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American Mortals
Rating Details »
Category: Hair Salons [Edit]
Neighborhood: Market East729 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-1234
- Hours:
Tue-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
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44 reviews for American Mortals
I've been going to Joe at American Mortals for 6 years - love him and love AMMO! To echo an earlier review here, if I moved I would have to fly back for cuts.
I love being able to walk in, tell Joe to do "whatever he wants" and I always walk away with a fabulous cut. He has me in bangs now and, like every other cut I get from him, I get compliments across the board - from the boyfriend, friends, coworkers, people on the street. I had a woman at my office actually stop me three times in one week to talk about my bangs.
The rest of the salon is laid back and very friendly and there are treats if you need a little sugar rush. One of the best parts of my appointments is the conversation.....someone always has a crazy story and even if you are shy in the chair and just want to listen, you'll be entertained.
I think I pay around $60 for a cut, and it is worth it! As an added benefit, I work a few blocks away and can get easily in and out during my lunch hour. I wouldn't go anywhere else!
Joe is simply amazing once again! with years of coast to coast experience cutting and coloring the hair I feel like I found the hair zen master. He is a humble rockstar...
When you sit down in his chair everything blurs out and he listens to what you want and rocks it out every time. Trust him with your hair and you will be hooked.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/19/2009
I've been going to Joe for 6 years at American Mortals (followed him from SF for any of you san… Read more »
I've been getting my haircut by Shari for 3 or 4 years now. Let me just say, when I think about moving away from Philly, I factor in how much it'd cost to come back every few months for a haircut.
I totally trust this lady! She's got loads of style and I just go in and say "Shari do whatever the fuck you want." and she just nails it. Every. Single. Time. I'll get compliments from strangers on the street for weeks afterward.
The best haircuts I've gotten here are the ones where I've given the least amount of direction. Shari knows better than I do what's in style and what will work on my hair. (Short and curly with bangs is tough to pull off, she makes it work!)
It is expensive. Way more than I ever thought I'd spend on something I'd done myself for years. But it's totally worth it. Cause now I can walk around in old t-shirts and ripped jeans and feel the opposite of frumpy.
Is it bad form to go to a stylist for the first time and ask for a trim? To say you're happy with your cut, you just moved a couple hundred miles away from your old stylist, it's been 8 weeks, just trim it? I have to wonder, because I asked for a trim and ended up with a completely new (and not improved) haircut.
My stylist was fun to talk to, interesting guy, and a Yelper to boot. And I have to say I liked my cut when I was sitting in the salon. I actually said to him, "it's not what I wanted, but I like it, it's cute."
It wasn't until I got home that I realized what a weird cut I'd gotten. Some background: I had short hair with bangs. I now have very short hair (not quite a pixie cut) with bangs. Anyway. The first thing I noticed was that the pieces of hair that came down right in front of my ears were really uneven. Like, one side was about a half inch longer than the other. Ok, fine, I can snip that off myself. Then I noticed another random long piece in the back on one side. Ok, snip snip, it's fine.
I'm going to devote a whole 'nother paragraph to my bangs. Oh boy, these bangs. I don't know what he did. There are, like, 3 different lengths of hair in here. There's a piece near my hairline that is about 3/4-inch long. Just the one piece. Then, depending on how far back from my hairline you comb from, I either have eyebrow-length bangs or half-eyebrow-half-eye-length bangs. Kind of like reverse layers? I'm not describing it well, I know, but that's because there's really no right way to describe it. The bangs are meant to be combed to the side, but I kind of need hairspray to keep them from looking a bit sloppy.
To my stylist's credit, he made it very clear that if I had any problems whatsoever with my cut that I could come back and he'd fix it. That's an attitude anyone can appreciate from a stylist and I was glad to hear it. Unfortunately, I think I need to grow my hair out before anything can be fixed. I have gotten some compliments on my hair since my cut, so I guess my issues with it aren't obvious. However, it's not so special or unique that another stylist couldn't have done it and done it more carefully for less money.
I got my first haircut here by Shari. She's really nice and definitely had her own vision. I liked the cut until I came home and realized that I had a rat tail sitting on the back of my neck. Luckily with the help of a pair of sheers and a couple mirrors I was able to do the amputation myself.
Since I did like most of the cut and the general atmosphere of the place, I decided to give AM another chance. This time they matched me up with Jen and she's been cutting my hair for about 2 years now. I'm always satisfied with the cut and knowing that I work with clients she always gives me a relatively conservative cut. She's very friendly and an all around great person. Though we don't hangout outside of AM, I consider her a friend so its nice to catch up every 2 months.
