Babalouise

Quirky and lovely beauty professionals work here. I started seeing Crystal when a friend suggested her — another stylist had ruined my color days before. She is fantastic! I get compliments on my color about once a week now. I never feel like she’s trying to rush our appointment or cutting corners. It’s obvious everyone who works there is devoted to enhancing the look of their clients. Can’t say enough positive things. A few small well-​behaved dogs are usually present as well. A very «Ballard» salon.

Lara is amazing! She cut and colored my hair over my lunch break, and jaws literally dropped when I got back to the office with the best cut and color I have ever had in my life! The salon is delightful and fun, and everyone who works there seems really nice. Wonderful experience in every way!

I got my hair color/​cut done by Crystal S. who I’ve been to on and off for several years. Normally she does pretty good, not great (as the color I ask for usually ends up in some way not what I asked for), but but this time I was horrified by the result. My hair was already pretty light, but I wanted to go more platinum and get some low-​lights for contrast. Everything was going fine until my scalp started to burn intensely after she put the bleach on. It was not unlike the feeling of putting your bare hand on a hot range coil. I went to her in the break room immediately and told her and she said it was ‘normal’ and wanted to leave it on a little longer. I was worried and in pain, but decided to trust her. To speed forward, we got through our whole appointment and I noticed, aside from my scalp hurting, that my hair seemed very dull and greyish. I wasn’t sure if it was the lighting and I was exhausted from 4 hours in the chair, so I just left. When I got home I put my fingers in my hair to find that my scalp was scabbed and oozing clear stuff. After a good cry I decided to reach out to Crystal to tell her what happened. I told her the low-​lights that she incorrectly «matched» to my root color made my platinum hair look dull and grey and that I had chemical burns all over my scalp. She ignored my message despite FB telling me she read it. A day went by and I sent her a follow-​up. No response. Apparently she has no intention of taking any responsibility for what happened, nor even attempting to help me fix this. I guess I will just have to ignore the fact that I wasted $ 130 going to her and find a stylist who knows what they are doing and is willing to help if things don’t go as planned… I hate having to leave this bad review, but I just have to express how displeased I am.

Hooray! I finally shook off the procrastination, and after reading a few glowing reviews, scheduled my haircut via Babalouise’s website with Crystal S.
SHE IS AMAZING!
Her head massage while shampooing your hair is really quite fantastic, and it seemed almost effortless with how quickly she cut through my heavy, way-​too-​long locks. My hair is the length I wanted it to be, my layers are beautiful, and she even gave me tips on how to style my hair at home. Can I also mention her price for a hair cut is super reasonable too?! I am super appreciative of Crystal revitalizing my hair, and definitely plan to schedule with her again!

Sarah saved me!
So, back when i was young and whatnot, i used to dye my hair every color imaginable. I was pretty good at it and did it all myself. Then, for a novel change, i decided to go back to my natural color for awhile. that ended up lasting about a decade. go figure, getting old. So, a couple weeks ago, i get a wild hair and decide to dye my hair again, go for a little change. I forget that I’m out of practice, and pick up a box dye down at freddys. Doh. pick up another to try to fix it. Double-​Doh.
It was truly a horrendous shade of red, and a whole lot of regret.
So I bit the bullet and scheduled an appointment down at Babalouise with Sarah.
I figured at best, I’d be going brunette or something with reddish tones, since red can be hard to get out and, yeah, i’d really messed it up…
She got it ALL out! we were talking about going purple for the hell of it, but when I saw the pale blond when she lifted it, i decided to have a little fun with that for a while. It looks great!
Better: Sarah was super flexible & patient with me (i was hungover and indecisive), helped me figure out what colors might look good /​fit my mood, and worked with me while i tried to make up my mind. she gave great options and great advice. and better yet, made me feel totally comfortable with just the right amount of conversation for my frame of mind — not too much, not too little and totally chill — plus she got my hungover self some coffee! Loved her on every count

I have been here twice in the last month and a half. Not because I needed to see Sarah, but because I wanted to see Sarah and what amazing things she can do next.
I LOVE BaBaLouise and the other people who work here. It’s chic without being too fussy. Everyone here is mad rad, and no one can lift 8 years of box over the counter hair dye and turn it into something AMAZING like Sarah. She is a lifting and foil master, and it shows. She has a natural talent to tell what your hair can do and what it can’t.
No damaged burnt out hair here. Just a room full of friendly amazing professionals and a few adorable little and well behaved pups.

