Reader Recommendation Request: Hair salon

No shortage of salons in West Seattle, so this could be a lively discussion: Jo is looking for a hair salon that’s affordable (less than $50 to cut short hair for women), has a staff with good communication skills, and “doesn’t send you out into the world with round, tightly-curled little-old-lady hair.” She’s willing to consider downtown suggestions too, as she’s there a lot. Leave a comment with your recommendation; find previous WSB Reader Recommendation Request discussions archived on this page (below this post).

66 Replies to "Reader Recommendation Request: Hair salon"

  • Mags November 4, 2007 (12:53 pm)

    I’ve been going to Illusions for years. Great staff (particularly like Monica) and no tipping. I believe short hair is $40. Also, color very reasonable and their hours are great…no weekends, but open nights Mon-Thursday. Also, very involved in the WS community.

  • mrsB November 4, 2007 (1:11 pm)

    Illusions is the best, now charges $50 for a haircut but there is a no tipping policy since the staff are paid a regular salary. Rita is great, also Anna and Nancy.

  • TodJulWa November 4, 2007 (1:36 pm)

    Thy Family Hair Salon on California across from West Seattle Nursery is the best! 206-935-0512
    Thy is amazing and great with kids, adults – one stop shop!Great prices.

  • Miss K November 4, 2007 (2:04 pm)

    I too am looking for a great hair salon. I go to Gene Juarez, but if I can find something on the same styling level and reasonable Im willing to stay on the West side. Has anyone ever tried that salon on Delridge called Seattle Style Salon? It is in the building at the light across the street from the B&O coffee shop and Subway sandwich.

  • todd November 4, 2007 (2:26 pm)

    I like Ivanov one block north of the Junction. Great cut, great stories.

  • Jan November 4, 2007 (2:56 pm)

    Ola on Avalon Way is a really nice salon…all of the stylists there are really competent..continuing ed for the latest styles, etc, and just lovely facitity – also have spa, massage, waxing, etc. My hair is really, really short…I’m easy, & go to Westside Barber on Calif Ave., south of Spiro’s. Brandon cuts my hair…and it’s 20 bucks…of course, if you want it dried, and other things it will be more. They also do color, but not sure how much it is…

  • Sue November 4, 2007 (3:01 pm)

    There is a shop behind Merrill Gardens on 35th — Nice woman named Cheryl runs it. Open Mon, Wed and Fri. Also great place called 41ten next to First Mutual Bank on California SW

  • The Velvet Bulldog November 4, 2007 (3:19 pm)

    My mum, my friends and I have been going to Belli Capelli on California for years. Jen Root is our #1 gal, and Kelly is who I’ve been going to more recently. They have worked with my friends and I through a variety of hair styles. Jen saw me through super-short hair, perms, and now I’m wearing it long again. Under $50 for haircuts, and Jen is really great with short hair. She’s also a lot of fun.

  • Megan November 4, 2007 (3:39 pm)

    another vote for Ola on Avalon. I’ve been to 2 different stylists, both very straight-forward and listened to what I had to say about how lazy I am regarding hair maintenance. they have a variety of price levels and a nice environment.

  • cami November 4, 2007 (4:08 pm)

    Ola! Absolutely talented professionals working there. Dawn for cuts, Casey for color!

  • kmw November 4, 2007 (4:36 pm)

    Ola is the best. KC for color; Kathy if you have curly hair… $50 for a cut is pretty average these days and Ola makes it more than worth your money, they do such a great job.

  • Eden November 4, 2007 (4:57 pm)

    I think Ola would not meet Jo’s price requirement, but they do a great job. Kathy is fantastic for cuts.

  • Terri November 4, 2007 (5:03 pm)

    I have been to Ola and Carol is wonderful. She is a good listener and so very funny to listen to. I also have been to Shanti’s and think that Rachel is awesome! She cuts and colors my hair better than anyone ever has.

  • Miss K November 4, 2007 (6:22 pm)

    Hmmm, I must have gone during a bad time. I never had good luck with color or cuts at Ola. I was so bummed about it, because I heard such good things about the salon. The salon is nice, but the stylists I had just didn’t have the chops.

  • Bonnie November 4, 2007 (6:47 pm)

    I like Illusions in Hair on California Ave. I love their no tip policy. Haircut is $50. I like Rita best but Charlotte and Nancy are great too.

