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Vain
Category: Hair Salons
Neighborhood: Downtown2018 1st Ave
(between Lenora St & Virginia St)
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 441-3441
- Hours:
Mon-Tue. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wed-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
Mode Organic Salon
- Category:
- Hair Removal
- Neighborhood:
- Downtown
Visit any Mode Organic Salon and receive 15% off your first visit. For new clients only. May not be combined with other offers.
157 reviews for Vain
A long long time ago I got my hair colored for my wedding here and promptly forgot about Vain.
Fast forward about five years and I find myself once again looking for a tried and true place to get about a foot lopped off of my hair. For Brien H's Christmas present this year I did something I said I'd never do again... cut my hair.
I knew that if I went to the girl I usually go to for colors and trims I'd have to wait about a week to get in and then I'd chicken out so I booked an appointment with Bash directly after deciding to go ahead and take the plunge. I drank a shot of vodka and we were good to go.
Instead of being annoyed at my neurotic description of what I envisioned for my new hair, he was enthusiastic and a calm counterpart to my chattering teeth. He didn't put the hair in a pony tail and hack it all off at once like some places would, he calmly and skillfully sectioned each piece off and took the length slowly.
He listened exactly to what I wanted and told me he even left a little length so I could go home, live with it for a week or so and come back and he'd touch it up for free if I wanted to go even shorter. Now I have a medium cut (short to me) that has body, swingy pieciness and modern style. It compliments my round facial shape and strong features without looking like a basic medium bob.
Bash was wonderful, friendly and even gave me great Eastern European recipes as well as anecdotes about his schooling in London. He's been doing hair since the late 70's and really knows his stuff.
Second time's the charm: great service from front desk to exit, awesome hair (my stylist recommended warmer tones for fall -- fun!!) and the second time around proves that it ain't a fluke!
p.s. I have to add that Carissa is wonderful at full foil color -- she gets right to the root, doesn't gloss over details like those little hairs by your ears, and takes the time to use toner (evens things out) and conditioning spray. She rocks.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/16/2009
I have been going to the same hair girl for years. Seriously, like 7 years or something. The… Read more »
In my life, I've chopped all my hair off thrice. My most recent cut, executed by the very talented Rebekah, has definitely been my favorite pixie. Rebekah listened to my ideas, studied my photographs, and really worked with me to create a perfect cut. She took time to check in (to make sure I wasn't freaking out about cutting all my shoulder-length hair off) and to make sure that I was satisfied with her work.
It's a shame I moved to Toronto. I've gotten my hair cut twice since I saw Rebekah and both times (two different stylists) I have been thoroughly disappointed. If I were rich (which I'm not), I would fly to Seattle every eight weeks just to see her. Seriously. She's that good. What I loved most about Rebekah was her genuine concern about grow out -- she gave me a great short cut that started growing out quite nicely. Trims are always necessary (to prevent the Jerry Seinfeld swoop in the back), but the two stylists I visited tried to convince me that the grow out process is grueling and assured me that they would do their best, but no one has cute hair during a grow out. Rubbish.
I envy those in Seattle who have this gem of a stylist at their fingertips. She's talented, friendly, and quite a visionary. She cares deeply about her craft, yet manages to retain a 'the customer's always right' type of attitude. She expands ideas, explores alternate options, and is incredibly polite in doing so. She wants you looking your best and it shows.
I tried to see her one last time before I left, but as she only works Fridays, she was completely booked. (I admit, I tried booking an appointment way too late -- so it's totally my fault I didn't get in.)
Another great thing about Rebekah: her cuts are not only fabulous, they're also ridiculously affordable. Twenty-ish dollars for the greatest hair cut of my life? Yes please!
Aiko changed salons and since I love the vibe of Vain so much, I decided to stay. Plus, I can't leave Belinda! I now go to Scarlet who is fabulous !!! Plus she's fun to talk to while I get my hair done.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/15/2008
I came here because my esthetician, Belinda moved here last month and well, I just don't trust… Read more »
I would give JORDAN 5 stars and the salon/front desk 3 stars so to compromise....ta da! 4 stars (math is fun!).
Like most people trying a new stylist - my regular person was moved/unavailable/whatever. I asked a friend where she got her hair done and she said Vain. I was kind of nervous - I live down the street and (prior to going) my images of Vain were hot pink hair and mohawks....so not me! I thought I might need to head over to the Eastside for a nice "safe" stylist. I was discussing with another friend when a second person recommended Jordan..ok appointment set!
