I returned to the salon a few months ago (after last being there several years ago) to get my "not so great" color from another salon fixed. Michelle did an amazing job, has vision, knew just what to do, and really listened to what I had to say. I had such a great experience that I returned a month later for keratin treatment and a cut. I don't remember ever receiving so many compliments - literally up until the day I had a color touch up (the first color lasted 8 weeks). It's an understatement to say that my experience with Michelle and my new "easy to control," vibrant hair has been life changing. All I can say is, wow. read more

I was rescheduled with Collins to have a fix on a not-so-great cut I had at the studio last weekend, and I must say....WOW!!!! She was AMAZING. She took time to get to know me, my hair, my personality, and came up with a cut that I absolutely LOVE. I am so glad she was able to save me from the embarrassment of my haircut from the weekend prior! Can't wait to see her work with my hair on a good day! Collins, thank you for being amazing! read more

After 7 years of living in Manhattan and succumbing to a way of life that made fashion and beauty a non negotiable I could not give up the glam for my relocation and reinvention in Seattle. The most critical aspect to maintaining a polished look is hair care. I knew the Dominican blow outs of New york were now a luxury of the past so what a blessing to find Maria Espinoza at Gary Manuel. This is a woman who didn't flinch at the feat of straightening my hard core mixed girl curls in 60 minutes flat! With attention to detail and efficiency Maria creates a spa like experience while bringing your vision to life. After a year of sitting in her chair from every business or personal event to the mandatory trim I realize I come to Gary Manuel for the Maria transformation, as each time I'm out networking after she does her thing, people compliment my hair. I feel like I'm in my own hair advertisement. Being teased for years as a child for having "unruly" curly hair, I have since been enlightened to embrace all the possibilities and textures my hair can take on. Maria is an artist that respects the health of my hair giving me the freedom for a diversity of styles. From the vision conversation over tea while you are guided to the chair or the hand massage you receive while being blow dryed it is an experience that leaves me feeling beautiful and renewed. Having gone to two other stylists I am left to conclude that I can not sit for another. Maria understands my most grandiose visions of edge with a touch of classic and translates them to fit my working mom on the go lifestyle. She has learned my preferences and this type of trust in a stylist is worth scheduling ahead for. I consistently recommend her to the ladies in my circles assured that they will also sing her praises. So excited to support a salon that is inclusive and at the cutting edge...with a lot of consciousness. read more

I have been going to Gary Manuel salon for about 20 years. I have never had an experience less then 100% professional. There are very few places I go where I get the sense that everyone is into doing their job really well. I am picky since I have worked in and around retail for my career. Currently I am getting my hair cut by Pepper Ogle. I love the way every appoint starts with a place to look at my hair cut to see how it could be better. She doesn't rush this. She has listened to my requests yet can be creative on her own. I am 50+ with grey hair but want to look hip and with it--Pepper has been great for this. I have seen her work with plenty of clients in their 20s and 30s and they seem pleased as well. read more

Gary Manual use to be great salon. Today, I went to buy some shampoo asking for moisturizing, color-safe and sulfate-free and was given an Aveda product with ammonium lauryl sulfate. When I took it back to the salon, the same girl who sold it blamed with a bunch of excuse. Not only did she not listen, she also lacked customer service skills. Gary Manual use to be a top-notch salon but not anymore. read more

Michelle Bostick is the best colorist and hair stylist I have ever been to. She takes the time to understand your needs and always had the perfect solution. She is very courteous and caring. There is no way I would ever go to another stylist. read more

I first went to Phase 3 where I had Charles Fox cut and color my hair. It was fabulous, he did a great job and took his time to ask questions in order to make sure I got what was best for me. Then, he broke his leg. I got a call from the salon apologizing for cancelling my appointment at the last minute, and since I drive from over an hour away, would I mind scheduling with someone else? I said no- big mistake! They scheduled me with some tattooed dingbat in the main salon who said she never used the particular line of products before. The whole time all she talked about was how worried she was that she wouldn't make her bus in time to get home (I was about 10-15 minutes late for the appointment because of traffic as there was an accident) and how she was on medications for manic-depression. There was a car crash outside the building that day and she had to stop and watch that as well. She didn't want to dry or style my hair because- you guessed it!- she would miss the bus! She assured me the slight color variance would disappear after the first washing and that the lighting in the shop always made people look that way. To my horror, after I got home (remember, after an hour away), I had this darker racing stripe running horizontally around my head from where she pulled the color too far down. It was about 3 inches wide. It was too late to call the shop so I had to call them after the weekend. The salon gave me a hard time about rescheduling, as I didn't want to reschedule with her. They wouldn't reschedule for over a week- you'd think they wouldn't want a walking advertisement of how bad their coloring was! I finally had it redone at a local salon which, thankfully, was able to salvage my hair. When I tried to reschedule with Charles after his healing, I found out that Phase 3 was phased out and he was gone. As the saying goes, when they are good they are very very good, and when they are bad they are horrid. Are you willing to take that chance? read more

love this salon! the front desk is great, always gets me water, tea, or coffee and really helpful with product questions. i see karlie, and love her! she is quick, fun to talk to, and excellent with color-- my cuts never do that funky thing where your hair is weird for two weeks, she always listens to what i want and makes sure to tell me what is actually possible. i always leave looking better than i thought i would! make an appointment with her, i promise you won't regret it! read more