The place seems pretentious at first, but everyone has always been very nice to me. The space is nice, because it seems pretty gender neutral. A lot of salons make you feel like you are invading some fortress of femininity, but this is more like hanging out at someone's loft.
I told my stylist Shari that I always go to AmMo feeling disheveled and leave feeling fabulous! Now I refuse to go to anyone else. With my thick, wavy, and impossible hair, it's great to go to someone who knows what they're doing. She is the only one I have ever gone to where I have said, "Do what you think looks best, I trust you."
The atmosphere is young and hip and the staff is friendly and accommodating. Sometimes I even get free candy while I'm waiting!
Even when the shop got robbed and their computer got stolen that had all their appts. on it, I was still treated well and attended to.
I've been going to American Mortals and seeing Heidi for about 3 years now and I highly recommend it. She was recommended to me by an old co-worker, who also still goes to her. I no longer work in the city but I make the trip from the suburbs. The place can look kinda edgy, but they will give you whatever kind of haircut you want. I am definitely not hipster, but have never felt like that mattered. They will give you what fits your style.
I have really curly hair and Heidi is the only hairdresser that has ever cut it right. The layers help my hair curl better and the cut flatters the texture of my hair and my face. I walked in there the first time with a big mess of hair and told her to do what she felt was best. I've now been getting that same haircut ever since. I get compliments on my hair all the time.
I am sometimes a random customer, not cutting my hair for months, but she always remembers me and knows what I like. Nothing but quick and friendly service. $60 for a haircut isn't cheap, but it's worth every penny. I can only come in on Saturdays and I am so glad that she works one Saturday a month. When she told me she was going to stop working weekends, I thought I was going to have to find someone new, and basically didn't get my hair cut for 6 months trying to figure out what to do. Heidi, you're the best!
One of my worst haircuts. I brought in photos/ideas and during the consultation, the stylist shot me down completely and came up with something...else. Now, I understand that it's her job to make sure I'm not asking for the impossible, but I got the sense that she just didn't want to/know how to work with my hair (very straight, fine but not thin, a cowlick). I should've walked out. But I didn't, and I ended up with anchorwoman hair... weird, wide, helmet bangs that transitioned to a really boring bob. I tried to like it, to tell myself that I was just getting used to having bangs again, but it was terrible and growing it out so I could get another cut couldn't happen fast enough.
There was one good thing that came out of this, and it was a product recommendation to replace a favorite sea-salt spray that was discontinued, but I've since found something similar that's much cheaper, so I don't think it justifies an extra star.
I usually go to Luna Salon. I love Luna Salon. I decided that I could no longer afford Luna Salon and went on the Bumble and Bumble site to look for another Bb network salon. I found American Mortals with reasonable prices. Yelpers seem to love it, and I decided to give it a try.
First of all, I have to admit, I judge. I judge the stylists' hair and the clienteles' hair. Thumbs down. As I waited for Sandi, I grew more and more scared by the messy Urban Outfiters/American Apparel look of everyone in the salon (No offense to anyone, but that is just not my look). When I finally sat down in Sandi's chair, I was concerned by the constant yelling back and forth between stylists. What if Sandi gets distracted and cuts off my ear? Now I am not just being super cranky about salon talk, I heard all about some 80s tv show, another stylists' hair problems, etc. Granted, the resulting haircut was probably the best that she, or any competent hair stylist, could do for my hair. However, at the end, she kept pushing Bb products and actually gave me a Bb presription for products. I've been to various Bb network salons and I have never been pushed to Bb products that much!
The final wound? Sandi actually costs similarly to my stylist at Luna. So much for saving money.
I'm traveling through Philadelphia. I dont usually review places because I'm traveling but since I found American Mortals through Yelp and because it was so good, I felt compelled.
It was so refreshing to walk into a salon that wasn't a cookie cut out of what the hair industry thinks is an "upscale urban salon." American Mortals has stripped away all the pretense about being a hip inner city salon and replaced it with actual people. Who would have guessed that it would turn out to be such a winning combination?
Jen was personable, professional and not a product mule. I got exactly what I came in for and we had some lovely conversation along the way. If every salon I went into were like this, and this affordable (25 for a mens cut), I would get a haircut every day.
