I also would like to thank the family of commenters who took time to speak the truth! I have thick, kind-of coarse hair that tends to grow upwards and out, and Linda knows exactly how to cut it - excuse me - sculpt it. I prefer a traditional men's cut, nothing fancy, and Linda makes it look exceptional. She is a true artist and is there for YOU, this is not some woman "doing her job." After my first cut two years ago I was so thrilled and confident with my new 'do that I had to phone my mother (I'm 35, so what). Now they wish each other pleasantries when cut time rolls around. Linda, and the family of reviewers, thank you for helping me find the haircut I've always wanted. I never knew that my type of hair could be tamed and look so good! read more

I thought I was going to to spend the rest of my life either tying my hair up or spending time styling it with heat tools to make it presentable. Linda changed all of that a few years ago with a fantastic cut which let me return to the wash and shake dry days of my youth. It is no exaggeration to say that she gave my hair back to me: my formerly dry and heat-damaged hair is now soft and healthy again. And if that were not enough, the second floor salon overlooking Congress Square Park and Linda's company are both a pleasure to experience. You may have to wait a little bit to get an appointment, but it is 100% worth it! read more

I recently moved to Maine and had long hair and was in the market for someone to help me figure out what to do with it. I called Linda and left her a voicemail and she got back to me the next day. I told her my thoughts briefly and somehow without meeting me she came up with a plan. That Friday she gave me a perfect cut that I love and plan on rocking for years. I'm so grateful to have found Linda, she's a magician with hair, and on top of that she's a joy to be around. Thank you Linda!!! read more

Linda is amazing! I have curly hair that I've struggled since childhood to control. As a result I always wore my hair up in a ponytail or other retraining device. Now it's the rare occasion that I feel the need to pull it back. If you've struggled to control your hair Linda will change your life read more

I just want to start off by saying that Linda started as my hairdresser, but grew into being a role model and mother like figure to me. An amazing artist, sculptor, and most importantly, person. I have dreaded getting my haircut from a young age, and I can confidently say I look forward to leaving her chair feeling incredible! It's unlike any encounter I have ever had. Her experience will absolutely blow you away. The precision and detail culminates into the best haircut you will ever receive. Even if I didn't have any hair to cut I would go and see her, that's just the type of person she is! Warm, kind, caring, and genuine. Amazing person and will only have my haircut done by her! I wish I could leave more stars, because she is 10/10 every time. If you are looking for someone to not only give you the best haircut of your life, but to have a real conversation with, look no further! read more

First and foremost, I want to thank Linda's customers, who took the time to leave incredibly informative reviews on Yelp. Special shout out to Heidi C., Kelly W., Tim S., and Xiao Z. I can confirm the positive reviews are 100% accurate. She is a veritable "Master Ninja Hair Goddess" with a strong leaning toward Jedi, of the New Hope variety. She is a lovely human being and an extraordinary hairdresser/sculptor/stylist. In fact, she is an actual sculptor turned hairdresser. I have already booked my next appointment. read more

Consider this two 5-star ratings - my wife and I are both dedicated customers of Linda. I get the elusive stylish-but-not-trendy-cut, a meticulous scissor cut that works with my face, age, and unruly hair rather than a typical 2-minute fade with clippers. As a bonus it grows out so well that I can go twice as long between cuts than I had been for the last 20 years or so. My wife gets a zero fuss wash it and go cut that looks beautiful on her and shows off the natural curls that other stylists had been cutting off. Her bonus is knowledgeable advice on proper coloring and keeping her hair fuller and more healthy, given without having a bunch of expensive products pushed on her. Linda is one of those old-school professionals that has you dreading the day she eventually retires - you really can't do better in Portland or beyond. read more

I am so glad I found Linda to cut my hair. Like others are saying in the comments here, she is truly an artist! My hair looked the best it's looked in a very long time and it's so easy to style. I was also struck by what a lovely and personable person she is! Thank you Linda!! read more

Linda is truly a hair sculptress. My hair can be frizzy and hard to manage. She gave me a cut that brings out the waves in my hair and beautifully frames my face. I no longer need clips and hairbands to manage my hair. It blows in the wind and still looks good. Linda has phenomenal attention for her artistry and is also a delight to connect with. read more

