I'm only giving it two stars because they really did try to fix the color after I was almost in tears. I made the appointment after many recommedations from several acquaintences. I was looking for an upscale salon experience with experts in the field. Well, I got the upscale experience but not the latter. Upon entering, you will be greeted with a beverage of your choice and asked to change into a smock while you wait for your service. Always a plus to be greeted with great customer service. Once my turn was up, I sat with the color specialist who was very attentive during the consult. In fact, I felt confident that she understood my concern for my hair to turn brassy when lightening it. Well, I was wrong. Let's just say I had orange brassy streaks on my very dark brunette hair. Some may enjoy this look...not me. I was hoping for a more natural highlight. I was very glad that she offered to tone it down but it didn't help. I then was turned over to my stylist, Melvin, that did very little of a cut on my hair. I basically had the same look minus the brassy highlights at the end of the SIX hour session. Yes! It took that long. To add more insult to injury, I was charged just shy of $300 for the entire experience. Needless to say, I never returned. read more

To get my haircut here required an act of faith so profound, few women would even try it. I recently moved here, and I needed a haircut . I asked my husband to look at the women he works with and find someone with a nice blunt cut and ask her where she gets her hair cut for me. He did and the lady produced a J Salon card out of her purse, as if she gets asked for this all the time. I made an appointment with Joy, her stylist. I arrived at my time and waited. I saw that Joy was still cutting someone's hair. 20 minutes into my wait time (bring a book, they don't have many magazines) a young lady appeared and offered me refreshments. I chose sparkling water and before I could take my first sip, it was my turn. So it was about 25 minutes behind. Joy thanked me for waiting and examined my hair. I told her my hair seemed dry, and it might be due to the cheapie drugstore products I use. She pointed out there was buildup, which I agreed with. Then she suggested doing something that would help with the extreme thickness of my hair. The girl who brought me water shampooed my hair with a clarifying shampoo, dry hair shampoo and some kind of conditioning treatment (as far as I could tell, this was included in the price). Then Joy cut my hair. Joy asked the other girl to show me how to blow dry my hair with a flat brush and no roller brush, which would save time and be easier. This technique basically uses your head as a roller brush. Then they flat-ironed my hair and Joy came back and straightened it up even more. It looks really pretty, and my hair felt GREAT afterward. So did my scalp. Apparently the build-up of product was my problem, because it's four days later and my scalp is still really nice and my hair still frizz-free. I even bought the expensive shampoo because I was so pleased. You only use a quarter-sized amount, so it should last a long time. And my husband gets lots of brownie points, too. Asking a strange woman where she gets her hair cut on behalf of his wife? That's worse than buying tampons. read more

I'm reading the negative reviews and I think J Salon is completely misunderstood by those individuals. Maybe the salon just isn't for everyone. What I do know: is it's for me. I called and asked specifically for Joe. My hair was a beach mess for many years, and since moving from Maui, I knew I needed to get my hair act together. Joe was brutally honest with me. I can see how some people might be turned off by it. But I love honesty. I even wrote him a card thanking him for it. He doesn't listen to me, because I really don't tell the man what to do. He's the professional, not me. End result? It has taken six months, but I've trusted him all along the way, and my hair is bangin'. I think people forget that maybe what they think they want isn't what's best for them. This guy studies hair all day long - I trust his opinion over mine. To be honest, I hated trusting Joe, because it meant I had to actually do my hair and take better care of it. I'm now all back into products and hair dryer and styling my hair. I hated getting back into it! But I can tell my confidence has changed, I am more polished for my job, which means I'm taken seriously and I feel really good! I've been watching the salon slowly transform, now offering me drinks. I appreciate the nice touches Joe's always making -- it means he's always progressing. My best friend owns a hair salon in SF. We did all the renovations together and I learned a lot about salons from her. So, when I walked in this salon, I immediately knew I was in the big leagues. Joe runs a tight ship. The staff here are held to an extremely high standard. I can see them constantly learning from Joe and each other. This must be a challenging salon to work at, but it's evident the staff all share the same passion as Joe in being the best. So, Joe recommended me to Jovan for a balayage color treatment. I was a little hesitant because I get in the ocean a lot, so it seemed like a wasteful indulgence. But Joe explained how the color would hold and actually change positively. So, I met with Jovan. He is an amazing man with an amazing gift of subtlety. The color change he gave me is so natural looking, you wouldn't know I had a treatment. My hair looks beautiful, I love it. Whenever I see him, he checks the status of my color. The man is a professional. Oh, and a complete sweetheart. My sister recently turned me onto shampoo-and-style pampering. So, I've dabbled in calling J Salon and seeing if I can squeeze one in, from time to time. Joanne made me look amazing! She is a fun spirit, so we had nothing but laughs while she polished me up. Lena is awesome, too. She squeezed me in on my birthday and taught me all about this oversized curling iron, I now must have. I guess my only gripe is that the drink menu doesn't have wine ;) read more