It is important to note that the website does have a photo and bio of each stylist - most of them talk about what their specialty is, etc. Of course Jordan doesn't have one but that's ok...I had two totally different friends refer him so I'm fine. They also have select stylist that will do $15 haircuts on certain days - if you are on a budget it's worth checking out.
What I didn't like about the salon itself (the 3 stars part) is you basically walk into a retail store. There is shit load of stuff going in the front so it's up to you to find the front desk and check in. After I checked in I was told there was water on the table but I'm used to more of a spa experience - take my coat and my umbrella, get me situated, make me feel comfortable. There is none of that a Vain, which I guess would be fine but since I was going for a $50 haircut I expect just a little bit of pampering. A LITTLE. I'm not asking to put on a robe and soak my feet (yes, I have been to a place like that before) but when I walk in on a cold windy rainy day - give me somewhere to store all the layers so I can start to feel comfortable. Not so much! Oh well......I'm here for Jordan anyway and he was GREAT!
As I said, 5 stars for Jordan. He was very sweet and discussed everything before cutting. I love that he repeatedly said...it's a two way street. I initially said I wanted 2 inches off the back and we discussed it and he pointed out exactly why he didn't think that was a great idea. We compromised and in the end I love my cut. He dried my hair and it was very wavy....are you going to flat iron it, I asked. Oops, we must have had a miscommunication when i said I like big hair. Not a problem, he plugged in the flat iron and went right at it. I almost felt bad - like maybe I would make him late for his next appointment but he was great about it...making sure I was happy. Fabulous!!
I'd been searching for a good stylist / salon for about 3 years before I went to Vain. I got paired up with Megyn, and she has a really great eye for what colors and styles look good on me. I've been really happy with them.
I also like that you can put your tip on your credit card; I've been in places before that don't allow this.
I've been in Seattle for over two years now, and have yet to settle in with one hairdresser. It's tricky, and not to mention a bit scary. I've ended up in tears before from dealing with stylists who don't get what I'm talking about or require too much feedback on every little thing. That's why it's such a relief to walk into a place like Vain, where everyone seems to be super chill and happy to be there.
I called them on a Wednesday, thinking that I might be able to get a weekend or evening appointment for two weeks out. Even better, they had openings for the very next evening. After a few questions about my hair type and price range, the receptionist recommended a couple of different stylists (and quoted their rates), then gave me a couple of different openings with each to chose from. Great!
Thursday at around noon I get a call. The stylist I was scheduled with was out sick... so, I had the option of rescheduling with her, or trying someone else for that evening. As I hadn't been there before, I simply scheduled with someone else. Still, awesomely prompt on their part and I was happy to still make it in that day.
The stylist I saw, Aubrie, = awesome. I mean, obviously - they both start with "A," right? Great stylist, super relaxed. Not the most outgoing of hair people I've met, but I'm not the most extroverted person either and at times I find such chatter to be exhausting. The space can be a bit loud for conversation, too - the stations are pretty close together, so if you want to talk about your deepest darkest secrets, you're going to be confessing to more people than just your stylist.
I couldn't believe how quickly I was in and out with a rocking new hairstyle. Less than half an hour from when I entered I was walking back out the door with a cute choppy bob. That includes the consult, shampoo, and cut. I'm pretty sure the shampoo lasted longer than the cut, which was fine by me 'cause Aubrie gives a mean scalp massage. And the new hair is so easy to take care of! She guided me through how to style it each morning, and really, it's cut about 15 minutes off my morning routine. Yay for more sleeps.
I don't remember when the last time was that I got so many compliments on my hair, but after my trip to Vain last week they've been coming in daily. I'll be sure to stop back in a couple of weeks to get my free trim - and I'm sure that in a month or two after that, I'll be back for a regular cut as well.
I was visiting Seattle from Boston, in the mood for a little hair make-over and figured that I'd get a little West Coast perspective. I called in, mentioned what I wanted done and what my budget was, and they hooked me right up.
I saw Carissa for an amazing round of coloration and then Kellieanne who gave me "sex kitten hair." My favorite kind.
10 weeks out, I still love my haircut. it's holding it's shape really well. (Go team.) Kellieanne was also chatty (not not overly so) and didn't try to push product on me (although I did end up buying some).
