Curl Ambassadors

My hair has never looked better, and it’s all thanks to the Curl Ambassadors, and Aisha specifically! I love this place and recommend it to all of my wavy/​curly friends and coworkers. Aisha not only cut my hair, she taught me how to properly style it and what products I need– without pushing like eight different salon products on me (a personal pet peeve). Yes, the salon is cramped, but I’d rather have a quality haircut than ambience.
And yes, it is super expensive… but my hair just doesn’t look good with a cheap haircut, and I would rather just have nice hair.

My hair looks and feels great! I love the atmosphere. My stylist was very intimidating at first, and did make me feel as though I don’t take care of my lion’s mane of wavy curl and frizz, but after some questions and chit-​chat, the mood was totally better.
It is pricey especially since I only wanted to freshen my locks with a trim but I definitely have more confidence in my curls now. I’ve never walked away as satisfied with a cut as I did today — and I’m beyond finicky and protective of my long hair!
Would recommend to anyone!

One word — SHANLEY.
Been going here for almost 10 years. These people simply know what’s up with curly hairs.

I’m not sure how I feel about Curl Ambassadors. I have mixed feelings about my first experience getting a Curly Doo (their first timer’s wash and style).
I came on the recommendation of a friend. The place is small. When I walked in, a girl under the dryer had to move her legs do i could get in. Just a tad cramped. I checked in with reception and didn’t wait long for my stylist to start.
I saw Sacha. She was really friendly and asked me to tell her a bit about my hair. She asked me questions about products I used, my usual routine, etc. I told her the little I did know and she started with my wash. I loved that she explained each product and why she was using it in relation to my hair. She gave knew a thorough scrub (gosh I missed having someone wash my hair!). While still sopping wet, she applied some other products, continuing to explain and show me how much she used of each. Very helpful for recreating a look at home.
Afterwards, I was placed under the dryer. Sacha checked on me regularly to make sure my hair was drying without being fried. My hair is thick and it took a LONG time for it to dry. Eventually, Sacha used a blow dryer to finish it off.
Now as she dried my hair, she dried it straight up. My natural hair is not that long and I started looking like a troll doll. which isn’t attractive on anyone. I kept thinking this was all part of her plan until she seemed perplexed as to how to style my hair. She called over another stylist for advice on how to style and that one suggested cutting my hair. I have no problem with cutting but a) it wasn’t what I came in for and b) it was an added expense I wasn’t sure I could afford. So I declined the cut. Apparently this made my hair unmanageable and Sacha ended up putting it in an up do with a pompadour art the front. I paid my $ 20 fee for first timers and left.
The pro of this place was the education given on my hair. Sacha explained each product and talked to me during the process about my hair and tips for styling at home. I also got a care sheet with everything she used and instructions of everything she did. I also love the curl definition she was able to get out of my hair.
The cons were my final style. I could’ve pinned my hair up at home; plus knowing the stylist wasn’t sure how to style my hair is an uncomfortable feeling. The troll doll didn’t make me feel pretty. The final updo grew on me a bit but I wonder what would happen if I went back and still didn’t cut my hair? Would they still not know how to style it?
I appreciate the pros a lot. I just don’t know if it’s enough to make me a repeat customer.

Ughh…
Impossible to even get a haircut scheduled here. You gotta go by their limited availability rather than your own needs. Once there the place is underwhelming. It looks like a delepitated shack and it is smoldering hot inside. Stylist asked me a few questions. I said i would like to KEEP my hair long. She said she had this great idea but she would like to go a little shorter. She didn’t show me what she had in mind or even hint to it. I was in a favorable mood and I trusted her instincts as a hairdresser. Big mistake. Even though she was veery confident she in fact had not the slightest idea of what I wanted done. Midway she asked me if I wanted bangs… I reluctantly asked her if it’s a part of her grand design and she says «Suuure it’ll look great!»
God why could I just not say «No thank you Miss I wouldn’t like bangs.» Instead I again trusted her and ended up with the stupidest looking 12yr old bob style… topped off with bangs. WHO EVEN SUGGESTS BANGS TO CURLY HAIRED GIRLS?! The bangs look stupid and awkward and she cut them too short so she had to mask it afterwards with another longer piece… which made it even more ugly. I will have to suffer through growing out bangs for months now. I will never return to this salon. The whole thing cost me $ 80 plus parking downtown… and every penny was hopelessly waisted because I HATE my hair.

