As I click the 5-star rating for this review and read the "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" that comes with it, I can't help but say two words: Hell. Yes.
To say Alex is phenomenal is an understatement. She has the hands and crafts(wo)manship of a goddess. She undoubtedly has a GIFT for what she does.
When you meet Alex, you don't feel like you're being met as a customer but as a friend. She truly exudes the meaning of a warm welcome. Alex has a great selection of tea (and wine and/or coffee, I think?) to further make you feel like you're at home.
When I sat down, my mind kind of drew at a blank for what I wanted. The last haircut I got was literally 10 months ago (I definitely am not the type of person who is good at up-keep with my hair for trimming... Luckily, Alex confirmed to me that my hair was really healthy, which I can only attribute to my lazy attitude to blow-drying, and some good, ol' Mane 'N' Tail! haha). What once were side-swept bangs that barely grazed my eyebrows had now grown well below my chin. My hair managed to grow out really well with my old haircut (as in, I still managed to make myself look decent on an almost daily basis), but I did miss covering up my five/six-head (the number is debatable; it can only be confirmed that I am beyond the definition of a forehead).
The scared, apprehensive side of me told me to just go with a safe, ol', reliable haircut I've been getting for years: side-swept bangs with a side part to the left, and layers.
The more courageous, bold side of me wanted to do away with the layers. Braiding my fairly long hair looked ridiculous because of the layers. And another part of me also wanted to consider some real bangs. But this was my first time coming to Alex, and I had no idea what sort of magical powers she held.... I decided to put my faith in her.
Mind you, I also had an important interview the next day. I was really sticking my neck out here.
Let me just tell you: (Arguably) The best haircut of my life.
Twice during the session, as Alex was thinking through more of the creation, she would ask, "How do you feel about [Option A]........... or [Option B]............??" And the more she thought about it, and probably saw my face that expressed "o_o I don' t know..." -- she managed to beautifully think out a perfect way to execute both A and B.
The appointment was over an hour, maybe even an hour and a half. Just about every stylist I'd encountered beforehand would never spend more than an hour with me. Alex did. She was very meticulous with every snip she did. She's the chillest perfectionist I think one could ever encounter.
Another thing, I am not the type of person who's chatty or gossipy with hair stylists. I just want a haircut that does me justice. Sometimes I feel hair stylists try to force a conversation that neither you nor he/she really wants to have. With Alex, I never got that feeling. She was easy to talk to, and easy to listen to, and just easy to make yourself feel comfortable with.
I walked out very happy. It was a versatile haircut that I loved the look of walking out.
But then comes the ultimate test. Does it still look good when it's my turn to be my own stylist?
First time I washed my hair after the haircut, I honestly didn't even brush my hair and my hair looked good. I'm serious.
Would lightning strike twice? This is all just too good to be true, right?
Lightning struck twice. It's been a week since my haircut now, and all I can say is Alex is the real deal. And I mean, a real deal. She charges a very fair price that no one could ever argue with.
Now comes my only dilemma. I live in Houston, TX. My purpose for coming to Phoenix was simply because of the interview. My sister is the one who took me to see Alex - and I'm so grateful she did. I'm having a hard time imagining wanting to ever want to go to anyone else just because of their convenience of location... Clearly, I just have to visit Arizona more often. :D
Thanks again, Alex! As good as it gets.