Don Paul has cut and colored my hair for many years. He is a pro - seriously and literally, as he used to own salons in the DC area and provided the entire range of hair services to many Washington elite. He consistently does an exceptional job on my hair -- and I appreciate his insight and recommendations as to what colors and cuts are most flattering for my age, height/weight, face shape, etc. He is in a league of his own. read more

This was my first time going to Don Paul and I was highly impressed! I will definitely be going back to him for regular trims and Brazilian Blowout. I found Don Paul through a Groupon deal, and while no I didn't read the fine print before buying when I called to make my appointment he made it clear that there is an extra charge for longer hair, I really appreciated his upfrontness do there were no surprises when I got there. He paid close attention to detail when cutting my hair and to what I said I wanted. I said I only wanted a trim and I said just the bare minimum to get my hair healthy since the last person who cut my hair butchered it. THANK YOU Don Paul for an amazing hair day! read more

Hair by Don Paul - Brazilian Blowout and a trim - Hair Salons Near Me

I bought a brazillian blowout for $99 on Facebook deals. When I got to his studio in Encinitas, I was overwhelmed by the smell of cigarette smoke. I sat down in the chair, and he told me that he'd have to charge me an extra $40 because of the length of my hair. The coupon stated that there would be an extra charge for "mid back length" hair. I assure you, my hair is NOT that long, yet he was yanking my hair and head back as he insisted that my hair was long. I got up and walked out. I went home and took a shower. Yuck. read more

The worse haircut I ever received. I asked for a razor cut bob and I got what looks like a bowl cut. My hair was to my shoulders and now you can see my ears. Im mortified. If you got a Living Social for Cool Noggins (same guy) TEAR IT UP and take the loss.....trust me! read more

Don is a good hair stylist. He's from wash dc and he's got great political stories to share. He's fixed some bad haircuts from other barbers and stylists I've gone to. I get a lot of compliments now on my look. I think he has incredible experience and I am surprised about the poor reviews for him here. Sounds like he had some overly emotional women who just enjoy complaining. read more

I walked in to Don Paul's Salon with beautiful hair a good 2 inches past my mid back, it took me YEARS to get what I finally wanted from my hair. All I needed was a trim and some layers, simple. I interviewed Don over the phone, told him about my hair and what I needed. He assured me of his training and years of experience and said he could provide me with good hair service. I specifically asked to keep the length of my hair and add long layers. I asked him several times throughout the cut to take less, that I thought he was cutting it too short. He assured me that he was only taking a very little bit. I only wish I had followed my instinct and left his chair immediately. When he was finished, I put my glasses on to find that he had cut off over 5 INCHES!!! of my hair and it was choppy and crooked. I expressed how upset I was with the cut and pointed out the unevenness of his work. He did not apologize or express any sort of compassion or remorse. I now have to live with this horrible haircut that will take me at least 10 months to grow back. Too bad I did not read the other 6 bad reviews on him before making my appointment. Silly me for thinking I could simply trust Groupon to be promoting a sound reputable service. RUDE FRAUDULENT UNPROFESSIONAL SERVICES!!! DO NOT USE!!!! read more

My star rating is based solely on his ability to cut hair. He knows what he's doing and does a phenomenal job. His chairside manner can be improved, but if he can cut hair like he does, it doesn't matter. I get complimented on my hair literally every day. It's a short, pixie length cut, and he did a great job. Even though his prices are really high, I will continue to see Don Paul. read more

I called to the salon a and spoke with Don Paul recently about getting my hair and make up done for an outdoor photo shoot. I was already spending tons of money on the pictures themselves so I really didn't have a lot left over to pay for hair and make up. Don Paul was really patient and helpful over the phone also straight to the point but I think that's his personality. Ultimately I decided to do my hair and make up myself but I would schedule my next makeover session with him for sure. read more

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to have my hair colored by Don Paul...and it turned out great! I needed more blonde and he did just that and he did an awesome job! I had a full highlight done and the color turned out just as I had hoped for. I will be honest and forewarn about a kgb deal for those that may have purchased one in saying Don Paul states the deal was incorrect as it was posted online. Upon giving him my coupon from kgb deals I was informed that I could only get a haircut with a full color and not the full highlight as the deal gives an option for a haircut and a full color or full highlight. He did say that a refund could be given....but I desperately needed to have my hair colored and was already set on getting my hair done. I wish I would have known before actually sitting there in his studio, so I thought I would pass that along. Ultimately though Don Paul knows hair and he did a fabulous job! I do not regret going to him and am very pleased with his work! read more