Check it out. Tell your friends. Oh and be sure to check out the photos in the sink area.
SANDI IS AMAZING. She has been cutting my hair for about a year and a half and I have never had a more compatible experience with a stylist. I knew from my first cut she would be cutting my hair for a long time...she was the first stylist to ever talk to me about my hair and my hair styling routines. She is very vocal about the process she uses, from writing down the products to the order that she uses them in. I never have any idea what kind of haircut I want, and even in my ambivalence she gives me my dream haircut. Every single time I get it cut, I get compliments for weeks. I can't express enough how great I feel after Sandi cuts my hair.
I love American Mortals and wouldn't go anywhere else- unless Sandi leaves. Maybe I've just found my stylist soulmate, but I would and do recommend Sandi and American Mortals to everyone who says they like my haircut.
Becky is awesome. Though my own style is almost a complete 180 away from hers (her style is amazing, it bears noting) she seemed to have an innate sense of what would work on me. That is a gift. She's done both cut and color on me, and though I've moved from Philly, I consider hitting her up whenever I'm in town. The salon itself is clean, friendly (if not effusive), and comfortable. I love this place.
I've been looking for a stylist for about a year so as a result my hair was in desperate need of TLC.
I happened to stumble upon AmMo on my way to work so I booked an appointment online with Sandi.
Sandi read my mind!! She knew exactly what I wanted even though I was incredibly inarticulate!
Needless to say, I have found my stylist!
SANDI is amazing! she understood my hair and even gave me really great low maintenance hair tips.
The only downside was that it was a tad bit pricey, but I will still go back.
It was a great environment, very relaxed and fun!
I had a series of bad haircuts in a row (not at American Mortals). Finally, I was sick of it and wanted to go somewhere new. I decided to try American Mortals, because a friend of mine usually cries after haircuts (no matter what) and she didn't get upset about this place.
The atmosphere is casual, and relaxed. The hair dressers are interesting and entertaining, as well as professional. For one of my appointments I received a call the day before my appointment, to shift my hair cut by a half hour, due to a scheduling conflict - which I had absolutely no problem with - I'm glad I was called ahead of time, and given some options very close to my original appointment.
Brook(e) cut my hair, and I have been back since. She fixed my hairs visible bad-haircut-history, and made me look like myself again (only better). I'm glad my hair is not nearly as high maintenance, as it does what I want, when I want - as opposed to acting as a frizzy weather vane.
The real test was when I returned for my 2nd haircut. Exactly the same!
Thanks Brook(e)!
I don't take care of my hair nearly as well as I should - I get it cut way too infrequently, I shampoo daily (despite assurances that the dirty-head scummy feeling will dissipate once my scalp adjusts, I just can't do it), and I'm sure there's a dozen other ways I commit hair abuse.
My hair is truly happy just a few times out of the year, and that's when I've paid a visit to AmMo. I've only been attended by two of the stylists, Sandi and Anthony, and both gave great cuts. I learned a whole lot from Sandi about hair care and while I'm still not the best hair caretaker ever, I am better than I used to be. However, Anthony is my go-to guy. I've never felt more comfortable - he's just really easy-going and more importantly, he's a master with those scissors.
Even though my curiosity/laziness drives me to try other salons and stylists, I rest easy knowing that Anthony & AmMo are still there.
Worst haircut I ever had in my entire life (this was 2 years ago).
I don't remember the name of the girl who cut my hair, but she had a hideous, overly dyed, dirty mohawk type thing going on. She did pretty much the exact opposite of what I asked for and cut my hair way too much. Then she told me that I should only wash it, like, once a week or less, because that's what she does.
Nothx.
I still have money left on a gift card from here and I won't be using it.
It took me ten years of living in Philadelphia to find a salon that not only cut hair splendidly, but made me feel at ease and was relatively affordable. That place, happens to be AmMo.
They've gone through a little bit of remodeling recently and I think they're trying to cater to a larger base of folks, but the things that appealed to me in the first place are thankfully intact.
When I go, Joe is my stylist of choice. Not only is incredibly talented at what he does, he's hilarious to boot. I've had so many great conversations with him in the chair.
Praise be AmMo!
Say it with me, y'all...whahh whahhh.
I was a loyal customer here for a few years and got to know the owners and the staff quite well. For the record, they are all lovely, lovely people. So you're probably wondering why I stopped going there, huh? Take a seat and I will tell you...
