O2 Salon

I am new to O2 because, after some light stalking, I found out that my favorite girl Sophie is there after leaving another Portland salon. 2 years ago, Sophie gave me the best hair cut of my life — saying goodbye to 9″ on a whim was the best choice ever thanks to having confidence in my stylist! Today, she whipped my brassy, frizzy, messy, bottom heavy locks into wedding ready shape in no time at all. I’m so happy to have found her again! They offer great service here too– the receptionist went out and fed my meter while I was processing. Thanks guys!

After reading the wonderful reviews for this salon, I feel that I must give another perspective. Unfortunately, I did not have a good experience here whatsoever. I went in a few months ago and have crossed this place off forever. If you have very thick hair like me, I would be careful when describing what you want. I walked in asking for some subtle layers to break my bob haircut up as it was growing out (something I researched online for hours). However, I walked out with my hair chopped up and impossible to style without it looking like a helmet (really). It was bad. When I left the salon, people in the street were looking at me awkwardly. I knew exactly why. I’ve had hairdressers look at my hair and attempt to chop it up, but this was the worst haircut I’ve ever had. I bought a hat just to hide the cut while it grew out. Just keep in mind, if you’re a simple brush and go/​minimal styling person I would be careful as this salon gave me a «stylish» cut that was just hard to manage for my lifestyle.

Where do I even start! I came to 02 because my favorite stylist Sophie started working there! I was NOT disappointed! Sophie transformed my damaged faded hair into a chic shinny new cut and color! The location is great and Sophie’s creativity and vision will make you feel like a new persons! Job well done.

Sophie at 02 is the best hairdresser that I’ve ever had. Not only are the rates reasonable, but she is so very talented. Usually I feel uncomfortable saying, «do whatever you want» but I can always trust that I’ll walk away looking amazing. I full heartedly suggest going to 02 and visiting Sophie!

Kristen cut and colored my 15 year old daughters hair & did an excellent job. Her hair color looks very natural & vibrant! Highly recommended!

When I moved to Portland 15 years ago, I asked a woman on the street who cut her hair. «Jen Leigh,» she said. That was back in the old salon with one chair up in the State Theater building. I have trusted Jen’s judgement on cut and color for lo these many years and now people stop me on the street and ask for a referral. I’ve had haircuts in New York and Paris that were not as good as Jen’s work. She stays on top of trends, adapts them to each customer and gives you the chic without the attitude. Can’t recommend her highly enough. Betsy P.

This review is for the stylist Sophie. I was on vacation in Maine and needed a haircut. I have extremely thick, coarse hair that i have struggled with my entire life. I have basically never been able to bring a picture of a cute hairstyle to a stylist and have them replicate it, because my hair has a mind of its own and is completely unruly. UNTIL NOW. Sophie is the most talented stylist I have ever been to – she is more like a sculptor whose medium is hair. For anyone out there who has way too much hair – thick, coarse, wavy, albert-​einstein hair: I strongly recommend this woman. She also knows how to pick and recommend the ideal products for me – so I can make my hair lie down and behave itself and I can recreate the sleek look she gave me every day.