If you are tired of buying hair styling products and equipment only to find your new do can't be recreated, then The Mane Attraction is the salon for you. Linda spends a lot of time consulting with you. Then she designs the perfect cut to fit your needs and hair type. Her goal is to give you a haircut that will only require air drying. No more wasted time styling your hair. You just shower and go. Plus you will get compliments! It doesn't get better than that. read more

The absolute real deal. Exactly what I was hoping to find, someone with a vision and talent who could do something with my difficult hair. She's a complete Master Ninja Hair Goddess! You'll never be the same again, a better you from a hair cut! read more

To my fellow Asian male readers, I completely understand the painstaking process of finding a hair-stylist (outside your nearest Chinatown) who understands how to cut our PITA (pain in the !@#) straight hair. I've been relatively spoiled, having lived in Boston Chinatown for 3 years with a hairstylist who knows my hair, almost strand for strand. So, when I first stepped foot into this non-Asian establishment, I was quite skeptical. However, I couldn't be more wrong. The salon is located in a gorgeous studio in the middle of Portland, with a view of the entire city from the comfort of your chair. The hair stylist, Linda, is incredibly talented and understanding. She simply looked at my hair, and started her work meticulously. She listened to all of my requests and delivered a finishing product that was equivalent (if not better) to my previous haircuts. I paid about $35 for my haircut, which was a little bit on the pricier side for me, but given the baseline difficulty, I'd say it was totally worth it! read more

This was a fabulous haircut experience. I'm visiting Portland for a couple of weeks and was impressed that The Mane Attraction had about 8 or 10 glowing recommendations. I made an appointment, was warmly welcomed to the cozy second floor space by Linda, and had a completely enjoyable, relaxing time as well as a great haircut. Normally, I don't care about the atmosphere, but there's something very welcoming here. When I told Linda I found her on Yelp, she said that in the last few days most of her reviews had vanished--according to Yelp reviews are not supposed to review the proprietor of a business (I'm avoiding writing ''the ow__r" for fear of getting flagged). When there's only one person there, it's kind of hard to do that--and incredibly unfair to wonderful folks like Linda. So, please read this as reflecting the universally positive comments of many more people. read more

The worst customer service I've ever had hands down. I got a call AT THE TIME OF MY APPOINTMENT and the stylist said she couldn't make the appointment. Fine. I wasn't happy but things happen. However, she wasn't apologetic in the slightest. Never even said she was sorry for the inconvenience of me having to drive all the way there for nothing. Her tone was so dismissive I almost laughed. Then, very snottily she said "well, do you want to reschedule?" No. I don't. Ever. read more

The ambience is unmatched; both the building and the 'team' contribute to a calming and comfortable experience. The cut was professional, and exceeded many higher priced cuts I've received in larger cities. Above all, this place clearly takes pride in their profession, and I thoroughly recommend it. Make sure to call in advance, as it's definitely not a walk-in joint. I'm sure the fellow customer base is as loyal as I am, so you'll want to schedule an appointment. read more

Love a chance to relax and know that I am going to look and feel better than when I started... seeing Linda at The Mane Attraction is my fix! She has tamed my curly locks, given me a gorgeous blowout for date-night, and recommended products that have improved my hair so it looks the best it's ever been. Go see Linda for a fabulous cut (she really is a hair sculptor extraordinaire) and relax in her beautiful shop...oh, and enjoy some great conversation, too! read more

Linda is basically a magician. After receiving the WORST haircut of my life (from a salon I won't mention) that left me looking like the guy from Eraserhead, I frantically searched for a place that could attempt a fix. Doubtful that Linda could do anything but shave my head, I actually ended up leaving with an awesome cut. I called an hour before opening on a Saturday, and even though she was booked solid, she got me in 45 minutes before her first appointment. Very relaxing atmosphere; I found the single chair approach to be far more comfortable than the typical multi chair setup. The only thing that upset me was that I hadn't discovered this place five years ago. read more

I was lucky to fit in an appointment with Linda when I could. She totally fixed my bad hair experience from a previous salon and gave me a great layered look. Linda was wonderful and made me feel comfortable, and loved her stories about hair in the '80s! Very reasonable price, and she was gracious enough to offer me tomatoes from her garden. And my hair still looks good 4 months later! read more

