First off, it is important to clarify that I have pretty low standards about haircuts and hair salons in general. I feel that I get the best bang trimmings from the Turkish woman inside Honest Eds and I straight up frequent a couple of Toronto's finest Topcuts. I get students to do my colour. Bottom line: hair grows. If they botch it? Whatever. Surprise pixie cut I didn't realize I had the balls for. Must have been meant to be. Regardless - the risk of these sorts of gestures is mitigated by the fact that I'm not paying someone $55, $65, $85 to cut my hair. The value equation I create works for me, and YMMV based on your own feelings.
This place is on the 504 line near Broadview station and therefore right on my way home (I could probably squeeze a fringe trim in on a lunch.) The reviews told me what I needed to know so I popped in around lunchtime on a Friday off work.
It's an Asian salon, Chinese I think. Sorry if that matters to you, I just wasn't paying that much attention. I only mention it because the facade is super unassuming and whatever women are staffing the place will keep up a bubbly stream of Mandarin (or Korean maybe??) the entire time you are there. This is fine - hairdresser small talk is something I would absolutely rather not do. It's a very simple shop. Tidy but not fancy. It is appropriate for a small salon charging men $8 and women $10.
I came in because I needed my bangs cut and a trim all around to lose split ends. I guess what kind of floored me was the time and care the hairdresser took with it. I didn't get her name (sorry) but she was meticulous, unrushed, and it looked really, really good. She devoted the attention level one would give to a full cut, and she kept going back to perfectly even things out with teeny tiny little snips. Optimal value equation!