A Hidden Gem: Shanghai Salon
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I’m not one for regular salon visits – all that trimming and coloring hits the pocketbook hard, ya know?
But for nearly a month now, I had been wanting to get a good hair cut to correct a disastrous one I had gotten back in May – that’s what I get when I trust my hair with low-end salons looking for a quick deal in hard times.
Lesson learned: no matter what my budget, always splurge on a good hair cut. If you’re trying to save, tell your stylist that you don’t plan on coming in for the suggested 6 to 8 week trim. S/he’ll adjust your style so that it grows out well and will still look good beyond two months.
Since I didn’t have time to go back to my regular stylist in San Francisco (plus I felt bad for cheating on her with a budget cut), I took recommendations in search for a new salon in Orange County. After a couple of referrals, I turned to Yelp to read reviews and make sure I was making the right choice.
And that’s where I found Shanghai Salon.
Located in Costa Mesa, Shanghai Salon is buried within a run down strip mall. If you didn’t know it was there, you’d drive right past, not knowing that a cozy, chic salon lived among the corner liquor store and next to an old-school barber shop.
Inside, it’s much smaller than I had imagined with about six chairs, but as it turns out, I like it better that way. Christina, my stylist, and the owner, Patty, made me feel right at home, as if I’d been coming there for years.
Christina even made me a Tinto de Verano, a refreshing red wine spritzer on a hot day to enjoy during my service. (That definitely won extra brownie points with me 
)
During my consultation, I told her that the person who cut my hair previously hacked up my mane and that I wanted a style that was simple and sassy, yet flexible enough in case I wanted to grow my hair out again.
She did a great job giving my hair movement again. But while I was hoping for something a little more funky fabulous, she did give me exactly what I asked for – practical and easy.
Not anything to write home about but my overall experience was so pleasant that I think I’m going to come back. And probably ask her for something a little more sassy
Have you ever had a bad haircut? What happened and what did you have to do to fix it?
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On September 9th, 2009 Karrie said:
I like the new do.
It fits you well and it doesn’t look like it was just cut.
I had horrible hair cuts all throughout childhood until my sister took me to get my first grownup haircut in high school.
I got shampooed and layers for the first time.
I’m happy with my haircuts now but I’m still in search of the perfect hair cut.
I want the kind of hair cut you would see on tv where they do the before and after and the person’s hair is totally transformed.
On September 9th, 2009 Crystal said:
Your hair looks great! I’m glad you had a good salon experience.
On September 9th, 2009 Robin of toxicbeautyblog.com said:
Your hair looks so cute! I had a bad haircut from a stylist I went to for years….I continued to go to her after that until I kept noticing I was getting the same haircut, no matter how different I told her to cut it. I finally switched to another salon, in fact, it is the Aveda Institute, where students do the cuts! I have been there twice and loved it both time…so even though it is affordable, the students reallt know how to cut some hair!
On September 9th, 2009 Marisol said:
I think your hair looks great. And good thing that you found someone that you liked.
Girl, I had a bad hair cut experience yesterday. Started out in the morning when I was straightening my hair. I noticed not one… not two… but three grey hairs. WTF! As I looked at my hair I realized that I needed a trim badly so I decided to go to the ULTA Salon near my job after work. I figure it was only a trim, right? My hair was pretty long…it was probably about half way down my back. I told the girl I want a trim because I have really bad split ends and I want my hair to look healthy. She asked how much I was willing to take off to make it look healthy and I said 3 to maybe 4 inched. I really wanted to keep the length. Easy enough right?
My hair is now shoulder length… She added some layers (which I did not ask for) and now I have no idea what my hair will look like when it’s curly. That’s what I get for being cheap.
On September 10th, 2009 Lilan said:
Hi Karrie,
When I was young my mom used to take me to go get haircuts (and perms) at the Asian salons in Westminster.. needless to say, I probably didn’t get a decent chop job until after high school too, eep!
The only time I felt like my hair was dramatically transformed was last spring when I chopped off all my hair for a cute bob. Do you have long hair? Would you consider cutting it all off?
On September 10th, 2009 Lilan said:
Thanks Crystal!
On September 10th, 2009 Lilan said:
Hi Robin,
Glad you love going to the Aveda Institute! I’ve never gotten my hair cut by students before – I’ve always been too scared. If I ever consider a budget cut again, I might look into that option
Hope you’re having a great Thursday!
On September 10th, 2009 Lilan said:
Oh… my.. GOD Marisol!
I can’t believe that happened to you. I’m sooo sorry!
I know you have such long, pretty hair and now it’s shoulder length?? I might go so far as to sue the salon/stylist for emotional distress!
If you don’t mind the short hair (too much), it might be good to get a fix-it cut so that it at least looks cute as a short ‘do.
On September 10th, 2009 Christina said:
Lilan thank you so much for the nice write up! next time you come in and want more sass we can do that.. I just kept in mind that you are trying to grow your hair out… But, more sass and Tinto de Verano girl for you.. Remember free fringe trims!! (bang)
http://twitter.com/ShanghaiSalon
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Costa-Mesa-CA/Shanghai-Salon-Costa-Mesa/110996172529?ref=ts
On September 10th, 2009 kim* said:
Christina does my hair too, she knows what she is doing.
On September 11th, 2009 christina said:
rad thank you kim!!
On September 11th, 2009 Karrie said:
I do have long hair and always think about cutting it short.
Maybe next time i’ll try Shanghai Salon.