I have to update only because now that my hair is all grown out - my friends still refer to "those AWFUL surfer stripes." It goes down in history as my worst hair color ever. I've seen old pictures and must have been gently medicated to have made it through. Be WARE! read more

[Parking and Location] J Salon is located right next to Ward Warehouse. Parking (~4 stalls) is located underneath the building, towards Ala Moana Blvd. side in the marked stalls labeled "J Salon". If you have a big car, these stalls can be a tight squeeze. [Service] I come here to get my brows waxed with Gerry. She is one of the most amazing brow stylists I've ever been to. She does a great job because she understands the anatomy of YOUR brow bone and she shapes it so that your brows follow your natural arch. She even goes one step further to understand they type of skin you have. For me, I have acne-prone skin so before she waxes my brows, she always puts this lotion on to limit the amount of breakouts I have. The best part is after you're done, she goes into detail on the improvement of your brows, how to fill in your brows, and what you can do to improve/maintain its condition. The receptionists are also really nice too. As soon as you enter you're greeted and you're offered drinks. Unlike other salons, this salon does a great job to remind you of your appointment. You'll receive notification reminders 2 weeks, 1 week, 3 days, and lastly the day of your appointment. So, you have no excuse for missing your appointment! [Overall] I've been seeing Gerry for over 3 years already and she's still trying to help my brows grow to its natural shape because other brow specialists didn't know how to wax my brows. Gerry is known as the "brow doctor" and she is the best brow specialist you can go to. It can be kind of pricy ($30) but it's worth it because she knows what she's doing and she offers great service. read more

I've moved often over the course of my career. And, I can't tell you how happy I am to be in Honolulu. But, one of the drawbacks of each move is the reestablishment of the local network...the stylist, massage therapist, local grocer, restaurants you can trust--it's a long list that will get significantly more boring... J Salon was my third attempt to find a professional, quality salon. And, I wasn't disappointed. The salon is decorated minimalist style, very European and open. The staff was friendly and beverages were offered upon arrival. Carmen was my stylist and I hope she's around for awhile, because her cut has been awesome even a couple of months after. It was a stress-free experience. Well worth it!! read more

Worth every penny! This was my third time to the salon and I had been putting off getting a cut for a while but I knew I wanted to get my hair cut here because I got my last hair cut here and the cut grew out nicely. Luckily they had a opening on the day I called which fit right into my schedule. I had mentioned to Gary the receptionist that I came before and saw Carmen. It was totally my lucky day because my appointment was with Carmen - she's pretty awesome by the way! Once there, I was greeted by Gary and then I sat in the waiting area. I was then greeted by Christina who offered me a drink! I had a sat in Carmen's chair and waited patiently with my drink. Carmen is awesome because she's always friendly and bright and bubbly - plus she always has rockin' hair so it makes me feel good to know that someone who takes pride in their do will take pride in mines as well. I asked for shoulder length and some bangs as well as suggestions from her. She agreed with the length and decided on side swept bangs and off I went to change. This was the best part - the shampoo and head massage part!!! Christina ended up being my shampoo-ist and she gave me one of the best head massages! I was so relaxed when it was done and so ready to take off the old and get to the new style. An hour or so later and many conversations about boyfriends and life, Carmen turned me to the mirror and I saw exactly (and more!) the hair style I wanted! It went to my shoulders as asked for and the bangs turned out better than I imagined plus I had wisps of wavy thrown in! Carmen also showed me how to style my hair (i.e. what's the best way to blow dry my hair because I don't like to spend too much time on it...). She told me what she did to my hair and how to restyle it that way. Such a trooper!! I went to dust the hair off and change, paid the bill (which wasn't too bad... $65 flat for the cut) and walked out the door feeling like a million dollars!! read more

I am REALLY picky about my hair. And I almost never like a new haircut right after its finished... i hate it for a few days until it grows on me and I finally decide its genius! So I was seriously bummed when my trusted hairstylist moved on to bigger and better things on the mainland. I saw all the rave reviews that everyone had written about the different places on Oahu and finally settled on J Salon. I checked out the website and calculated about how much it would be and then started saving. The day of my appointment I decided to skip traffic on the H-1 then realized I only had directions if I was coming from there too late. I called the salon and they gave me impeccable directions as well as suggestions for the best place to park (China Town Municipal Parking) and I was pleased with the location. The salon itself was very nice and clean. I saw a few of the stylists consulting with their clients and overheard them asking in depth questions about what they wanted. I immediately felt a little bit safer. I had booked an appointment with Jessie but because she is so busy I had to book my haircut on one day and dye for another week. Initially, I was a little sad about that but figured it might be worth it. Jessie is super sweet and knew exactly what to do with my hair. I was immediately smitten with my new cut and when I went out that night I got a ton of compliments. (I've been getting compliments ever since!) Jessie also recommended some Kerastase products for my hair to get it back in fighting condition and after a month of using them I'm seriously impressed. I've noticed that even the individual strands of hair are much stronger than they used to be and the overall smoothness of my hair has improved greatly. At the end of both appointments I was VERY satisfied and am looking forward to future appointments there. It was pricey but I think it is worth it. Your hair is something you wear everyday and you want it to look it's very best! read more