Justin is amazing.... I've been going to the Gary Manuel Phase 2 (a couple of doors south of the main salon on 1st Ave) for about 18 months. In that time I have had Justin cut and color my hair. He is extraordinarily talented, listens well, offers good advice and amazing customer service. He has the perfect combination of talent and personality. I also appreciate the extras like the hand massage, the offers to plug the meter on my car so I don't need to go out in the rain, muddling the lemon in my ice tea, amazing head massages at the shampoo bowl etc etc. But most importantly i get compliments on my color all the time. I have lots of fine hair and so many other stylists in the past have used feathering (I know there must be a more updated term) on my hair to the point that I couldn't do a thing with it. Justin gives me the right amount of layers and just enough bluntness that my hair looks healthy and is easy to style. I think there is a lot of talent in this salon. I've seen the results of other styists as their clients have walked out the door. But Justin is the best. Love Justin. read more

I HIGHLY recommend this salon (and in particular Heather!). I walked in and told Heather all the things I hated about my current hairstyle. She totally understood...and gave me the most flattering hairstyle ever. She 'gets' hair, what looks good on what shape of face, etc. Feel your hairstyle drags you down? Make an appointment with Heather! She will reveal the hidden beauty in you! read more

I' ve lived in Seattle for 15 years and have finally discovered Gary Manuel Salon. What took me so long...? Upon entering this salon I was immediately greeted very warmly by the two women running the front desk. I was offered a variety of drinks and made to feel very welcome why I waited for my appointment to begin. I've truly never been in a salon where everyone who worked there was smiling and engaging towards the customer. Generally there is always some sort of attitude in this industry which I've never quite understood. Clearly the owners have some really solid philosophy's on customer service. A friend recommended her hair stylist, Jeff and boy was she right! Finally someone who gets how to cut hair with sophisticated edge and style. I get compliments on my hair daily and I owe it all to Jeff, Gary Manuel Salon and of course my friend who gave me the recommendation. So tonight I returned for my second visit and my first impression was right on...friendly employee's and another stunning haircut! I'm in hair bliss. read more

This is my first time EVER in my life writing a yelp review. Since I live by yelp reviews of where and where not to go, I felt it was my duty to let others know, who like me, base their daily decisions by yelp stars, just how AMAZING Lindsey is. I could not just keep this accolade to myself. She is not just a good stylist, but she LISTENS to what you are wanting the outcome of your hair to look like. She cares about making you happy , and you leaving with the outcome you had envisioned. This was my first time seeing her, so we initially had a consult and that is all it took for me to know I was in good hands by her knowledge she shared and complete honesty. She does not say she can get you to the perfect color you are envisioning unless she really can! Since I did have a stint in beauty school, I am not clueless on the steps one needs to take to achieve a perfect color. Since I was not wanting to do a bleach and tone but was wanting my hair a cool white blonde, I knew it could take my hair a few appointments in order to get that bleach tone look with foils and/or balyage. I am perfectly aware that it is a process, but it was the fact every time I left previous stylist chairs, I was leaving the same color blonde I entered the salon with. After my fourth time going through a situation like this in the past 6 months, i decided I could not keep shelling out money when my hair was not progressing what so ever. I decided it was time to go on the hunt for a blonde specialist in Seattle (which by the way is incredibly hard to find) and came across Lindsey. I showed her the picture of what I was going for, and she not only was very familiar with the techniques being used in the photo to achieve that blonde, but also had attended classes by the salons owners in LA where the picture was taken from. She is clearly constantly learning to make sure she is on trend and relevant. She took her time and I did not feel rushed at all. You could tell she really cared about how my hair was going to turn out. Together after the appointment we both looked at my hair in the mirror, and although it was looking fabulous already, I was able to tell her my thoughts and we both agreed I would need one more toner to get my hair exactly to the level I wanted. She on top of it is doing the extra work free of charge to make sure my hair is exactly what I was initially wanting. She is worth EVERY penny, and I would have even paid the extra money to get my hair re-toned, because that is how accommodating & talented she is. She is not just a blonde specialist but a color specialist in general. So happy I gave Lindsey a try, I highly recommend her. read more