Let’s get right to the point… THIS PLACE IS FABULOUS! Right in the heart of the West End, a stone’s throw from the State Theater. I moved to the area a little under 2 years ago and frequently am in this area, I just never thought to check it out. I had been sticking with my prior hairdresser in NH, but decided to make the switch to a more modern place in Portland, and I definitely found it with O2 Salon!
I was able to make an appointment with Jessica within days of requesting one. As soon as you walk in the door you feel at ease here. Everyone is so friendly and you can really tell they not only love their jobs but also love working with each other. Jessica knew EXACTLY what I wanted. I’ve been wanting a long bob for awhile now, and the last two times it was attempted at my previous salon it did not come out the way I envisioned it, but today I got exactly what I wanted. I typically go with balayage highlights as they are easier to maintain and look more natural on my hair, but Jessica convinced me to try out a few low lights as well to help pull it all together and I’m very happy I went along with it. I love the cut, the color, all of it. The entire experience was just what I needed today. I’m happy to say I will now be a regular at O2 Salon :) Thanks, Jess!
PS– to address the post about the dog… if you’re not a dog person, then don’t sit near a dog. Plain and simple. This place is VERY clean, there is no way I’d ever use the word ‘filthy’ to describe it. That was way overkill and not at all accurate. Also, the little dog they have here (her name is Stella) is terribly adorable and the sweetest girl ever. She sits in the sun, minds her own business, but lets you pet her if you want to. There are two leather chairs near the couch where you can sit if you are TERRIBLY in need of avoiding dogs and/​or their hair. But, you’re at a salon… there’s going to be hair. So you’re happy with your hair, but you give the place a 2 star rating because there is a dog inside the salon when you go there? That’s just ridiculous. I will most certainly be back and I will give Stella some love too! Keep up the good work, guys :)

I love this place! The stylists and atmosphere is friendly and inviting. I see Kristen, she’s my go to girl with all my beauty needs. She’s kind, patient, and skilled. All the rest of the employees and the owner are very friendly and kind. It’s a great salon with great people. Affordable and skilled professionals. You have to try it for yourself!

First of all, let me just say that I have no problems with my actual haircut. The stylist was nice and did a lovely job. This was my first time trying this salon, and what I was REALLY doing was scoping the place out to see if I would want my wedding services done there. When I first arrived, what I noticed immediately was how filthy it was. They had a dog in the salon-​and while I’m not complaining about that I do think that when you decide to have an animal in your place of business you are also agreeing to take care of the place. But when I sat down in their waiting area I saw everything was just covered in dog hair. The couch, the chairs, the ottoman, and the floor. It also had a pet odor to it. At one point I saw a stylist leave her client to try and get the dog off the couch-​completely unprofessional. I left feeling gross. While I don’t doubt their capabilities for cutting hair-​I would simply be mortified if I brought my bridal party here. Not really the experience that I want for my wedding day. Bei Capelli in South Portland gets my business.
I will say though-​the stylist with the green/​pink hair and green eyebrows was the high point. If I could rock green eyebrows like she rocks green eyebrows, well then I would have me some green eyebrows. Stay green, ponyboy.

I was so disappointed with my hair cut. I read all the reviews before and people seemed to be ecstatic about the finished product. I have extremely curly hair and was very specific about how I wanted it cut and the length. Of course, the finished product was nothing like I imagined; it is literally the worst haircut I have ever had. The ends came out witchy, the length was WAY shorter than I requested, and the style was rushed.
Thank God I have a month to work on it before I go on the vacation of a lifetime. I would be very cautious before you request to have your hair cut if you have actual natural curly hair because the end result left me in tears. I can’t speak for those who have straight hair and I hope they have better luck but i will never recommend this salon to anyone. Hair is important to people and I felt like my stylist was too preoccupied with her evening plans to really listen to what I wanted.

Just moved to Maine and it was my first time at O2. Great people and products. Kristen was friendly, thoughtful and skilled. I will definitely be coming back, in spite of the hour and fifteen minute drive. This is MY salon, now.

Nothing makes a woman happier than getting color done! Jennifer was great. Temporarily moved to Portland and have had the same hairdresser for 24 years. Jennifer’s knowledge of color and experience put me at ease and she did a great job.

I was in Portland for work for about three weeks and desperately needed a cut. A friend of mine sent me to O2 salon and I scheduled an appointment with Jessica. I left with an excellent cut (short hair) for a very reasonable price, and feeling fresh. When I returned home (Seattle), I had numerous people ask me where I got my hair cut. That always feels good. Thanks Jessica for the hookup!

