If you've ever scratched your greasy ass head and pondered to yourself "hmm where might I find the…read morebest hair stylist in town?" Well my friend, your search stops here! My little stylist Kate that I love so much, just popped across town and ended up here! I've written so many reviews for Kate, about Kate, I'm so loving to Kate. Kate has a lot of blackmail on me, I mean we've been together five years, but mainly Kate's adorable, a little red haired drop of fiery sunshine on a cloudy Portland day, she's just lovely. But actually kate just cuts my hair like, really freaking well. She knows my hair, she loves my hair, she makes comments about how lovely she finds my hair...then she cuts it, she feeds me wine, I tell her about the last few months of my life and then I throw money at her and leave feeling slightly inebriated, but mainly just freaking bomb because Kate just slayed my lovely ass head. So in case you didn't read my very loving review that I just left here for Kate, about Kate and to teach YOU to love Kate, here's a breakdown: 1. This place is adorable 2. It has Kate, so 1 + 2 = what are you even doing right now!? Get off this page and book your appointment like asaaaap! Kate's so bomb she's hard to snag, so be quick! Book out, book early, book Kate. There Kate, you have a new slogan. You're welcome. Congratulations best-hair-stylist-in-Portland seekers, you've won (FYI: in case you really missed it, it's Kate, you win Kate... and pretty ass hair).

This place is a beautiful hair oasis! My go to hair lady is Britt Hirschberg. I followed her from a…read moreprevious salon that was cool but does not compare to the vibes this place gives. It's bright, filled with people with big smiles on their faces. I'm an introvert and I get nervous in new spots. I had my hair done by Britt before but the new space threw me off and so I was a bit nervous walking in but that didn't last because I was instantly greeted with smiles from just about everyone I had eye contact with. You may be thinking that it's creepy because the way I'm describing it kinda sounds that way BUT it wasn't! I just think that the artists that work their are happy with their jobs and it flows into everything else. Britt really makes me feel great and gives me a very personalized experience. I absolutely love every cut She does on my hair. I even go to her for bang trims in between my cuts. Bangs are difficult for people and I'm picky and I haven't ever had someone just do everything I like and want. However somehow she knows exactly what I want and what my face shape needs. I love her for that! I have had HORRIBLE BANG TRIMS IN THE PAST SO ITS A BIT TRAUMATIC ! I legit get excited when I know I have an appointment! Booking , changing and canceling your appointments are super fast and easy and you can do it from your phone which I love. The hair products they have are also organic, chemical free and eco friendly ! If you want to see Britt though make sure you book in advance because she books up fast! She is worth the wait though!

I've never had my hair 'done' formally for an event, and I have challenging hair - very thick with…read morelots of layers and a mind of its own. I decided to ask for pro help for my wedding hair and I settled on Akasu by chance since it was near to our venue and had good reviews. Mara did my hair and was amazing. She did a small test run prior to the event and was genuinely friendly, helped me plan carefully for what would work best for the event, and listened to my ideas. What made her work truly exceptional, however, was her willingness to make last minute changes when the weather heated up in Portland and I realized that a full updo would be the most comfortable choice. Without time for a practice run, she calmly agreed that this would be a great idea and that she would be able to make it happen. Day of the wedding, she looked at a few photos I'd gathered and got to work. She took extra time and created a lovely and comfortable updo (even unbraiding and redoing a section that I wanted to change) and gave me tips on veil and flower placement. My hair stayed in place throughout the night and looked the most 'under control' that it ever has! Price was very reasonable and service excellent. I recommend for anyone who doesn't want to deal with the full bridal experience (and the prices that come with it) but wants to look great.

I want to move in here. Akasu is an absolute gem that sits in a cute old Victorian house on N…read moreWillamette. The atmosphere is comfortable, peaceful, and inviting. It's really the opposite of Portland's typical frou frou salon where you are greeted by a spray tanned bleached blonde smacking gum calling you "hun." How refreshing! This place is all about providing the best services with the best products, by the best staff. The staff is what I think sets this salon apart from others, among many other unique aspects. The staff are the most knowlegdable, passionate people who were hand picked by the owner who takes no short cuts whatsoever. Each one of them will take the time to explain the products, where they come from, and why they were picked. Another great aspect of this salon is time. I originally went to Akasu for a haircut. I came in with a crazy long mane and decided to chop it. It took about an hour. Jen Healy did an an excellent job. She took her sweet time and gave me all of her attention and input. Lots of stylists tend to lose focus and want you out of their chair so they can get to the next person, but she did the opposite. A couple weeks later I decided the cut wasn't short enough and went back to take few more inches off. Jen took another full hour for the trim and did it FO FREE! I couldn't have left happier. Another great aspect is that Akasu hires employees and not independent contractors. This is such a relief! It means that the cattiness and obligations to certain stylists who aren't necessarily the best person for the job at hand are completely eliminated. So I can send my girlfriends with long hair to Tyra because she specializes in long hair, and my girlfriends with short hair to Jen, because she works well with short hair, etc. It means that the owner wants clients to have the best service possible. One last thing! Akasu offers hour-long Yonka (yes, YONKA!!!!) facials for only $75!! Unreal, right? I'm dying to try one and will let you all know how it goes. Or you can try one and let me know? They offer referrals rewards, too. Akasu is as good as it gets and I would recommend this salon to any and everyone!

