Shine At The Salon

Thanks to Groupon I tried out this place and absolutely loved it. I have never been a loyal client when it comes to haircuts because I usually just try to find the best deal and am never satisfied enough to go back full-​price. HOWEVER. No doubt I will definitely be going back here! Prices are super reasonable (even without a coupon), salon is clean and fun, stylist is personable and transformed my babbling thoughts of what I wanted to a great hairstyle. Finally someone who understands my hair/​lifestyle and styled a cut fit for me.

HEY YOU! Yeah, you– the one reading this Unilocal review desperately searching for a new style, a fresh look, a show stopping life upgrade…
Much like myself, I’m sure your past is fraught with horrendous highlights and home dye disasters. Hell, I would say I’ve been to more butchers than hairdressers when I think about my former salon experiences. I’d sooner run into an ex than be forced to face some of my past stylists on the street. They say time heals all wounds, but my hair grows slower than traffic moves on Interstate 5 during rush hour. It’s soul crushing.
If any of this strikes a chord with you, I’ve got some great news: Shine at the Salon houses Olivia, one of the most attentive, talented stylists I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. The glamour goddess went to battle with my Medusa hair and I walked out with a sleek, modern look that made me feel like Xena, Warrior Princess. She is attentive, kindly listens to requests, is open and honest about the process, realistic with the outcome, isn’t judgmental of your hair condition, and honestly wants to help people look fabulous.
There is only one downside to having Olivia do your hair at Shine: you could face potential lawsuits because heads will SNAP trying to catch a glimpse of your on point look! If you’re ever in a hairy situation, or just need a touch up for your tresses, rest assured Olivia will take care of you like family.

I had an appointment with Olivia and she was incredible! I booked her for a balayage, but I wasn’t even sure if I could get what I wanted with what color my hair was and how bad my roots were. She shrugged it off like it was going to be a piece of cake, and knew exactly what she was doing. I love my new hair! She is the only person who has been able to peg the blonde I want without giving me all over color. She even trimmed up a few ends that were a little fried after coloring. :) Olivia is extremely personable, and made sitting in a salon for two hours such a pleasure! I will definitely be back.

Shine At the Salon is a cute, clean, stylish SE Portland spot. I’ve been coming here since it opened about five years ago. I’ve always been super happy with my hair and waxing. I’ve changed my style a few times over the years, and it has always been expertly executed. They offer coffee, tea, beer, and wine, and the salon is super comfortable and accommodating. I love my stylist, and all the other stylists seem great. The parking is easy; there’s a lot half a block away. The online booking and website are easy to navigate. Come to Shine, you’ll be happy you did!

Olivia speaks hair and works miracles! I always leave my hair in her hands and walk out rocking a hairstyle I love that makes me feel phenomenal. 10/​10, highly recommend

Olivia is amazing. I can’t believe how beautiful my hair looks, and it wasn’t easy. Thank you so much!

I have been a client of April’s for over 8 years. She absolutely understands color! On our first meeting, she immediately spotted why the blond my last stylist gave me was not the right blond for my skin type. I’ve gone through different styles, and she consults in a meaningful way on cut – so that it fits with my personality, my job, my lifestyle. I trust her. She knows that it’s her name behind that head of hair. April is also a lovely and amazing person – I look forward to seeing her.

I really wanted to like this place, but my hair is crooked and it’s so depressing to spend so much $$ when I could’ve probably gone to great clips and had a better cut. I also mentioned at least twice that my hair was crooked and uneven, and she simply tried to straighten it… as if that would somehow change anything. I contemplated going back, but I’d rather attempt to cut it myself to fix it to go back in there. I tipped the customary 15% because I thought it wasn’t that bad, but now I’m absolutely regretting it. My stylist also complained that I had a Unilocal deal since it takes them so long to get paid from it and actually told me to return the deal and just pay with my credit card. Totally unprofessional and a bummer for sure :(

I got a hair cut and deep conditioning with April and love my hair! She listened to what was important to me and was cut my hair perfectly leaving length while still giving it style. She was so much fun to talk to and took very good care of me. I would definitely recommend this salon. Everyone was really nice and genuinely seemed to enjoy working there.

I have thick, curly hair and have probably been to 10 different hair stylists in Portland since moving here over 12 years ago… I never have been very happy with their cuts. That is until now. Stephanya knows how to cut my hair. YEAH!!! I really do think it is extremely helpful that she too has thick, curly hair. It certainly helps. Overall though, she is just great at what she does and is a joy to go see. Personable, sweet and laid-​back. I have been twice now and have been very happy with her cuts each time. Definitely going back. Thanks Stephanya!