I had my hair done by a junior stylist and I had mixed emotions about my experience.
Scheduling/​price confusion aside, my biggest issue was the result. I explained to the stylist exactly what I wanted — with pictures (basically a straightforward blowout). The outcome was very frizzy in places and flat on top. When I voiced my concern to the stylist, she said that fixing it would require her to use an iron and «she didn’t have time to do that». Not exactly what I wanted to hear. There is a big difference between fly-​aways you can smooth down after a blowout and frIzz that shouldn’t happen when you get your hair professionally done. Needless to say, I left much less than pleased.

My hair has been curly, wavy, huge, thick, unruly and, at times, frizzy. I had sort of given up, and even after pricey cuts/​styles, always left salons thinking «meh, this will do». I am in my late 20’s, and I remember a cut I had when I was 16 that was low maintenance and left me with gorgeous, smooth, loose waves after air-​drying. It was from out-​of-​state and no one had ever made me as happy with my hair… Until TASHA!
I had my first cut at O2 yesterday, and left feeling like a Pantene ad model. Tasha was fast (in and out in 45 minutes is UNHEARD OF with how much hair I have), but took time to find out what I was looking for (low low maintenance). She even took the time to teach me some tricks to tame my crazy mane. She suggested some products but the sale was very low-​pressure… I bought a couple because I have tried EVERY product but always find my hair is weighed down or not soft.
But the real test? Woke up (late) this morning, and was able to replicate the look in less than 10 minutes from shower to door.
Tasha is my girl: she oozes coolness with her funky dye job and sleeve tats, is personable, a fellow dog-​lover, and ROCKS at her job.
The salon itself is beautiful and bright, and staff (including owner) were so helpful and friendly! I heard there’s even a canine mascot hanging out there some days. Oh yeah, and the shampoo & cut was less than $ 50.
Thank you Tasha and O2! I love my hair again!

I have been getting Claire-​cuts (hair-​cuts by Claire) at o2 for the past 6 or so months. All of them have been lovely, with lovely service and a fun ambiance. Claire listens to my vague directions with her full attention and excitement and always figures out great pixie cuts that will work for a busy gal. Thanks, Claire!

I’ve gotten my hair cut twice now at O2 Salon, both times by Tasha. The first time I came in, I knew I wanted something different with my hair, but I wasn’t completely sold on my own ideas… I was nervous, for sure. But Tasha was so confident that it would come out great, and even suggested something completely out of my realm of comfortability (straight-​across bangs), but she was so sure of herself that I went ahead with it. When the haircut was finished, I almost didn’t recognize myself, in a good way. It took a couple days to adjust, same with any haircut, but I very quickly came to LOVE my new look. At this point, just a couple months later, I can’t imagine ever going back. I’ve been back in once for a bang trim, and she was extremely quick and friendly — I was barely in there for a full 5 minutes! — and she was very flexible with accommodating my schedule.
Bottom line: Go here, and see Tasha. She is bright and happy, super friendly, AWESOME at what she does, and you won’t be disappointed. The salon itself is extremely clean and modern-​looking, there’s music playing, you’re offered a beverage when you arrive, people are attentive and happy to see you, and you just feel good being in there (and after you leave!). GO!

Thanks to Unilocal reviews, it only took me a year and half to find Tasha. I’d tried other places for haircuts, but was left disappointed (and pining for my wonderful hair stylist in California). Tasha listened to me at our first visit and gave me the haircut I wanted. I was impressed by her pulling back a bit, to make sure she didn’t take off too much, and was grateful for the free bang trim that she readily provided a month later. On my second visit, we were both more confident about and Tasha cut my hair perfectly.
I like O2 as a salon, too. I love being offered a cup of tea, love the windows overlooking the pedestrians outside, love how airy and spacious it is.
Kudos to O2 and Tasha for being so amazing that I drive an hour to get my hair cut!

For an aging, balding old hippie turned professional but has kept the beard and a free and flexible attitude, Dana works wonders for my vanishing topside, wild facial hair and my love of life.
The whole atmosphere, the rest of the staff, Jen’s approach to running the business, the great professional conversations I overhear are all top of the line.
Thanks