Valerium Salon

I’m a balding, middle-​aged dude. Not much hair upstairs to really think about.
That said, I have had two extraordinary experiences with Valerium. Firstly, he is my girlfriend’s stylist and, I gotta say, he is a magician with her color and cut. Truly outstanding! He makes my already hot girlfriend crazy-​desirable!
And, because he does such an incredible job with my girlfriend’s hair, I sent my daughter to have her hair styled for prom. Valerium not only did not disappoint, he gave my daughter a perfect style and hair experience that was beyond exceptional. In fact, recently, she returned to add a little pizzazz to her hair. Once again, Valarium could not have been more outstanding. He is an artist, a consummate professional, and about the coolest guy rockin’ on NE Sandy. This guy knows his hair!

Very unprofessional. I had to cancel twice with Alisha Savage for legitimate life reasons (transmission went out the first time and the second time I was vomiting). I took the day off from work to be at my appointment and the day before I called to confirm since I hadn’t heard from them as I usually would and they confirmed me. Then they call back and hang up. Then I call to find out what’s happening and they tell me I need to give a down payment even though my appt is tomorrow. and all I use is CASH! I asked her why no one called earlier if this was the expectation. She actually lied and said they did. but that’s false. I haven’t received any messages from Valerium Salon.

I had my hair cut by Lisa today. I was scared to get a haircut after a few bad experiences at other salons because I have curly hair. Right away she made me feel comfortable and told me her experience cutting curls. She did not just fix the damage done by the last stylist she made my hair look beautiful. I would recommend her for anyone but especially for us curly haired girls.

Marci Marci Marci! Brady Bunch hipsters will get that. Marci is amazing and professional & will steer you right. All the team here are friendly & it’s not one of those high stress salons

Just got a great cut from Lisa E. — I went from past-​shoulder length to a shorter bob cut. Lisa is also well versed in curly hair — she knew how to cut, layer and shape my neglected mop of hair — I’ve gotten so many compliments! Thanks! Great salon, great service!

Marcy was awesome! I showed her a random picture of how I wanted my hair to look like and she pretty much made it come to life! I have pretty curly hair so I wanted something with body but not so much that it would look like a giant frizz ball. Marcy was able to make it all happen. She was quick, friendly and totally willing to listen and work with my restrictions!

Jamie Donaugh Brown has been my stylist for many years, and I can’t imagine seeing anyone else but her. She’s incredibly gifted in the way she cuts, colors, and styles my hair. I always have friends who compliment me on my hair, and ask «who do you see?»
One of the things I especially appreciate about her is she listens to what you ask her to do. I hear so many horror stories about stylists who don’t listen (cutting off several inches when the request was for a trim). You’ll never experience this with Jamie. She listens and she also takes the time to make recommendations about what she knows will be flattering for your face.
Plus, she makes the appointments fun and personable. You won’t be disappointed! Salon itself is clean, chic, and the glass of complimentary wine is always nice.

The stylists here are very nice and professional, the owner however, is a huge jerk… I will not go back and I will never recommend this place to put money in this jerks pocket. He is cocky, rude and offensive. I would not recommend anyone use this salon since much of the money you pay the stylists here goes to this guy and he really is the worst business persons I’ve ever known. Please stay away from Valerium Salon on NE Sandy Blvd.

I got a facial from Elise earlier this week and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. No complaints whatsoever, it was a great experience!

I want to give a big shout out for Elise for the amazing facials she does. She uses amazing products and is so good. Actually, one of the best I have ever had and I am definitely seasoned in this department. She does a great job of recommending and making you feel so good and comfortable. I would HIGHLy recommend Elise.

I’ve been coming to see Valerium for about 3 years and I can tell you he is one of the best colorists in the city of Portland. I had to cancel an appointment with him a couple of months ago and I went to another salon because of scheduling around my personal life. What a mistake to go to someone else. I had a cut and color by Valerium today (fixing what went wrong from the other stylist) and I feel like a new woman! Warning: he is a bit expensive but well worth it.

Kathy. She gave me the best haircut of my life. I have weird in-​between wavy hair that looks mullet-​ish with any layers, and she totally rocked it out. She was kind of a slow-​mover… my appointment started late but I saw her chatting in between clients… I was full of nervous energy because it was the first time I was away from my infant son for that long… the quality of her work totally surprised and wowed me, after washing out the style it STILL looked good. Sorry about the crappy tip, Kathy! I’ll do better next time.