Every time I booked an appointment (I was faithful to Joe, who is really talented and super nice) it was always screwed up. Without fail, I'd go in for cut and color and be told that they had only scheduled me for one or the other. Sure, mistakes happen, but every GD time? After being stuck over in the corner one too many times (yes, someone put this baby in a corner) with wet hair, shivering and listening to '80's alternative while Joe frantically cut someone else's hair before getting back to me, I decided I'd had enough. This was on top of the cash I was dropping as well as the aggravation factor. I might have developed high blood pressure as a result.
Now whenever I walk by I feel like I have to be on the phone or cross the street so nobody walks out and accosts me. It's like we broke up and never had closure. So here goes, just in case someone from the salon reads this:
It wasn't me. It was you. But we can still be friends...right?
Edit: I received an email from the folks at American Mortals. They were very concerned that I told everyone that the date of my last service was May '07. Because I am a nice lady, that is exactly what I am doing. May '07, people. May '07.
The greeting I get walking into American Mortals, often by one of the owners Kimberly or Dave, is warm and low key. No pretension, no over bubbled effort to make me feel special, just a confident hello to let you know you are in the right place, and welcome. When my schedule allows, I like to come early, as the whole experience is so comfortable, why try to squeeze it into half an hour? (If they served up coffee and wireless I would be there a couple times a week.) A fairer review might have found me working with each of the (6 or 7?) stylists before putting my thoughts to virtual paper, but a couple of years ago I was referred to Anthony Gibilisco and can't imagine choosing to work with someone else. Anthony's schedule is always pretty full so if your schedule it tight you should book a couple of weeks in advance. With my flexible work week, I can call on a Tuesday and usually get in by Friday.
Anthony is always on time and paced well enough to greet me before he puts the final touch on his last appointment. He knows I am coming and he is ready for me. He primarily works with returning clients, keeps tabs on who is coming, and by the time I get there he has already been considering what he would like to do with my hair next. If I wanted the exact same cut every time, if I wanted a cut just like I saw on someone else, I might be in the wrong place. Anthony considers you; your personality, your dress, your occupation, how you carry yourself. He wants to know what about your hair made you ready for a change and what changes you have in mind, but my best cuts come when I say nothing, when I leave my hair, the shape of my head, the way my face will be framed, to him. He is more artist than stylist, but balances your needs and where he would like to take your look with fearless comfort. I first came to him with short hair and left with short hair, but over the months he has evolved my hair to longer lengths and it couldn't suit me better. I am easy, willing to be cut without a shampoo, no color, no curl, no blow dry required, but the real testimony to his skill comes from the praise of the several women that I know that work with him. He is a color master and can handle the challenges of the myriad of different lengths, textures, and colors of hair. Anthony sees you, your hair, your face, in a way that is hard to imagine turning your hair over to someone else. But were he to travel to the Caribbean and decide not to come back, the feel of the whole place, the casual quality of the environment than Kimberly and Dave have created, the Bumble and Bumble training and products, the warm intensity that each stylist in the salon exudes, would make me entirely comfortable as a walk-in and turning over my hair to any other stylist in the shop.
I love AmMo. My mother was a hairdresser and it has taken me a while to trust anyone else with my spoiled locks. I go to Heidi, who is amazing with the razor, she gives me the choppy look I love. They also carry Bumble and Bumble products (drool).
It has a nice atmosphere, with cute decor, great music and magazines, and occasionally the Chihuahua from the shop next door will stop by. Everyone is very nice and I have never had a problem getting an appointment.
I get a cut and color for about $130 with tip, perfectly reasonable considering the quality.
hella major letdown. I don't mean to be a hater...but good hair is essential. so I feel this story needs to be told!
I moved back to Philly in 2005 and instead of returning to Closet Fever [great salon but Brooklyn cured my manic-panic-mcsqueeb phase], I wanted to try a new spot. I always thought AMMO looked super cute and I'd heard good things...
I entered sporting a grown-out shoulder-length bob. I exited w/ asymmetrical bangs so thick and crooked I could not see and effed-up layers that were devastatingly uneven. Believe me, I've been rocking dumb hipster haircuts since the early 90s and this was a terrible execution. A BAD look.
Funny thing about that hair-don't -- I ran into a friend a few days after the incident. She had the same exact mistake on her head, same culprit too.
