"2014-08-04T00:00:00"^^ . "0"^^ . "5"^^ . . "2"^^ . "0"^^ . . "This review is for Hamid who was absolutely fantastic and what I recommend him for is colour and highlights. Great for first-timers and perfectionists!\n\nFirst of all, availability and cost were much more agreeable than any other place - this is the place with the best bang for your buck as I've found over 2 years of mulling over this decision.\n\nAfter hearing from Salon A (not its real name) that there were no availabilities for quite some time, I decided to throw caution to the wind and go with a place I knew to be good value from experience getting trims there as a kid. Well, as it turned out, it was not only significantly cheaper (surprising when you see the aesthetic heaven that is the salon) but also I went in and right away they grabbed a handsome man who was off to get a bite to eat and on the spot he agreed happily and no question to take some time to work on me! \n\nI have never had my hair coloured or altered much at all (just trims) as I've often heard suggestions to \"never do anything to [my] hair - it's perfect!\" and I know NOTHING about hair. But lately I've noticed it fading from the million dollar shiny spun gold it was when I was a kid to some strands that colour and others a dark honey/some even say brown so I figured I might try out highlights (full-head). Going to other consultations, when I asked for an explanation of what full-head highlights entailed as a process I was given some runaround description that made it seem like they barely even knew what they were talking about -- how is that possible when they offer and perform it on a regular basis? Well, it is possible, and a terrible indication. So immediately at consultation, Hamid stood out. He listened intently to what I wanted done even though it was not how the full-head highlights is usually done, and even let me save a few choice golden strands as tokens. I hate hairCUTS nevermind how much I would hate a hair colour under normal circumstances. I'm talking crying, yelling, alienating friends and family members - but there was none of that this time. I looked like a better version of myself - not too different to regret and not too similar not to notice - and thus far my boyfriend who will tell it like it is and insult you and laugh if it's bad also LOVES it and hasn't had a rude word to say.\n\nOh AND he was completely pleasant - the conversation is not forced but consistent and he has some valuable philosophies to share like how to stay young and happy - though nothing out of bounds. I would have paid 100 extra just for the compliments and TED talk!"^^ . .