Crystal S. has been doing my hair for the last four years and I absolutely love her! I would follow her anywhere! I definitely appreciate this salon much more than her last! It has a very modern yet edgy feel and Crystal had me in on and early morning when her and I could just girl talk without anyone around! She makes you feel comfortable, she always remembers you, and nothing about your experience is ever awkward! My wife also went to Crystal recently and absolutely adores her. If you are looking for someone to do your hair she is your girl! Mine is curly and long and my wife’s is extremely thick, she is a pro at both!
Crystal also pays attention to the little details, her scalp massages when she washes your hair are amazing, she is honest with how much hair you should or don’t need to cut off, and her blow outs are immaculate (if you need a brazilian blow out go see her!).
The salon is cute and updated, comfortable and in a perfect location where you can find easy parking, go see her!
p. s. I am someone who is super picky about my hair, I haven’t had a long term stylist since high school and I am no almost 30, so that says something if I keep going back!

I came to Babalouise to follow my stylist Crystal who has been doing my hair for SEVEN YEARS! She is absolutely a gem. I went to her first at the gene juarez hair academy while i was a broke high school student. I have VERY curly mixed chick hair and she has always given me the best flat iron of my life. Over time we have had a lot of fun with my hair. Auburn, bleached blonde, subtle ombré. On my most recent visit she gave me a Brazilian blowout and hair cut. Ohmigod you guys i am a believer my hair has never been more manageable in my entire life. I usually wear my hair straight and to flat iron it myself usually takes 2 hours (seriously…not joking. no haha jks here) Since the blowout i’m wet hair to straight haired goddess in 45 minutes flat. The first time after the Brazilian and doing my hair myself I was shocked. I thought I might have messed up counting time but i’ve now washed blow dried and flat ironed 3 times all in around 45 minutes each.
So besides crystal being a dream stylist to work with the space is so comfortable and chic. It feels so luxurious but homey at the same time. So your next hair appointment needs to be at this rockin salon Babalouise.

Nigel is the best stylist in Seattle, hands down! Plus his dog pal Ollie often is in the shop to say hello or even take a nap on your lap while you wait.

This review comes in two parts: first and last experience.
Five stars to my first experience with the esthetician, Rikki. She was professional, friendly, and attentive to my concerns. Careful to keep the wax at a good temperature. I felt welcomed and excited to finally find a good person to do my brows.
Zero stars to my last experience with Rikki. She never showed up for my appointment and never called to apologize or invite me back. My appointment was booked well in advance and I physically spoke with someone on the phone in the appointment confirmation call. Showed up on time and waited for 45 minutes. Thankfully, the stylist on duty was helpful and tried calling Rikki a couple of times to see where she was. No answer. I shrugged it off as traffic or personal emergency, but the fact that I still haven’t heard from her (three months later) tells me otherwise. It seems that my business isn’t valued and I won’t be coming back.

Thank you very much Nigel for my super fantastic haircut! My hair is difficult. thick, course and curly. Nigel cut what was chin length-​into a wonderfully cute curly pixie-​do. I love it! The salon is cute, clean and even comes with a few small dogs to keep you company. Parking was easy (parked right in front) otherwise there looked to be plenty of neighborhood parking. Thank you Nigel for great, fun conversation and a great cut. I’ll be coming back for color soon!

I was the «last man standing» in my family — Marjory has been taking very good care of my husband’s head, my teenager son and my tweener daughter for a number of years — but, you know how hard it is to change stylists, right? It’s personal. (Plus, I was a snob, there was no way I was going to go to the largest chain salon to get my locks colored and cut — not going to happen — even if she did a bang-​up job on my entire family!)
Once she moved over to indy salon BabaLouise, I knew it was time to take the plunge.
Now, I am all in.
Which is scarier to trust when moving to a new stylist? Color or cut? YES to both. I love Marjory’s creativity and personal style, she’s a vintage modern lass through-​and-​through. But behind her expertly applied eye liner and colorfully creative hair that is her personal signature, is a person who is very warm and approachable. She’s not going to let you leave unless you look good.
I was waiting for my color and highlights to process last Sunday, and she sat with me the entire time and we talked. Of course, if she had other clients she’d bounce between them, and she’s skilled at that, too. But I was struck that she didn’t just sneak off into the back and hide for a few moments on her own (as an overly scheduled person myself, I certainly understand the temptation!) To me it indicated her personal values towards customer service and client care. And my hair did not smell like hair dye afterwards.
She works with you to create your hairstyle goals, and remembers between visits what we are aiming to achieve.
And, yes, I know I am not supposed to trim my own bangs between visits anymore!

Nigel is wonderful. Followed him gladly from across town.
The north end finally gets to be graced by his talent. Hopefully with a musical biography to follow.
It is refreshing to be in the hands of professional who is as fun and he is adept at his craft. I buy most everything at thrift stores — Nigel s definitely a do w/​o thinking splurge, well necessity (!!!).
A magenta Faberge (egg) you find in the Walmart gum ball machine of the Seattle hair dressers. I always walk out feeling like a million dollars.
Even with my doing 8 months between cuts (because am just not into hair), he doesn’t shame me or make me feel stupid — he just does another magazine worthy make over.
Thank you!

