There IS a difference between a $30/$45 haircut and a $58 haircut!
To my recollection, I've never spent more than $45 for a haircut. I've bopped around the South Bay, Los Angeles and Eagle Rock asking for a layered cut.
One thing all these hairdressers, who charged in the $30 to $45 range, had in common was the layers they cut were not well blended. They would cut heavy, wedgy chunks where you could see exactly where they took their scissors and cut. If you've gotten layers, you know what I mean.
I've been to another hairdresser at this salon (a $45 cut), I won't name names, but I don't see her mentioned in other reviews PRIOR TO TODAY'S DATE, who was cutting the same chunks.
I've even brought realistic photos (meaning not models who've spent hours getting styled and are standing in front of a wind machine) from magazines and had the haircut not look anything like the photo.
I've seen actresses and yes, even Laura Diaz, the newscaster on Channel 2, get layers that were nicely blended in. I've seen regular people on the street with nice layers, but I was not getting them from my hairdressers. Until now.
I found Tadashi's name in previous reviews and took a chance even though I've never paid $58 for a haircut. I just didn't want to spend the time anymore to wait for a bad cut to grow out, so I decided to spend the money. As I told my friend afterwards, SO WORTH IT.
I saw him last Sunday morning (points for being open on a Sunday, mellow and quiet, unlike Saturdays). My appointment was at 9 a.m. I arrived at 8:55, and he was already there, ready to go. I always try to get the earliest appointment in the morning, and often, other hairdressers have arrived late, sometimes 1/2 hr. late. First, Tadashi had a consultation with me, and I explained what I want and DIDN'T want. I brought photos to illustrate.
Then his assistant, Linda (tip her, too), washed my hair and gave me a mini scalp massage.
Tadashi proceeded to cut my hair. During, I could tell the cut was going to be great. He pulled my hair in different directions and cut layers all around. He explained as he went along why he was cutting this and that. He even asked for my feedback on how I wanted my bangs and made recommendations.
When I thought he was done, he walked me back to the hairwash bowl and rinsed my hair with water. Then back to the chair where he gave me a mini neck massage, then cut some more, then styled it. He also explained how I should style it at home. He spent over an hour, not because he was slow, but because he was meticulous about his work.
Even though a lot of my hair ended up on the floor, I don't feel like the cut was too short, like "Oh, it'll look better in a month when it grows out a bit." My cut feels fresh and modern. And for the first time, I am satisfied with the layers. It's a wash-and-go style. It would look even nicer if I spent the time to style it, but it still looks great as-is.
After when I was paying at the counter, the owner, Evelyn (?) came and introduced herself and welcomed me. The cashier gave me a welcome gift bag of a couple sample bottles of shampoo, a packet of hair gel, and a pen. I don't know if it's a new thing they're doing since as I said earlier, I'd been to that salon before a couple of times with a female hairdresser and didn't get that kind of reception, but it was still nice of them. read more