The merch section in the front is cute, well-stocked, and definitely goes beyond the run-of-the-mill shampoo, etc.
I really wish I could go 4.5 on this one - the receptionist screwed up my appointment and they almost didn't have time to fit in the coloration I wanted and also I'm not a huge fan of the semi-meh plain t-shirts that they have you put on for the dying process, I'd much rather a nice smock or cape any day.
I've had long hair for nearly my entire life. It's been simultaneously the curly bain of my existence and a part of my personality so deeply ingrained that it's been difficult to disentangle the external mop from the internal self. But, occasionally, change is absolutely essential.
Early in the spring, one of my best friends from grade school helped me make the chop, and instead of my trademark mass of waist-length locks, I found myself with a versatile pixie cut. Sadly, my friend does not live in the city, and I discovered quickly that my new cut could not be simply tied in a knot and forgotten; it required upkeep and a decent amount of styling.
I found myself rather overwhelmed by the prospect of researching Seattle's many styling joints, but thankfully, one of my fellow short-haired friends suggested an amazing stylist named SCARLET at a salon called Vain. After my first visit, I was hooked. If you book an appointment for a trim within a month of your cut, the trim is free! Scarlet is a perfect fit for my style, and the atmosphere at Vain is inviting, professional and fun.
Scarlet specialises in cuts and colour for fine hair, both short and funky and long and layered. She made me feel completely comfortable in the chair, and she gave me a tonne of styling tips, for both my short cut and long hair, if I decide to grow mine out once again. For the first time in my life, I finally have the tools to control my hair (and not the other way around)!
Scarlet is one of the sweetest and most talented stylists I have ever met, so look her up if you're in Belltown (or even if you're not) and in need of an amazing new style or a fun new perspective on an existing one. Your hair will love you for it! :)
Cheers!*
So, it had been 7 months since my last haircut which I hated by the way. I was dreading another mediocre haircut and getting kind of pissed that I couldn't find someone I really liked here in Seattle. I have had my hair cut in NYC and Paris and know good, bad and so so haircuts. I know when I get an amazing haircut!
Bash at Vain gave me probably the best haircut I have ever had in my life. Go see him! He will change your look, update it, make it sexy. This is the best my hair has looked in my whole life! And the kicker, it cost $45 dollars and they trim it for FREE within one month! The last time I had my hair cut in NYC it was $105 and that was a bargain!
Best hair experience ever! Bash at Vain...make an appointment!
I go to Aubrie to have my haircut and she's always done a fabulous job for me. I'm not usually doing anything fancy, usually cut/layer and bangs, but it's always done well and I feel amazing afterward. I love that they let you come back to get your bangs retouched, as that's always the part that seems to grow out the fastest for me and starts to get into my eyes.
Aubrie's amazing and has helped me play around with my hair a bit and encourages me to embrace my slightly wavy hair. When I was little and had my Asian bowl cut, my wavy hair would flip in all sorts of directions and I HATED it. When I grew my hair long, it just grew straight, as the weight pulled it down. Now Aubrie cuts it in a way where it flips and curls in a cool way that looks like I meant to do it! I'm so cool now and it's all due to her mad cutting skills.
So, sadly my previous stylist left...
So, I rang up Vain and lo and behold they had another stylist who they thought would work really well for me.
Well, they picked correctly, because I basically have the same hair as Cassie. Color, texture, length. Soooooo she gave me a whole bunch of hair tips and introduced me to a magical powder!
No, I don't mean cocaine, silly kids. It's called Osis: Dust It, and after she put it in my hair I was pretty much in love.
Uh... with the hair product, obviously.
Cassie's skills = the perfect low-maintenance-but-still-really-chic-and-sexy cut.
In fact, I kinda just want to stay in tonight so my hair and I can enjoy each others' company.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/29/2008
Have you ever dyed your hair black then thought:
"gee, I can TOTALLY get this to platinum by myself… Read more »
Just got my hair done today by SARAH B! She rocks! I loved how friendly and welcoming everyone was. I've never had "a person" I consistently go to for hair, but I truly have found that salon, and person. Sarah is really talented and artistic, she will listen to what you want, and also gladly give ideas. I LOVE my hair for the first time ever.... thanks Sarah!