I feel privileged to know about the Mane Attraction. Recently, I have been reflecting on what a gift it is to do what you love for a living. Today, after seeing Linda at the Mane Attraction, I realized it is also a gift to go to a hairstylist who loves what they do; you can see and feel it in your haircut! Linda is a treasure. Treat yourself to a visit here! I'm so glad I do! read more

A true artiste. Moved here from NYC where I used to go to Frederic fekkai and tried the usual suspects in Portland, to mixed results. No one seemed to understand the proportions my face needs, and how to translate that into my fine hair. Linda has a sculptural approach that emphasized my eyes (vs my wide jaw) and gave me a fabulous, flattering new style that has received a ton of love from my women friends AND my boyfriend. Thank you! read more

Saved by The Mane Attraction! I got a terrible haircut in NY only 2 days before a wedding and this placed saved the day. The sylist took about 25 mins to completely change my terrible haircut into a great one. Extremely impressed with this place and I'll surely return if I'm ever in Bangor again! A+ read more

Just came back to say that I got my hair cut at the Mane Attraction a few more times. I moved back to Mass. and will certainly miss this place! Still highly recommended! read more

I got my hair cut at The Mane Attraction while visiting family in Portland. When I got there, the stylist welcomed me into a clean and inviting space. She sat me down in the chair, and unlike most stylists who ask you what you want just to go through the motions, she really took her time discussing with me how I usually cut my hair, how I wanted her to cut my hair, how I usually styled it, etc. She really took the time to customize the haircut to me, which I thought was nice. During the haircut, she made pleasant conversation that was never awkward. The haircut turned out well, and my wife liked it. All in all, it was a great haircutting experience, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a better haircut in Portland, especially for men's hair. read more

I found this shop on Yelp when I first moved to Portland. I entered as a customer and left as family. Getting your hair cut at The Mane Attraction is an experience. Great cut, a fantastic stylist (Linda), and stimulating conversation. read more

I highly recommend the Mane Attraction. As a guy who knows nothing about making my hair look good, Linda took what I described I wanted (in guy words) and made it happen easily. I've struggled with hairstylists for years that just did what they thought was best - but Linda really took time to ask and listen to what I wanted. She then cut to what I wanted and made great recommendations for shampoo and other hair care. She didn't push products at me; actually recommended cheap alternatives to what I was currently using. All in all; a great hair cut. read more

Thank you ! First I really like to use Yelp when making decisions for dining out and was very pleased with my find in The Mane Attraction for my recent hair cut and color. Linda was very pleasant and really took the time to evaluate and talk to me about my likes/dislikes in regard to my style/cut. I walked out of the salon very happy that I went and made this choice. She truly is very blessed and gifted in her profession. Thank you Mane Attraction! read more

I first chose The Mane Attraction for two reasons: it is in the heart of downtown Portland and within walking distance of my business, and because I had an important client meeting the next day...and needed some haircut help, stat. I had such a great experience--and fantastic results that I still get comments about--that I'll be back again and again. I've been told I don't have the easiest hair, but the stylist/owner took time to understand what I needed and made me look great--no small feat. I can't recommend the Mane Attraction enough. read more

This is a great place for a haircut right in the middle of charming Portland, but while you're there, it's also an interesting art gallery featuring local artists, and Linda knows just about every eatery in this food-crazy town, so you walk out looking great and ready for a really good meal. read more

Going to a new place for a cut is nerve-wracking. Even with these kind of reviews, I was still apprehensive about trusting my hair to someone new. There was absolutely nothing to be nervous about. The Mane Attraction is a genuinely welcoming environment with sunlight through the window, greenery everywhere, and of course Linda. Linda, what can I say. She's absolutely amazing. So warm and friendly. I'm not the most talkative person, but she kept the conversation going without any of it seeming forced. Then there's the cut. She sat me down and we talked about it, what I liked, what I wanted, my lifestyle, etc.My hair is not difficult by any means. I go for long and layered. She showed me what was wrong with my current layers and how she was going to shape my hair. It was perfect. I think I said "The layers of my dreams'. All of it looks so natural, like the hair you can picture in your head but can't quite explain. She knew, and she did it. Go. Just do it. I can't wait to be back. read more