Keely is hands down the best stylist I have ever seen. And I have lived in NYC, Atlanta, San…read moreFrancisco and seen top stylists in those cities. I have been seeing her for about 2 years now. I am almost totally gray and she has been giving me my very dark brown hair back with more shine, highlights and texture so that it does not look colored at all. Not only is she highly skilled but she is so kind and I am truly happy to sit in her chair for two hours every month! I am so thankful she moved here from LA!

Georgia is lovely and has helped me transition to a more lived in color with easier maintenance and…read moremuch healthier hair! So grateful to have found her. Helps that the salon is so cute with fun plants + vibes!

Laid back and welcoming but high end experience. Deft always makes my hair look great! Would…read morerecommend.

Super uneven haircut. One side is longer than the other and ends are really choppy. I told the…read morestylist that I wanted blunt ends but now looking at it, the ends are completely different lengths.

My hair has been going grey so we have been working with the "natural highlights" and adding some…read moreblonde for dimension. I simply love what Mary does !

I came in as a drop in, and they took me, even though they were very busy. I got a great haircut.read more

Amber is very friendly and easy to talk to. She's knowledgeable about a variety of salon services,…read moreeven those she doesn't provide herself. I was interested in sugaring and she answered a lot of the questions I had. You can tell she has a degree in her area of expertise, but she also truly loves what she does. Her prices are great considering the quality and experience she puts into her work. I like having the ability to book (and reschedule!) appointments online, and I really appreciated the text reminders. Amber was thorough and professional, she was engaging during my mani/pedi, making sure my nails were turning out the way I wanted them. I'm very pleased with how my nails turned out, but even better, I didn't feel like I had to waste a whole morning at a salon getting them done. I had a lot of fun hanging out with Amber, and I love how she decorated her studio! She really maximized her space, it's impressive how many top-notch services she provides. Amber also offered a nice beverage selection. The berry tea was delicious, the perfect complement to a mani/pedi on a chilly fall morning.

Super happy and super impressed with the skills and services of Amber here at Gypsy! I've come in…read morehere twice now for a spa mani/pedi and I have not left disappointed! She is very personable, easy to talk to, very funny and entertaining - the time flies by! Her space is very colorful and creative! It's cozy and always pumping some tunes in the background too. She has a large selection of great colors to pick for a regular mani/pedi and is easily able to change it to a shellac one if you request. Plus, the location is so convenient downtown! I can easily come in over my lunch or after work - a huge bonus! I would highly recommend her to my friends who are looking for great service as well as great value. Excited to go back soon!

Very patient stylist. Great job. Granddaughter did great too. Just in time for fourth birthday.read more

HOME RUN!!!!! I…read moreabsolutely cannot rave about this place enough. My 2yo has run the bases of bad cuts from so many different salons. Not their fault, it can't be easy. Cutting a toddlers hair has to be similar to trying to shave warm butter. However, Vivian at castle cuts has mastered it. He came in looking like scoobies bestie, shaggy. By the time Vivian finished her masterpiece, he was a dapper little prince. I can't thank her enough! Her ability to handle him, keep him calm and when he started getting squirrelly she was a pro and knowing just how to zig when he zagged to get his hair perfect. Even more adorable was the crown, sucker and balloon they gave him as he left. I am a new loyal fan and will be back many times over.

Sam was so nice and did a great job with my hair. The extra scalp massage is worth a small fee and…read moreI think next time I just need to double up on that, it was my favorite part. They offer complimentary drinks and while they don't have red wine, I did get a delicious latte while I waited for my appointment. Already making my next appointment. It's a great self-care treat.

Had an Appointment set, policy says to get there 15 minutes early I got there 30 minutes early. And…read moreexpressed my concern of needing to start on time in order to get to my wedding rehearsal. Waited a total of 60 minutes with no sign of my hair to get done. I was very frustrated with my time being wasted let alone their time management despite having a strict policy. I left the salon, hair untouched, time wasted and a lack of making things right. Hope my card didn't get charged as im definitely not going to be paying for a service that couldn't even be started.