Don'T go. Thats all I can emphasize. He literally chopped my hair up and I had to go to another salon to get it fixed. The new hair stylist said I should report him to the BBB read more

Don Paul has provided me with the best haircut I have ever received. I am VERY picky with my hair and he knows exactly what to do with every strand of hair. read more

I was yesterday at the salon in Encinitas. I could cry about what he did to my hair. The color turned out way different than I wanted, but it looks ok. The cut is just horrible. I have very thick hair, and I wanted just a slight trim. He didn't cut a lot on the length, but on the top he cut 5 inch ( I said max 1 inch!!!), so my hair is now just layers. On the bottom are just thin fringes, and not even straight. Guess that happens, when somebody with shaky hands cut your hair. So I will have to cut it now about 8 inch to shoulderlength. Thank you Don Paul. read more

I recommend Don-Paul Hofherr for a HIGH quality hair cut and coloring. I've been going to Don-Paul to get my hair cut and colored for almost 14 years now. I've tried many other hair stylists before Don-Paul, but nobody consistently cut my hair into a style that always looks current and pleases me. I trust his opinions about what hair styles look good for my hair type, facial features, etc. I value his many years of experience and the way he is professional and friendly. Ask Don-Paul about his past famous clients to be extra-impressed if you don't trust my rave review of this master stylist. read more

I am very particular about my hair and it is difficult to cut it right, but Don Paul was able to work magic with his scissors and give me a perfect cut! Absolutely love my hair cut. Sara read more

I come from a bad hair family and all my life I have been trying different products and different hairdresser. Don Paul is by far the most amazing hairdresser i ever came across. I have been going to his saloon in Encinitas since 2010 and my hair never looked better. I really can't understand the bad reviews. I also started with the $99.00 deal for a brazilian blowout - and I am Brazilian and know the real deal - and he did such a great job that I keep coming back. He have been cutting my hair every 3 months and I can't tell how grateful I am for the results I have. He has a lots of knowledge and tips to give you. I never did highlights or anything like that, so I can't comment on those. But for Brazilian blowout and hair cut, he is AMAZING!!! read more

Hands down the best men's haircut in town. He cut my hair using scissors and I can't remember the last time that happened. The haircut that Don gave me makes me look like a high end professional that uses top notch grooming services and I like that. read more

I first went to Don Paul in 2006 for Japanese straightening. My hair is naturally think and curly but not unmanageable. Don charged almost a grand. I was relatively new to the area and he sold me with his talk about his "background" in hair. Ten hours and ten hundred dollars later I walked out with toxic smelling straight hair. Foolishly I had the same thing done again. I liked Don. He's a good salesman and I didn't know any better. So a few months after my second straightening and highlights which he said he tested on a strand of my hair and it was safe, my long, thick hair started BREAKING off the top of my head to the point that I literally wore a headband 24/7 for about 8 mos. Here's the kicker...I continued to go to Don. I questioned him about the ethics of letting me buy straightening with highlights and he sweet talked me defending himself all the way with hair industry BS rationale. A year later and a lot less naive I stopped going to him. Did he ever call me to see why or how my hair was doing? NO. I have never been so ripped off in my life. His prices are awful, and his straightening / coloring jobs are awful and not to mention he is a heart attack waiting to happen so if you are OK with getting a botched hair job, leaving with no money in your wallet and are CPR / BLS / ACLS certified by all means give Don a whirl. Just for the record most people would have taken him to small claims court; I am just giving him an unfavorable rightly deserving Yelp review. read more

Worst haircut experience I have ever had!!! Man, I wish I had seen some of these reviews before I bought the living social deal. Not that I would have found them, since it only listed "Cool Noggins" as the business name and I never saw "Hair by Don Paul" until I got there. To start with, he was very rude. At one point he asked me if I didn't care what my hair looks like or if I am just lazy (referencing the fact that it had been a while since I'd gotten my hair done). He was no help when I asked for advice on products, ways to style curly hair, etc. He left me under the extremely hot dryer for SO long, I was sweating and my head actually burned. Finally I just got out and got some water (he hadn't offered or anything). He was very rough brushing my hair, it hurt so much there were actually tears in my eyes! I could have seen past all of this if he'd done a great job on my hair. He BUTCHERED it! The highlights, which I specifically said I wanted to be subtle, are bright yellow! The haircut itself is all chopped up and uneven. It looks awful! And when he used a flat iron on my hair at the end it was smoking like crazy because he completely fried my hair! The smell of burnt hair was so bad it gave me a headache before I even got home. My husband and I had trouble sleeping the smell was so bad. And then, when I washed it, oh my gosh, the SMELL!! I literally thought there was a sewage backup in my shower until I realized it was my hair. It still stinks! I have no idea what he put on my hair, but it isn't even curly anymore. It is a limp, fried, smelly mess! If you bought that living social, just get your money back!! I don't write many reviews, but I see this as the only way to try to warn people away from this man. He says he has 50 years experience doing hair, but I just don't see how that is possible. He is just awful. read more

