Like many others, I had had trouble finding a spot where I could get a solid fade in a timely manner. I was frequenting another business out of convenience and proximity to my work place. However, while I was typically satisfied with the end product, I was often in the chair to get a fade for upwards of two hours. Additionally, I almost always had to get a new person to do my hair since this place of business saw many people leave after a fixed amount of time. After the latest person I had developed some rapport with had left, I felt even more lost. I was fortunate to hear of JP Hair Design through a colleague who introduced me to one of the barbers. I was able to book an appointment with them quite easily. When I arrived for my appointment, my barber was preparing the chair for me when I walked in. My first impression of the shop was how locally centered the business was. Inside was covered with memorabilia and awards that had been given to the shop. Additionally, they had a television that highlighted local events, news, and services. Two examples stood out to me including an ad for Northwestern Mutual including a statement about how less than 1% of life insurance policies and wealth is held by people of color in Madison. Another was information regarding a scholarship that had been set up. To me, this resonated that this business was not just there to make people look their best but invested in bettering the community which it serves. The atmosphere of the shop was lighthearted and professional. Above all of the mirrors was a reminder of the business's policy of "No Profanity," which instilled in me that this was a family friendly business and that everyone should conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. As I was waiting, one of the barbers came up to me and shook my hand, welcoming me to the space. You could tell that each of the barbers had great relationships with each other as they conversed and bantered. The space was exceptionally clean and professional. In terms of the cut, I received one of, if not the best, fade I had ever gotten. I had asked for a bald fade and my barber was able to make it skin tight and lined me up perfectly. He even took the time to quickly shave some of the stray hairs I had missed from shaving earlier in the morning. I felt that he would not let me out of that chair looking a fool and that is something I appreciate in a barber. Oh! And its affordable! At the end of the cut, there is no attempts to up sell services or push products on drive profits. While they sell products (or at least had a display case with some in there) it certainly wasn't a step in the process. I was so pleased with the cut that I instantly booked an appointment to make sure it stays crisp. If you are someone looking for a solid fade, want to support local business, and enjoy an workplace that conducts itself professionally while having a good time, then do yourself a favor and book an appointment at JP's Hair Design. read more

Spencer ABSOLUTELY hooked me up! I told him I wanted to do something new with my hair, showed him a picture of my idea, and he turned it into reality with no problem. Professional, friendly, and affordable! I will be returning again and again for my shaves and haircuts. read more

As an African-American Chicago native, I too was skeptical of the barbershop scene when I came to Madison for grad school in 2008. However, I have been very impressed with the quality of service and professionalism at JP's. First of all, the shop operates by apointment only, and is always open on time! Therefore, if you have an 8am appointment, your barber will be there waiting for you at 8am! This is major for busy people who don't have time to sit around waiting for backed up barbers. I also appreciate the way that JP's runs his business. For example, it's obvious that the staff and clients have a lot of fun around the shop, and things may get a little rowdy at times. However, JP patrons and staff are always respectful of each other and are always mindful of JP's "no foul language" policy. I also appreciate JP's policy regarding children who are not being serviced at the shop. In all the times I have been there, I have never seen any children running unattended through the shop. In addition to the above, I am also a big fan of the fact that JP's shop accepts credit cards. Sometimes, you just dont have cash. It's nice not to have to make a special trip to the ATM just to get a haircut. My barber is Derek also known as "D", and I recommend him and all the other barbers highly. read more

I was a tad bit anxious about finding a barber that caters to African Americans in small but fun Madison. I conducted some due diligence and discovered this place that's about 4 miles away from the capitol. I happened to schedule a hair cut during the unfortunate tragedy that befell Ghana during the world cup quaterfinals, but it was all good. These guys gave me such a clean cut that I was impressed. It's staffed by 2 African Americans and a Latino who all seem to be adept at what they do, so I highly recommend the place. I'm not giving it 5 stars because I found them to be a little pricey. I was charged 15 bucks for a haircut, and when I offered the bloke my card, he asks me how much I'd like to put on it, as though he's expecting some fragging tip. I understand that sort of bollocks when I'm in downtown Chicago or fragging manhattan, NY, but in Madison, WI you don;t charge me 15 bucks for a hair cut and expect a tip. I let it slide because they'd done such a good job on my hair. Good ambience and overall experience. Be sure to schedule an appointment before you visit. Cheers mates! read more

Bro. You gotta fuckin jokin. I told the dude to barely trim it i want my hair and he fuckin gave me the worst fade ever. They turn the chair to face away from the mirro and he fucked my shit up. I'm unhappy with the place. Don't go here unless you need a buzz cut the workers here are all like trainee hair dressers they can either cut it all off or not. No skill. Very very disappointed i have to walk around with this bullshit. No heat to anyone but the dude who cut me. Bro i literally told you barely trim it. I thought let it sit a day and I'll be fine. read more