I have been going to GM for approx 4-5 Years. I would highly recommend the salon for variety of reasons. First, I feel my business is appreciated and I feel valued while I am in the salon. I am greeted by name when I walk in. I probably have at least 4-5 Assistants come over and say hello, ask how I am doing and actually wait to hear the answer. I don't expect bells/whistles and glam when I am getting my hair done, however I work hard for my money and I expect courtesy and care which I feel the Salon embraces all of the qualities from my first greeting through the check out. Second and equally important I have found GM to be very innovative on their formula's, which can be a changing formula on a monthly basis. They are cutting edge on the latest hair fashions and they listen and care about my results. In closing the Salon cares about their clients, cares about the environment and this philosophy appears to be shared throughout their organization. read more

For years I was a traveling fool and would stop in at the best salons in NY or LA with a top celebrity type of stylist or colorist. It was fun, like an affair almost, but I always came back to see Lee Bocklund at Gary Manuel. His color combination for my 'natural' blond just can't be beat. I literally walk out of the salon and get stopped on the street and asked where I get my hair styled and colored, and almost always by blonds. Now after fifteen years with Lee, I rarely feel the need to stray. And if I do I stay close to home and go and see another stylist like Alex at Gary Manuel, who can read Lee's notes on my color ;-) The salon runs like a very well oiled machine, I can count on one hand the times I have had to wait more than 5 minutes for my appointment and I always love my scalp and hand massage. The staff is very friendly and the location is great. Always a great excuse to pop into the market for flowers or something for dinner. read more

e is a color specialist abd is the best!

I have had my hair done at the salon a few times before and have always had fabulous results. However today was a bit traumatizing. I had an early morning appointment and when I arrived the stylist was double booked, which I thought was fine because what i wanted was not going to be very complicated. I told her I wanted dark brown all over with some ombre highlights in front, pretty simple. She put dark brown on just my roots and on my brows with some foils in front and then proceeded to do the other woman's highlights. I was a bit nervous that my brows would be too dark, because it was taking a very long time, but I trusted the professional. After she was done with her she put dark brown on the rest of my hair, without removing the color from my eyebrows. She let that sit for only a what seemed not long enough and her assistant rinsed my hair and my eyebrows. When I looked in the mirror I was pretty horrified, It looked like two gorilla caterpillars were fighting on my face, and I could tell that my color was not dark enough on the ends even when it was still wet. Before her assistant came to blow dry my hair I went to the bathroom and inspected my eyebrows, there was still a considerable amount of hair dye on them and I had to rinse the remaining out in the bathroom myself. After she had flat ironed it, she ushered over a new assistant to put makeup on my face and eyebrows which was unasked for. after leaving the salon I realized why this was, the entire skin around my hairline was stained from hair dye, literally over an inch on to my forehead in some areas. I have been scrubbing my face all day and can still not get the hair dye off of my face. Its very embarrassing and I have never experienced this at a professional salon before. The only color that stayed in my hair was my roots, on my skin and on my eyebrows. It looks like I have about two inches of dark brown that abruptly go into my natural color. so disappointing, as I have had some great color done here. I was looking forward to a new look, but now will be in hiding until I can get it fixed somewhere else. I walked around covering my face most of the day. read more

I wrote a positive review on this place a while ago because I was happy with the color but I am continuously disappointed by this salons hairdressers and won't be coming back if I can help it. Nearly everytime I come here something bad happens to my hair whether it's a big issue or small issue and I keep coming back because I do trust their color. This time the hairdresser again did a great job on the color but when he brushed my hair he ripped and pulled it painfully and ignored me when I said ow and that it hurt. There is a ton of noticeable damage. I'm so disappointed that a reputable salon like this would treat fragile blonde hair so roughly and unprofessionally. I'm going to have to have at least and inch or two cut off to have it look half way decent (NOT at this salon) Again good color, but I spend way too much money to have my hair treated like that. I really liked this salon but for the sake of my hair I'll definitely be finding a different salon. read more

Run don't walk away from this salon or at least the stylist I had Psyche... I am sure all is wonderful in the world of Gary Manuel if they do not screw up but if they break all your hair off like they did mine don't expect anything other then being blamed yourself to getting other hairstylists to join in on acting like you are the one with the problem. There is no way to give negative stars on this site or I would. I had most of my hair broken off by Psyche who decided to bleach over already bleached hair even though I specifically said more then once not too. It will take YEARS to regrow my long locks to their former length and I had to just cut off my long hair and the best part is having to pay someone hundreds of dollars to ruin my hair. You can tell true character not by times of greatness but by times of crisis so if you go here pray nothing goes wrong or you will be told you are crazy and its all your fault someone else made a mistake and broke all your hair off. read more