Chin Generation

I have been meaning for some time to write a review of Chin Generation. I stumbled upon this place several years ago after a bad experience at another hair salon. Someone had posted a positive review about Erin, the senior stylist, and I’ve been a loyal client ever since.
First of all, living in York region and working downtown, I prefer to go to a place that is closer to home to have my hair cut. Secondly, Erin listens to his clients (instead of the client being at the mercy of the stylist and his or her vision for what your hair should look like). Thirdly, the staff here speak English. This may sound like a trivial thing, but really important to me, especially when I need a stylist who understands Asian hair but unfortunately past Asian salon stylists have failed to understand me and vice versa.
Chin Generation is located in Pacific Mall, upstairs past Axia Café and towards the end of the row of several other hair salons. This place has a hip vibe, with awesome tunes playing, magazines available to peruse through, and they often offer tea to drink while you wait. I LOVE the skilled hands of assistants Payton & Jacky who have lulled me to near sleep mode while they wash my hair twice and then condition, finishing off with a lovely head and neck massage.
This salon operates in precision mode, with ample staff who work in a well orchestrated fashion. I’ve observed the assistants stand in the wings, waiting to dry clients’ hair or hand the stylist a brush or mirror or finishing hair product.
For a haircut with Erin, it runs me $ 45 plus tips to the assistant and Erin himself. This is a small price to pay for the satisfaction of feeling thoroughly satisfied with my salon experience. Over the past 2 years, Erin helped me to go from an awful bob cut from another salon stylist, and worked with me to help me grow out the awkward layers to a polished bob, to the beyond shoulder length style that it is now. As I told Erin today during my appointment, I am thankful that he has helped me to go from hating my hair to loving my hair again.

Location: In Pacific Mall, upstairs on the opposite end of the mall across from the Heritage Area. Chin is located right at the end on the left.
Quality and Price: I called ahead to book an appointment for a women’s cut, which went well. The receptionist spoke English. Went in for a wash and cut (Chin does not offer only cuts, they always wash) and it cost $ 38 (that’s the lowest price they do). When I arrived at Chin, the entire staff looked like they stepped out of a K-​pop music video. At the time, they were all males with the uniform of blazers and skinny jeans. Their hair was fabulous, but I certainly felt out of place.
I was led to my seat and Maple came over to consult. He asked what I wanted and I showed him some photos on my phone. I asked for a low-​maintenance cut with layers, cut off split ends, no product/​hairspray. Maple smiled and said he would certainly be able to do that. He motioned for Willis to wash my hair. The hair wash was great. Lasted about 15 — 20 minutes in which I received a great head massage afterwards (typical of good Asian haircut places).
As for the cut itself, Maple worked quickly and very well. We talked for a bit in English, although most of the session was quiet. I didn’t mind. Some other female patrons came in during that time and the staff worked well with them.
My cut was very well done, I was quite happy with it. Maple did suggest a leave in conditioner to which I agreed to. It was a good decision and I was complimented on how shiny my hair was later that day. I was in and out in about 1 hour and a half.
Service: Definitely standard and pleasant. I wouldn’t say anyone went above and beyond, but I am happy with Maple and Willis’ service.
Overall: I give Chin Generation a 3.5 out of 5. The end result was nice, although the experience could be better. I may return depending of if I find any other places that I love.

5* for Erin! always leave satisfied he knows exactly what to do. It’s a great deal for what he does! I hope he works here forever!

Great place for a good hair cut and not very expensive for what you get a good hair cut and also the best part about this place is the hair wash and head massage they give you before your cut :)

I went to this salon about a year ago and got my hair done by one of the senior stylists. I was just thinking of getting a hair cut (which costs about 35 – 40 $ for the senior stylist) but then I asked what I could do to get more volume at my roots and the guy suggested that I get the crown of my head permed. So I listened to him and did that, the result was alright it was just like puffy at my crown and so when its straightened it adds a little height not much of a difference but I paid 70 $ for that perm. And the bad thing is it only lasted weeks and then my hair went back to normal and became quite dry after. I felt like I just wasted 70 $… The haircut was average nothing particular special that made me feel like I would go back again.

I have been going to see Erin for my hair since 2008 and I felt instantly comfortable with him from day one. He is highly skilled and just gets what I want done. I have gone to other salons just for blow outs and get so many compliments on the great cut that Erin does.
After moving downtown in 2011, I still make it a priority to travel back up to Markham to have Erin do my hair. I have also recommended him to many girlfriends who now swear by him.
They do amazing hair washes with a head massage that will put you right to sleep. I have done long and short cuts over the years and always trust Erin to do what looks best. I’ll be getting my hair coloured soon by Erin after discussing the process with him. My fear was that Asian hair can look coppery when lightened but Erin explained how he could correct that by using an ashy colour to neutralize the red tone.
Bottom line, Erin knows what he is doing and he supervises the junior stylists carefully. I would trust him and his team to always give great cuts, colouring and other treatments. Prices are awesomely cheap too. I pay $ 38 for a cut when I know he is really worth at least $ 100 compared to other high end salons.

I love this hair salon. Have been searching for a place that really gets «asian» hair and have finally found it!
Erin has been my hair stylist for 2 yrs now and does not disappoint.
I used to have very short hair and could not grow it out. Every hair stylist I went to with this long hair goal in mind would cut my hair in a fashion that would look really sloppy as my hair got longer. The hardest part about growing out your hair is the dreaded «in-​between» stage when your hair looks mullet like.
When I went to see Erin, he knew right away what the other stylists had been doing wrong. With thick hair like mine, you don’t thin out the top of the head because as your hair grows longer you get a terrible looking mullet!
I’ve had long locks since and when I want to go for an edgy look, Erin knows what to do! Part of my past hair problem was due to the fact that I don’t speak chinese very well. I went to salons catered to caucasians… and they didn’t do a good job. I went to salons that catered to asians, but I couldn’t verbalize what I really wanted. Chin Generation solved this! Erin’s personable and speaks multi-​languages including english!
This place is hidden on the second floor of pacific mall way in the back (walk past all the other hair salons to find this gem!)