About a year ago I started having issues with stylist availability (booking a cut 2 weeks out and a color 2 weeks after that), sky-high costs (embarrassed to say), stylist friendliness (or lack thereof) and, above all, stylist skill (I'm not going to go there). It was time for a change. read more

A confession: after more than two years of living in Honolulu, I still go to my old stylist back on the mainland... yup, 4800 miles away. On a recent trip back to the east coast, I had my hair cut, and afterwards my stylist recommended color to really make the cut stand out. With no time to get color done with her, I flew back to Honolulu and started researching. The reviews of J Salon looked good, so I went ahead and booked an appointment with Lena. When I first walked into the salon it was fancy blah blah blah, but what I really noticed was all the women walking around with awesome, modern short haircuts! My hair length waivers between pixie and chin length and I had no idea there were people with short, cute hair in the land of long/wavy/beachy hair (hence a 2 year long fear of finding a stylist). I immediately felt better about the place. Lena looked at the photos I brought of a ombré dye job on short hair, and we discussed how to adapt it to my cut. She spent a lot of time on the color and blending it in so it wasn't just a hard line between light and dark, and the end result was exactly what I was looking for. The color will either set me up nicely for the inevitable growing out of my hair before my next trip back east, or will inspire me go back to J Salon and risk a trim from someone who isn't my main stylist... read more

My stylist was really nice and she did a great job cutting and coloring my hair. She also did a deep condition thinggy that my hair really needed, and she was very diplomatic about offering it to me (i.e., she did not come out and say my hair was in a state of horrible neglect and I needed conditioning badly, even though it was true). So why 4 stars instead of 5? Two main reasons: Number One: When I called to make the appointment the receptionist assured me they (J Salon) would be able to handle the details to donate my hair to Locks of Love. When I got there however, I was told that they do not do that, so I had to mail in my hair myself, which isn't a big deal, but one of the reasons I went there was because I thought they would do all that for me. Number Two: After doing such a great job on my hair so it fell flatteringly, felt soft, silky and looked naturally highlight-y, my stylist started flat ironing my hair. My hair has some body, but it's basically straight. She didn't ask if I wanted that done and I guess I wouldn't have minded if I hadn't ended up looking like Professor Snape from Harry Potter. Seriously. My hair looked stuck to my scalp, and while it wasn't greasy, it looked that way because of whatever product she put in there after she flat ironed my hair. As soon as I left the salon I started shaking my hair and trying to get some body into it so I would look less Snape-like. *sigh* read more

A little over a month later and my haircut is growing out quite nicely I have to admit. I recently went back for a complimentary bang trim and it was a much better experience than my first. It was a Thursday evening and not as busy so that may have been the reason. Upon checking in I received a drink menu which consisted of various espresso drinks, water, and iced tea, a very nice touch. Jovan is very thorough and he really took his time inspecting how my cut is growing out. He even remembered the conversation we had from my first visit. I was impressed with his attention to detail, it wasn't just an in and out bang trim. He really takes his time to make sure the cut is just right. Jovan is a very talented stylist and I really appreciate his meticulousness. read more

This is, without a doubt, a long overdue review for J Salon. I first visited this salon in 2006, and am still a happy customer 3-years later. In fact, I will never go to another salon in Hawaii. Previous to my first haircut at J Salon (which was with Jessee) I never really liked my haircuts. So, previous to meeting Jessee a haircut was just a haircut. In fact, I hardly ever liked my haircuts because it was so difficult for me to tell a stylist "how I wanted my hair done." However, my attitude towards my haircuts quickly changed during my first visit to J Salon. On my first visit, I sat down in Jessee's chair and we started talking about my hair. Like I said, I typically dreaded this part of the haircut, which I'm sure was obvious to Jessee. However, her expertise, confidence, and ability to explain to me my hair type reassured me. Over the course of the next hour, I watched my look transform to be much more adult and sophisticated. The cut was accompanied by a relaxing shampoo and scalp massage as well as a warm face cloth, which further enhanced the already great experience. Since that first cut in 2006 with Jessee, I have jumped around among Jessee, Joy, and Joe, each who has their own strengths. And each time I leave J Salon, I love my haircut. They always know what to do to make me look good, and I am always excited to return - something I never use to experience. I recommend J Salon to all of my friends, and I have never met anyone who was dissapointed by their experience there. It is without a doubt the best Salon in Hawaii, and I will never go to another salon for as long as I live here. read more

