Trusted stylist in Toronto

WendyH

Hello,
Does anyone know of a good curly hair stylist in Toronto? I relied on Nicole at Sears Sherway but I am not sure where she has gone since Sears closed.
Thank you

unepetiteprune

I've had positive experiences from two Toronto salons - Parlour and Curlbar. Parlour is cheaper (especially if you're a student..you get a student rate if you show your school ID)...Cheryl cut my hair and she was very attentive and patient with me, and she has curly hair herself. Curlbar is pricier but they're Devachan, which I personally think is worth the extra cost...with the Deva cut...my hair somehow just sits better. My last three haircuts have been with Karlene at Curlbar. I've heard good things about Curl ambassadors too but it takes forever to get an appointment with them.

WendyH

Parlour it is - a quick TTC ride from home.
Thanks for your help,
Wendy

unepetiteprune

You're welcome

nicolerhunter

Nicole is at a new salon down the street from Sherway Gardens called iBeauty 1160 The Queensway

beirut

Any other recs ladies? I've been to the Curl Ambassadors in Vaughan and wasn't a fan… overpriced for nothing special.

beirut

WendyH wrote: »

Parlour it is - a quick TTC ride from home.
Thanks for your help,
Wendy

How did it go??

unepetiteprune

BlogTO recently listed in their opinion, the top 10 curly salons in Toronto: The top 10 salons for curly hair in Toronto

chloe_0527

Does anyone know where Karlene from Curl Bar has gone? Last week I booked an appointment with her for this Friday. I checked my account on the Curl Bar website yesterday and to my surprise, my appointment has been replaced by another hairstylist - the owner, Trudie. I'm sure Trudie will do a great job (she is the owner of the salon, afterall), but finding a new hairdresser is a bit like finding a new doctor or dentist. You want to stick with who you're comfortable with. I'll go to my appointment this week but I really wish I knew where Karlene has gone!

chloe_0527

Just an update because I know it's kind of annoying when someone posts a question and never reports back. I went ahead with my appointment at Curl Bar. Dixie cut my hair this time (not the owner, Trudie as the appointment schedule said - maybe because I changed the day of my appointment last minute). I told her in detail what I had in mind, including showing her a picture, and she basically copied the picture onto my head! So I was apprehensive for nothing (I guess that's what countless bad haircuts in the past does to you) and I'll continue going to Dixie from now on. And since this topic started off as trusted stylists in Toronto, I would definitely recommend Dixie at Curl Bar.

KarleneV1

Hi this is Karlene from Curl Bar! I`m no longer working there - I apologize for the inconvenience. You can reach me at 647-960-3219 by text or phone call. I`m available to do house calls now while I am looking for a chair at a new downtown spot! Looking forward to hearing from you! Thank you for reaching out! K

AS_Toronto

is Parlour on Ossington?

beirut

I've scheduled an appointment to cut my hair with Dixie from CurlBar on Firday. So nervous.. haven't cut my hair in 2 years! Will report back to let you all know how it goes.

hilar_ridic

I am just looking to get my first Deva cut and live east of Toronto. Would you all recommend Curlbar? Also keeping in mind that I'm a wavy girl 2c/3a so I need someone that really understands that. Do you bring your products with you or let them use theirs? I don't think there are any Deva stylists out this way and can't find a thread that has anything up to date on that. It would be worth the drive to get a great shaping of my hair.

africana

I am going to curlbar today! I have type 4 hair. I'll tell you how it goes.

hilar_ridic

I am so excited for you!!!! Post pics after. I am sure it will go well. I am very scared of who to try in the Toronto area. I went to a regular salon a couple of weeks ago and my hair paid the price. I have triangle head now

africana

I went to get the consultation and then get my hair washed, treated, trimmed and twisted:

First impressions:

- The salon is small, but it's right downtown so rent is probably sky high making a small space necessary

- The owner, who was handling reception, told me to sit down and that the stylist, Betty, would be with me in a second. Before I could even sit down, the stylist was ready for me. That was great.