Ammo. It's odd because I probably would not have set foot in this place if it had not been that Anthony used to cut my hair on an old barber chair he got from his dad. Cuts were usually conducted in the basement of his Spring Garden street apartment. Miller High Life was served afterwards. Anthony has changed a little bit, moved up in the world, but I still trust him with my hair. Most of the staff is completely hands down friendly and cool with me but is it because I'm friends with one of their own?I can tell you this, they do provide much better cuts than old Johnny Cuvo used to back in Easton P A . The prices seems fair for the location and Anthony definitely knows his stuff, but then again , he did learn from Tony Gib of Trenton, so there is no worries there.
Try it out , you just might like it, and like Johnny Cuvo used to say "It'll grow back"
I really love this place. I usually get quickly disillusioned with stylists, but I have remained faithful to Joe for a year now, which I think is a record. The most recent cut he gave me I call "best cut ever" because that is what it is. It has been about two months, and it has grown out so beautifully. From my hippest friend to my crustiest board member, this haircut has gotten rave reviews. Joe is also friendly and funny without being annoyingly talkative. Nicole, who assists him with my hair most frequently, is also lovely.
Everyone at AMMO is super nice, and the space is cute and comfy. A+ all around!
I go to AM MO when I have the change to spare. It's not cheap but it's not a price gauge either. I have gotten consistently good haircuts and styles from a variety of different AM MO hair dressers. Most recently, Sherri recommended that I get a straightening iron which has really changed my life (or at least the way I feel about that brillo pad I call hair).
Also, they have a nice, urban deco going on. It's not as in-your-face rock and roll as Twist, but it is hip and edgy, which I appreciate because as an adolescent I was terrorized by tragically unhip haircuts done in suburban salons. I know they're not going to give me some crappy eighties layer job and I know that I can trust them as they attack my pot scrubber with a razor blade and a pair of scissors.
I LOVE American Mortals.
Due to some erroneous hair decisions in my youth, I had not Cut my hair for over 10 years. My Hair had grown to over Four Feet Long. Needless to say I had a very close relationship with it. After Graduating from College & getting an Adult Job, I realized that it was time to leave my hippie roots behind move on to a more adult look (and for a change).
When I walked into this place to make an appointment, I warned them that this was a big deal for me and that I had a lot of emotions tied up into my hair. They immediately sat me in a chair, they knew that if I didn't do it at that moment, I would just cancel the Appt. Becky was absolutely awesome covered in tattoos and piercings, she was like an exotic bird, and I had no idea what to expect. They constantly reassured me and were super sweet. I was completely distracted from the fact that they were cutting off my pride and joy Kim offered to buy me shots from the Mexican place next door if I needed to take the edge off as she swept up my hair as Becky was cutting it!
It was by Far the best Haircut I had Ever had. It looked fabulous, and I can't believe I waited so long to do it! I'm completely addicted and now I have Layers and Even Bangs! I jokingly tell everyone that it isn't my hair, it's Becky's cause I just let her do her thing to it.
I have recommended this place to everyone looking for a Salon and no one has been disappointed. Located next to Posh Washington Square, the Prices are surprisingly decent. (There is a high end salon a few doors down where cuts start at a couple hundred and aren't even as good as AM). Appointments are recommended, but they have been known to take walk-ins.
Bottom Line: Friendly, Cost Effective, Gorgeous!
Normally I would pass this place off as a salon giving fad hair cuts to philly kids with cash..but I actually had a great experience there.
I wasn't even there to get my hair cut (I was accompanying a friend), but the staff was incredibly nice and inviting. They took my coat, found me a comfortable place to sit, and made absolutely certain I was comfortable the entire time I was there. They came back to check on me quite a few times to see if I wanted sodas or snacks.
My friend's hair cut turned out great, it was exactly what she wanted. Her cut and color cost around $120 (I'm not sure if that number includes the tip she left), which isn't bad considering color is almost always expensive.
A cut there is in the neighborhood of $40, which is a little pricey, but they do very good work.
I went in as a walk-in client when I realized that a cool haircut might endear me to girls. I LOVED the atmosphere. The interior design is totally dope and everyone is really nice. I had thought they might be sort of stuck up because it had a hip vibe about it, but everyone was totally down to earth. Brooke cut my hair and she was very cool. She was able to handle all the eccentric and crazy musings and experiences that I shared. In addition, the hairstyle was phenomenal and we had good chemistry, as I let her go in her own artistic direction. I thought the price, service, and cut were excellent so I hooked her up with a good tip. I hope they don't up there prices if everyone finds out about them, but it's all good. Best hair experience ever.