After searching and searching and searching for the perfect hairstylist that would give me an amazing haircut, not empty my wallet and actual listen to me, I am so ecstatic to have found Megyn! I first saw her for just a simple bang trim, by default, since I found out while making the appointment that the gal I was seeing no longer was working at Vain. I explained to the receptionist the way my hair was; curly slash wavy hard to control mane, she suggested that Megyn would be perfect. After Megyn trimmed up my bangs we started talking about cuts and I decided to take a chance and have her do something different with my hair. Trusting Megyn with my hair has got to be the best decision that I have made in a salon for as long as I can remember. She made my hair look fantastic! And to top it all off, when I left Vain and walked up the hill headed home, I was stopped by 4 complete strangers that complimented me on my do'...bonus! I love Megyn and will be with her till the end of time.
I started going to VAIN three years ago when I moved to Seattle. I knew I wanted competent stylists, and stylists with a younger outlook on hair -- you know, the kind that are hip on what the current indie styles are and aren't afraid to be avant garde (but have the skill to make it look good).
Vain is that plus more. Their stylists are incredible and I continue to have the best haircuts of my life each time I go. I get exactly what I want every time, with little explanation. The stylist profiles on their website help new customers find a stylist that specializes in exactly what you want.
Everyone at Vain is incredibly friendly, and they go out of their way to make sure they give you what they want. For example, I went in today needing corrective color (scheduled with a stylist I hadn't previously had, Sharon), and she worked with me to find out exactly what I wanted. Then she worked with other stylists to make sure that my color was perfect -- and took the time and effort to troubleshoot and layer color just right to get the result we'd talked about.
I had an hour long appointment and she worked with me much longer than that to get me what I needed. Far more than I would've ever asked for or expected. I was floored. My hair is, yet again, gorgeous, and I will keep giving Vain my business for years to come.
(Plus, all the accessories they have for sale in the front of the store are so cute! I'm tempted to buy everything every time I go there!)
Go see TT, she hooked me up and I looked stunning in LA, with my healthy, freshly trimmed locks flowing. She also colored my hair a week prior; TT is awesome she takes time to create a masterpiece and also is concerned about your hair looking and staying healthy.
She is versatile too... So check her out, oh and one more thing TT is affordable so you won't have to break the bank to look fabu.
As usual, Jen C did WONDERFUL getting my hair back to shape...
Emmett ended up doing my color this time around since Jen C didn't have any appointments available to do both.. He did a good job.
The new thing that they offer is waxing...
Belinda was AWESOME... It was a last minute decision to have it done there instead of my normal place since I didn't have time to run to Ballard and then back to downtown. I did not regret it...
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1/28/2009
Went and saw Jen C at the Vain downtown to have my hair colored.
She had cut it that prior Friday… Read more »
Update - I received a concerned message from Melissa at Vain about my experience with Vain. She clarified that the receptionist had scheduled my appointment for the right services, but that I must have had a misunderstanding with my stylist. She made me a great compensation offer and even wanted to talk to me about what my hair was like and what I wanted so she could recommend a different stylist to me.
I have made a consultation appointment for two weeks from now and two potential appointments for cut and color. I am very hopeful after talking to Melissa that I will be able to find what I am looking for at Vain.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/30/2009
I went into the salon to make my appointment so I could make sure the receptionist understood that I… Read more »
I've left a review for Vain before to sing the praises of my amazing hairstylist Janea. Now I am back to squee, jump up & down & throw glitter in the air all Rip Taylor style because Belinda the eyebrow extraordinaire rules my life !!!! I had to give her her own review because she is FANTASTIC !! She is darling beyond words & so sweet & she made me feel so sassy & cute with my new brows! Amazing how shaping your brows really changes your whole face! I am SOLD and dude, I will forever go the way of the brow wax! It's awesome !!
Thank you Belinda! You are so full of bad assery & win.
xoxo
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9/5/2008
I am not embarrassed or ashamed to admit that I am a complete & total spaz about my hair.
I heard… Read more »
I went for an impromptu hair cut and was pleased to find out they had an opening. I saw Cassie and although her profile is pretty much bare on their website I was thoroughly satisfied with how my hair turned out.
I went from long to short that day and brought a picture with me. Cassie was able to re-create the hairstyle and everyone I have seen has complimented me. Definitely going back when my hair needs to be reshaped. =)
I have been going to Kelly for about 6 months and had extensions until recently when we decided to go back to my natural, much shorter hair. She has been great every time. She does fantastic extensions as well as super cute cuts.