Great salon. Pros: -awesome stylist. I can't remember her name but she cuts my bestie's hair too. I told her exactly what I wants and how I usually style my hair and she gave her input and let me decide what I wants to do. -coffee and teas are available while having a service done. -the shampoo and the hair message were on point. The message alone was like ten minutes, which was awesome! -great price. Wash, head message, cut, and style was $75. They have an awesome referral program, which gets you a little bit of a discount as well! Cons: My appointment was for 11am and I had to wait 25 minutes, which was a little annoying. read more

I am I complete fan of PlayHawaii.com! They have been offering some amazing deals at some of the most desired place on Oahu. But this is not a review about PlayHawaii, it's about J Salon. I mention PlayHawaii because I purchased their deal for J Salon at $30 for $60 as a new client. This was perfect since I had already decided that I was going to try them, based on review here on yelp. There is one lady that I like to go and get my haircut from, but call me spoiled, as well as she cuts hair, I LOVE to get the whole "pampering" experience when I get my hair done. The place that she cuts from is not a "pampering" place at all, and for just a little more, if I can find the perfect combo of an affordable cut, from a great stylist, in a modern, pampering environment with all the frills, then I'm willing to try! The receptionist was very friendly and I had asked her to give me someone who was good with wavy hair. She said that Melvin was good and she always sees his clients walk out with good cuts. So Melvin it was. I usually don't care for male stylists, mostly because the ones I've tried in the past tend to be very opinionated (I don't mean to offend anyone out there, if you are a male stylist, it's just the experiences that I've had). So I was a little hesitant, but I decided to just trust the receptionist. When I walked in, I really was impressed by the ambiance. J Salon is very CLEAN, in all aspects. The design is simple, clean and minimal color. You don't find worn down carts with hair supplies lying around, even the cords of the hairdryers and other electrical tools are hidden in a drawer. I totally notice these things and appreciate it. There is NO clutter, and the furniture and decor seem to be well taken care of. Another plus. I was asked if I wanted something to drink, and was brought ice water with a lemon and a straw in a glass. Nice touch. I saw another lady with tea and crackers on a simple white plate. Melvin's assistant greeted me, had me change into a well fitted robe (one that wan't "one size fits all and makes me look frumpy), then proceeded to give me the BEST hair wash I've ever had! She totally massaged my scalp for a significant amount of time and even massaged my neck. I almost fell asleep it was so relaxing! You're probably thinking, ok already, but what about the haircut? Well that's the best part. Melvin was an excellent stylist. First of all, I was impressed that he was able to look at my current haircut and tell me exactly what the stylist did. I felt like he understood hair. He also asked for MY feedback as he was cutting. Melvin is also super mellow, sweet, and very easygoing, not over opinionated or pushy in selling products. He also did a great style with a blow dryer and NOT a straight iron (which I hate when stylists do that, I can do that I home). And the best part, is after I washed out his cut and style and tried to do it myself at home, it looked great. The real test of a good hair cut is if I can style it myself at home and it still looks decent. Overall, I think I've found my match in the haircutting world of ambiance, pampering, a good stylist and an affordable price. Normally, Melvin charges $55, which I am totally willing to pay for a stylist that listens and a bit of pampering :o) I'm totally going back! read more

I had my hair worked on with my hairstylist Linda Lee yesterday. First of all, everytime we (husband and I) come to our appointments, from the time we enter the salon, the receptionists both so pleasant. We get seated, then an employee come to escort me to Linda Lee's (my hairstylist) station. Then my hairstylist Linda Lee comes out & escorts me to get my robe & we walk back to her station. She then asked me if I was happy with the last processed she did the last appointment which I really did. She continued to explain the process she will be doing with my hair. Linda Lee really takes the time to provide extraordinary service and make sure I was satisfied. She is really knowledgeable, and really specialize accordingly. read more

Monique gave me one of the best haircuts I have ever received. Ever. I went to her after the worst haircut from a salon downtown. She noticed the problems right away, made suggestions on how to fix it and went right at it. I'm not very good at describing what I want in a haircut but I know what I like. Luckily, Monique is a mind reader or something because I loved what she did. She evened out the hair from the last haircut, took out some of the weight, added some subtle layers and more definition to the bangs. I also air dry my hair a lot and she cut my hair in such a way that it looks great without any styling - just letting it dry naturally. It's the effortlessly casual look I used to spend so much time trying to create - but now it really is effortless. :) Wish I lived here so Monique could cut my hair all the time. Also, EXCELLENT head massage. read more

Really happy with my service. Five months ago my regular hair stylist in another state went on maternity leave so I saw the owner before moving to Hawaii. The end result was sort of a mess. I let my hair grow out and made appointment with Jovan. He fixed my mess. I feel so much better. I always hate the first meeting with a new stylist. It's almost like first date. I know some people like to chat, I just want to zone out while having my haircut. I hate answering a bazillion questions about myself that are being asked out of politeness. Jovan was wonderful. He let me enjoy a moment of peace. It made the service relaxing. read more