I got a few great cuts and some really cool color here. People would stop me to ask who did my hair. It was great, and I was happy.
But on my last two visits, I was disappointed. First, I was disappointed in a cut. But I went back again and got color, too. After waiting to be finished (my color had been rinsed and I was sitting at the sink), someone came by--not my stylist--to say I was done. Huh?
They directed me to an empty station and handed me a brush and a blowdryer. "Oh, I thought you knew. It's an extra charge if I dry it for you," my stylist said. I didn't know that, but if I had I would still have opted to pay the charge. But nobody ever asked me that. I scheduled my appt. for a night that I had plans an could show off my new 'do. Instead, I blew it dry myself (she'd already started another client's cut) and left while it was still damp. I was embarrassed to be standing in a salon, styling my own hair, as if I was too cheap or not important enough to have a stylist do it for me. Plus, the color was not what I requested (brown is not "neutral black").
Like a breakup, I don't know what went wrong. We were so good together! Maybe I went on two bad days, just flukes. Maybe I wasn't clear, though I know I said the color correctly. And who knew I had to specially request a blowdry? They did that every other time I got color here.
*sigh*
I came in as a walk in with horrible roots from a completely horridly overpriced and disappointing haircut from a month before seeing if they could fit me in for a cut and color. Surprisingly they took me and matched me with what would be the best hair experience I have gotten in a long while. I got paired up with Becky who balanced LISTENING to me while at the same time making AMAZING suggestions that really flattered my skin tone and face shape. She did wonders for me and I really appreciate it and I couldn't have been luckier!
I had a great haircut here back in the fall! They are professional and hip at the same time. My hairstylist was friendly and listened to what I wanted to have done. She took her time as well to make sure I got what I wanted. Can't wait for my next haircut!
Heidi took on my hair and gave me one of the best hair cuts i've ever had. she spent a good amount of time texturizing and layering my hair with a razor (i don't think she picked up a pair of scissors once during the cut ) and it looked amazing! my hair has lots of volume and body, and i barely have to style it for it to "lay right". plus, i'm way overdue for a trim, but i'm still getting compliments on my hair! that used to never happen!
only negative - the shampoo girl kept shampooing my forehead!
I went to American Mortals for the first time yesterday, after getting fed up with my old hairdresser, who never did what I asked her to do.
Heidi was great. We discussed what I wanted (funky layers) but she talked me out of as many layers as I'd hoped for, because she said that with my hair texture, it would be too puffy. But she thinned out my thick, coarse hair and gave me a style that looks fabulous.
The salon is cute and funky, and the price, while not cheap, was reasonable.
I'll definitely return.
I've gotten my hair cut here for 4 years! I used to go to some fancy place in old city but after countless bad haircuts and stylists not listening to my pleas for a non-Mrs. Brady haircut, I went in search of a hip hairsalon. I love American Mortals because the staff is so welcoming and they always remember my name when I come in. The music isn't too loud and they have candy in the back waiting room. They are also kid friendly, although I don't have any, and I think that speaks to how relaxed the atmosphere is. I've been going to Joe since the beginning and he always listens to my hair ideas even when I don't have any, and when I don't have any he has lots. I'm never worried about getting a cut or a color because I know that he'll do an awesome job and I know that if he isn't into the results he'll fix it until we're both happy. I can't wait for my next visit!
I love this place! I went here for the first time last month and saw Brooke -who carefully cut at least 6 inches off my head...giving me a cut that I love... and exactly what I asked for!
A really relaxed but still professional atmosphere, very decent prices, flattering light, animal-friendly (and great smelling!) hair products, good music... can't ask for much else!
As a side note, I found it was pretty easy to get an appointment ( I think I called with a week and a half's notice). And the receptionist was very helpful and polite.
I recommend this place to anyone looking for a fun haircut in a comfortable environment. If you're looking for a plain ol' cut at a place where it's dead quiet, run by a snooty guy with a fancy name and $400 scissors who doesn't even care to ask you your name or how your day is going, this place probably isn't for you. (:
After moving to the city in 2006, I was trying to find a salon that both met my needs financially AND did not make me feel uncomfortable. American Mortals is the perfect fit. They have talented and dedicated stylists (hats of to Sandi - girl, you always do a phenomenal job!), they carry great products, offer great advice, they play the best selection of music of any salon I've ever set foot in, the staff and owners are all professional, yet friendly, charming and funny AND the price of all of their services are well within budgetary requirements! There might be cheaper salons in this city - but good luck getting great service, talent and a great atmosphere under one roof anywhere else!