Talk about over deliver...Linda goes above and beyond to satisfy her customers. She is a great hairstylest that can cut and style hair for EVERY age. She expecially excells in men's haircuts. read more

I just moved back to the Portland area a couple months ago after over a decade away. You know all those hidden expenses and pains of moving? Yeah, everybody always forgets the stress of finding a new haircut. I've had bad haircuts before, so I'm particularly sensitive about it. I found this place through the Yelp reviews and decided to give it a try. The store is tucked into a studio on the second floor of the old state building on high/congress street. When I walked in, the owner greeted me and was finishing up her previous client. She was wonderful, start to finish. We talked about the area, and about what it was like coming back to it. I had no idea what to do with my hair (I never do) so I told her to have a field day with it. She ended up giving me a phenomenal cut, which I was complimented on by several folks in the weeks following. Will definitely be returning there again and again. :) The price was a little more than I typically pay for a haircut, but it was definitely worth it. Have you ever had a bad haircut? Yeah. I'd rather pay a little more and get something NYC-salon quality than risk alternatives, and it was such a nice experience overall anyway. read more

After recently moving to Portland, Linda was the first hairdresser I tried in the area. She took her time learning my hair and figuring out what look I was going for before perfectly executing. I won't be needing to try another salon in Portland. If you call and can't get an appointment the same day, just wait a day or two, it's worth it. If you go somewhere else, you'll regret it and you'll just be coming back to see Linda to fix the bad haircut you got somewhere else anyway. read more

I have always had a hard time getting a great haircut....until now!! I have very thick and wavy hair and even though I always say I like to wear it natural they insist on straightening. When I talked to Linda and she said she didn't even own a straightener I was encouraged. Her reasoning was that even a bad haircut can be molded with straightening but the real test was how it looked, as is. Well Linda delivered, not only did I get a great cut but it looked great when I did it on my own. I am able to wear my hair down and it does not look frizzy or bulky. Also Linda knew what products would work well on my hair and she did not push me to buy anything. I have been to every trendy place within miles but I have finally found someone that can work with thick wavy hair. Thank you read more

I love this place! And I'm not alone--check out the 31 filtered reviews below. I've been coming here for one year, and I can say with confidence that Linda does excellent work. And she has a great "chairside" manner. Not the cheapest in town, but reasonable--and you get what you pay for. read more

I moved to Portland 7 months ago and kept putting off finding a hair stylist TOO long! I turned to Yelp to look for one and I am so glad I found The Mane Attraction and Linda! I called requesting an appointment and she was able to squeeze me in her schedule when I mentioned that I had a job interview coming up. She took time to learn what I wanted (just a few inches off, frame my face, etc), and she took the time to explain how she was going to meet my specifications and improve my cut. I was also very pleasantly surprised that she did not push products, and only has a small selection on products that she herself uses and thus recommends. Besides the shampoo and conditioner, she used only one other product in my hair before styling and explain how to style my hair at home! I would recommend The Mane Attraction in a heartbeat! I am so happy to have found a hair sculptor, not just a hair stylist! read more

I've had some really bad haircuts, mostly from hairdressers chopping up my very thick hair in an attempt to "thin it out," which is why I'm so thrilled that I found The Mane Attraction! I'm a pretty minimal hairstyling person; I like to brush and go/use a straight iron at times if my wavy hair becomes unruly. The only product I use is heat protectant. After a really bad haircut, I searched online to find a different place to go after my hair grew out a bit. I was drawn to this place right away: Linda does not use any heat tools (besides a hairdryer) or hair products, so you leave with the way your hair naturally falls. She took one look at my bad cut and made it look 100% better by giving me a shorter bob. I still don't know how she did it, but it was magical. I went to her again about a month ago and she got rid of the last of the bad haircut. Now I can finally go back to growing it out and getting the style I wanted before my regrettable decision of walking into a random salon. Go to Linda; she actually listens to your questions and concerns to work with you to get a good haircut. I'm not one to write online reviews, but I just had to add my wonderful experience! read more