Came in thier with my son to get faded up and found out you need to make appointments. Heard so many good things about this place. No biggie, I understand completely. If you are good at what you do, you should be booked up solid. I also live about 45 minutes away. Jeff the manager was cool enough to cut my sons hair in between an appointments. Im sure that would have normally been a fast 10 minute break for him typically. So for that you gained a customer. I appreciated that. Been trying to fine a place that can line up beards and the whole deal. I have finally found them. He didnt have time to cut me but referred me to an old employee of his that also had a barber shop. I also thought was a class act move. Moral of this whole e view is this was a kid friendly great barber shop. This place has it going on. Make an appointment and see for yourself. I read a few of the previous reviews and here is the real deal. Im a white man and the barbers are black. Who really cares....... they cut my hair the same way they would cut another mans hair. Our hair may be a little different but thats about it. Nobody is going to be treated different. They are there to make something that is green called money. So dont be afraid to visit this place or come up with lame excuses of why you could get a cut here. Money talks.... Maybe next time leave your barber a bigger tip!!!!!! read more

Best place to get my hair cut its such a nice get away I always feel welcomed. Sometimes I don't even need a hair cut its just about being around the staff that makes u feel good and want to keep coming back. All of the barbers are really great but my barber is Xavier. He amazes me every single time. Never fails! read more

Best place in the city for fades....or a cut in general. I've been to a lot of places but when I went to Spencer at JP's he hooked me up. The only time I get cuts anywhere else since i started coming here is when I'm traveling. Professional, relaxed and casual atmosphere, the guys are very professional. They keep the place clean and friendly to all ages. Keep it up boys! read more

I scheduled an appointment to get a cut and was excited to have JP (owner) himself cut my hair. I was very impressed with his quality of service, knowledge and professionalism. The shop itself is great, from the large screen TV's showing the sports channel, to the magazines, waiting area, etc. It's a clean atmosphere too and very family friendly. Definitely a unique barber shop with really affordable rates, including a lower rate for individuals below 18yrs. You can tell that lot's of thought was put into this place, and that is obvious upon arrival. read more

I was coming through town and needed a cut. Noticed this place had very positive google reviews so thought I'd give it a shot. This shop seemed to be pretty well known for their designs and I normally get something slick carved into my burst fade, so I had Jerry put something in there. He did a great job and like the rest of the staff was really friendly. I've been traveling the country for the last 2 months and this is probably the best haircut I've had from a new barber. Can say enough good of these guys. read more

This was my second and last haircut I had at JP's. Both experiences were similar. I heard good things about JP's from many friends, so I decided to give them a chance and I can't explain how upset I was when I finally saw the result. I showed Lorenzo a photo of a hairstyle I wanted and without any confusion he said he understood and could do it. Throughout the haircut Lorenzo did not once allow me to look in the mirror at my hair to see if I was liking what he was doing. I wanted a simple high fade with 2-3 inches on top. I received a crew cut. Sides were not faded and the top was about 1 inch. Not what I showed him in the photo at all. He handed me a mirror to view the back and I noticed he didn't even blend it at all. While he was moving the clippers up the back of my neck onto my head, he looked away, distracted by something, I didn't know what. But instead of turning the clippers off he continued to move them up my head, catching skin which caused significant pain and I started to bleed. Not once did he ever ask If I was okay. At the end of the cut he said how much I wanted to put on the card, as if he was asking how much I wanted to tip him. I felt like saying to him, "You should be paying me for butcher my hair.". The next day I went to sport clips to get my hair fixed for $5. I do not advise anyone to go to this barbershop. If you do, good luck with whoever you choose to cut your hair. But please, love of god, don't get a haircut from Lorenzo. Worst haircut experience of my life, will never be returning! read more

Totally disappointed hair line pushed back and he didn't even fade me up right..! Want be going back there ever again.. thanks to Ron

In the end, I got a decent cut - however, when I called, I specifically asked if they did 'straight razor head shaves' and was told yes. That isn't what I got - they clipped the long hair and used an electric. They did bring out a straight edge to clean up my beard... but not quite what I was asking for. read more

I'm sorry to catastrophize but this was absolutely the worst haircut I've ever received. I decided to go here because I heard (on yelp) that they are the 'best place for fades'. I was so excited. The staff is cordial and friendly, booked me immediately. But when it came to the actual job, my barber was extremely careless. He was on the phone almost half the time or talking to his friends/watching videos on their phone that they were showing him and at no point communicated with me (until the very end when I for the first time saw myself in the mirror). I asked in the beginning for a tight fade kept low with a pompadour style top. He assured he knew what I wanted. then proceeded to buzz off the left side of my head completely while leaving the right side alone. It looked ENTIRELY asymmetrical. Not to mention the hair above my forehead was still long enough that it when past my nose. Nothing was appropriately blended, but instead extremely abrupt length changes across my head. I'm sorry but this was far below the expectations of a licensed barber. Worst of all, I was shocked by the end once I looked in the mirror because he had me facing away from the mirror the entire time. I think a good hair stylist/barber needs to communicate with the client as they are cutting their hair. This individual was completely silent to me the whole time, and gave me no opportunity to provide input. My hair looked hideous and afterward I needed to make an emergency appointment elsewhere to get it somewhat fixed. Never going here again. I'd assume this place is better suited and experienced with clients with African-American type hair texture. I really wish I could say that I had a better experience here, but would not recommend this to anyone looking for a fashion-forward type fade look. Stick with a higher end salon for that, or just go to Great Clips, you'll be way better off. read more

I have been taking my son to JP's to get his hair cut for the past 12 years. The sports theme in there is great! All of the barbers are very professional, but we always go to Jerry. He does a great job. I recommend any of the guys to anyone though. It is a very welcoming atmosphere to anyone. read more