TERRIBLE!!!! Please yelp change this setting so that we can rate zero stars. I visited Don Paul with the best intentions and looking forward to a cut and color treat after purchasing a groupon. This was the worst hair experience of my entire life. His attitude is the wost and he seemed completely out of it, nor did he really even want to be there. When I first got there I introduced myself, at which he barely even seemed to want to have any eye contact with. He was very condescending and sarcastic in nature and when I did try to have some sort of conversation with him he was very short with me. I seriously considered walkig out of his salon in the middle of the cut just because of his aloof attitude. Had I known better I would have just said forget it and not bought this groupon in the first place. I have never been treated so rudely in my life. How anyone can be happy with him is beyond me. Good luck to anyone that goes to him for services. One plus side is that I got to see the Sola Salons which is a really cool concept. Maybe I'll be back to visit any one of the other 24 stylists or beauticians there. I guarantee anyone of them are at least kinder than him!!!!!! read more

I went to Don Paul this past weekend to get the Brazilian Blowout. My hair came out so well! It was super straight and shiny and was just as I expected it would be. I LOVE my hair! He was so knowledgeable about the products and how I should take care of my hair. Don Paul gave me advice on how to stop the breakage problems I'd been having and suggested different products to use to make my Blowout last longer and get my money's worth. I'm so glad a friend told me about him! read more

I went to him 2 years ago and I am still growing out the damage he did. He colored my hair bright orange and then put in so much bleach to get it out that all my hair broke off. I ended up wearing a wig for a year. Never never let him near your hair. read more

Just saw Don Paul again today. I noticed that my previous review had been "filtered" out. I've been seeing Don Paul for three years and continue to be happy with his service. read more

i had a buy with me deal for this salon and it still cost me $30 more than i have ever paid. I don't mind paying for quality service but he was not dressed professionally - undershirt and nylon sweat pants with hair all over him. His space was not clean and his previous client's hair was all over the floor. I ask that my hair color be lighter than when i went in but it was darker and cut way too short. Have to pay someone to recolor it after paying him $150 after the deal read more

The man has the finesse of a trucker and dresses like a Soprano. But he does an amazing job. He is also a sweetheart like the old man from "Up". read more

Rude!!!! Very unfriendly. I bought a Groupon...he told me it would be $40 more due to the length. However, my hair just needed touch up high-lights, not a full new high-light job. I felt uncomfortable so I left...pretty quickly I might add. I would never recommend him to anyone!!!!! read more

Well Yelp made me take my review down because Don Paul complained and said that I "personally attacked" him. I didn't know stating the facts about what you saw and how you felt were inappropriate. Anyway, I will replace my exact review without the personal attacks. Don Paul has an attitude, reeks of cigarette smoke and has NO CLUE what to do with blond hair other than leaving it broken, damaged, lifeless and yellow. Here is what happened. I showed him a picture of Leona Lewis hair which is ashy and subtle. My hair turned yellow!! He left bleach on my hair for over 45 minutes and when I told him my scalp was on fire, he told me to let him know when it is unbearable and he will remove me from the dryer. I told him it was unbearable and to remove the bleach. He did, then he put toner on my open wounds. I was in complete pain. My head was bleeding and he said, "oh looks like I got you", but, "it's only about the size of a quarter". I realized when I got home that my hair was matted to my head from the blood. I've taken pictures and went to another stylist to witness what was done. Thanks Don Paul, now I must pay a real stylist and color correctionist to repair the damage you've done and cut off 4 inches of my flowing locks. Oh but I can't do this right away because of the MASSIVE CHEMICAL BURNS on my head that must heal first from over processing. Please do not go here....HE WILL RUIN YOUR HAIR. I've reported him to the BBB and the State Board of Cosmetology. Beware!!! read more