Went in for a men’s hair cut based on great Unilocal reviews. Disappointed, side burns uneven and the top not trimmed nice. All for $ 32…go figure?

Great spot with great stylists! Can’t go wrong here for creative cuts! By the way they also serve Rainer beers here too!

I’ve seen Marjory walk by the bar I go to a few shops down and always wondered about her hair color so one day I decided to go in for a consultation. Marjory was great, told me she could give me the color I wanted and got me in the next day.
When I went in, she gave me exactly the color I wanted without fuss. She works fast and knows her stuff, she’s been coloring hair for a long time and has a lot of experience with non-​traditional colors, this is what sold me on her. She also used a color line that I loved: Keune. It is Demi-​permanent and smells amazing! Most importantly, her prices are very reasonable.

Saw Nigel, he was fantastic. Good price for a great haircut. The space is very cool too and they have all sorts of neat local art on the wall.

In a word: traumatizing.
Lemme explain. It’s a long story. Back in October, I decided I wanted a fire red ombré in my completely virgin (dye free) long brown hair. I scheduled an appointment with Diane. The first attempt turned out a pretty plum color. Diane offered to re-​do it at no charge since it wasn’t the fire red I was going for. She’s a total sweetheart! The 2^nd time around I was pleased with the result, though she does work pretty slowly. Both times, I was in her chair for over 3 hours.
Fast forward four months. The red had faded, I needed a haircut, and this time I wanted to be back to brown but with a few pretty face framing blond highlights. This is the reference pic I provided:
I went in once to get a trim and an all-​over brown to cover the red. Simple enough and it turned out nicely, though this simple service took over three hours. A week later, I went in for the highlights. Keep in mind — I had already had the haircut and the base color — all I needed were the highlights. I was in the chair for FOUR AND A HALF HOURS, which in of itself made me want to kill myself. The result was even worse though — my hair was about 10 different colors, including, but not limited to, orange, yellow, brown and red. It was also patchy and there was nothing «highlight» about it — it was ALL OVER. I uploaded a pic so you can see the damage. I am shuddering just looking at it.
Diane was super apologetic and sweet, didn’t charge me for the service, and scheduled another appointment with me the following day to «fix it». I was so upset though, and didn’t want to be there for another 3 – 4 hours, so I ended up canceling the appointment and went to a different salon the next morning to fix it. The guy who ended up fixing my hair told me that because I had bleach left on my hair for so long, it was completely damaged and had broken off in chunks in multiple places. He refused to even attempt highlights because of how damaged it was.
So, long story longer — I dyed my hair back to it’s natural brown, but I am now living with very fragile, damaged, and frizzy hair because of this whole fiasco. And even though I didn’t pay for the second service at Balalouise, I DID pay $ 155 before tip to get it fixed. That’s in ADDITION to the $ 120 I had already paid for the first service at Babalouise to get a haircut and all-​over brown. Oh plus $ 60 in tips between the two services. So basically, I spent $ 335 for a haircut, my natural hair color, and completely destroyed, unhealthy hair. Awesome.
I don’t mean to indite Diane — like I said, she is an absolute sweetheart and will offer to fix anything you don’t like — but I will never be going back for hair color. If you are just going for a haircut or for an all-​over color that isn’t too different from you’re natural color, she would probably do a great job.

Babalouise is a funky little salon that I happened upon after reading positive Unilocal reviews.
My hair situation had grown desperate, the often peeking grays had become full-​blown agitators and I couldn’t stand another second. I’d found a great hairdresser at another salon but she moved, and they didn’t know where/wouldn’t tell me.
Enter Babalouise. I made an online appointment with Alex, and showed up hoping for the best. The salon was unusually quiet for a Thursday, but Alex was a little ray of sunshine. Wait, not little, as his giant self clocks in at 6′ 4 or something. He resembles some sort of hulking athlete, but is actually a gentle, skilled hairdresser.
I only had an appointment for color, but he managed to cut my hair as well, for a reasonable price to boot.
Alex mentioned that they are under new ownership and the trademark monkey is going bye-​bye. No loss there, as long as they keep Alex and the great service at this neighborhood darling.

As long as I live in Seattle, no one will touch my hair except for Diane at Babalouise.
Diane has been cutting my hair for the better part of a year. When I first arrived, my hair was fine, thin, frizzy and unkempt. I started coming in every 8 weeks for regular haircuts, and the occasional keratin treatment, and my hair has made a total 180. Mostly I’ve been coming in for trims, but had some noticeable cuts as well (like short bangs and layers).
She’s one of the sweetest people I’ve met since moving to Seattle. Sometimes talk can feel a bit tired and forced, especially when seeing a new stylist, but Diane is really friendly and conversation flows very naturally. You’ll feel like old friends here in no time.
I’ve never been the person to make repeat appointments with a stylist, but I love love love Babalouise and Diane!