I went to J salon after a friend of mine did have a pretty good hair job over there. I booked Joe to refresh my layering, sinc I am super picky about it. I know what I want, and Joe is all about delivering exactely what's good for you. Well. I can tell you. Joe's cut and opinion on what's good for me... is not good for me. I specifically told him that I did not want him to cut on the length, and that my bang was too thick. Result: I have about 5 inches less on my head, and still very heavy bang. I will never ever go to J salon again. It is expensive, just because they have a wanna be cool design. Well, don't look cool, and give be a good haircut. Give me the Fix instead. THEY are awesome and know how to listen to what you really want. read more

There is only one thing you need to know MELISSA ROCKS! Its just that simple! read more

It was my 2nd time coming here and this time around I got my hair cut from a stylist by the name of Vanessa. She did such an awesome job with cutting around 4in of my hair and I have to say when I left J Salon, my hair had never looked or felt better before in my life:D After Vanessa did my hair, I seriously didn't have to wash my hair 'til 3 days later. That says a lot, since I am one who feels the need to wash my hair everyday; because if I don't, it ends up becoming quite greasy and feels easily weighed down. What I learned from here the second time around was that it is true - using great products really does make a difference when it comes to maintaining your hair. Up until now, I almost always had used those shampoo and conditioners you'd get at your local drug store - mainly due to the cheaper cost, but also since I always assumed they would end up being the same as the salon quality ones, in the long run. As soon as I started using the Kérastase products that they carry, I could feel and see a noticeable difference in my hair, big time. The interior of the salon itself is very modern and there's a lot of open space and natural light, which creates for a very nice and calming atmosphere. Price-wise, the services that you receive here are like at most salons out there, where they are based on the level/experience of the stylist, but ultimately I felt that the final cost was less than what I would be charged from a salon where I live in SF, and the quality of the work that was done more than justified what I had paid for. The receptionists that I had encountered here were helpful and I did not receive any tone or attitude from the person who had answered the phone, unlike the last place I had called and been to. Vanessa is a sweetie and such a fun person to have a conversation with and I can tell she definitely has a pleasant demeanor and a positive outlook on life, not to mention an all around great stylist. When I initially called J Salon to schedule an appt, I just told them to schedule me with anyone who was available on the particular day I was going to come in and I'm glad I got Vanessa:-) I know she will definitely go far in her career. read more

I tried this place because one of my friends have referred me so she gets 20$ credit towards her next appointment (bastard). LOL Anyways, I like this place. Yes it's a bit $$ for men's haircut but i like how they cut my hair here. I have never been diasppointed by their service and by that i mean the haircut. First few times i went there this guy called Jovan was cutting my hair and i like how he made my hair thinner as i have full hair that grows wild and i like how he tamed it. I went back for few more cuts with him but the last time i made an appointment he's booked so I went to see another stylist calle Carmen, yes guys she does men's hair and she does it really well. She's very sweet and very talented. When they have your record there and you refer someone, make sure to tell them to drop your name so you get 20$ credit on your next visit! I only cut my hair (now) at least once every two months so i get my monies worth when i go there! :D read more

I went to Jsalon because I had a reaaaally bad haircut from someone else so I decided to go to the "professionals" at Jsalon. I have to say that for the price I wasn't that impressed. The head massage was great and the place is spic and span.. but who really cares about how clean the salon is when your cut is mediocre? I was happy when I walked out because my hair was better than the disaster it was before but I still felt unsatisfied. It seems to be growing out nicely but I really still feel that it wasn't worth the money. Over all I would say my visit was just ok. read more

I've been going to J Salon for a long time now, probably about 4 years, and I am always happy with the end result. I remember the first time I went I met Joy, and I decided I would try curls, and ended up not liking it, then she changed it for me, so it was gorgeously straight. Every time I go now, I get giddy about the end result because every day that my hair isn't under the hands of a skilled stylist, it is frizzy. Crazy frizzy. And they make it so not one hair pops up or ever becomes frizzy for a day or two.. I have actually slept in my new hairstyle and it was the exact same the next day!! I always see Jovan for partial highlights and style, but the last time I went I needed something done immediately, so I took my chances and saw a different stylist. Lena also is wonderful, and she was nice enough to take before and after pictures of me for instagram. Yes, j salon has instagram! Its true their products are pricey, but well worth it. I used some of it one time at home, and I was pleased with the results, however to do flat iron on a daily basis takes a lot out of my day especially since I have shoulder length hair. And a demanding baby.. So you can see which is more important. The place is always clean, and the staff is always über friendly. They all dress really spiffy, and I feel like a slob when I come in just shorts and a shirt! I don't understand how some of the stylists can stand for hours in those massive high heels.. But kudos to you if you get the job done! One thing I don't like about their products, is the names change. I bought a bottle of kerastase a while ago, and I can never remember the name of it when I go to look for a new bottle. The names of the kerastase products and their purposes change over time so I gave up asking for the right ones. That's the only beef I have. read more

