Salon Blast

VANESSA PUGLIESE is the reason for my five stars and the reason I keep going back to Salon Blast. As people know, finding a good stylist is like finding a good doctor. You need technical mastery, trust and personality — so it’s difficult. I bounced around the glamor salons for many years, paying nearly three figures for a cut. I get that it should cost that much for a woman (possibly), but we are a lot less complicated. That’s why the whole men’s hair places cropped up (so to speak). I tried those, too — and consistently asked for owners, managers (ie, the senior stylists) and never found a «wow.» I called Salon Blast because I found it on Unilocal,and Vanessa happened to be the one who answered. It was my lucky day, I guess. She charges a «men’s cut» price for a salon experience. She will collaborate (if necessary) and execute fantastically. Plus she’s great to talk to. Believe me, I’ve had some wet dishrag stylists who made the experience uncomfortable, so having chemistry with your stylist is more important than people think. Vanessa is a keeper. Wherever she goes, I go. Period.

My husband and I visited Christopher Archiopoli in the Aveda part of the salon before our wedding. We had the best hair of anyone who got married that day.
I had my highlights touched up (they had grown out a bit), and Chris evened out my hair color, which was kind of messed up, and gave me a nice summery multidimensional color. He also added some versatile, fun layers to lighten up the weight of my hair. During the shampoo/​rinse, I got an amazing scalp/​neck massage. The best I’ve had. This guy has strong and talented hands. He is also a joy to converse with.
My husband got his first ever good haircut. His hair before Chris entered his life was always just terrible. He’s not Asian but has Asian hair — I think that has confused his previous hair stylists. His hair grows straight outward from his head like a Chia pet. Any unevenness or laziness in cut really shows. He’s tried all kinds of expensive salons in the past. Finally he has an actual style that isn’t a buzzed back with blunt «bangs.»
Thanks to Christopher, we both have a reliable artist who uses close attention to detail and real finesse (straight razor and intelligent technique) to ensure that we always have great hair.
**UPDATE**
Christopher Archiopoli is now at Milagros, so I go there now. Still sporting great hair!

I havent colored my hair in nearly 15 years until Shane recommended I go from black to honey brown hair. It looks great and really fits me. The salon is cute, clean and it carries a great range of hair care including the moroccan oil line. The staff is pleasant, friendly to be around and very professional. I don’t trust many people/​salons with my hair especially when it comes to trying something new, but Salon Blast will be one place that I trust from now on!
Ps the Brazilian blowouts are AMAZING!

I’ve been going to this neighborhood place over the years. I had some bad experiences with a Russian barber who was inconsiderate and self centered, but ever since I found Jessica, things have gotten much better. She is a really sweet girl who turns me from shaggy into chivalrous over 45 minutes and knows what I like each time I go in. This place even has some decent artwork and photography from time to time.

Four years ago, i had the brilliant idea of shaving the side of my head. And, shockingly, a few months later i decided i didn’t want the mullet anymore. I went to Jess and she saved my hair, cutting and blending it so perfectly you could only tell i was missing a chunk when you ran your hand through it. Ever since then, Jessica has been the only person allowed to touch my hair. Sure, four years later, I’m still paying for it, that chunk now only an inch or two shorter than the rest of my hair, but it’s now blended in so perfectly Jess and I are the only ones who can tell!

We love this place and especially Jessica. Every time we visit from San Francisco we make sure to have her shampoo, cut and blow-​dry my daughter’s hair. She makes it look just beautiful with just a brush and dryer.

I LOVE this place!!! I first came here because of a Groupon I purchased, and I got Jessica– I WILL NEVER LET ANYONE ELSE touch my hair but her! She gives a blowout like nothing I’ve EVER experienced! (sidenote– I am a chick, and I’m not trying to be cheeky. Hahaha.cheeky.). Seriously though. I’ve NEVER had anyone NOT USE an iron on my hair before until her. She has some kind of super-​magic-​blow-​drying-​jedi-​mind-​trick thing she did to my hair. (let me take a minute to reflect on that which is so refreshing for my life). Here’s the deal– she knows what she’s doing. She explains how to get a more elegant look at home with the cut, and how to hold the brush to achieve any look you want. She’s stayed late to make me «perfect», and doesn’t butt in if she thinks she has a better idea– she’ll ask if you want any input. I trust her so much, I’ve just told her to do whatever she thinks would be rad– she’s never let me down.
I drive all the way from Tacoma to have my hair done here, and I’m never disappointed. She will go out to my car for me to see if I have a chalk mark from the meter maid, she buys me DELICIOUS lattes from the coffee shop next door, and she’s just simply the best. (side note: Juan, whom I’ve never had do my hair, seems to be completely RAD as well. Super friendly, not snotty– knows his stuff.) very professional, classy, relaxed, trendy, urban shop in a very cool neighborhood. *********** stars! :)

Amazing Salon! Went there today on a whim, I recently move to Montlake and needed a SERIOUS haircut. Juan ended up doing the cut and did an AMAZING job. I was thinking of doing a complete short cut, but he reassured me that he could do something with the mop that I had on my head… And he did! Super satisfied and will be back!

