I decided to leave my old salon due to a conflict of interest, sadly having to leave behind the…read morefirst person who could ever properly deal with my hair. I had no idea where to start looking for a new one, since I'm terrified of anyone new touching my hair (they always want to chop it, and can never style it properly). I'd driven by this place a ton, but never really given it a second thought until I got a Groupon for a shellac mani/pedi.
I went in to make my appointment, and the owner (Alano) jumped up from the haircut he was doing to greet me and take care of me until the receptionist got back from the bank. He was very friendly, welcoming, and chatted with me a bit until she got back. I made my appointment, and Alano offered me half off a hair cut if I wanted to come back.
I loved the shellac treatment; as someone who can't keep nail polish on for more than five minutes before it smudges, chips, etc., it's amazing. There's also ZERO dry time, so you can start doing things right away. I wasn't super impressed with the pedicure, mostly because they don't have a traditional spa pedicure station.
I ended up booking a hair appointment with Olivia, and, despite my overwhelming anxiety to have someone new get near my hair with scissors, she did an amazing job. I mean, it was just a trim, but I've had "just a trim" screwed up too many times for my taste. She also explained what she was doing and using on my hair as she went along, and gave me a gorgeous style to boot (and cut my bangs properly for once, which is a miracle). Aside from Alano, whose prices are high (but worth it, I hear), cuts start at $25, which I think is a good price for a great cut and style. I've paid more and less, and gotten the same service paying more, and many, many awful cuts paying less.
I took away one star because they don't (unfortunately) have a spa, and I am disappointed with the majority of spas in the Kalamazoo/Portage area. I'd much prefer to keep all of my beauty business here, but I can handle spreading it between Alano and KCHA.