This place is amazing! It was my first time going to a salon since I went natural and I have to admit I desperately needed someone to take care of it. Curly hair is fun but there aren’t a lot of options/​salons out there for styling our hair in its natural state so when I heard about this place I had to check them out. Luckily I got an appt very quickly and went in for a treatment and trim. I met with Orlena who was very interested in seeing what I had hidden under my hat. 3B/​3C Heat damaged hair that was just taken out of a very long protective style.
Right away she was super friendly, asked me about how I took care of my hair previously and informed me about every step she did to my hair which was super useful. Now I know everyone dreads the salon «trim» because its more like a «chop» and I was ready to go as short as she recommended but I was really surprised to see the length my hair still was after she trimmed it! She did a dry trim and then one after my hair was conditioned then a final touch up on my wash and go for the shape, and still maintained my length. I am very satisfied with my service, my hair looked great I got a lot of compliments and I maintained my style for over a week.
I highly recommend this place, It cost a bit over $ 100 for everything but she said I wouldn’t need another visit for 3 – 4 months so $ 100 every 4 months is rather cheap for some curly hair TLC if you’re serious about growing healthy hair.

Everyone who works at The Curl Ambassadors are really just that; friendly and knowledgeable hair consultants, who have a really great understanding of the needs of all the various types of curly hair! I had such a great experience and left feeling so empowered with all the information given to me about how to best take care of my hair. I will definitely get my haircut here again (and again) and refer all my curly-​haired-​friends here too!
P. s. I appreciate that the fees are a bit high; but they offer some great promotions and incentives (referral programs and draws). And, to all of us curly haired people out there; we all know what it’s like to have a hairstylist say they know how to cut and/​or style our type of hair, but the next thing you know they are taking thinning shears to your curls!!! If you want to get your haircut by someone who actually knows what they’re doing, and can help you identify and tell you the best ways to maintain your curl pattern, The Curl Ambassadors is it!

I really enjoyed the work that was done at Curl Ambassadors. I would definitely recommend trying this place if you have curly hair and would like some guidance /​hair tips or styling info. My stylist was quite good (sorry I forgot her name, I just remember she was a black women with blonde hair– if I get the request from any other Unilocaler out there, I will call them and find out her name).
I alos have a friend of mine who goes there for regular haircuts and sings their praises as well.

Unprofessional, cold staff who called me to cancel my appointment less than one hour before the actual appointment. Needless to say, I was quite surprised as I was already on my way there. What made matters worse was that they didn’t even offer to reschedule or offer me another time/​stylist to see.
Too overpriced for the quality of service!

I have found my new salon! I absolutely love everything about this place — the staff is friendly, stylish and extremely knowledgeable on how to cut, style and maintain curly hair. I have been there twice, and Orlena was and will forever be my stylist. She answered all of my questions, was very personable and she is extremely talented. After both of my visits I left the salon with gorgeous curls and knowledge on how to wash and style my hair.
I highly recommend this salon if you have curly hair!

Having grown up with very curly hair, I grew up with home haircuts until I was well-​past child aged :) After trying a few salons around town with mediocre results, my sister recommended this salon she had just visited. The service was incredible — from booking your first appointment, to taking care of you while you get your hair cut, and even sending you home with a list of the products used and steps taken. No pressure to buy their products, which is awesome (although, I’ll admit I finally gave in to the curly custard — love it!). Angela is beyond amazing — worth the wait to book an appointment with her. Curly haired girls — this is our place!