I went to go see Juan and it was just ok. He didn’t do what I wanted. I wanted to cut my hair but he left it long. He did suggest some fantastic Kevin Murphy shampoo though. I won’t go back.

They accept cards now! Woohoo!

I started going to Juan for cuts and colors this year. I put myself into his hands and every time I leave the salon, I get compliments for days from co-​workers, friends, gym friends, and my Starbucks guys! I am one of those women who has fought with my hair my entire life so arriving in Seattle and finding the perfect salon/​stylist has been wonderful! It’s a neighborhood location with a downtown upscale feel. I highly recommend Juan and this salon.

I had a fantastic experience here and have already scheduled another appointment for January. Vanessa did my hair and she was great! I got a cut and color (heavy highlights) for about $ 180. It might seem a little pricey to some, but I’ve paid the same amount at other salons in Seattle and have left wondering what I actually paid for. Vanessa is very personable and easy to talk to. She also took time to make sure she understood exactly what I wanted, rather than just jumping into it.
I am so happy I gave this place a shot! Highly recommend!

The other horrible hair salon…
If you have Asian hair — DO NOT COME HERE!
After being reassured by Mariah that she had experience with Asian hair — and based on reviews — I decided to go with her.
She didn’t know how to layer thick asian hair — if anyone worked on thick asian hair you know it takes a long time — she got tired at the end and just made big sections… fine, no biggie — what was a big deal was the fact she gave me a lopsided cut. I sat there for a long time and had an appointment to go to so I had to go – later that night I noticed how one side was longer than the other –it was disappointing… as they’re not exactly a cheap salon for this to occur.
I called and was able to schedule to get it fixed — so I had to take more time to drive all the way back to town — I live in the East side– to get it fixed — which honestly for a salon that’s been in business for so long and having had so much experience, i really shouldn’t have a lopsided cut.
When I went to get it fixed, Mariah made a comment on how she shouldn’t have given me such a ‘fasionable’ cut — um… really? is that really the trend? come on…
just own up to your mistake! I rather you own up to then make it like I don’t know what a good cut is .and trust me, I’ve had good cuts… with that comment from her, I knew I would never ever drive into Seattle for this place.
So with said, I’ll end with…
Not a salon for Asian hair!

I never messed with my hair color until I was about 28 or so, and rue the day I began, because once you pop, you just can’t stop. Now you’d need forensics to find my natural color. The keratin itself may have mutated into something chemical.
And ever since I fell from nature (which isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, let’s face it) I’ve been under a black cloud finding people who really seemed to get what I was after. Even when I brought pictures to reference. You know how rescue dogs that have been abused have a tentative step, a slight whimper, a flinch when it comes to eye contact? That’s me in a hair salon: waiting to pay $ 180 bucks to look like I laid out in the yard overnight while a pig chewed on my hair, moving away only when the gangbangers came by to tag it.
With Salon Blast, and in particular, Antonio, I feel trust returning, ever so slowly.
Nah. Actually I’d say it’s fully back.
My first trip in there was, predictably enough, a correction-​to the infernal and completely unsolicited copper-​penny scandal created by Joey’s other stylist at Hair By Joey. Salon Blast’s Mariah was the one assigned to clean up the wreckage. She’s a total pro and took the Bozo the Clown out of it, getting it much closer (in what we knew would be an incremental process) back from Barfville. I recommend Mariah.
Then I was unfaithful to Salon Blast due to convenience and geography and impatience, and I genuflect now, highly repentant, and cowed by my life as a Coiffure Infidel.
Months later I returned to Salon Blast, and went, for the sake of variety, curiosity or caprice, with another stylist. For whatever reason, things didn’t work out with the color (though he stayed way past quittin’ time trying to correct it, AND he didn’t try and run over me when I said I didn’t want to cut any off. Also, because he acknowledged it wasn’t what we discussed, I was ultimately comped for the service).
The salon owner, Tim, does exactly what a business owner should do when things go wrong-​as they invariably do sometimes-​and offers politely and sincerely to make it right however he can. I had seen these comments he has made in response to problematic reviews and was very impressed with that, that instead of getting defensive as so many more insecure business owners do, he was embracing of the notion of fallibility, and more interested in making things work. Major kudos for Tim; this fact in particular swayed me again to go back to Blast for the correction. He really didn’t pry for details, he just set me up and removed the charge. Wow.
He booked me with Antonio, who’s endlessly sweet and saucy and took great pains to understand what I was shooting for. He was direct, and warned me that it would take two phases to reach that stage.
He was absolutely right. It did take two phases, but the interim period was not bad at all (a fellow patron at the first correction said, «It’s like your hair is glowing from within!» I am not sure what that means… it makes me think of Hazmat suits and lead aprons… but I know she meant it as a rave.)
This last time he really rocked it. He really does understand the chemistry involved in color, and listens intently. Also importantly, he has good taste… or at least, it coincides neatly with mine, at least when it comes to my hair. He’ll make suggestions if you are open to that, or he’ll deliver what you want specifically if you are fixed on something particular (I know, what a concept!).
I’m really happy to have finally found someone that gets it. Antonio is totally the wind beneath my wings. Which I guess makes me Bette Midler. Never mind, I take that back. But Antonio is a supernova; I’ll go to him as long as I’m in Seattle; I know he’s more than up to whatever stylistic whim I task him with. Thanks dude!
Oh, but one note to Salon Blast which I *almost* deducted a star for. TIME TO TAKE CREDIT CARDS, for phucksake. C’mon, if a service costs around 200 bucks, it’s anachronistic and hugely inconvenient to make us go spring for cash at a gas station or lug around these things our grandmothers used to call «checkbooks.» Embrace. Technology.
Godspeed.

