Arabella Salon

I love this place. I see Desiree for getting waxed and she does an amazing job! Very considerate about times, and willing to work with you. Uses many different kinds of waxes so that it will be less painful. Like really, I hardly even notice when she does it. And has many kinds of oils that help sooth your legs once it’s all done.
Its kinda hard to find and very sketchy walking up the stairs, but once you’re in the door you’ll be surprised at how adorable this place is! ⁵⁄₅

Wow, found this place through Unilocal.I was nervous for my first cut and color since moving to town, but was desperate. When I found the address I was immediately on edge and even a bit unnerved to go up the «alley» steps. I almost turned around, but remembered my desperation. Well, my advice to everyone is GO UP THE STEPS! This place is LOVELY! From the unbelievable space, to a welcoming, relaxed feel, this place totally over delivered. Deanna cut and colored me. She listened to absolutely everyone of my needs. Even during my two hour appointment she never forgot the little things I was hoping for (short wash!) she completely changed my style, gave me color better than I have had in years! She was easy, never condescending about my obvious ignorance about hair care. I walked out loving my hair, but more importantly knowing this would be my hair home. She (and her assistant, Lucia) were so easy, never pushy and just seem like great people. I am glad to have met them!

I love this place. It’s airy, comfortable, with lots of light and big windows. Even when it’s crowded the salon is a welcoming place.
Alex Wenzel is a talented and caring haircutter. She starts every session with an awesome head massage and consultation so that you have input into whether or not to tweak the cut, go with something different, or share any problems you may have had maintaining the style since your last visit.
I know that Alex is only one of many terrific stylists who work out of the salon. I know several folks with curly hair who also go here. My hair is straight as a rod and I view this place as my forever hair salon.
Alex always makes my next appointment and then sends me an iMessage the day before so I never forget. Her rates are reasonable given the fact that she spends a complete hour with you and becomes a friend, personal consultant as well as hairstylist.
The studio space is tucked up a flight of stairs on MLK, close to excellent coffee and lunch if you need something to do before or after your haircut.

Alex at Arabella was simply charming, professional, and everything I’d hoped for when I first made the appointment. I’d been living in Portland 5 months and dragging my feet about finding a new salon/​stylist; meanwhile, my curly, fine hair had become a dry, frizzy, disaster… I was long overdue for some professional pampering.
Alex graciously accommodated some hiccups in my schedule, and I finally arrived at Arabella; greeted and made to feel right at home immediately. Alex quickly gathered an idea of what I wanted, noted the quirks my hair presented, and went to work, transforming my frizz-​bomb into a manageable, beautiful mane. I’ll definitely return for color, cut, and maintenance advice.

I really tried to avoid writing this review as I hate mucking a bunch of 5 star reviews but my haircut was no bueno. Marci was awesome. Very friendly, totally listened to my hair gripes and tried to work with my texture, really I loved her. The problem lay with my cut. She used a razor which gives me a ton of frizzy ends. Even with all the right styling products the razored ends frizz out with my thin hair. That’s really not a big deal, the deal breaker for me was that my cut was uneven. The left side is longer than the right and its pretty obvious. I’ve waited months to write this review in the hopes I was hallucinating the whole thing, but sadly no, the cut is very uneven and very obviously uneven. I’m sad– I was hoping this would be my go to place…

Kirsten at Arabella is just a dream! I live in Brooklyn, and come to Portland periodically and she is always so accommodating to my schedule while in town. Not only is she incredible at color, but she’s also just a peach to talk to! I always leave feeling wonderful and grateful for her positive energy. Arabella itself is a beautiful space: Open air, lots of natural light, and an incredibly friendly environment. Can’t wait to come back in the summer!

Coolest hidden salon, awesome vibe and Kirsten is an amazing stylist. Very cool collective of beauty pros and the speak-​easy quality makes it feel even more like a gem.

With the sun streaming in and soft music playing, I was welcomed with a smile and a cup of lemon ginger tea. Libby is phenomenal: creative, connected and a great conversationalist. Love talking about food, perfume and the other hidden delights of Portland while getting great service. My hair looks fab, too!

I have been searching for a good stylist in Portland for ages. I have gone to a zillionty salons and haven’t really clicked with any of them. I have become so reluctant to get my hair cut, that by the time I try again, I come in with a mass of crazy, frizzy … uh. Dense. Hair. And I’m like, please, for the love of god, fix this.
The last time I did that, the only hair stylist I trust, who sadly lives in Los Angeles asked me if I cut my hair myself.
Anyway, with trepidation in my heart I set an appointment with Libby and crossed my fingers. I wasn’t disappointed. Libby shaped and thinned the crazy bulky forest of hair into a beautiful and complementary haircut, all while being super pleasant!
Another thing I liked about this place is that Libby gave me samples of hair products rather than just saying, well this $ 100 conditioner will be perfect for your hair type. I’m down for buying hair products, but it is tiring to get the sales pitch and then have it not work out for you after spending a ton on fancy shampoo.
Lastly — the stairway is a little hidden so look out for it!