This hair salon has been around for 8 years. So one would think the reason being that it was a really good salon and had strong and loyal clientele. I used to live a couple of blocks away from this salon but could never afford to come. I knew they had a $ 20 Curly Do offer for newbies and I’ve been saving that idea for a while.
Nonetheless, early last week I had filled out their online form to request an appointment for the Curly Do which is essentially a Curly Blow out. I got an email confirming my appointment for the following week and was thrilled I could get in so soon. Sadly, they booked me in for the wrong time. I promptly emailed them about the miscommunication. I had also received an email saying I could add a deep conditioning treatment to my Curly Do which would be an additional $ 22.50. Since my curly hair was in desperate need of TLC, I promptly responded again saying I’d love to add the conditioning treatment to my appointment at the changed time. They confirmed the time change AND the added service. Now I assumed they would have told me at this point that they couldn’t accommodate the add-​on service.
I showed up to my appointment and I just felt kind of rushed in. It wasn’t until my stylist was already washing my hair did she introduce herself. She didn’t take much effort in getting to know me or connecting with me. Trust me, I’m not one of those people who need validation and seek it from strangers. But I had really high hopes and expectations, so I really just wanted to like this salon. My stylist, Jacqueline, was not the most personable or welcoming stylist. She made me feel like a child when she BRIEFLY asked about my hair. I would definitely avoid booking with this stylist because even other reviews have mentioned her lack of professionalism,
I work at a receptionist for a busy beauty bar. I understand appointments being booked back-​to-​back. I just don’t appreciate being treated less important because I’m taking advantage of a newbie offer. I actually had to ask questions in order to know the prices of other services. I was genuinely interested in knowing about services and product and becoming a regular. But now I’m just really disappointed.
I knew I wouldn’t get the full experience or full benefit without a haircut, because my curly hair is in need of a deep treatment and a fresh cut with layers. Luckily, I still have my other hair stylist whom I love and trust. I just have to travel across the city for her. Her salon is actually cheaper compare to Curl Ambassadors, so I’ll happy trek there.
I know this is a long post, but I’m really disappointed since I’ve had friends come here and like it. I think my stylist was having an off day. I just wish she would have been more personable and made me want to be a regular. Also the receptionist wasn’t much help when I explained the miscommunication about the originally booked services. Nor did she offer the deep condition treatment another day unless I wanted to book in a Curly Do (reg $ 40-​ish) plus the price of the deep conditioning treatment at $ 22.50.
I don’t think I’ll be doing that, because my hair after the Curly Do wasn’t much better than my own wash at home. I think I’ll stick to getting a regular wash/​blow out elsewhere.
Sigh, at least I bought lunch with the money I saved from not getting the deep conditioning treatment.

«Meh. I’ve experienced better,» really does sum it up.
Don’t get me wrong, my hair looked great after I left the salon. It was wonderful for my birthday and frizzed a little the next day. I had no problems with my hair… until of course I washed it because I didn’t have any of the products available to me. So it was just 3 days of great to good to meh hair. e: Jacqueline cut my hair so it gave me triangle head!!! At a salon that specializes in curly hair. wat?
So if my hair was great, why am I rating this place two stars? Because I didn’t feel welcome at all. The word «ambassadors» evokes an image of friendly people. From the get go I felt ignored by the receptionist who was talking to a client on her way out about her dog. I simply wanted to know where I could put some food I bought so it was out of the way of clients and hair stuff.
Then someone came and got me and mumbled something and walked away, so I followed. I was asked why I followed that person and to «just sit down there then». My stylist — Jacqueline — didn’t act very professionally either. She came up to me and made me move to between different stations twice before actually starting my hair. I think if she had taken her time to assess my hair I wouldn’t have to be herded around like cattle. As another reviewer mentioned (now on the filtered page) she didn’t introduce herself and comes off as very rude.
She asked me questions and cut me off many times, never made any small talk and continued to drink her coke while cutting my hair. She made me feel bad for the state of my hair, which no other salon has made me feel. She even sprayed my hair with vinegar without letting me know what was going on, you can imagine my surprise. I was not spoken to at all, except for the odd question here and there. The icing on the cake is when she asked me if I was here for a cut… that’s what I made the appointment for… so yes.
And unlike the two other clients under the hood, my stylist offered me neither a book nor a drink.
Not worth $ 100+ when I’ve gotten better service elsewhere. I guess I’m still looking for my curly hair cut.

