Top Notch Salon, Eccles, Review

Hey kittens, are you ready for a little mid week pampering? If so, you’re in luck because today’s post is a review of a Manchester local salon that could be just the answer if you’re after a bit of girly treatments. Plus, it’s just in time for you to get something booked in ready for the weekend, too! 

Last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited along to Top Notch Salon, Eccles, to review* a few of their services. After missing their blogger event a couple of weeks ago – which I am told was a great success, by the way – they were kind enough to let me come and experience the salon for myself. As a blogger who works full time, I try and get to as many events as possible, but inevitably I have to miss out on a fair bit due to other commitments. So I was delighted when the salon were generous enough to offer their services at a time that suited me – ‘top’ customer service, I must say. 

Grabbing the Manchester metrolink, this was my first time to Eccles and I was dubious as to whether I would be able to find my way to Top Notch Salon on Church St. However, as I hopped off the tram, I luckily was able to find it first time, just up the road from the tram stop. Very handy. As I walked in with my sister (who they were super generous to be treating as well) we were greeted with goodie bags and cups of tea. Goodies before the treatment even started – we were off to a good start! I was also told they had shut the salon for the afternoon, just for us. If that isn’t devoted service then I don’t know what is! 

The salon is on the high street of the town and is a lot larger than it looks from the outside. The ground floor has 6 hairdressing stations, 3 hairwash stations, a comfortable waiting area at the front and a manicure table at the back of the room. Most of their beauty treatments take place on the 1st floor of the deceptively big building. Before my treatments started, I was shown around the treatment rooms which all looked clean and tidy (my number 1 requirement when trusting a company with my body!), and they included a pedicure room, a fake tan room (with sunbed and spray tan booth), a multi-purpose beauty room where eyelashes/eyebrows/waxing/makeovers take place, a small waiting area (with candles and incense sticks) and finally a facial room, which I started off my treatments in. 

I kicked off my afternoon of pampering by having a Dermologica mini facial with their beauty consultant. The room is a good size, with a massage bed, sink and storage inside. I liked how the lights were dimmed, with candles lit in the room and meditation music playing; a lovely relaxing atmosphere. Before my treatment, I was asked to put on a robe and my hair was tied up into a protective head wrap to prevent any product getting onto my clothes or hair – a step which is usually forgotten. 

During the facial, all Dermologica products were used and my skin concerns were listened to. Having told the beautician I get hormonal acne on my jawline and my T-Zone can get oily in this humid weather, she tailored the treatment to my needs, using different products on these different areas. I really liked that touch. She also recommended products to me to help combat my ‘problem areas’ but I didn’t at all feel as though I was being sold to. The treatment lasted about 30 minutes and despite being called a mini-facial, it really felt like a full treatment and I could have nodded off, I was so relaxed. Afterwards, my skin was glowing and I actually was complimented on it when I popped into town make-up free afterwards! 

Next, I was taken downstairs to have my hair done. Having extremely curly hair, the phrase ‘blow dry’ puts the fear of God into me. I’ve had so many bad experiences and it feels like every hairdresser immediately wants to straighten my hair as an experiment, something which I’m not a fan of. The hair stylist at Top Notch gave me a consultation and although she did suggest doing my hair straight at first, she listened to me when I said I’d prefer not to and actually let me leave it pretty natural, which I appreciated! 

To start, my hair was washed using organic shampoo and conditioner, and given a curly-hair shine treatment afterwards. As it was washed, I was talked through all the products and why they were using them, which was actually really informative and a nice touch. Once my hair was washed, I was taken over to the manicure station where I proceeded to be given a manicure whilst having my hair styled. Having two beauticians work on me at the same time made me feel SO spoilt – is that how celebs feel? I could get used to it! My hair was completed by giving me a half-up do, with a small beehive and plaits at the back, leaving the majority of my hair free and curly! It was very festival-esque and although very different for me, wasn’t out of my comfort zone (or straight!). 

Finally, I was given a gel manicure using Gellish polish. With a range of colours to choose from, I went for a dark purple colour (not very summery, but very me) and was given a nail shape, nail cleanse, base coat, two coats of colour and a top coat, all with 2 minutes in the UV nail lamp inbetween. The result was and still is incredibly glossy full colour nails which haven’t chipped yet – almost unheard of for me. The shine is beautiful and they are lasting so well. I can already see these manicures becoming a naughty habit! 

Over all, I would highly recommend Top Notch Salon to anyone local to the Manchester area. Although I initially felt like I would struggle to find it having never visited Eccles before, it was absolutely no trouble at all to get to on the Metrolink and definitely worth taking a 20 minute tram ride for. Each of the services I had were top quality (and having looked at the price list, really affordable too!) and I left the salon feeling like a new woman. The staff were highly attentive and couldn’t do enough to help us. To conclude; I would definitely visit again!