Grateful Head

I have had my hair bleached a couple times, once before recently dying it mint. I originally wanted to get another bleach and do a light blonde with dyed roots, but the stylist Nicole discouraged belaching it for a third time (erring on the side of caution). She helped me find a good solution to my problem during the consultation– we decided to do an ombré (top half close to my natural colour) and simply tone the ends. She trimmed my ends and shaved down my undercut, and it ended up being much more inexpensive than I had anticipated. It looks great and I am really happy!

Had my hair cut short 4 months ago in 2 different salons and they never got it right!
Met Tia this week and she was amazing. Not only did she cut it exactly the way I wanted, she gave me the best head massage ever!!!
They also offer «maintenance cuts» at a very good price.
Highly recommend!!!

Perfection! Such a lovely and unique place, and they cut my curly hair beautifully each time. It was a great day when this salon opened on Roncesvalles, and the Dundas location is so beautiful in such a different way. Yes, it costs money, but it’s worth it! Support this local business by checking them out (especially if you have curly hair: ask for Stacy!)

I’ve had the same stylist for 8 years at a very upscale salon. I was nervous to switch stylists, but after a lot of careful research I chose the Grateful Head. I have a precision cut; sharp points and angles. Not an easy cut, in fact 3 stylists from different salons actually turned me down because the cut requires a fine hand and a certain eye. I met Tia today; lovely and attentive. She knew exactly what I wanted, dove in, and I left with a stellar cut. The owner (who greeted me at the door and offered me a coffee) was lovely, and a bit of a fox herself. The place is edge, without being pretentious, and if the fab monochromatic scull wallpaper doesn’t speak volume, the music, and the Rolling Stones Best Rock Photography coffee-​table book will. I’m a believer. See you next month Tia ;)

Not impressed. $ 270 later I barely got a trim and my requested colour process (balayage /​/​sombre) turned out super red and brassy and nothing like I requested. In the stylists defence, he did offer to fix it but had just previously defended his work and argued with me that there was no red in my hair whatsoever.
Went out on a limb to try a new place. Regret it.

Just had my hair cut by Paul Shepherd for the first time last week.
I am impressed.
All the odds were totally stacked against him: I have annoying hair (frizzy, wavy, with weird unruly curls in weird place); I am growing out a pixie cut; I am not very good at explaining what I want and I don’t do high maintenance styling.
He figured out what was bothering me and fixed it perfectly– giving me a haircut that works with my hair, my face, the shape of my head, my styling capabilities (i.e. zero).
Highly recommended.
(It’s not a five because it is quite expensive, but, then again, good things do cost money)

Let me preface this by saying that I’ve been looking for a salon to help me transition my very blonde hair to a more natural blonde for a while. I found Grateful Head online and read a lot of good reviews, so I made an appointment. Booking was a so-​so experience; I emailed back and forth with a receptionist describing what I was looking to achieve and she recommended who would be best. She booked me with Sarah at Roncesvalles.
When I showed up for my appointment, I immediately liked the feel of the place. There was none of that stuck up sort of vibe that some salons put off. Everyone was happy, chatting and the clients all looked satisfied. As I waited for my appointment, I was given wine and all the newest editions of magazines. They definitely put in the effort to make me feel welcome.
My experience with Sarah was great. She nailed the colour, worked incredibly fast (I had a full head of lowlights, toner and blow dry/​style and was out in 1.5 hours — normally my appointments take nearly double that time). She was friendly, never pushed any sort of product on me (THANK YOU) and gave me exactly what I asked for — if not better.
I’ll definitely be back to Grateful Head. I think I’ve found my new salon. :) Thanks everyone!
PS And the head massage I got while there was to die for. They really pulled out all the stops without seeming flashy.

While, people seem to be giving Stacy positive reviews, I did not see her. If I had, perhaps my review would be more positive. A young man cut my hair, and I don’t remember his name. If I did, I probably wouldn’t write it here because I’m not that mean.
I’ll just say that this place is highly overrated, OVERPRICED, and just a rip off. Also, the staff didn’t know about new hair trends, and tried to make me feel stupid for requesting one.
The person who washed my hair, gave me the WORST hair wash I have ever received in my life. The was no pressure added at all, and my hair felt dirty and flat afterwards. It was a huge disappointment because I normally look forward to getting my hair washed and getting a head massage.
The cut I received was out-​dated, unflattering, and uneven, and the stylist was just insecure.
The atmosphere was kind of cool, and rock inspired, but nothing to rave about, and not a reason to come here. You should be coming here for a good haircut.
I’m sorry, but for almost 100 $, for a simple hair cut, I deserve a great haircut and much better service. I do not recommend this place and will not be returning.

Best salon in the city hands down. The vibe is great, the staff are welcoming and the stylists are super talented. I’ve had my hair cut by Stacy Stray many times there and every time it looks perfect. Highly recommended!

Very prompt with appointments… I have NEVER waited for an appointment and I’ve been there over a dozen times. Cost for colour and cut is on par with similar salons elsewhere. I highly recommend Stacy Fitz. She is great girl to chat with who does a fantastic job cutting hair. Hope she never leaves!
Let me just say that reception is a pain … Phone tag is kind of the usual way I have to make an appointment. Despite that annoyance, reception is very friendly.

Called this salon this morning because I couldn’t take my hair anymore and was given an appointment 45 mins later. I didn’t want to spend a lot, so I asked for a junior stylist. Got there and met Nicole, and our consultation went great. Showed her some pinterest shots and she totally got it. 1 hour later, and after a very careful check, dry and straighten, Nicole was done and I was really very pleased. She got what I was after and gave me a great cut. I’d recommend Nicole to anyone — she’s got talent! Thanks Nicole for a great cut!