Yay, I found a new stylist! With curly and fine hair I usually have a hard time of finding a good stylist. Typically I have boring, soccer mom hair...but no longer with the help of Sam from Vain! She's very knowledgeable, will take time to find out the needs of the client, and will show them how to style their 'do. It's only been a couple of days, but I have been getting lots of compliments on my super cute new hair. You do not have to have boring hair just because you're a working professional!
I prefer the Ballard location, but I still like everything about this place: the ambiance (my stylist and I playfully called it "The Cave"), the customer service, and the professional stylists. It's a funky, edgy little studio with a comfortable waiting area and chic styling spaces.
They have information about their stylists on the website. My favorite are the detail on hair types and services each stylist specializes in. And if you're a conversationalist, you can see if their interests match yours to make for a fun, social occasion.
But I confess: I'm not a conversationalist. The shampoo and attentive treatment is nice. But I'm shy, and sometimes "hairdresser chatter" makes me nervous and uncomfortable. My regular stylist--Sarah B--keeps a comfortable balance.
In addition, Sarah B has done a great job listening and interpreting. She specializes in curly and wavy hair, and has done a great job with mine. They look good day-of, and many weeks after.
Price? I pay $45 for my occasional hair cut, and it's worth it. But there are other stylists who offer $15 cut deals., so there's a stylist for every budget.
Until I came here, I didn't have a hairstylist I would consistently go to. Then I found Janae. She is amazing! I tell her how I want my hair to feel, look, and usually I don't know what I want, and she just comes up with something amazing. I LOVE my hair every time I leave. I have also taken advantage of some of the other stylists during the $15 cuts when I'm looking for a trim, TT and Cassie are awesome too!
Ok so i made the HUGE mistake of cheating on my hairstylist (MEGYN) **gasp** i know its awful but i was in a diferent country and i had a wedding to go to... anyways so i get my hair BUTCHERED by this bitchy boy in Canada and immediately make an appointment with MEGYN the love of my life to get it fixed in three weeks after it grows out... It was cut sooo short i still haven't been able to get in to get it done and its easily been 4 weeks... ug!
ANYWAYS!!! Megyn at Vain rocks and i will never ever EVER cheat on her again, I AM SO SORRY MEGYN I LOVE YOU PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!! My previous styles with Megyn have always been KILLER and her amazing eye for color always astounds me. Luckily i have just moved within walking distance of Vain and will be visiting her again shortly...
BTW did i mention Megyn is super reasonably priced for her services? She should be charging way more for what she does but honey i will tell you even if she doubled her price i'd still see her... xoxo dolls ta ta!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/28/2009
I have gone to Vain on and off for years and have always been happy with them! My current stylist is… Read more »
Kellianne is fantastic. Very friendly and helped put me at ease (chitchatting with strangers is not my strongsuit). Plus she's a master with a razor. I wanted a change and she immediately understood the style I had in mind. I'm so impressed with my haircut and I get compliments all the time -- even a month later!
I had been going to random stylists, but I'm only letting Kellianne touch my hair from now on. Vain is a bit expensive, but it's worth it -- especially since they have a free follow-up trim.
I found Vain only because my stylist moved here from another salon a few years ago. But I am very glad I did! They have excellent stylists who take pride in what they do and the place is not super pretentious like similarly priced salons can be.
Every time I come in, I see great styles coming out. There is a wide range of clients that frequent Vain, so even if you prefer a more conservative cut, don't worry, it will be worth the visit and you will find a stylist that can meet your needs.
Parking is fairly easy if you don't mind paying for the lot right outside, and you can enjoy the graffiti wall that is revamped every year or so by Vain.
While you wait you can chill by the fire, or take a peak around the front and do a little shopping. They carry bags, hats, hair product, hair accessories, jewelry, makeup, candles & more.
One little quirk that I really like is they have great reading material, not your average Good Housekeeping magazines!
Thanks Vain for hiring awesome staff and having great hours! Wish I could make it up there more often, but living an hour away isn't always convenient. However I won't go anywhere else because Jake rocks and my hair has never been better!
CURLY HAIR LOOK NO FURTHER!! If you have curly hair you know the woes of getting a cut. Rebekah knows her stuff. She spends a lot of time talking to you about what you want and how different things will work with your hair. She knows how curly hair reacts and does an amazing job. Have no doubts, Rebekah is wonderful.
