Avalon Salon

Just had another fabulous cut, this time by Grace.

I went here over the weekend bc my mom recommended this place. I asked for long swoop bang that are long enough to go behind my ear. What did I get a butchered bang so short it hangs by my eyes. So beyond annoyed. And my layers are soooo un even.

I have been going to Quynn, the owner, for many years. I cannot remember how many. She gives a great haircut and a great color job even though she talks alot and does not seem focused on you.
Hang in there. She pulls it all together even though you have anxiety for awhile. You come out looking great!

Jennifer has been cutting & coloring my hair for 2 years. She knows exactly what to do with my baby-​fine hair & she is a wiz with the color. She is excellent~ a gem! I wouldn’t go anywhere else. In a very upscale neighborhood she is surprisingly affordable.

I haven’t changed my opinion of Avalon Salon, but wanted clients to know that Olga is now working at Au Natural Salon.

I have been going to Avalon for 15 years and highly recommend it. The owner, Quynn, is an amazing artist and knows exactly what each person needs. I have very fine hair and she is the first stylist that has ever, ever been able to give me a cut that makes me look like I have volume and lift. I am almost 70, so I have been to many. I have traveled the world and seen many high end stylists who ALWAYS comment on the amazing color and cut I have. I don’t ever let anyone else touch the cut or color but need blow dries when traveling. Only on rare occasions has anyone been able to even blow dry my hair as well as Quynn does. Other stylists can only achieve volume by using curling irons, but Quynn is concerned with the health of my hair and does not need to dry my hair out with a curling iron. She has the talent, ability, and wrist strength to blow dry my hiar completely with a round brush. In fact, going to Quynn took 10 years off of my looks, since she «got» that I wanted a more modern look than most my age and found a way to make it work for me. If you want the same old, same old, go somewhere else, but if you want a NY or SF quality stylist at Oakland prices, this is your place.
I also get a great manicure by Amy first and then my nails are completely dry by the time Quynn finishes my hair. They are both very quick so I can get on with my busy life. Quynn can do a complete wash and style in half an hour and I have spent up to 1 ½ hours in other places while traveling with worse results. I now also have Quynn do my make up for parties and events… she is much more talented than I am and I leave having the confidence to make a grand entrance whereever I go. My husband sure likes the results too!
Oh, and just to comment on others’ comments about talking. Have you ever been to a stylist who doesn’t love to talk? I have not. The difference is that Quynn also listens and takes a genuine interest in others. She has a big heart and fun philosophy of life. Avalon Salon is not a dull place!
Jeanine Saperstein

This salon is not a super fancy high end location, but its a great neighborhood spot that offers skilled stylists. I go to Olga and she does a great job with my color (red) and hair cut. I went in there the first time with a friend and we brought in some champagne to enjoy during our session and it was a blast. I would love it if they updated the salon a bit to be a little more modern looking, but what’s really important are the skills of the stylists.
I recommend Olga to people all the time, she’s very sweet, does a great job and the prices are reasonable.
I’ve popped in there too to get some waxing done and the women that did my waxing was very sweet and did a great job. I have not been there for a massage yet, but I will probably check out more services

Jessica is a fantastic massage therapist, and only $ 60/​hour. I’ve had $ 90 massages down the street that weren’t anywhere near as skillful. She is only there on Saturdays, but she will come in on other afternoons if you request. I hope she can build a loyal clientele in Montclair so that she stays around here!

Quinn has been cutting/​styling my hair since 1998. I moved an hour away in 2002 but still continue to have my hair done by her because she ALWAYS does a spectacular job. I have very long hair and lots of it. I feel like a million dollars every time I walk out of Avalon salon with my freshly done hair.

I’ve been going here for years and have never been disappointed. Quinn, the owner, really knows how to cut hair and recently turned my hair from drab to fab. It’s obvious she cares about her work and cares about what her customers think and wants everyone to leave fully satisfied. This is a full service joint, meaning they do everything from hair to nails to massages to tanning. I haven’t experienced the full range but have been very pleased with what I have.
The haircuts I’ve gotten have been nothing short of fantastic. I’ve gotten Japanese straightening done here twice and, though it is an expensive and painstaking service, I was beyond happy with how my hair turned out. I was living out of the area for a few years and got my hair straightened at other salons and it didn’t turn out the same. Not only did Avalon straighten my hair perfectly, the stylists were so friendly it made the nearly four hour process go by painlessly. I’ve gotten manicures here numerous times and loved how my nails turn out.
A few reviews on here say the employees gossip and that Quinn is ‘mean’ to her employees but that makes no sense to me. I always see her having a ball chatting with her employees but there’s no verbal abuse or slander. The talking done in this place, from what I’ve seen, is friendly conversation with nothing out of the ordinary, negative, or «gossipy». If she is talking about her clients she is discussing appointments coming in with her employees and nothing more.
A+! Perhaps the only downside to this salon is that, depending on when you come, parking can be a bit of a hassle because it is located in the busy downtown Montclair area. Just come a few minutes ahead of time and you’ll be fine!

My friend Renee and I made last minute appointments here after not being able to get in at my regular salon. Avalon was really great about squeezing us in.
This place is very small and they can only accommodate two manicures and one pedicure at a time, so it may not be the best place to go with a girlfriend if you aren’t willing to hang out and wait as each of you are rotated in for the services you want.
They have an amazing massage chair, very comfortable and gives a decent massage as far as salon massage chairs go…
The two ladies that gave us our manicures and pedicures were so sweet and friendly! They didn’t chat with each other in another language while ignoring us. They engaged us in conversation, REAL conversation, were entertaining, friendly and genuinely happy to have us there. I love spending money in places that make you feel welcome and wanted.
What a great experience!

I went in for a one-​hour massage at Avalon Salon, and I went in today and received the best, most professional service I could possibly ask for. My masseuse was Val Nelson, who did a superb job of making sure that I was comfortable. I explained to Val that I’ve been experiencing quite a bit of stress as of late, especially in the neck and shoulders, as I’m having the first of two open-​heart operations tomorrow, April 15 (Tax Day!). The setting was perfect, the music was soothing, and the massage was great. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great massage. Excellent service and an easy-​to-​find location make for a great experience all around. Keep up the good work!

Olga does my hair and I’ve been going for about a year and a half now. Stumbled in the day before Thanksgiving in severe need of a trim after being turned away from about 6 other places in Montclair that were booked or overly pricey for a cut. Olga took me in and I’ve been happy ever since. Good prices, very nice people.

I have never gone to Avalon for anything but a massage, and thus far, I’ve had three. It’s my goal to make this a once-​a-​week kind of thing, and I’ll be scheduling regular appointments after the holidays. I find it very reasonable: $ 1 per minute of massage.
Angel is my massage therapist. I only do chair massage (it’s so much faster, etc.). I need deep tissue massage because of the scar tissue that’s build up in my back, and she always applies the right amount of pressure. She also remembers where the bad spots are. I appreciate it. And I’ll be going back.