Affordable and fantastic! Cannot get any better than J Salon and Andria. Went in with a general idea of what I wanted and thought that meant a body wave or perm and way shorter cut. Andria didn't try to up-sale the services and recommended against the perm. She also recommended a bit longer cut to frame the face better. The end result is perfect and easy to manage. And all of the staff, from the front desk personnel to those who prep you (e.g., beverages, wash, etc.) are very attentive and friendly. To top it all off, I paid half for a ridiculously great hair cut than the last place I went which I walked out of with regrets. Moreover, it's less than a third in comparison to my favorite salon in Westwood, CA. Absolutely will return. read more

I've put off writing a review since I wasn't sure if I'd be going back. I've had Joy and Melvin and they were both ok but nothing spectacular. Melvin is really sweet and both were fun to talk to but if I'm paying $65+ for a cut, it has to be better than ok. I'd rather pay more for a really good cut then for "atmosphere" and refreshments. Plus the parking is a pain, the assistants are a crap shoot, some are good, some aren't. And while the fact that there is no clutter on the counters is nice, I don't mind seeing hair equipment displayed. It just seems ridiculous that the stylists don't seem to have a particular station so are always searching for tools through all the drawers. Also, it seems kind of unsanitary to just be throwing brushes back into drawers but I rarely see those bottles with blue liquid at any salons any more. read more

My friend recommended J Salon because I was looking for a place to get my hair done for my wedding. I ended up having a trial with Jesse and then scheduled the real thing for my wedding day. She did an amazing job!! I loved it and got so many comments on my hair. My bridesmaids and mom also got their hair done there as well, and everyone was very pleased. After the wedding, I decided that I wanted to cut my hair really short and knew that I wanted a quality cut, so again I turned to J Salon. The receptionist scheduled me with Carmen and she did a great job. After a few weeks, the cut grew out and became very weird, so I came back and Carmen worked with it to make it amazing. She really understood my hair texture/style and what I was looking for. Although the services here are on the pricey side for me, it is worth it. I don't splurge on myself in any other way so I don't mind it here if it means I'm going to look great every day! They use great products and I love the hair washing and scalp massage. The salon is very minimal and always clean. I've also never had a problem making a last minute appointment, then again, I'm usually free during weekdays so that's probably why. The parking can be difficult (usually I park at Ward and walk over, especially now since there is a lot of construction going on) and sometimes the receptionists aren't always pleasant, but that's something they can work on. read more

I have a love/hate relationship with my hair. I have since I was about 10 years old. This complex drives me to do some insane things (ie. cut my own bangs and box highlight already colored hair). It is also why a good stylist is like my best friend. When I moved to Honolulu, I was so upset to leave my stylist in VA behind. I had forged a bond with him and he was irreplaceable. That is until I met Vanessa at J Salon. I have been to see Vanessa various times and I think she is an excellent stylist. She spent an ample amount of time talking to me about my hair, assessing its needs, my wants, and discussing with me possible options. Like many stylists, I think she prefers clients to have an idea for what they want, but she is talented and experienced enough to push anyone in the right direction. And away from the ledge. Vanessa colors and cuts my hair. She does a great job coloring and is extremely conscious of my going-grey concerns. Despite the intense sun and salt water exposure here, my color definitely holds up well. If anything, it might go a shade lighter between colorings, but it always looks natural. Vanessa also gives great cuts and styles my hair beautifully. Each time I go in, she teaches me a new technique for blow drying, curling, straitening and styling. Beyond Vanessa, the entire J Salon experience is superb. The interior is very minimalist, open and deconstructed. They offer great beverages - coffee, cappuccino, etc. and have a comfortable waiting area. They do try to up sale on hair treatments and products, so if you are trying to keep the bill to a minimum, be conscious of that and prepared to say no thanks. Services are pricey for the average, but not too bad and on par/below nice mainland salons. read more

My sister, visiting from the outer islands looked for a haircut today. I started out recommending my own stylist but remembered reading about J Salon. Called J Salon and got an appointment with Monique. Well, it was worth the inquiry and my sister is happy. Her cut was a correcting cut to her previous hair cut. Monique did a great job of reshaping the cut and introducing my sister to new products and methods of hair care. The coffee and biscotti was the icing on top of a great visit. I might give them a try seeing my sis' cut... Go J Salon read more

Got my hair cut a week ago by Jovan, and I'm still loving it. I'm so happy to have found a new stylist in HNL, only a year after moving here and still flying back east to get my hair cut. I have really fine, blond hair and it's hard to find someone who doesn't butcher it or give me too many layers. Jovan rocks, and the salon is chic too! read more

