I haven't been this satisfied for a looong time! Yesterday, being a holiday, I could barely find anywhere to go that was open. When I saw the special for this place I stopped by and begged! They were so kind (and I'm guessing it was the manager) that they agreed to take me in on such a busy day. Parking was going to be waaaay better than dt. Charmaine was lovely. She spent about an hour and agreed to add some curl to my wavy hair that usually looks frizzy when I do it. Nakry was equally as great, and I felt really lucky to have had both of them style it. Today, my hair is still bouncing with curl and is neither sticky nor stiff. As with all "finds" I was reluctant to write this, except that they were so incredibly wonderful. My stylist was a former Suki's member, which happened to be my former salon. Next time I need my hair cut/coloured, I'm going to give this place a chance. It's classy and the stylists are all nice and cordial. They really made my day! Total cost $48 dollars with over a 20% tip and included a $20 conditioning treatment and scalp massage. So if any man happens to be reading this...now you know why we women expect you to pay for us on a date if we get "dolled" up. It has nothing to do with chivalry or women's lib; little do you know that we've already spent at least $300 before the night has begun. read more

So I decided to give this place another try because the owner/ (manager?)/ stylist Chuck PM'd me on yelp kindly asked me to try the place again.* I booked an appointment with my sister (both she and I have been here before and felt a-ok but not stellar about it. So we were both willing to give this place another try. I'm glad I did because I realize that it is ery difficult to rate an entire salon based on the experience of one of their stylists. This time I was reccommended Karen. And let me tell you she did EXACTLY what I wanted.** What I loved about Karen is that I told her exactly my issues and she listened and did what she could to accept it. (unlike other places where they either refute that they are issues and/or decide to not listen) For any other east asian haired ladies, this is usually what I tell my hairdresser (YES, I'm SO low maintenance that I'm actually high maintenance when it comes to a salon- but if i'm paying good money and you are trained well I expect you to listen and do what I say***): -I cut my hair once a year and it NEEDS to grow out well. -I DON'T OWN a comb, conditioner, hair products. I'm strictly a shampoo everyday, airdry and leave the house kinda girl. Styling involves me running my fingers through my hair and sayin, "that's about right.." -If you use a stright iron on my STRAIGHT ASIAN HAIR I will hurt you. -I don't do razors. Just say no if you're even thinking it. C'mon, just use scissors. -I want to avoid altogether the "frizzy triangle" (you know what I'm talkin about) -And I need them to thin out my hair and get as much volume at the crown of my head as possible because I have thick hair, and a lot of it, that easily falls flat at the end of the day (which also coincides with the "frizz triangle") Karen listened and gave me a pretty sweet cut. she double checked with me to see if using conditioner and product was ok with me and she did a really quality job ensuring it looked like how I wanted it. I ended up with some sort of rocker chick, ultra layered, BIG do. Think borderline elvira/ shape of a Q-tip. Haha, I know that isn't the nicest description but it is basically the exact shape I wanted because I will tell you- there IS no such thing as flat or frizzy-triangle with THIS cut. which is EXACTLY what I wanted. My sister got a really clean cut bob- which is also what she wanted. I forget the name of her stylist but she was super cute. Oh, and the shampoo boy (josh?) does a pretty good head massage even though I avoid touching at all costs. (he styles too at cost b/c he's training I think) highly reccommend Karen as a stylist. And, ps: new customers get 25% off NOW pps: they gave my sister 25% off even though she wasn't a new client. Good place- would definitely go with Karen again.**** *I really appreciate it when business owners make offers to yelpers- I really like how business owners respond to feedback and try to do better for their customers. **You can read my horror stories of other places where I have given extensive reviews: http://www.yelp.ca/biz/aveda-institute-toronto#hrid:Vr_wQXqi5Levet3gbe2rGg http://www.yelp.ca/biz/caramel-salon-vancouver#hrid:S4DYsUwVRn1DIP-uQTyESQ ***Note, I don't request it in that sassy of a manner- this list is true but the phrasing is for humourous purposes only. ****They have different price ranges here- Karen is on the upper end- you can check out their site. she probably borderlines slightly over the girl I see at Suki's http://www.yelp.ca/biz/sukis-international-vancouver#hrid:OWQUKLfGV27a74RQMMJtzg I'm torn between which stylist I like more- I think it really depends on whether I'm in the mood for a bigger salon (sukis) or a smaller one (banzai) read more

Really good service - not pretentious, but it's a nice high end studio (they recently moved to Main St). Good pricing compared to other salons I've been to and they don't push their products on you. I would highly recommend Winnie - she's very skilled and listens to what you want. She's also very good at making recommendations if you're looking for something new. I've been coming to this salon now for about 2 years and love it. read more

