around the edges there were tufts of long uncut hair that I had to trim myself. The outline and edges of my hair were uneven and in some parts there were chunks missing thanks makes it look a little like choreographed alopecia - really quite bad. The hairline around my ears and down my neck is much higher than natural, so now I look like someone has tried to lift my hair off my head - it doesn’t look right.

Overall I feel like the minimum standard you expect for paying £50 for a haircut is definitely not there. I would usually pay £15-£20 in a regular barbers and it was more consistent and better than the way my hair currently is.

Murdock is a branding exercise of style over substance really. Unfortunately I won’t be returning.

Following this review I wrote to Murdock with a link to the review - I thought it only fair that they are aware of it.

After sending Murdock photos of my haircut - they replied with a bit of a “thanks for letting us know but we don’t really care” email. I’ll put it down to them being busy.

Eventually they did refund me, which, disappointingly I had to ask for - not the end of the world.

Part of me respects the management at Murdock for defending their product and staff but it wasn’t a pleasant experience.

Im hoping it was just a very unlucky one off experience - but I won’t be returning. I wish them well.

The best haircut I've had, by a long stretch.

For the last 9 years I have visited the same hairdresser and have come to expect a good, consistent salon haircut. My visit to Murdock Soho was intended to be an interim haircut to tide me over until July when she can next fit me in. I was a little apprehensive going to someone else, and going to a men's barber. However, nothing about my experience fell short of a five star rating.

When I arrived, I was offered a variety of beers and shown to the waiting area. Everything was clean, tidy and in keeping with the social distancing requirements that must be very difficult to maintain for this type of business.

I was assigned Dylan, a very friendly, chatty stylist who paid close attention, not just to what I said I wanted, but what he heard me ask for from a haircut and beard trim. Throughout the cut and conversation he pepperd in little choices and advice about style from "do you want a parting" to "do you want your beard shorter than normal - I think it will blend better with the sides". He even explained why he was doing things a certain way, which I appreciated. The cut was finished with a choice of products and aftershaves, augmented by the same expert advice received during the cut.

If you're reading this because you're unsure about the higher price than a normal men's cut. You're already open to the idea of spending the extra, and should give them a try. And ask for Dylan, he's great.

The only negative point I have, is I now need to have a difficult conversation with my regular hairdresser as I think I've found a new one. Sorry!

Great service and great products. Fast and efficient delivery. My husband is so pleased. Keep up the good work.

This review is in two parts: ordering products online and quality of products and a belated review on service at the Brewer Street branch.

Online products and service: the service is absolute first class. Easy to navigate, good promotional offers if you sign up to mailing. The products are shipped out in record time.

Beard Shampoo: brilliant
Beard Conditioner: doesn’t work for me personally
Beard oil: I don’t mind the smell, but others might not like it. Less is more as they state
Moisturiser: it’s on my shelf but not my go too

Barbers: I don’t really want to run the risk of someone ruining the beard so il caveat this with, I let them know exactly what I want. If you don’t know, you might have a different experience, so do bear this in mind. I’ve personally never found any of them being annoyed with taking instruction or thinking they know best. In fact sometimes one barber might ask another for their opinion, and whilst some might think that is a concern, to me it demonstrates they don’t think they know best. When I’ve asked for suggestions they have helped. I like the service and set up. They never push any of their products. I don’t want to single out any barber as the ones I have used have all been great. Once lockdown is over, il be visiting again.

Can't speak for all the hairdressers but do not recommend Charlie.

Didn't listen to what I asked for, and gave a very poor haircut.

Emailed the salon to complain and they didn't have the courtesy to reply.

Well designed website which makes for easy browsing through their product offering. Once order is placed, products are dispatched quickly and free of charge (May 2020). Products are not cheap but are good quality and paraben free.

it's very good place

MurdockLondon it's like a regular hair salon, but only with very high prices. Haircut here is like a lottery. If you are lucky you can get to a good master, if not you can get to someone who has learned to do only certain types of haircuts, while others do very badly.
As an excuse for careless work, they do not neglect anything, up to the client’s accusation that it’s his fault that the hairdresser didn’t do his job carefully.
I recommend to look for more decent places. Concierge service is just disgusting, all functions are reduced only to receiving payment for a haircut. They have not been taught to communicate with customers and the general understanding of decent services.
Obviously, this company is at sunset.