The place I used to go to in SF, Transformer, was owned by Joe, now one of the staff at AMMO, and sold to the best stylist like ever. Dude she gave me a haircut in my underwear but I don't know you well enough to share that one. When I moved back to philthy, I found that lots of my friends were going to AMMO, and I had already gotten used to shelling out $30+ for a cut, so I hit it up. I get my hairs did by Anthony, and have had nothing but good cuts from him. Though he's unsuccessfully tried to sell me on a quasi-mullet, his general approach is to take what you want and then make it more interesting. Maybe it's different for the ladies, but I doubt it.
With regards to other reviewers' comments about the people at the reception desk, I can see where you're coming from, as I usually walk in from work looking square and have gotten some odd looks, but you know what? I'm there for a haircut, not to validate their sense of hipness, so it doesn't bother me. As an admission of this shortcoming, I'll withold that fifth star on account of the front desk. I know, I'm just that crazy.
If you are looking for a professional, clean haircut this is not the place you want. I've had two trips, two different stylists. The first wasn't great, but wasn't terrible - hence the return visit (and 2 stars). After my latest cut, however, I will never go back.
I called and specifically asked for someone that was good with short hair, and Jen was recommended. At first I thought I was in good hands. She picked up on the slight cowlick and wave, and stated that she planned to 'frame my face' with some length in the front while shortening up the back and thinning out the rest. Sounded good.
Well now I have a haircut that I have only ever seen on a 40-yr old lesbian from Iowa. It is far too short, with the 'long' front pieces falling on my cheekbone (that awkward 'I'm growing it out' length). One side is longer than the other by a good inch, and the back comes so high up my neck that she may as well have used clippers... only if she had it might have ended up straight across the back. Instead the back forms a curious point far left of center. I can forgive misunderstanding, but the haircut is clumsy and messy without even being edgy.
Summary: Cuts here are mediocre at best. Some stylists are better than others, but nearly all went to the same schools and it shows.
I'm new to the city and a friend recommended American Mortals, so I really have no basis for local comparison, but I loved AmMo. Although the prices were a little bit more than I'd like to spend, I walked out with a million dollar 'do.
The waiting area in the front facing Walnut Street is comfy, but the back room is super plush with plenty of light-reading and art plastered throughout at which to gawk. There's even a walkway leading into the neighboring clothing boutique. Shop while your highlights set!
My stylist put me at ease and took an extra amount of time to finish my hair (something I truly appreciated as I have a large mess of hair that often is left half-damp and "scrunched" by hurried stylists.)
The other stylists stopped to flatter me and rave about the new haircut, as well.
I paid with a card and there's no line to tip, so bring cash for gratuity. They deserve it.
I used to go there when my stylist worked here and will relay my experience apart from the hair cut since I've followed my stylist to her new salon and I love her like whoa...
When I first went in there it was during work hours, so I had on the obligatory button down shirt and slacks and got the weirdest looks (and actually a side smile, whispering behind the hands thing) from the girls behind the counter. They didn't seem too thrilled to wait on me, and I found out later that one of the ladies was the shop owner. When I went later to pay with my credit card they gave me a bit of a hard time, because apparently they didn't think I tipped my stylist (which I did in cash previous to visiting the pay counter).
I returned 2 or 3 times to visit my stylist after that since she is so great, but had similar experiences with their counter people. I even had an experience where my coat was taken off of the rack and put on a stool to lie there by a staff member...
I had a 6 month period where I didn't get my haircut, during which my stylist had switched salons. Apparently when I called AMMO to set up my new appointment the new salon (Ricochet, p.s.) had just opened so they hadn't even called old clients yet...well, the phone answerer person was so rude to me when I asked for my stylist that I will never go back there. He tried to trash my stylist professionally which I just think is not cool.
I know they do pretty good hair there, but the ego level is just way too high for me to go in there anymore. I'd recommend Ricochet for slightly cheaper prices, and the same level of stylist minus the BS.
Great place to get a funky cut. Anthony is the best...any time I've gone in there, I've told him to do "whatever" and I've come out with a rockin' cut. More importantly, if I don't end up cutting my hair for months, the grow out looks great too.
Friendly staff, cool decor, awesome products (just recently started carrying Bumble and Bumble...). And decently priced for a haircut in the city.
