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| - I went earlier than I needed to, expecting a lineup. But I was taken in right away, or almost right away -- I actually had to go get cash, because for some reason they take only cash or Visa (no other credit cards, and no debit). I had neither on me. But once I came back with cash I was popped right into a chair. Good thing I'd brought a picture of the style I wanted and didn't have to look at magazines. It was about 4 pm on a Wednesday, so maybe other times or days would be busier.
Yes, there are lots of different stylists there and I'm sure some of them are not that great. Mine was... Nina? It was hard to hear in there. :) I have to say, I went in there with a headache and I didn't think the pounding techno beats would help matters. But after ten minutes in the chair I was relaxed and headache-free. You know how little kids are afraid of haircuts, probably because of all the poking and pulling and scraping of combs? Nina was incredibly gentle and careful. I know it's a weird thing to say in a review but I noticed that. She was also knowledgeable, explaining that my hair (fine and untreated) would not look as poofy as the picture (coarse, and crunchy from being bleached).
After maybe twenty minutes of snipping, fluffing, and hot-ironing later (yes, she straightened my straight hair, and the effect was quite nice) I was out of there with one of the best cuts I've ever had. The short bob (from my messy jaw-length mop) without a wash or any product came to $35 after tax and before tip.
I'll go back, but I'll probably ask for Nina again so that I know what I'm getting. With any salon, you get the luck of the draw unless you know the name of your favourite stylist. I know there's someone really good here just like I know there's someone really good at my budget option (Topcuts at King West & Yonge -- ask for the tall skinny bald European guy). The only way to avoid that scenario is to find someone who works solo, which can be pretty expensive.
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