Nikki is awesome. She was my 4th stylist in 9 months. The previous three all cut my hair crooked,…read moreand charged me more than I've paid at high end salons in Vegas, Hawaii and CA to cut my hair.
I tried 2 stylists at a HIGHLY rated salon on Yelp. The first did a minimal job cutting my hair, avoiding the entire front of my hair altogether. The second - I decided to bring in a picture of the haircut I wanted, as well as a picture of the balayage I wanted. I got neither. I got a haircut that didn't look anything like the picture, and instead of warm browns, I got light blonde color in uneven splotches in my hair. I went back to get the haircut fixed, and it was cut even worse when I left - completely crooked with one side at an angle, and the other side cut straight across. Let me emphasize that this stylist was highly rated here on Yelp.
Then I went to the best rated salon in Anchorage to get it fixed. I couldn't get in with the owner, because he doesn't take on new clients. So, I tried the so called "French trained" stylist - turns out she's not actually French trained, but was taught the "French style" of having you stand up when she cuts your hair. Um... every stylist I've ever been to prior to moving here invoked this technique, so I wasn't impressed at all. Even that person cut my hair crooked (my husband took a pic from the back to show me). When I went back to have it corrected, she denied it was crooked, but still "fixed" it. It was still crooked after that, but at that point, I wasn't going back. Might I mention, the owner and staff here were extremely friendly. There's just nothing you can do if the stylist lacks the artistic ability to get the cut right (or the maturity to admit it), and I won't overlook that due to great customer service by other staff.
Anyway, after letting my hair grow out a few months, I searched and searched, and found Glam Hair Studio, and saw the pictures of Nikki's work on FB. No reviews on Yelp, but I knew that didn't mean anything. I decided to take the chance and have her cut my hair.
First of all, I love the industrial area and look of the salon. This is a popular trend in the lower 48. Very convenient location. I loved that you can book your appointment online - this is something I'm used to being able to do at other salons, so was glad to see that as an option here.
I was able to get an appointment the next week, and Nikki immediately noticed that the back of my hair was crooked, and that the color was uneven. Nikki did an awesome job cutting my hair, and even cut the front of my hair - taking care to make sure that both sides were even. The other 3 stylists I'd been to had not touched the front of my hair by my face, nor had they used the techniques Nikki used (common techniques might I add), to make sure my hair was even. I was immediately happy I'd chosen Nikki. I went back for her to tone down and even out the color that was put in my hair. She did a great job, not wanting to over color my hair. I love it when stylists don't try to oversell me, and recommend enhancements that fit my coloring and the look I'm going for. I am so happy with the job that Nikki did!
That was back in December. Now I'm growing my hair out, and this is the true test - will the haircut she gave me still look good as I transition to a new style? The short answer: Yes. I have been styling my hair differently as it's been growing out, and I've been complimented on it, asking if I've gotten my hair cut again! Nope, I just had a great haircut to begin with.
I've had my hair cut in Vegas by stylists who have worked with famous actresses and singers, who travel the world training Paul Mitchell stylists, working fashion events, etc. I don't expect that level of knowledge and cutting edge techniques. What I do expect is to not charge me as if you have had that level of training and experience, only to give me a crooked cut, bad color job, and/or deny any wrong doing. A coworker who's lived here all her life told me that she's visited many salons, and has always had her hair cut crooked. It was just a matter of fact - that's what you get here. Um, no. I won't accept that, and neither should anyone else.
If you're looking for not just an OK stylist, but an actually great stylist that has artistic ability, I highly recommend Nikki.