I did not enjoy the haircut from this salon. My stylist was passionate about curls, however, she seemed to have read the curl book, and was only familiar with it.
It was a very prescriptive approach to hair; rather than a conceptual/​creative one.
I would not return.

OMC. That stands for Oh, My Curls!
Those lifelong waves I have? It turns out they were just curls in hiding. And Curl Ambassadors showed me the light.
I was in Toronto for four days and desperate for a curly-​haircut experience, which I’d never had. After a mega-​miscommunication leading to cancelling my appointment, they were incredible and squeezed me in for the next day. On arrival, I was bustled into a chair and my current cut unsympathetically dubbed a Christmas tree. Too true.
I explained that I wanted to keep most of the length, but give it life. Angela was On Top Of It. Whisking me through the washing & styling process, she showed me how much product she was using and supervised my hands-​on learning process, answering all my questions with knowledge and humour. I had a great time talking with her. And when I looked in the mirror I actually laughed in shock! I’ve never had CURLS before!
At the end of the appointment they handed me a Curl Map with step-​by-​step directions & listing which products she had used. As a first-​time customer they gave me a discount card for my next appointment. But since I was a tourist based on a different continent, amazing Angela told them to apply the discount to this cut. That’s what I call awesomeness.
I get compliments on my hair all the time now. People tell me it looks healthier, bouncier, full of life. I am so proud of my curls. Thanks, Ambassadors.

Stylist: Elisha
Hair type: Arab curly hair. Medium curly. 2 inches past my shoulders. Not colour or chemical treated.
Paid: ~$ 80 for the cut
The cut was pretty good. I liked that she actually only took off the minimum. I am always scared because normally, when the stylist says she will take off a quarter inch, I am prepared for the actual amount to be at least double that. No such issue with Elisha.
I like that they do a dry cut. My favourite part was chatting with the stylist, Elisha, and the other ladies working there. Such a chill atmosphere. I also like how they have a really different method of hair washing. They make you put your head down and wash from the back of the head forwards. Also, they introduced me to some great products — the No Poo shampoo, Deva Curl Conditioner and Mixed Chicks Styling Products.
I made the annoying and dumb mistake of tipping percentage wise. So I tipped Elisha 20% on the $ 200 worth of products that I bought plus the cut. Gahhh DO NOT do this! I felt like a fool and was not about to ask for reimbursement but Lord teach me to be careful with the credit card machine. Also, they were a little too pushy about me booking my next appointment.
All in all, I will see how this cut grows out. But from what I’ve seen, this could be my new salon.

I am a researcher by nature. I love to explore and uncover information. That is what I’ve been doing for easily 8 years with my hair. However, it wasn’t until I found Curl Ambassadors that I’ve stopped researching.
I found Curl Ambassadors, of course, by researching online. I had been going to Chiggy’s Touch for a year before and liked it, but didn’t feel I was truly in touch with how my hair works. I decided to give Curl Ambassadors a try and also suggested another gf (Jess) check them out. She has similar hair to mine and I knew she was looking for somewhere to go. Coincidentally we both made appointments, at different locations, with the same stylist: Keina.
Jess had nothing but good things to say. She even went so far as to say it was the best haircut of her life. I had my appointment 3 weeks after and I have the exact same review. I have found MY salon. Keina answered all of my questions, was very thorough with explaining what she was doing and gave me tons of stylying tips. She recommended certain products and gave me a sample of one to try.
The lady at the front desk was also so sweet, got me tea while I waited and helped me purchase products after my hair cut. I bought: Deva Curl No Poo, Deva Curl One Condition and Deva Curl Arc Angel. The sample I got was for Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner. I later bought that also. The Gel and the Leave-​In come in huge bottles and I don’t need that much so they’ll prob last me a few months. So despite them being expensive in the short term the long term cost is really low. The shampoo and conditioner will probably last me a month or two before I have to buy again.
I left CA with pep in my step and feeling so much more in tuned with myself and my hair. People have been commenting on my hair ever since. Two people asked me if I dyed it because of how much healthier it looks. I’ve even had countless guys use it as a conversation starter. I just might owe Keina for the quality of my dating these past few weeks lol.
All in all, I heart Curl Ambassadors.