- All the staff have type 3 and type 4 hair. All the staff are black, and there were mostly black clients, but I did see a non-black customer in the salon also. She had gorgeous type 3b hair. All the staff were wearing wash and go styles (even on type 4b/4c). I know you don't need to have coily or curly hair to style coily or curly hair, but it's great to know that they first hand deal with their own natural hair.

Consultation:

I have type four hair. I do not do anything overtly damaging to my hair (heat, colour, etc), but I am very lazy with my hair (I like to wear headwraps instead of dealing with my hair). Therefore, I have short, breaking hair around my hairline from headwraps. I shaved my head less than two years ago, and have about 8-9 inches of hair when fully stretched. So my hair grew about 12 inches in 2 years, and I retained 8 or 9. I guess that is normal.

For the consultation, she asked me what products I used, my techniques, and what styles I wore. She said my hair was in pretty good condition except for my hairline. She recommended that I do low manipulation styles like the wash and go with nothing on my hairline. They are a Deva inspired salon so they push CG stuff (no silicones, sulfate free shampoo, co-washing). She told me stuff I already know, but needed to hear as reinforcement and to stop me from being lazy with my hair. She recommended hair oils and what oils are best for pre and post washing.

Review of Consultation

The consultation was not worth it. If you've read the CG book you know the basics. The consultation is more worth if you were going to do a chemical process (colouring your hair), new to CG, or had severly damaged hair.


The Trim:

I did not get a Deva cut. I got my ends clipped. She cut it dry. Some parts she cut off an 1/4 of an inch, others more. It depended on how much was needed where. I gave the stylist free reign.


Cleansing and Conditioning:

After the trim she cleansed my hair. She used a sulfate-free shampoo that I did not get the name of. Then she used DevaCurl No Poo. OMG that stuff is the bomb diggity. I wish she never used it 'cause my hair likes expensive stuff. She then made a custom mix of a deep conditioner. While my hair was slathered with the conditioner, she detangled and put my hair into chunky twists (8, maybe 10) and then I went under the dryer for 20 minutes.


Styling:

She used As I Am Twist Defining Cream to do my twists. She used very little product saying that she uses water to help spread the product. She applied to product to soaking wet hair. As the water evaporated, she constantly spritzed with more water to re-moisturize. A big hair no-no is that she used a rat tail comb when doing these twists. However, what I don't get is how this did not get caught in my hair. The comb GLIDED through easily. However, I would not attempt this ever. After she twisted my hair, she used Deva Curl Set Up and Above on my edges. I went under the dryer again and afterwards she used a bit of argan oil spray.


Rating

Staff: 4/5- Everyone is nice.
Cleanliness: 4/5
Price: 3/5 - Not outrageously expensive, but not SuperCuts prices
Consultation: 2/5 (not worth if you're familiar with CG)
Technique: 4/5
Products Used: 5/5 - all CG friendly products
Vibe/Impression:4/5

africana

I just want to say that I love the products that they use. My twists feel super soft and have swing when I shake my head. Also, about my hair .... 4a mostly 4b in the front. Fine strands. Medium density (twists look a little scalpy). The stylist has inspired me to develop a simple routine and "deal with my hair". I think I'm gonna rock afro puffs and wash and goes. I love that she took the time to detangle and when she trimmed my ends she took super, super small sections to trim.


@chloe_0527 - I couldn't stop staring at dixie 'cause her hair is super gorgeous.

hilar_ridic

It is so great to hear such a thorough review of a Salon. I really appreciate all the information you provided on the salon, the services and your pics. Love what they did for your hair. Its fantastic. I am about 3 months into full CurlyGirl and my hair is changing all the time, I have read the book but I would love some pointers from a knowledgeable stylist.

