I've known Danny literally since I was a baby... My uncle owned the business next to the original Jade Salon, that was located next to Pho King, where his sister would do my mom's hair while he did mine. Danny gave me my first hair cut when I was a baby, I am now 22.
My hair grows rapidly fast, so its a little time consuming and costly if I were to get it cut as much as it grows. So I go to him once, maybe twice , a year when I do my hair donations. He asks me what I want, even though I've almost always just let him have his way with my hair, as long as he keeps it low maintenance because I don't like to have to wake up every morning to do a bunch of crap to my hair, but he still talks to me to see if I would be ok with what he has in mind... and I have never been disappointed even on times when I do have an exact look that I'm going for. After we decide how my hair is going to be done, he bundles up and cuts off the length that I plan to donate, and then his assistant shampoos me and gets an area ready for Danny to work his magic.
I've had my hair done in short, medium, and long layers... I've had a bob, bangs, my hair permed straight... and when I started to miss my wavy locks, I've had him perm my hair back to wavy to match the wavy roots that were growing out. He always makes sure to frame my face perfectly... he will straighten or curl my hair to my liking at the end.
He makes good conversation with you if he isn't completely swamped, during the summer time when its really hot out, he offered if I wanted a dessert drink from Cam Huong because he was going to send his assistant to go get themselves some.
I'll admit, I have strayed from Danny a few times out of curiosity, and each time, not only have I been very disappointed, he always knew. He knows his work, and he always knew when I let somebody else butcher my hair. I admire how Danny can remember so many of his clients by name and past memories when he has such a HUGE clientele, but he remembers me from when I was a baby, and even reminds me each time I go in, that I promised him that I was going to have him do my hair and make up when I get married.
Tips to any new comers...
-Make an appointment, and be understanding that this is a very talented guy, who handles the hair of A LOT of men and women. I know people who have moved out of the Bay Area, going as far as SoCal+, who still come back to Danny. So don't expect him to do miracles if you are impatient and, well, pretty much a bitch from the jump.
- if you want or don't want something, be specific & let him know from the start and make sure you both have an understanding of whats going to be done.
- If your hair is naturally just unmanageable and difficult, he's gonna do his best and you will come out looking pretty amazing... but you have to remember if you are only willing to pay $30 for his regular wash&cut, its not fair to him if you are expecting him to do all the crap you do to your hair to make it look some what decent. if you spend 2 hours blow drying, flat ironing, teasing, curling and putting a shit load of products in your hair to make it look "OK" you shouldn't be giving him bad reviews just because he doesn't do all the crap you do. You leave there looking amazing and your hair ends up looking SO much healthier.
-if you are a walk-in, you have to understand if he happens to be a little more friendly to his regulars. His regulars have been loyal to him for years, they make appoints weeks in advance, they usually do more than just wash&cut, and they bring him more customers. If you want him to pay more attention to you, speak up, he might just think you aren't the chit chatting type. Talk to him so he can get the chance to get to know you and remember you as well.
-if you regularly go for the $8-$15 hair cuts at all those cheap places who try to rush you in&out in less than 30 minutes, you might think that $30 for a hair cut is expensive... but I've seen people pay well into the hundreds at other "fancy" places. But I still haven't seen anyone do amazing work like Danny for his price. Besides, if you only want to spend $8-$15, do you really have the right to place judgement? Thats like going into a diamond store with a $100 budget & complaining that the diamond is too small or not clear/sparkly enough. BE REALISTIC, PEOPLE!!
I love Danny for the quality of his work & still offering amazing prices. He isn't stuck up like all the other hairstylists that started developing a clientele that still can't even compare to Danny's. He's still as humble as he have always been and even more fun to talk to then ever.
I hope all you yelpers out there find the your perfect hairstylist, like I have, and STICK TO THAT HAIRSTYLIST. Don't bounce from one to another, because then you wouldn't be able to build a relationship with him/her. Stick to one hairstylist who knows what you want and understands your style preference.
I'M SO EXCITED FOR MY 3 O'CLOCK APPOINTMENT TODAY!!! read more