  • grr November 4, 2007 (6:47 pm)

    it’s just hair…how hard can it be?

    :)

  • Bonnie November 4, 2007 (6:48 pm)

    Hey MrsB, Rita does my hair too. She’s great!

  • JD November 4, 2007 (6:53 pm)

    Ola for sure! Krista is awesome for cuts and color!

  • E November 4, 2007 (6:56 pm)

    I recommend Christopher’s on California a few blocks south of the Morgan Junction. Short hair cut around $35. He’s a fun guy!

  • BJF November 4, 2007 (6:59 pm)

    OLA – I’m new living on WS from Olympia and went there two weeks ago. In my 40’s. I got the BEST hair cut and color I have ever had.

  • Sean November 4, 2007 (7:30 pm)

    Loan (say Lahn) at The Nines on 35th & Webster cuts excellent hair for $30!

  • Kathy November 4, 2007 (7:30 pm)

    I used to go to Seattle Style on Delridge and got great haircuts from the owner (I think her name is Denise.) She did a great job with long, straight hair.

    Now I go to Sara at Ola and she does a terrific job. I had one very bad experience with a different stylist there — bad haircut, bad client skills. But Sara is great.

  • A November 4, 2007 (8:00 pm)

    I am ALWAYS looking for a good stylist and have yet to find one. I have been to 3 different people at Ola – haven’t been thrilled with any of them. Most recently I saw Krista and she did good the first time but then layered the heck out of my hair the second time. Ugh. Not planning to go back. Still hunting for a reasonably priced person that can do a good job.

  • Jan November 4, 2007 (8:20 pm)

    hey….grr….who cuts your hair? hehe….

  • evan November 4, 2007 (8:43 pm)

    Robert Lopez Styling Salon, on California, near Spiro’s.

  • grr November 4, 2007 (8:50 pm)

    Bob at Salon Dallas…Madison and Lake Washington Blvd. $80 for a cut. And worth every dime…..longish curls..pain in the butt.

    Things in life one should not skimp on: Hair, Tires, and Lasik.

  • Lisa November 4, 2007 (10:08 pm)

    Debbie at Via Salon 1/2 block south of the WS nursery on California.

  • Venkat November 4, 2007 (10:29 pm)

    Westside Barbershop ~ Frankie! Christopher seems cool (next to Ladro) but I’ve never actually gotten a haircut there.

  • T. De November 5, 2007 (6:56 am)

    Winners on Calif., south of the Junction… Best kept W. Seattle hair secret…

  • pat t. November 5, 2007 (7:20 am)

    OLA is the best! I go to Hailey who is the first person to ever cut my naturally wavy hair in a variety of styles that actually fit my lifestyle, age etc… She’s the best!

  • Meg November 5, 2007 (8:00 am)

    I have tried OLA and wasnt particular impressed…howver SEVEN in downtown is absolutely amazing!! The prices arent bad etiehr $145 for cut and foil… and i have never received so many compliments on my hair…they really take the time and energy to make sure that you find a cut that you like and it flatters you!

  • grrltraveler November 5, 2007 (9:21 am)

    Hi there,

    I found Megan at Salon Castillo to do a great job on a short cut (and color) for less than $50. The salon is right across the street from the Hiawatha Comm. Center on California, same side of the street as PCC. I highly recommend her!

  • katiedid November 5, 2007 (9:33 am)

    Can’t remember the name of the salon, but it’s right next door to the new restaurant going in on California Ave. across the side street from the Senior Center. Unless they’ve raised their rates in the last few months, their fee was from $30 – $32 for a cut on my short hair. All of the stylists there are good at their work and very pleasant also.

  • Andrea November 5, 2007 (11:35 am)

    OK, so I’m going to say it as well, OLA on Avalon is the place to go in WS for a great haircut or color. I’ve seen Sarah there for well over 8 years. My hair is short, sorta the Posh Spice cut, & she cuts it masterfully (with a straight edge razor no less!). Her prices are right within your range. And if you’re looking to color your hair, Sarah is at her best when coloring. She is very up to date on the top styles & techniques. Too top it of, she is the only people I know of in the area who uses all organic hair color, so NO chemicals!

  • GPS November 5, 2007 (11:38 am)

    RE: Belli Capelli — isn’t “Jen Root” a perfect name for a hair stylist?