I have been going to J Salon since September of 2007. I always get my hair done by Monique, who is by far the most talented stylist I have ever had the pleasure of doing my hair. Once, Melvin styled my hair and he is also amazing and gives a heck of a scalp massage. All the assistants are wonderful. I cannot say enough about Monique. I moved to the island 3.5 years ago and went to a pricier salon first and got terrible results. Then I went to a cheaper salon, had better results, but no service. You want to feel pampered when you are going to a salon, so I searched online reviews and landed with J salon and have never looked back. When you arrive, you are treated with respect and are immediately offered something to drink. Each stylist does a consultation prior to anything else, and several times I have given Monique "carte blanche" and she has never disappointed me. I get compliments on my beautiful hair regularly and I always refer those people to Monique. The process is never very quick, so be prepared to spend 2 hours if you are having color done and longer if you are getting a cut as well. Splurge on the $25 hair treatments- the results are worth it. If you have a problem with a stylist trying to sell you hair products, this may not be the salon for you. However, Monique listened to me when I explained what I was comfortable spending money on (styling products) and what I didn't think was worth the extra money (shampoo and conditioner). The price is expensive compared to mainland prices, but moderate for Honolulu prices, and the results and customer service are more than worth it. Go see Monique and you will not regret it- she's like a dear friend to me now. read more

I, just like someone before me, used to SWEAR by tiffany for amazing haircuts that grew out perfectly. I tend to go for edgier, more modern cuts, and Tiffany was the best at making them wearable and long-lasting. When she moved off island, I decided to stick with J Salon, as I wasn't sure who else to go to. After almost a year between cuts, I came in with a grown-out asymmetrical cut. Their new location is so amazing, definitely an upgrade from their Chinatown place. The receptionist was friendly and helpful (but forgot my tea... oh well!) and there was a nice ambiance which reminded me of places back home in San Francisco. After reading reviews here, I decided to go to Melvin. He was very friendly, and chatted about what I wanted to have done. I had told him Tiffany had shaved one side, and he seemed a little shocked. I wanted a textured asymmetrical cut, but not as short as I had let Tiffany go with me. After we were done, something just didn't seem right. It felt a little too long, as if maybe he was uncomfortable doing something really outlandish. It looked good, and I left with that nice "after-salon-goodness" feeling. However, he said one thing to spoil the moment: "That was the craziest cut I've ever done!" Now, whether that was true or not, it made me a little uneasy that he said it out loud to me. It made me think that he was uncomfortable doing my hair the entire time! I ended up going back a few days later to have him go a little bit shorter, and I ended up looking like a boy with an awkward long strand of hair on one side. I wasn't totally miserable with it, but I will definitely be researching different stylists for my next haircut, just to spice things up. :) I gave 3 stars because I really liked the ambiance, and would definitely go back if I wanted a safe pretty cut. read more

After being a loyal customer to J Salon for over a year and a half...I thought it would be time to write an update. VANESSA is still frickn' FABULOUS! She is so bubbly and full of life, she's the easiest person to talk to! You know how awkward it is to have someone working on your hair for a few hours and they don't say anything to you, or don't contribute when you try to start a conversation?? Vanessa does not have that problem! Getting my hair done is my form of therapy. It's a way of pampering & enjoying myself as well as venting current frustrations or trading new stories with Vanessa. I look forward to getting my hair done at J Salon each time not only for the fabulous look I will leave with, but also for the "girl talk" with Vanessa! She always remembers what we talked about the previous session, she knows all my friends names, and their current dramas, knows whats going on in my life and asks how certain events went (ie: birthday, vacay, holidays) - that is the kind of stylist I have been searching high & low for! Besides her personality, her skills ROCK! I always leave J Salon with a fabulous look. She knows just what color I like my hair dyed, how I like my bangs (ie: always to the left), and styles my hair beautifully at the end of each session. Sometimes we'll flat iron it, sometimes curl - she does whatever I'm in the mood for. She always promotes their products during our session - but NEVER forces me into a purchase unlike many other stylists I've been too. She allows me to make a decision and doesn't pressure me into buying anything. 2 visits ago I was able to snag an appointment the day before (very rare cause she's normally booked solid cause she's so awesome!) and was only allowed to do either a haircut or color job because of the time frame she had. I decided I needed a color job more than a cut, so we colored it and she almost started to dry it. Then she said, "I can squeeze in a hair cut for you." I was THRILLED! Many stylists would've only done what I had been scheduled for but she stayed late at work that day to make sure I was satisifed! I am ecstatic about the level of customer service I receive at J Salon. J Salon is home to friendly receptionists, a modernized ambiance, and extremely talented (and friendly!) stylists. I've referred many friends to Vanessa at J Salon and will continue to do so. THANK YOU VANESSA! read more