A friend referred me to Bansai about a year ago, and since then it has been the only place I've been going to get my hair cut. It's located conveniently on Granville St and despite the high end location, it is pretty inexpensive. I get my hair cut from Nakry, she's talkative and fun. read more

Banzai hair studio is amazing, I go there to get updos from Char, and hair Color from Brandi. They really care about their customers and very professional with all the decisions they make. They recommend products, but never push you to buy them. Last year for my prom, char did an amazing updo that kept intact during the whole night of dancing. I highly recommend Banzai hair studio for their customer care and great value for the cost. read more

I've been going to Banzai since sometime around 2006 when I moved into the area of their old shop at 12th and Granville. I walked in and chatted with one of the owners, Chuck, who took the time to talk to me, see what I was looking for, etc. then set me up with a senior stylist, with my OK, of course. I've been having Tomoko cut my hair ever since. Not only is she very professional and does a fantastic job, she listens to me, suggests things at my request, and never (ever!) pushes any products on me. For a high quality salon, I have always found their prices competitive. The staff are always courteous, they call with a reminder, and the scalp massages are great. ;) I've followed Banzai to their great new location on Main Street and will continue to have my hair cut there until there as long as I can. read more

Strict covid protocols in place. Felt very comfortable and safe. Of course Karen's hair cuts continue to be amazing.

SO. this place is great if you are looking for a haircut, blow, wash etc. Word of advice though: don't get your hair dyed here. Yes Charmaine is a very understanding stylist and she talks a lot like she is 100% on the same page as you but her skill in colour is way below average. I asked for a soft balayge blond look and purpously noted that I don't want the streaky look. She said she totally understood what I meant yet I came out with streaks so thin and white I look like a grandma. I showed her photos of exactly what I wanted and I came out with the opposite. In addition, Im extremely unpleased with how unprofessional the assistants are. They actually muffle around doing nothing and ask pointless questions. In general it is a very fake environment and everyone who works there act like they're going to meet all your needs, when truly, they don't even have the skills to do so. This hair salon might look very professional and tidy. But the first impression really does not match the skills of the stylists. To be brutally honest I wish i had box dyed my hair: it would have looked better and i would have saved $160. If Charmaine is the "Senior colour stylist" then I truly worry about the rest of that team. read more

I went to this salon for many years and loved it. I started seeing Nakry but (sadly for me) she moved on to bigger better things. Then I started seeing Will and fell in love with him immediately. He was always honest with what was possible with my hair/what would look good, he is super talented as I aways left happy and he is a genuinely kind person. I have since moved away from Vancouver and still cannot find anyone who does my hair as well as Will or Nakry. read more

I have been coming here for years for my colour - but not my haircut. I finally came in to see Jeff for a cut and he is INCREDIBLE. Very precise and really listens to what you want. He has a great eye and anyone should trust his judgement read more

If you need a trim and aren't particular in any way about your hair, go here. If not, move on and fork out $10 more for a good cut. I went here twice. Once, I really only wanted a trim and it was good...well, because it was not complicated. Although, come to think of it, it could have been better. The second time, I was very specific, requested a haircut I've actually had before and walked out with something I didn't ask for, looking like I had a helmut on half of my head and bangs that look like mom did...making my head look longer and weird and having to wear my hair up for over a month! They are nice there, but not passionate about hair and didn't communicate with me about what they were doing. Who does that?!! I have yet to find a salon in Vancouver that I got to more than once....ho-hum... read more

My hair cut by the owner was excellent and I will definitely go back again -- she knows hair! I had a relatively dramatic change in cut / style and she approached it like a pro with obvious advanced skills, cutting techniques and knowledge. The salon is nicely decorated in modern white, clean, comfortable. read more

I was referred to Banzai by a friend. Unfortunately it was not a good experience for me. Staff were very friendly but lacking in skill. The colourist tried twice (in the same appointment) my hair and kept saying 'sorry' each time the results were not as expected. The girl who did my cut did not seem confident or experienced. The results were disappointing. The silver lining was that the services were inexpensive ($60 - colour; $30 - cut), so I could afford to go get the cut and colour corrected at another salon without putting too much stress on my credit card. read more

I've been here 4 times and I like it quite a lot. The staffs are really nice. I had my hair straightened. The result turned out well. The style is not very fancy. My main complaint is that it's a little too expensive: 42 for a cut, 250 for a hair straightening. read more