For my entire adulthood, I’d been in a long-​standing war with my curly, frizzy, unruly hair — usually wearing braids, twists or Afro-​puff ponytails, because I didn’t have the time or patience to will it into submission.
Recently, I decided I’d had enough. I had to do something about it.
I went to three different salons for consultations. I ended up with lots of information, but feeling overwhelmed. I was one appointment away from chopping off all my hair (and keeping it that way).
Then, one of my co-​workers suggested I pay a visit to the Curl Ambassadors and try some of their products.
I ended up going for a quick consultation (and buying a book about how to care for curly hair), then making a appointment the following week.
It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made.
Keina was my stylist. She walked me through washing and conditioning my hair, explaining what each product was, how to use them, and what my hair should feel like during each process.
At one point, I remember sitting up, looking at my wet, curly hair in the hand-​held mirror and saying out loud, «I don’t think I’ve EVER seen my hair like this before.»
(I wasn’t the only one converted that day. Later in my appointment, I overheard Keina’s subsequent client — a younger woman who arrived with a super-​big ‘fro — say almost EXACTLY the same thing I did after having her hair washed.)
Keina also cut my hair (wet, not dry, since I have super-​tight curls), dried and styled it. It looked fantastic. (See my profile pic!)
I left the salon with a spring in my step and a bunch of products which are now part of my weekly regimen. (As other Unilocalers have mentioned, they are NOT cheap, but perhaps will be a worthwhile investment in the long run).
It’s been almost two and a half weeks since my appointment. I’m still trying to get the hang of my hair routine — and it does take more work than I’ve been used to — but it’s been worth it.
I’ve also gotten more compliments from friends and co-​workers, than with any other hairstyle. (One of my co-​workers actually is a Curl Ambassadors customer and recognized the handiwork! LOL.)
And Keina called me last week to check on me and see how I was doing — which, in my experience with hairstylists, has never happened.
Because of the Curl Ambassadors, I have finally called a truce with my hair, and have learned to work with my curls. I’d highly recommend these ladies to any of my fellow curly-​haired sisters and brothers in need!

My hair is straight. Really, really straight. So straight that the record player screeches to a stop when I walk in to Curl Ambassadors, an establishment filled with curly-​haired staff and curly-​haired clients, one rainy Saturday afternoon. And that’s when I pull my almost-​two-​year-​old curly-​haired daughter out from behind me. Music resumes and the friendly lady behind the counter nods in understanding as she beholds the frizzy mess on top of my daughter’s head. We make a haircut appointment for a few weeks later.
Our stylist Keina was extremely patient. She managed to snip snip snip quickly and efficiently while my daughter moved around on my lap. It didn’t look like she cut much but evening out the length made a huge difference. Many weeks after the cut my daughter’s hair is still looking great. It helped that we were provided with a styling ‘map’ that outlined the steps in refreshing curls and making them look their best. They made us a sample of the recommended kid-​safe hair product for us to try before committing to the big container. We even got a follow up phone call from Keina to make sure the haircut was settling in.
The haircut was about $ 40 after tax and such, which for a kid is a bit pricey but I appreciated the curly-​hair tutorial so in the end it was worth it.

I thought I’d had a good cut for curly hair until I saw Keina this past Friday. I didn’t know it was possible to make sure a huge difference to how my hair looks and feels, without going to a drastically different style. (like long to short)
Keina kept my hair long, but cut off enough to allow it to be healthy and then worked some kind of magic with the front and top that took me from long curtain of heavy hair (with a flat top) to happy bouncy non-​flattop hair. She also suggested some products, explaining why, and how to use them every step of the way. The products weren’t cheap, but man, I could feel the difference. Generally I’m a drugstore shopper on that front, but now I’m a convert. I’ve even reproduced her amazing styling successfully myself using those same products and the techniques she described. I have to say, the products were more expensive at the start, but you only need to use a tiny bit of them (even in my mass of hair) so i think things might even out a bit in the long run.
Anyhow — if you have curly hair, that you wear curly, and you like for your hair to feel soft and look not frizzy, but actually nice and sproingy and curly — then go here!