As with most women, I am VERY particular about where I get my hair done. Prior to J Salon, I had stumbled upon a couple of other well-known, popular hair salons (which shall remain nameless) and was unhappy with my results there. I was very particular even more so because, at the time, I had just moved back from the Bay Area, and I had an awesome hair stylist back in a lovely city called Walnut Creek. Needless to say, I sought out Yelp to find a salon and was impressed with all the positive reviews for J Salon. Five years later, I still go here and love my experience and results every single time. I love Melvin! He is THE best and always seems to know what my hair needs! I recently paid a visit there a couple of weeks ago at their temporary location. I can't wait to go back again and see their awesome new spot! read more

I don't consider myself a "hair snob". I just know when a haircut looks good. And I've been lucky for the past years to go to an incredible stylist on the mainland who undercharges for her services. Well, moving to Hawaii, I had to leave her behind. *Sniff sniff*. Being a yelp follower for a long time, but not a reviewer until recently, I found J Salon. My previous hairstylist had told me to look for Toni and Guy trained stylists, which J Salon had one. When I called, they told me she is a color specialist, and no longer cuts. So, the delimma, should I find someplace else, or try it? I remember seeing some of the stylist's names from their website. The receptionist suggested a stylist, Joy. Why not? Well, almost two years later, I am a loyal client. Joy is wonderful! She has always been very honest about my wants, and has even told me if she thinks a style doesn't fit me. I like honesty. Her scissor skills are an art form. She's even made my thin, fine hair look thick and voluminous! Well, the service is amazing: free head massages and neck rubs from attentive assistants, beverages to quench your thirst... The cuts are definitely pricey, but well-worth it. Speaking of, I am due for my haircut! read more

I personally am not a client of J Salon, but I ordered hair care products from their online store. I just received my order and I have to share that each item was wrapped in tissue like a gift! And that's not what impressed me the most..... enclosed with my order were samples AND get this, a HANDWRITTEN thank you card! I am so touched! I feel so special! Thank you J Salon!!!! read more

Long over due. Yes my reviews tend to be super positive because I'm just not a whiner. If I have a bad experience.. I try to move on. Anyway that's not what happened here. Carmen gave me awesome cut. Knew my hair was a little fried and totally overgrown but no lecture (thank you!). Not sure what she did but hair kept length but just behaves a lot better. Nough said, she rocks. She was booked after that so I had JoAnn do my color. I was even more impressed by her demeanor and work. Toned down my brassy highlights (again no lecturing) and super gentle. Hair turned out soft and shiny. Really fun talking with her too. Only dilemma... Who do I select next time???? Planning on new short look next time and they both agreed it would work... Guess same set up if I can get it. Kind of sad that I'm switching after 8 years. But last three efforts to try new people hasn't worked out till now. Minor benefits... Latte yum! And location is so close to my work. read more

If you are looking for a fierce cut and color, go to J Salon! J Salon is world class and would be a top salon in Los Angeles or New York. Luckily for us, it is located right here in Honolulu, in a modern, hip, and immaculately renovated ground floor suite in the IBM building. I searched and salon-shopped for a couple of years before I found Joe & Jessee at J Salon. Now I could never imagine trusting my hair to anyone else. Jessee is an absolute artist and her talent with color is amazing. She gives my hair the perfect shades of sun-kissed blond. The highlights look natural and my hair has shine and depth. Joe is a creative genius. His haircuts are totally darling, flattering and just the right amount of edginess to keep it fresh. I always walk out of the salon feeling like a million bucks. Joe gives me a cut that is unique to me, but is still stylish and classic. He knows how to make the most of my curly hair, and always gives me a versatile style that I can manage at home. Best of all, their cuts and color grow out perfectly. I can stretch it a long time between appointments and still have great looking, healthy hair. read more

Lena cut my hair yesterday. BEST SALON EXPERIENCE ever. I had ombré from a previous salon but no one noticed them till now. She is a curly hair specialist and I will begin to see her more frequently. read more

4.75. A fabulous experience. I needed a haircut badly but procrastinated forever because I was afraid to let a new stylist "mess" with my hair (my former stylist lives in another state), which is very thick, tends to frizz with the humidity, and usually pretty unmanageable. I decided to go to the very best: Joe. No regrets. I called to schedule an appointment and was immediately accommodated for a time. The receptionists were very nice and professional both on the phone and in-person. The salon is classy and definitely not cluttered. Joe knows hair! He is definitely no charlatan. After a few glances at my hair, he immediately identified numerous characteristics about it that most people, including stylists don't realize unless I point it out -- such as the fact that it had been straight permed. After my consultation, I had my hair washed and then got an amazing cranium massage. Awesome! The haircut was good too, especially considering that I had so many split ends. I love the Shu Uemura hair products that J Salon uses and in fact bought a few before leaving. Pricey, yes. But by far the best salon in Hawaii. I probably won't go anywhere else. read more