Curlbar will be my next haircut, I just have to grow out this triangle a little bit first.

africana

@ hilar_ridic - if you're going to get the consultation, make sure you come with specific questions to get the most of the consultation. Also, it' right at the heart of downtown, so if you're coming from east of Toronto, parking might be an issue.

chloe_0527

Hey everyone, I thought I'd mention that the past year I've actually been going to Ann Ho at Aphrodite's Sanctuary. Nothing against Curl Bar. I only switched because it took me over an hour by TTC to get there and Aphrodite's Sanctuary is only 40 minutes away. They're a 2 minute walk east of St Clair station. Aphrodite's Sanctuary is just as good as Curl Bar - they specialize in devacuts too and the pricing is the same. In fact, I've never been to a hairdresser who is as detail oriented and as much of a perfectionist as Ann. She asked me to shake my head a couple times throughout the cut so she could see how my hair falls. She sometimes asks you to flip your head upside down and she'll cut a few snips like that...somehow it just works and she made my wavy hair look curlier?! Anyway, just thought I'd share. If anyone is looking for a curly salon that's close to the subway line and north of Bloor.

hilar_ridic

Thanks for the follow up. I actually booked in the with Krista the Curly Hair Specialist, my appt is this weekend. I will post the pics and review after I have been. I'm very excited and nervous. Its a lot further to go for a cut but I couldn't find one bad review on her so I figured it would be worth it.

Savagegirl

I got a devacut at CurlBar about a month ago, my first. I chose it because of the reviews and the fact that it is 4 blocks away from work...I got Ghergis who is very nice and she explained everything she was doing.it was a great experience for a first timer.

One thing is that Ghergis got my hair lovely and soft but she wasn't able to really get my curls to pop.. not sure why. I went in curly and came out wavy. She used several devacurl products (decadence) with curling cream, a spritz, and kinky curly custard which I use myself.. but no curls.

I will go again and maybe try Dixie as her reviews are great as well. Not because I didnt enjoy Ghergis but I am just curious to see what another stylist will do differently.

Savagegirl

I am going to book here, this woman has amazing reviews

Curly Girls Studio | Salon Reviews

I will let you know how it goes!

rbb

i don't live in toronto, but if i did, i'd go there! out of curiousity, i looked it up -- 108 reviews, all 5 stars!!! let us know how you like the cut. photos!!

Savagegirl

@ hilar_ridic How did it go with Krista? I was very sad to see that she left the Barrie area before I got to try her!

Myrna

Jonathan Torch of Curly Hair Solutions is in Toronto, although I dont know the name of his salon...

Savagegirl

Yes I've read about Jonathan Torch but I can't say that I care for his products much and Im a little afraid of his technique!

Adina fit me in for Friday.. yay!

hilar_ridic

I can't wait to hear how your appointment goes. Honestly Krista was amazing!! I am so sad that she moved. I drove from Whitby to Barrie to see her and it was totally worth it. Her knowledge and her cuts are amazing. Shes patient, thorough. She really loves what she does. I would recommend her to anyone in the Kingston area. In the meantime I am on the hunt for a new stylist so I can't wait to hear how your appointment goes.

Savagegirl

Couple things: Adina kind of screwed up my hair colour. I am not multi-coloured. Also, she is truly busy. So busy that things seemed quite rushed. I dont know if she tries to pack them in a bit too much but it didnt feel very personalized, just rushed. Both days (two because she was trying to fix my colour error which she charged me twice for, btw). People flittered in and out that needed tending to, which I felt was taking up my time. It is lovely that it is in her home though and the atmosphere is great.

Another thing: She is expensive. As she says, "She is not the cheapest chicken". It cost me about $500 to get my pintura highlights, dry cut, and the tutorial. Plus an opalex treatment. It was extra because she charged me twice to try to correct her mistakes in colouring which she never accomplished.

So.. It was a good cut and style but the colouring wasnt well done and extremely overcharged.

CurlytwirlyMe88

Do you know if Adina works well with coily? She lives so close to me it would be amazing