The good: they were able to squeeze us in on short notice, very polite, comfortable, and good conversation.
The bad: seriously over priced for the service provided (when should a partial foil and trim cost 160 $?), the color is streaky, the stylist coated my friends hair in too much product and then continued to burn it off with a flat iron (and didn’t even get it straight!!)
Overall I’m pretty disappointed with the services we were provided at the price that was charged… Seemed that we were taken complete advantage of.
Probably will not be returning.
Also, solicited customers for Unilocal reviews… Makes me question validity of the 5 star reviews.

Stephanya is a rare find!
Until I met Stephanya, I rarely got my hair cut professionally and never by the same person. I am forever loyal to her now.
Here are some of the things that makes her amazing:
1) She listens to what I need and is responsive but unafraid to suggest things. When I first went in, I brought a picture– she suggested small edits based on how my hair grows-​and then executed it perfectly. When I came back the second time, she asked how the cut had been working and made the small adjustments I requested.
2) She really focuses on perfection and taking her time with incredible haircuts.
3) She remembers what we talk about from visit to visit and asks for updates on my life!
4) She is a pleasure to sit and talk to. Each time I go in I look forward to our conversation as much as I do the hair cut.
5) At the end of the haircut, she shows me different ways to style my new hair.

Had my first appointment today with April at this salon and was amazed. Relaxing and inviting atmosphere and nice cold beer. April did a fantastic job with the trim and color as usual. Already scheduled my next appointment!

I cannot say enough good things about Stephanya!!! She’s absolutely the most talented stylist of curls that I’ve ever encountered. She simply understands curls in a way very few stylists do. She’s also amazing with all the other hair types, obviously — if you can rock curly hair, you can handle anything. A bunch of my friends now go to her with their various hair types and personal styles, and she knows exactly how to dial it in for each one of them. And also, she’s an immense pleasure to hang out with for an hour, sipping a beer or glass of wine and getting snipped back into beautiful shape! GO TO HER!!! You will NOT regret it!

Kimo is amazing! I came in for the first time last Sunday completely insecure about my hair. I had just received a too short weird bowl cut and the box dye I used a couple days prior ended up splotchy and way too dark. I did not think there was much we could do. I had a wedding that day and a new boyfriend to impress. Kimo completely worked some hair magic and had me feeling like a $ 100 afterwards. I received so many compliments at the wedding and my boyfriend loved it. Not only that but I got a lovely hand written thank you note in the mail today from Kimo! What a great experience! I will definitely be coming back. xo

I have been going to see Katie Ricketts for almost a year now and I can say that I have never gone away unhappy! The last year I have got more compliments on my hair than I have in my whole life. She is an amazing colorist and does wonders with my naturally wavy and frazzled short hair. I have referred some of my friends here as well and they always come away looking fabulous. I’ve seen her work on many different hair textures, styles, and face shapes and it has always turned out fantastic. Thanks for a great year, Katie!!!

I have a haircut phobia because the number of bad haircuts I’ve had outnumbers the good 25 to 1. However, I never have to worry about this again now that I have found Stephanya. She is so intuitive when it comes to understanding hair that I find myself actually wanting to go back and get another haircut in a few months, instead of waiting a year until it’s truly unbearable.
This place is so friendly (thanks for the wine!) and they really know what they’re doing when it comes to hair. My boyfriend, my mom, and I look better than ever thanks to Stephanya!

First time: I was greeted promptly, offered a beverage, seated right away and taken care of. I wasn’t rushed through my appointment at all, for a big chop I’d say an hour in the chair was solid.
Katie R did a fantastic job on my hair. She cut 8″ off to donate and wiz’d me up a *Posh new do! She listened to my needs and accommodated them perfectly. I have very thick hair, I’m Persian – yes, we are known for having a lot of hair, the rumors are true. She thinned it out, and thinned it out, and thinned it out some more, thank you! I asked for a blunt angled bob, rather than piece-​y and textured, she NAILED IT.
Bonus, when you refer a friend, you and they get $ 10 off at your appointment… sweet, shout out, thanx Emilie!
If you pass the salon, one building east, there is a big free 2hour parking lot.

I used a Unilocal deal here and it was pretty great! My stylist was Matt and he cut my bangs first. Haha — maybe a weird thing to comment on, but I thought it was a nice touch. I’m always worried through the whole haircut how the stylist will cut my bangs, as they’re the most important part. So it was nice to get them out of the way first and not stress for the rest of the appointment that they were going to get messed up!

I had never been to Shine before, and was able to just walk in and get an amazing cut.
Kimo was the stylist that cut my hair. I was a little nervous since I have thick and wavy hair. But she not only gave me a great cut and flat ironed my hair. She made sure to tell me about the different choices in the services and that I was happy with my choice.
I had brought in a photo of the hair cut that I wanted and Kimo explained how the cut could be done so that it would grow out to achieve what I wanted. No other stylist has done that before, they usually just try and cut it to match the picture.
They also are next to a great coffee shop (that was open on a Sunday morning, and had tea ready at the salon.)