  • dinolicious November 5, 2007 (11:43 am)

    I would like to recommend Inner/Outer Beauty in the Admiral District. The proprietress is Lisa Dodge-Johnson and she is a highly trained/skilled hair stylist. She really takes care of you. She has a website with the same name. Good luck!

  • MOe November 5, 2007 (12:47 pm)

    Supercuts—Jefferson Square

  • valvashon November 5, 2007 (1:33 pm)

    I recommend Illusions. I go to Nancy, but Monica and Rita are also great. Monica gave my son his first haircut – child’s first haircut is free. Reasonable price, friendly staff, unpretentious but very professional and no tipping policy is great.

  • Al November 5, 2007 (2:34 pm)

    I’ll put in a plug for La Salon Rouge. Been going there since it opened and always get a great, fashionable cut. $17. Good prices on supplies too.

  • Diane November 5, 2007 (2:38 pm)

    I tried twice to call Ola, and left messages both times to make an appointment. They must be great because no one bothered to call me back. No worries though, I called the Carlin Salon and Spa (just changed to Shanti) and they were able to book me with Monique. She is awesome and everyone there is so nice and friendly!

  • Debbie November 5, 2007 (2:42 pm)

    I recommend The Forsythe Studio in the junction. Their number is 935-1865. Jessica has been doing my whole family’s hair for many many years.

  • Wife of November 5, 2007 (3:57 pm)

    I go to Stage 3 salon in Belltown. Not WS, but a really cool place. It’s the feeder salon to Gary Manuel. All of the stylists are fully trained (no instructors!) and very current. You can get a great cut for $30. Seriously. It’s just a little less refined than a full service salon, and you wouldn’t be able to maintain a relationship with a stylist for more than a year or so.

  • Wife of November 5, 2007 (3:58 pm)

    Sorry – that’s “Phase 3” not “Stage 3.” Oops.

  • Meri November 5, 2007 (4:31 pm)

    I’ve been going to Salon Ef-fekts for the past few months for colors and cuts. Mallory is great and the price is right.

  • CST November 5, 2007 (5:00 pm)

    any recommedations for a salon with someone skilled enough to suggest a stye, cut, color & maybe perm my baby fine, flyaway,thin, (not much of it), hair? I’m willing to travel.

  • Jo November 5, 2007 (5:23 pm)

    Wow, some great suggestions. I’m desperately in need to a haircut now, so am going to print these comments out, get phone #s, and make an appointment. Don’t know where yet.
    Thanks, everyone!
    Jo

  • Bob Loblaw November 5, 2007 (5:28 pm)

    went to Ola and my hair looked the same as when i came in. I was too shy to complain. but not too shy to not go back.

  • Ali November 5, 2007 (8:31 pm)

    I love Me and Thy Hair Salon. Thy is very flexable, and is really nice. She also has great prices!

  • CH November 5, 2007 (10:20 pm)

    +1 for Ola. We go to Carrie and she always does a nice job with my cut and my wife’s color (and highlights, etc)

  • Nancy November 6, 2007 (11:09 am)

    I wanted Ola to work as it is so ecclectic and fun but had Krista do the same thing as another post mentioned…layered the back of my hair which was a disaster especially since I didn’t ask for layers..also she didn’t match my hair well when touching up my roots. Am going to try Illusions next as a friend at work and other posts highly recommend it…wish me luck!

  • jg November 6, 2007 (4:40 pm)

    Mailory at Salon Ef-fekts on California is great and very affordable(less than $30).

  • nat November 6, 2007 (6:46 pm)

    SOOO let me tell ya! Ola salon is Best salon hands down!! in west seattle have been seeing Giselle for the past couple of years and she has all ways been consistent , creative she’s the best!!!

  • Janet November 7, 2007 (8:27 pm)

    Another vote for Ola. Sarah is the BEST!!! I have been to many Salons and hands down Sarah does the best color in this city. She’s been using the ammonia-free organic color on my hair on my last four visits as the reader above mentioned….it’s AMAZING. I get so many compliments on the color.

  • eav November 23, 2007 (7:37 am)

    I second Ivanov salon on California. Tatiana and Dimitri. It’s a two-chair operation. They are so great. Reasonable prices. I’ve been with them since Belli Capelli blew me off…and they work wonders with fine hair. Up on all the latest. Expert coloring. Even permed (you could never guess) my fine hair, However, if you want something that would really be horrible for you, they will let you know – something I appreciate very much! 935-1344

  • Monica December 12, 2007 (11:02 pm)

    Jo, well how did it go? Have you found your new do?