Two years ago I shave my head out of curiosity. I want to see how long it will grow out in a year. One year turns into 2 and after 2+ years of not having a single haircut boredom grows.
Price - $65 ($35 haircut + $15 hair products + tip)
Stylist - Megyn http://vain.com/stylis...
Duration - 60 Minutes
Before - http://photos-c.ak.fbc...
After - http://photos-g.ak.fbc...
I call Vain and ask for several recommendations on whom should cut my hair based on what I have (male, long, thick) and what I want (asymmetrical, multi-length, layered, textured). The receptionist gives me 3 names: Valentina, Kelly, and Megyn.
I read the bio's and decide that Megyn is the best fit for me.
Arrive, check-in, sit.
For a salon there is a lack of "hair-style" magazines; a huge case of magazines but only 1 specifically for hairstyles, an all girls magazine (but that works for me in this case).
Tell Megyn that I really didn't have anything specific to show her but would like to follow a few different ideas/styles I had and combine it into 1.
Shampoo, blow dry, razor, thin, razor, razor, razor, snip, thin, razor, snip and done.
I like the cut. I like Megyn. I am confident in her ability to take suggestions and have her way with it. I will be going back to her. I do recommend others to try her as well.
I have had a phobia of hair salons until I walked into Vain and into Janae's chair in 2007. I used to think that all hair salons were fru-fru and everyone walked out with the same Barbie doll kind of hairstyles, but Vain shattered all of my preconceptions. Everything from the storefront to the stylists are unique. They've got stylists and employees with pink hair, punk hair, tattoos. I've always had great customer service here, grrrreat place!
If we're talking haircuts, I recommend Carly, she's a rockstar! She's been cutting my hair for 3 years and I have zero complaints. In these 3 years, I have never gotten my haircut from anyone else, that's how good she is.
Janae cut my hair here back in March 2008, but I still remember it! It was my first professional haircut ever and since I have curly hair I was curious to see how she'd handle it, since regular salons butcher it. But she did a great job and I wish I could go back to Vain (I was just visiting at the time) because I know at least SOMEONE can do something right with my hair.
Vain is truly a place where the stylists believe beauty is individualistic and derived through a combination of innovation and self-expression. Future clients shouldn't assume the downtown salon's rock and roll aesthetic is indicative of an unspoken hipsters-only policy. Such stereotypes don't exist at Vain where stylists encourage you to go beyond the status quo and create your own vision of beauty.
My husband and I both credit Vain stylist Kellianne for deftly evolving our style with new haircuts.
For years, my husband instructed his barber to cut his curly hair military short because it otherwise turned into a frizzy fro. Two months before our wedding, he booked an appointment with Kellianne and her expert technique, texturized cut and recommendations on styling products and process gave him the confidence to embrace his curly locks.
Similar to my husband, my hairstyle had been stagnate for far too long. But over the past year Kellianne has shaped my tresses into Veronica Lake S-shaped waves, sewn my hair up into a romantic ethereal up-do for my wedding, woven braids of my hair into an artful up-do for a gala event, transformed long sleek locks into a sassy short bob with bangs and dyed my hair dark for fall and lightened it back up for summer. Each hair cut garners praise and grows out beautifully.
Because of Kellianne's astute eye and creative hand I convinced my mother, who lives in Austin, to book an appointment with Kellianne to have her hair cut for my wedding. The same women has cut my mother's hair for the past decade and my mother was extremely nervous to let a stranger cut her hair only days before the wedding. Kellianne listened to my mother's concerns, calmed her anxieties and subtly shaped her previously chunky and overly heavy bob into a softer, fresher and modern style that made my mother look years younger.
I highly recommend booking an appointment at Vain, especially with Kellianne, if you're searching for a stylist who understands the subtle variances of color and artfully blends edgy and elegance into inspired styles that are on the trendy side of modern.
I got my hair cut by Kellianne while I was out in Seattle visiting a friend recently. I couldn't be more pleased with the result. I've basically had the same haircut -- a bob -- since I was in 12th grade (a long time ago) and I decided to make a big change and try out bangs. I was very nervous about this, but Kellianne put me at ease. She seemed to get, without much explanation, what I was looking for, and the cut she gave me perfectly frames my face, works great with my slightly wavy hair, and is so easy to care for. I was worried that bangs would be high-maintenance, but with the cut Kellianne gave me, I just blow dry it and it looks awesome. I've gotten tons of compliments from my friends back in Boston. The next time I'm in Seattle, I'll definitely be sure to schedule some time with her!
