Two weeks ago, we asked you about barber shops in Kingston and the results showed a fairly close race. Those who commented shared stories of kindness, generosity and great conversations while in the chair. These stories are what keep us going back to the same place week after week or month after month. Growing up in Hamilton, I was very committed to my hair salon. I had my very first cut there and it wasn’t until I moved to Kingston to attend Queen’s that I finally had to visit a different salon. I think many of us share this custom of returning to the same salon or barber shop, much like we do with our doctors and dentists. We develop a relationship with these people and the more they know us, the better job they can do providing us with care, or in this case, giving us a great haircut. I still have yet to fully commit in Kingston, not because there aren’t fantastic shops and stylists to chose from, but just because that bond is a hard one to break! (yep, been here over 10 years and I still stop in at my old haunt when I’m home for a weekend). This week we want to know:
Which downtown Kingston salon do you prefer?
- James Brett (30%, 28 Votes)
- Echo (28%, 26 Votes)
- Luce (13%, 12 Votes)
- Envy (10%, 9 Votes)
- F.A.B. (10%, 9 Votes)
- Diva (9%, 8 Votes)
- Lulu's (0%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 93
Loading ...At some point I recall someone telling me that Kingston has the most hair salons/barber shops per capita in Canada. How one acquires this information and how accurate it is is unknown to me but I can see how that assumption could be made. Walking along Princess Street downtown, you’ll pass over a dozen of these types of establishments. Naturally, this makes it pretty much impossible for us to include everyone in this week’s poll so I’ve decided to stick with downtown establishments simply because they are most familiar to me personally. If your favourite place isn’t listed, please tell us about them. Who do you visit on a regular basis and what is it that keeps you coming back? Maybe you have great conversations with your stylist or perhaps you’re a sucker for a relaxing head massage while they wash your hair. Show your salon and/or stylist some love in the comment section below.
Thanks to JamesDPhotography for today’s pic.
My salon is not there! I have used a couple of the salons on the list, but prefer Dolce Bella Spa at the old Woolen Mill. Unlike some downtown salons it is quiet and peaceful. The owner is low key and softspoken and sets the tone for a relaxing experience. Plus there is the nice view of the river out the windows.
I have yet to find a good salon for curly hair. At one of your salons listed above (which I will not mention to protect the guilty), the eponymous owner (hint,hint) wouldn't cut my hair until he blew it dry straight first. I looked like Jennifer Aniston when I left. Of course, I could not replicate the style (which also had the part on the wrong side) and after fussing with it for a weekend, I had to go back and get it re-cut (which they did for free) so that it worked with curly hair and I didn't have to invest in a straightener to use daily. Now I only get my hair cut at a specialty salon in Toronto where the stylists have been trained to "dry cut" curly hair. I know of no one in Kingston who can do this. Would love to find someone though!
Go to Marni at ECHO. She is great and does wonders with curly hair.
Deb at the Hair Studio. She HAS curly hair and has cut mine for over 10 years. (I'm not sure though if she–or anyone else in Kingston–does the dry cut.)
Terina at Fossa Hair on Sydenham St. (next to KEYS) – I've been going to her for over a decade through 4 different locations. Great stylist, good sense of humour. It's all about the stylist, not the actual location.
I too get my hair cut at the Curl Ambassadors in Toronto where they cut the curls dry first, then they cut them wet.
They are incredibly knowledgeable about all the different varieties of curls, hair type, best products for curls, what towel not to use to dry your hair, and the list goes on.
I wish I could find someone, anyone, in Kingston who really knew how to cut curls, so that I didn't have to travel to Toronto. But I have had nightmare cuts from senior stylists (in a variety of the high end salons in Kingston) who claimed to know how to cut curls, but they do not. It takes forever for the curls to grow back when they are not cut properly. I just don't understand why more stylists in Kingston are not "properly" trained to cut curly hair. I would prefer to give my business to Kingston salons.
I know what you mean about nightmare cuts from "senior stylists". I had a cut from a so-called senior stylist in Kingston a couple of months ago and I'm still trying to get my wavy hair to the point of being manageable again. Ever since that day I've been snipping away little bits that stick out because of the terrible cut. And I've promised myself that the next time a stylist tries to use TEXTURIZING or thinning shears on my hair I'll simply stand up and walk out. Those things are murder on wavy hair. I'm still burned about the last 5 or so haircuts I've had so I'm just letting my hair grow out. I don't enjoy spending good money to look like something the cat dragged in.