So I decided to give this place a try after a friend went on and on about the great service.When I arrived they didn't even offer me coffee or water, most of the other clients were drinking either tea or coffee. I found that a bit rude. So I sat down and the person who cut my hair cut it so short that I can no longer tie it up and I have to straighten it to make it longer. The woman who colored my hair wouldn't even let me have the bright red I wanted, instead she gave me this ugly brown color. She didn't even give me the proper foils, I felt they were taking advantage of my kindness because it was my first time there they could do anything with me. I found the hair stylists to be arrogant and rude and very forceful. I want a refund for the ugly cut and color I received. I am never coming back! read more

I went to this studio twice to see two different hairstylists. I went once in 2012 and had a bad experience with K, but returned in June to try someone new (someone who has a glowing review below). For each time, I left with the hairstyle I didn't want (I.e. They cut too much off or if I said that I wanted to grow out but blend my bangs, I would come home with shorter bangs......) Although I communicated what I wanted, I found the stylists nice ...but WAY too chatty - so chatty that it made me wonder whether the were concentrating on what they were doing. I think I have bad luck at this salon. Never going here again. read more

Love this hair studio. I have been a client for years and would highly recommend their services. All of the staff are very friendly and extremely competent. They are a high end studio with fair prices. read more

I have been going to Banzai Hair Studio for a little over three years. Banzai has a very friendly staff which makes you feel like a "Cheers" moment: Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same You wanna be where everybody knows your name. Jokes aside, Banzai is a hair salon that strives to make your day great. Chuck has cut my hair from the beginning. There are three things I like about Chuck: he is honest, he is hard-working, and he is a perfectionist. Chuck isn't afraid to tell me if a certain hair style can be achieved with my hair type. There are no false expectations as I know exactly what I am going to get after a hair cut. He learns your style and limits to exact a statement that fits your ideals. Chuck is always bettering himself. He attends workshops throughout the year to keep up with the latest hair styles. Chuck is a stickler for attention to detail. After asking him to use only scissors rather than a razor to cut my hair, he took on the challenge. The result was amazing. He painstakingly cut my hair for nearly two hours. I was impressed. I also really enjoy getting a neck massage while I get my hair washed. With the right amount of pressure, a day at the salon equates to a day at the spa for me. Banzai Hair Studio is the top in my books and I look forward to many years of enjoyment in the future. read more

I've been Winnie's client for about 3 yrs and I never leave without exactly what I came in for (or better). She really takes her time, so you don't feel rushed, and all the staff are really friendly. read more

My hair gets very frizzy when it's raining. And it kind of rains a lot in Vancouver. :) So, I decided to get a permanent hair straightening. A friend recommended me Jeff. I went in for a consultation a couple of months ago. What I liked about Jeff was the fact that he honestly told me that my hair is not ready for a permanent straightening. He didn't just want to get my money, he really wanted to see me happy about the service offered. I went back about 3 weeks ago and I got it done. My hair looks really shinny and healthy. And it's so easy to take care of. I just wash it and I blow dry it, that's all. Thank you, Jeff!!! read more

I cannot say enough good things about this salon, where I have been a client for about 3 years. Their staff and stylists among the nicest people you could ever meet. They are all dedicated to making you look and feel your best and do whatever it takes to ensure your satisfaction. I am a short-hair afficionado and Tomoko is the best short-hair stylist I have ever had. She is patient and takes time to provide a cut that not only looks great, but works for my picky requirements :). Charmaine is the colour queen and incredibly talented at highlight balliage for short hair (no small feat!). read more

Love this place! MY favorite stylists are Willy and Nakry....I have been seeing them for over 5yrs now! Love them and their work.

I have been a client for over a year but will not go back based on my last experience. It is basic requirement really - don't ignore me when another client comes in, leave someone inexperienced to finish your job, ignore me for 45 minutes, pretend to care as I am about to walk out the door. I was in complete shock - the colorist switched to wash another client's hair while someone completely inexperienced fumbled to apply toner, rinse and style mine. Unacceptable and unbelievable. read more

My aunt Tomoko, owns this buisness. She's been cutting my hair all my life. I recently went in and got ombre highlights by Charmaine. It looks amazing. I've gotten so many compliments on my hair and I always tell them about Banzai Hair Studio. read more

Willy is a miracle worker!!! I am a new mom, who was being driven crazy by my rat's nest ponytail look. I had strolled by this funky-looking salon in my neighbourhood, and on a whim, I made an appointment with Willy. BEST DECISION EVER! I told him 'just chop it off...whatever you think', and I am sooooooooooo happy that I trusted him. Now I am rocking a 'delicious' super sexy summer do (quoting my hubby), that works perfectly with my life with a wee one. A fantastic experience. It didn't hurt that Willy was really easy-going, funny, and kinda cute too :) :) read more