I’ve gone to Grateful Head for almost two years now. I’ve seen many of the stylists there and I’ve always walked out with a great colour and cut. I have fine, curly hair. For years I only went to salons that focussed on curly hair, but I got very bored and I rarely ended up with anything interesting.
Since Matthew started at GH a year ago, I’ve gone to him exclusively. He is a true professional. My colour always looks fabulous, and he manages to cut my hair EXACTLY how I want it. He’s not afraid trying different things with my hair, but will also be honest if he thinks that something might not work out. I appreciate that. He’s also a lot of fun and has a great sense of humour. Matthew also cut my 7 year old daughter’s hair on her birthday and she was delighted with the results (no more Melonheads for her!).
Highly recommended. I am always getting complimented on my hair.

$ 50 for a junior stylist seems more than reasonable for a woman’s cut. Margot gently coaxed me to cut of my colour damaged ends. She also provided me tips on styling that didn’t involve an up-​sell of a styling product. Thanks Margot.

First thing you need to know, this place is very expensive. I paid $ 180 (before tip) for an all over hair colour (my hair is really long) and a fringe trim.
That being said I think it was worth the money. My hair was dyed the exact colour I wanted! The main problem I have with hairdressers is that when I get my hair coloured a bright copper as soon as I wash it, it starts coming out and fades completely in a few weeks. First wash after going to Grateful Head, not a drop of colour in the water! So although it is expensive, it means I don’t have to go to the hairdressers as often. Better for my hair. Works out the same as going to a cheaper hairdressers twice.
Loved the décor and had an amazing hair wash/​head massage where I nearly fell asleep. I’d definitely recommend Stacey as a hairdresser. I will be back!

I don’t go as often since they left Trinity Bellwoods, but I’ll still go back to Grateful Head for a cut from time to time and grab some schnitzel and perogies while I’m at it.
They’ve been consistently good and are priced in the zone for a good cut and style in Toronto. My kid gets his hair cut there, too, sometimes… a bit over the top for an 8 year old but I appreciate that they’ll put the same effort into his hair as they will mine, and it’s convenient to go to one place for both of us when weekends are busy. Good quality, honest advice on hair, no pretense. I generally really like the feel of this place.

$ 36 (without tip) to trim the back and sides? Gimme a break.

Cool ambience, awesome music, beautiful people… all they need to do now is learn how to cut hair and they will really be on to something.
My experience:
I called on a Monday to make a Tuesday appointment. I asked for a «senior stylist» as they have on their menu. The other choices being the «creative stylist» or «new talent». There is a $ 15 difference here, for men’s cuts. I was told I’d get Katie, who had been working there for three years.
Everyone was nice and friendly when I arrived and there is no doubt to the vibe of this place, there’s an energy there. I asked for a trim on the sides and short on the top but enough to be able to play around and keep it messy. I was told my hair wasn’t long enough to do that. I haven’t had a haircut in nearly three months!!!
We settled on trimming the sides and just cleaning up the top. Using scissors only (as I requested) she managed to cut my hair on the side to almost the skin… on one side. The other side was trimmed actually not too bad save for the raised patches here and there. She barely touched the top so the end result was a very 90’s looking hairstyle. When she showed me the back, my hairline at the bottom looked totally crooked so I figured it must be me seeing it wrong. She blow dried it and styled it a bit and in the lights and mirrors there, it looked okay.
When I got home and showered, upon further investigation, there was no fade from the side of my head to the top, just clumps and indeed the bottom line at the back was on an angle. I basically had a crooked bad bowl cut.
The part that really gets me is that this woman is 22 years old. How does that qualify her to be a senior stylist? I guess the «new talent» come in to see their clients during recess!
They really have a lot of nerve charging the money they do for such inexperienced stylists who clearly have no idea what they are doing. I guess she earns that for dressing up like Betti Page?
I ended up getting my hair fixed elsewhere for half the price, I didn’t trust them enough to ever touch my ungrateful head ever again.

I tried this salon for the first time and was hoping that they would do a good job. The stylist I had was Stacy Stray. He kind of did a bad job at it and I have to say I won’t be back here again.
As for the service at reception… it was really messy and unattentive. It seemed like they were having an event or something at the salon and didn’t have the patience for customers.
At the same time, I had to wait over 20 mins for my appt, which I didn’t aprpeciate at all. What is the point of having an appt if you have to wait 20 mins for it anyway?
So, it was not a good experience overall and I wouldn’t recommend the salon.

D’excellents coiffeurs et coiffeuses qui prennent le temps de bien de réussir votre coupe. Autrefois sur Dundas, près du parc Trinity-​Bellwoods, ce salon a du déménager dans le quartier de Roncesvalles. Cela fait quelques kilomètres de plus pour certains clients, mais qu’importe, la qualité du service fait qu’on y retourne régulièrement.

This place butchered my hair. I have not worn in down in the month it’s been since getting my hair done. They butchered a friend of mine’s hair as well.
They were fast and friendly but perhaps at the expense of quality. Buyer beware.

Toronto’s best named salon has moved!
I had an appointment to see my favourite stylist at Grateful Dead’s new location in the Roncesvalles Village. The size of the new salon is about the same as their former one with a few décor differences.
The owner did a wonderful job creating a comfortable and beautiful space — check out the velvet skull heads wallpaper on the back wall! So cute!
Apart from that, it’s the same nice staff going, great work; now in a great neighbourhood!