I've been coming to Vain off and on since I moved to Seattle 4 years ago. Every time I've strayed I've regretted it! I change my hair constantly, and as someone with short fine hair who is incredibly picky it can be really hard to find a stylist who understands what I want.
The first time I came in- it was to have Carinn correct color gone horribly wrong. I had black hair with white blond streaks when I showed up- and left with soft brown and blond hair with nice lowlights and tone. Carinn was wonderful, and my color grew out perfectly. From there I went to Carly. Then Kelly when I went white-blond. I became friends with Bijou- who no longer works there- but she took me super short with the side of my head shaved with steps. I LOVED it and wouldn't have trusted anyone else to do it.
I stopped coming in for a while after Bijou left, and have since gone to Rudy's (booooo) and had friends cut my hair. I came back in last week after a butcher shop job at Rudy's (my own fault for being impatient) and got hooked up with Cassie. She was absolutely WONDERFUL. She talked with me for a long time about how I style my hair and what I wanted to do, and then came up with the perfect solution. I walked out LOVING my hair and am once again reminded why a good haircut is worth the patience.
New to Belltown and waaay overdue for a cut and color, I called Vain. I was double lucky; they had an immediate opening, and it was with Jordan. He gave me exactly the color I described, and a perfect haircut to update my look, but still fit my conservative style. I'll definitely be back, and highly recommend.
One word: JANAE!
She rocks my socks off. I love to get my hair did by her. I like to spice it up and I always sorta go in as a blank canvas and have Janae work her magic! I am never disappointed. I have long hair that I keep in layers and Janae rocks it every time. My girlfriend has a faux hawk and Janae rocks that too. She is very versatile and really works with what you want.
The salon has lots and lots of products and some really cute retail stuff. I got a super cute hat there one time. I think the art gallery idea is super cool too. Good magazine selection for while you are sitting there with color on your hair. I also appreciate the t-shirts that they have for you to wear (long sleeved ones for coldies like me too!)
I sent my SUPER paranoid SUPER picky hair freaker outter friend to Janae and she LOVES her. I would tell anyone who wants RAD hair to see Janae.
Two words: Jenny. Slay.
Jenny is my hair-cutting goddess. I have never ever had anyone do my hair the way that Jenny can. I say, "Jenny, I want you to make it look like I spent time making my hair look superrad, but what I am actually going to do is roll out of bed and not even comb it. Okay?" And she did. Plus--she always remembered me and always had freaking hilarious stories to tell. Two huge thumbs up to Jenny Slay and Vain.
Plus, it's a woman-owned business, and I love supporting ladies!
Whenever I am walking home from Vain after a haircut, I can't help checking myself out in all of Belltown's storefront windows . I just can't. My hair just looks too good.
In 2003 I was an awkward young thing with orange-ish hair and kind of bad bangs. Then I started having my hair cut by Carly at Vain. I instantly became hotter and started getting a lot of dudes.
Carly always makes my hair look good, and makes it manageable for my lifestyle. It looks good air-dried, blow-dried, whatever. It always grows out nicely, too, so I look super-great even between cuts.
I am kind of cheap, so sometimes I think about going other places, but remember that when I got cheap haircuts before, they were awful. This place is totally worth my babysitting money. I love it.
My hairmergency required that I take pictures of my terrible haircut (people, I had wings. The Flying Nun could take off on them), whine to my sweet boyfriend ("It looks fine to me") and generally fuss about it until I picked up the phone and called Vain, begging for a magician. (Rule of thumb: If the hairdresser butchers you, do not return for a rematch).
They pulled Zahra out of the hat, and after an unlucky week I finally rolled a seven (yes, I know I'm mixing metaphors. Shut up). She calmed me down and patiently explained what she could do to fix the faux mullet that was now sitting unhappily on my head. She apologized that she couldn't fix it entirely without gluing the hair back on my head - or putting in extensions - but a bang trim and a sassy reshape had me facing the world again without a hat. Plus she only charged me $5 for the bang trim. For reals. That's how awesome she was.
My hair thanks you, Zahra. My hair is endlessly grateful. So am I.
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8/16/2008
I guess you get what you pay for, because my incredibly expensive haircut turned out amazingly well… Read more »