  • R January 20, 2008 (11:19 pm)

    Loved reading all these reveiws. Can anyone recommend a WS salon for balayage color painting? I’ve gone to Gene Juarez for years and man oh man it is spendy for cut, style, and balayage.

  • WSB January 20, 2008 (11:26 pm)

    R – since this is an old post, you’re not likely to get responses here (we just happened to see it as the administrator of the site) but we’d encourage you to post it to the Reader Recommendation section of our forums (click Forum tab at top of page). Thanks!

  • Penny January 27, 2008 (2:36 pm)

    Whatever you do don’t go to a “hair stylist” named Michael Butcher. He burnt my scalp and hair off in April 2007. He used too much chemical and the blow dryer was too hot. He burnt my face with the blow dryer and I made him stop. During the next few months most of my hair broke off and is a total mess now. Different lengths, etc. And I had a very itchy scalp and had to go to a dermatologist for treatment. Mr. Butcher almost made me lose my hair. I am suing him and have retained a personal injury lawyer. I can’t begin to tell you the pain and suffering I have suffered. Clumps of hair coming out in my hand when I showered, humiliation, bad hair days… Now it is January, 10 months since this happened and I have had a lot of hair cut off to just to try and make my hair look passable. This guy admitted in a letter it was his fault but felt since he had given me my money back I should just get over it!!!

  • CC February 7, 2008 (10:26 am)

    Keri at Ola does Balayage and does an amazing job. Balayage is a more expensive color technique, but it’s worth every penny. She’s done my color 3 times and every time it turns out beautiful.

  • Miss T March 3, 2008 (9:31 pm)

    Elliott Salon on Alki is super qaint and offers great service at reasonable prices. Cuts range from $30-50 and color starts at $65. I love to get my hair done and then take a nice walk on the beach to clear my head. The salon is darling, staff is skilled and friendly, and the location is beautiful. Not much more you could ask for.

  • Bette March 17, 2008 (12:42 pm)

    Help. Does anyone know the phone number the Elliott Salon? They don’t seem to be listed anywhere.

  • carolyn March 20, 2008 (8:37 am)

    Bette- The phone number to Elliott salon is 206-935-0353.

  • Kat April 2, 2008 (1:58 pm)

    Wow, I thought I was the only one…
    .
    I never want to leave negative feedback but I feel that I must add to the other comments about Krista at Ola…
    .
    She BUTCHERED my hair. I even called to give her a chance to fix it but she didn’t call me back. Luckily, someone else in the salon was willing to stay late a help me not look like a Swiffer duster. Krista went insane on the layers. The worst cut of my life.
    .
    One positive note – she is fantastic with highlights.
    .
    Again, just thought I should add to the other warnings I saw here. As much as it saddens me that others had a bad experience with her, it is nice to know I’m not the only one. Does that make sense? :-)

  • Colleen June 10, 2008 (9:16 pm)

    Does anyone know how much are the layers st Supercuts for kids??? please reply ASAP.

  • Jo September 13, 2008 (9:33 am)

    From Nov. 4, 2007, TR wrote and opened new forum topic: “Jo is looking for a hair salon that’s affordable (less than $50 to cut short hair for women), has a staff with good communication skills, and “doesn’t send you out into the world with round, tightly-curled little-old-lady hair.”
    Well, it took this long, but finally found a great new stylist one block from my house, and for under $50.
    Michelle is now at Tiffany’s Hair Design (right behind the Alki Bakery on 61st). 206-932-9131
    She has consistently given me the best haircut I’ve had in years.

  • Debbie October 4, 2008 (2:24 pm)

    The new Budget Cuts Salon on California Ave is a gem. A nugget in the Bowl of Ordinary. Tram (and all her staff) have earned all the stars available from me…and then some.
    Tram has cut my hair for over a year and I will follow her where ever she goes. Since I like to try different hair styles, Tram listens to what I’d like to try; we talk over the style and she goes over the process of how he will cut my hair and/or the colour process. Tram isn’t just my hair dresser….she is my teammate. We are a team! The prices can’t be beat either.
    It just doesn’t get any better than this. Thanks, Sweet-Tea!!

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