I had an incredible experience going to Salon Blast. I had searched for hair salons in Seattle, and am extremely picky as I imagine are most women with hair. Antonio was welcoming, funny, and TALENTED. I’ve spent hundreds on haircuts, and none compared to what I received from him. I am hooked for life.

Juan cut my hair perfectly. I have fine, long hair and I actually like it long-​Juan was the first stylist that didn’t try to chop it all off to make it look more «full”-and he told me he liked it long too ;) He used zero products on my hair (save for the shampoo and deep conditioner) and it looked the best it’s looked in years (literally). I wanted to go to a salon that was cutting edge with knowledgeable staff without having to deal with staff that were too cool or too cutting edge in personality. I also didn’t want to go somewhere that doled out soccer mom layered bobs (no offense to anyone). This is the place. I will now be going to this hairdresser on a regular basis. I highly recommend.

I recently had a haircut with Yulia (listed as Julia on the Salon website). Not a good experience. She complained for the entire 1.5 — 2.0 hours about how the haircut was a mistake, I would regret it in the morning, she’s more scared than i am, and that she would turn off her cell phone tomorrow so I couldn’t call to complain (jokingly… but not so). So, you’re wondering, what type of crazy haircut I got — a BOB! To be fair, I have thick and curly hair, but (and this is the IMPORTANT part) I told her that I’d had a bob on and off for many many years, and it was nothing that couldn’t be handled by a flat iron. So, after being berated in the chair, for what felt like a lifetime, the final product looked great, and her ending remark in a I-​told-​you-​so manner was «you’ll see in the morning.»
Seriously!!!
In general, for the price you pay, the actual salon is not worth it. (1) They give you water in one of those plastic/​paper cups that are typically found at your office water cooler. (2) They didn’t greet me when I arrived, rather they all stared at me, as if wondering what I was doing there. (3) No parking.
Save your money — go somewhere else, or try another stylist.

I got a haircut and color from Antonio. It is AMAZING and I love it. He took the time to talk to me about what I wanted and had great suggestions. He really seemed to listen to me and I honestly have not been so happy with how my hair cut and color turned out in years.
I totally recommend Antonio!

MARIAH SAVED MY HAIR!!! This women is the jesus of hair! She turned my once jet black locks into beautiful golden tresses. Anyone who has attempted this before knows that the process of getting the black out is never a pretty one, but Mariah made it look easy. I have a lot of respect for this lady… she is the BEST!

The perfect relationship with a stylist is a sacred mystical bond. Still, like all mystical things in my life, I have no trouble breaking it down into a set of quantifiable criteria:
1. Does the stylist have technique and training to give me the style I want?
2. Does the stylist understand my hair, my face, my coloring enough to give me good advice?
3. Does the stylist understand my style?
4. Am I going to have to sell a kidney on the black market just to afford this stylist?
Tim has incredible technique, and really understood my perfect style: edgy but low maintenance. I came in with long hair and told him that I wanted short hair that would look supermodel-​perfect after rolling out of bed. He explained to me how short I could go (taking into account my face shape), and gave me the best haircut of my life. He probably spent 2 hours on the cut, but it truly is wash-​and-​go.
My only complaint is that they don’t accept credit cards. Considering it’s easy to drop $ 300 or so on a cut/​color with Tim, I recommend taking along a check book.