I had my hair cut and styled by Darcy and I am so happy with the result! She was friendly, the salon atmosphere was great, and all of the stylists are friendly and sweet. I will absolutely be returning!

I won’t deny it, I love my hair! Today is my first day back at the office after the holidays, and I have gotten several compliments on how good it looks.
However, even though I was prepared to splurge a little, I was sent completely into shock at the price to get my hair coloured, and it put a serious damper on Christmas weekend.
The cut was $ 65, which I expected for a quality cut at a somewhat more upscale salon. However, when she did some math outloud and mentioned $ 120, I thought that was the total. When I was handed a receipt for $ 195 (ie, the colour alone was $ 120), I was stunned.
My hairdresser was very nice, even took the time to call and warn me she was running a little late, and did a great job. But this is Portland, and I know I can get a great dye job for half the price.

Thank God for Darcy! She is excellent. I found her to be compassionate, personable, honest, knowledgeable without being condescending. The best part she gave me a great hair cut (w/​extensions)! The location is a bit precarious, but totally worthwhile!

Just recently had my first experience at this salon. I had gone to Jamie at The Parlour in St. John’s for a couple of years (love The Parlour!) but alas, I moved to outer NE and now live too far to make biking to St. John’s a viable option just to get my hair cut. I went to Jennifer at Valerium, and she did a terrific job. I absolutely love the cut, the salon was upscale and yet laid-​back at the same time. Everyone there was friendly (no snobbery, which I was afraid of), and there was no high-​pressure sales crap to get me to buy their products, and I basically had a good time drinking wine and chatting with my very talented stylist. It cost WAY more than I am used to paying ($ 65 just for a cut and style– gulp!), but honestly I think it was worth it and I will definitely go back.

I was desperately searching for a salon that was NOT located downtown — tired of paying for parking, fighting traffic, etc., but wanted the downtown esthetic. Since I live in the Rose City Park area I decided to try Valerium.
Oh my! Lisa Ernst cut my hair — and believe me my hair is not picnic — it was honestly the best haircut I’ve ever had. My stringy thin fine mop was beautifully cut and actually looked great. I was thrilled.
Lisa listens and takes the time to understand what you want. She is very knowledgeable and confident whi h makes you feel comfortable in her capable hands.
I have scheduled cut and color. Looking forward to her working her magic once again.
Yes, it is expensive. When I phoned and scheduled my haircut they quoted $ 55, but the charge was $ 65. Apparently the stylists operate independently within the salon, so I can understand why the rate was misquoted. I’m saving my pennies to pay for the cut and color and anticipate sticker shock. Even at these prices I think she is a good value.
I was not as in love enthralled with the salon’s environment as some other reviewers. Basically it’s one big room with 6 or 8 hairdressers working side-​by-​side. I found it noisy, but if sheLisa can work her magic again I“ll continue the relationship, Plus I love the free parking and not having to deal with downtown traffic.

I followed Elise from Dosha to Valerium and I’m so glad that I did. I love her. She’s funny, thorough and does an incredible job on my wax. I was leery at first going so far from where I live to a new location so I hadn’t seen her in quite awhile, but I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to travel to Brazil and needed Elise to help me get there!
She’s great at distracting you from what’s actually going on and I love her. I’ll never go anywhere else!

Alisha has been such a great resource for me over the years. I have followed her through three salons in the almost ten years I have been going to her. She knows how to cut curly hair, because she has curly hair and so has learned what it takes to do it right. She is friendly and pleasant. The studio is trendy — in a good location.
My biggest (and only) concern is the cost. Through the years I have tried other stylists on occasion in order to find a new curly expert who I can better afford. They always disappoint and I end up back with Alisha.

My long-​time hair stylist Alisha recently moved to this salon and I couldn’t be happier. As soon as you walk inside you realize that Valerium is in a class of its own. Beautifully designed and stylized, you would think that the place was in Beverly Hills or something. Everyone here is friendly and helpful and they have excellent wine and treats (I hear that Valerium’s parents make them daily for the salon — how cool is that?)
I would have followed Alisha anywhere, but I’m so, so glad that this is where she ended up.