Esthetician, Desiree Catalano provided me with a fantastic facial experience! She customized the experience to suit my skin’s needs and I left looking and feeling brighter and relaxed. The Comfort Zone products Desiree uses are fabulous and work in sync with one another. I recommend setting up a custom facial for your first visit so you can experience custom comfort!

Love the ambiance, philosophy and energy! Libby is a natural and she has the knowledge to back it up. Thank you for taking such great care of my girl’s hair. They love you.
The view from the salon is as amazing as the space…
F

My update: Usually I get a short hair cut from Marci. Last week I got highlights and just a trim, as I am growing my hair out.
Her approach to my haircut was holistic and thoughtful. She asked me about my long term plans for my hair and when I thought I’d be back, so she could design my cut appropriately.
And it looks fabulous. Thanks marci!

Arabella is a great space. I love the open loft feel with the variety of antique dressers as the stylists’ stations.
I followed Marci from her previous salons and by far I like Arabella the best; it suites her well and when she moved here she was so happy and excited for the future. You can find my previous reviews of her work (National Beauty and Ginger on Fremont). I also referred my best friend to Marci, who approved of Marci’s work (my friend is very particular about her hair).
I moved out of state and have a new stylist but Marci has something extra I can’t explain that my new person just doesn’t have. In simple terms I miss Marci. Her skill level is tremendous. If I am ever in Portland for a visit I will schedule a haircut.

Wow! Crazy happy with my new stylist and my hair :-)
Piper is simply amazing. I’ve seen her twice since moving here from Boulder, Colorado (where I’d had a longtime stylist whom I loved) at the end of summer. She’s talented, friendly, and takes the time to really be sure that she understands what look I’m going for. I have fairly average shoulder length hair, which I’m told is rather fine but plentiful, so its cut/​style is very important to me. She gets it and does it very well. Don’t think I’ve received this many compliments on my hair in years! And I’m 37, so that’s saying a lot. Don’t think about it… make an appt today; you’ll be thrilled with her :-)

Libby is hands down the best hair stylist who has ever colored my hair. I don’t even know where to begin. I guess let me start with the fact that it’s been 4 months since I’ve had my hair colored with her and I was just asked this morning if I just got my hair colored. Now that’s some magic. She does this foil that blends in with my hair and it’s just so easy to maintain. She is great at doing cuts that have a retro /​classic look (but still modern) which I love love love! My hair has definitely transformed since I started getting my hair done by her 2 years ago. The salon is amazing too and all of the stylists there always seem so enthusiastic about their work!

Get your hair done by Marci! I have been going to her for a few years now and I absolutely love her. I personally am a fan of the bob and a-​line cuts and Marci nails it every time. She is a hair perfectionist. I’ve seen her do different styles (cuts) and hair color on other people and they have amazing hair as well.
If you like to get a perfect hair cut and get EXACTLY what you want — then you have to go see Marci. Not only is she a talented hair dresser she is also a really great person. Every time I go and see her it’s like catching up with an old dear friend. I love her and you will too!
P. S. The salon, Arabella, is a really great space (if turned into a loft I would live there!).

This salon was amazing. I went in tired with my hair cut and color, I saw piper and she did an amazing job. She was really enthusiastic and gave me great advice. She cut about 10 inches off my hair and it looks amazing. She somehow made my thin hair look full and textured instead of flat and drab. I will definitely be back to see her.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE!
I absolutely adore Kirsten at Arabella salon. I have been her loyal customer for the past 4 years and followed her here from her last salon. Not only is she talented and professional, she takes the time to truly listen to what her clients want and always delivers fantastic results. Her hilarious and kind personality that makes salon appointments super fun is the icing on this stylish cake.
If Arabella salon was a cake, it would be red velvet with cream cheese frosting.
The salon itself is a beautiful and calming space and the staff are dedicated to environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. So Portland, I love it!
Haircuts are $ 45! Unheard of for such a professional location.

Kimberly is the GREATEST massage therapist in Portland. She does Thai massage and I will argue that you have never had a massage (with acupuncture or without) that rivals what this etherial power-​house can do. Honestly — come back here and tell me if I’m wrong — this woman is not from earth — she’s some sort of Angel.
She also does acupuncture and accepts auto-​insurance if you have been in a car accident. You can make an appointment at 503−309−7267
FYI — Arabella looks ominous from the street but when you walk upstairs you are reminded how cool Portland is. It is the most magnificent studio with a rooftop garden, a hidden paradise on MLK.

After taking a brief hiatus from Portland, I needed to rediscover a good salon to get my hair cut at. I used to go to Dosha which was good, but the turnover is so high you never get the same stylist and its pricey. My friends recommended Salon In Vogue since it was inexpensive, but half the time they complain about their haircuts. I’m so lazy that I only get my hair did once or twice a year (yea I’m terrible), so it better be good if I’m gonna sit there for two hours.
I went to Arabella based off of its Unilocal reviews and I’m really happy I did. I had Piper who gave me gorgeous highlights and an awesome cut. She’s great about advising what will and won’t work with your hair and she was easy to talk to. I asked for some cards so I could refer her to my friends.
Oh and hand massages while you wait for your color to set? AWESOME. I would definitely recommend trying this place out.