Modify: The Hair Art Studio

I found Modify on Unilocal after reading a bunch of reviews of different places in my neighborhood, so it seemed only fitting to post a review now that I’ve been a few times. I’ve gone to Gina for two cuts and two highlights, and she’s done a great job every time. I have thick blonde hair and usually do a bob cut. The first time I went I showed her a few photos from Pinterest, and she really nailed it (keeping it a little longer in the front). The salon as a whole is reasonably priced, organized and runs on time, and Gina has been efficient (not one of those highlights that takes three hours, thank goodness!). I love the vibe in there as well– although I don’t have crazy hair, they listen to their customers wishes and seem to do some really creative things.

This salon is absolutely the best! It’s clean and beautiful, with framed spiritual/​floral tattoo art on display. The woman at the front desk was pleasant and professional, and Brit, the stylist, is amazing! She listened patiently as I described everything I did and didn’t want regarding cut and color. I haven’t colored my hair in five years, and was pretty nervous. Somehow she managed to pull it all together and gave me the most gorgeous, subtle, yet noticeably pretty, caramel-​colored Baliyage and highlights. I especially appreciate this salon’s lack of attitude. For the high-​end services they deliver, they very well could, but I saw a wide diversity of clients all being treated with great care and consideration. A great atmosphere if you want to be pampered and walk out feeling great about how you look! I will trust my hair in Brit’s skillful hands anytime. Her eye for color, line, and detail, coupled with her relaxed, competent manner totally soothed my hair anxieties. Thank you, Brit!

What a great salon! Staff is so welcoming and friendly. Salon is very clean and modern. Kat is awesome and really cares about the quality of her work and won’t jeopardize the health of your hair for results which is a really hard quality to find in a stylist. I’m halfway to my desired blonde and can’t wait to finish the look but Kat made it so the halfway point looks awesome and doesn’t look like im in the middle of a transition. Highly recommend everyone though! Everyone is very knowledgeable and it shows!

Good salon, awful business practices.
Students beware — they will not honor the «Check-​in for 20% off for students» that they advertise on the Unilocal mobile app. No reason, just that « Unilocal must be wrong.» They will tell you that it is only valid between Mon-​Wed 11 – 3 or something, which is when it’s 20% off for students anyway, so your check-​in gets you nothing.
Back to Hair on the Square for me.

Been going to Modify for about six months. Always got great cuts from Gina (and referred my husband to her as well for a men’s cut) — she’s really fantastic, but I had a really terrible experience here today.
I got my cut and partial highlight, and then went up to pay. There was a check-​in offer from Unilocal for 20% off for students, so I told the front desk as she was ringing me up that I would check-​in on Unilocal to receive the discount (I am a student). She wouldn’t honor it. She told me, «Yelp must be wrong. We don’t offer that on the weekends, only on Monday — Wednesday.» I showed her my screen where it clearly states «check-​in for 20% off for students.» They made me feel like an idiot for even asking to use it. The salon was packed so I didn’t want to make a scene, but it was terrible customer service. I would have booked Monday — Wednesday if the check-​in offer had said that! I specifically booked on a Sunday because I thought I could take advantage of the deal.
Won’t be back.

damn if i didn’t find a great hairstylist then had to move from philly!
i started seeing kat last year in September since the person who replaced my stylist at a another local salon just wasn’t all that great. i wanted some place convenient to my apartment (this place was 3 blocks away!) and had someone who knew how to cut thick, non-​ethnic, naturally wavy (but, without enough products — aka in it’s ~*natural state *~ — frizzy), longer-​than-​shoulder length hair. the receptionist paired me up with kat, who is THE BEST hair stylist I’ve had. she takes her craft seriously and always provided helpful tips to keep my hair healthy. she never pushed products on me (though i did buy a few things from the line they carry), and she was the first hair stylist who didn’t always want to blow my hair out when i’d come in for a cut.
if you didn’t get a sense that kat is awesome, one other bit of parting information: even when i was due for a cut (for all those people out there with hair like i described above, you know when you get that point where you’re going to go nuts if you don’t get a haircut soon) and my hair was more on the *hot mess* side of things, i’d still get compliments from people about how great it looked!

Audrey has done my hair for 10 years and even though I don’t live in Philly anymore I still make a trip back so she can work her magic! Love her!

I love Kat! I went to her for a sleeker cut and color. She has delivered each time and is great at blow drying to boot, even teaching me some tips.

I’ve never been loyal to a hair salon. *GASP* I know. It’s like the least girly thing ever. But on my way out of Modify today I took 3 selfies of my new do and it took every fiber of my being to not post it on some sort of social media (my mom loved it though). Also I skipped yoga today to show off my hair at work.
I had to wait a little for my hairdresser to be ready, but while I did I noticed 2 different people hug their hairdressers before leaving. By the end I wanted to hug her too! I’m one of those ppl who’s had more or less the same haircut since my mom let me grow out my bangs when I was 5, with a short relapse of bangs in college when that was a thing. I’m very indecisive about what I want and usually end up with mediocre results. Gina was helpful, knowledgeable, interesting, and did a great job on my hair.
Also, she offered me a drink I’m thinking tea, water, and she’s like wine? PBR? So that was awesome.
Cut was $ 50 which is pretty reasonable for the area. This salon may have modified my salon hopping ways and made me a one salon woman.

Modify is exactly my type of salon: unpretentious, creative, fun, confident, and not afraid to get crazy. And the location and prices just seal the deal. I also like the Kevin Murphy product line they feature: it works well, it’s affordable, and it’s cruelty-​free. Gina is hands down my favorite stylist at Modify because she embodies all those aforementioned qualities of the salon – and she’s just so damn awesome with my unruly, high maintenance hair. Many, many times she has taken the dead animal living on top of my head and turned it into a seriously hip ‘do that gets me tons of compliments. She will give you honest advice (without being rudely blunt, they way that some trendy stylists can be in the big city) and she’ll stay as conservative or cray-​cray as you wanna get. And if you don’t know what you want, Gina is the go-​to girl for creative styles and color.
Gina also cuts my husband’s hair and she does it better than anyone else he’s ever gone to in any of the places we’ve lived, and that includes stylists in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.
Gina did my hair and makeup for my wedding this summer and every time I look at the photos from that day, I still can’t believe how awesome I look. I’m not normally photogenic, but damn, I just look fucking awesome and it’s all thanks to Gina. She took my Picasso and turned it into a Monet. She does not disappoint!

Absolutelty in love with my hair extensions by Zarah! They blend in so well with my hair, Modify is a lovely salon with great atmosphere and great people. I would highly recommend them to all of my friends and colleagues.

Gina took care of me this past weekend with an updo for my wedding. I was able to make the appointment last minute and they were flexible when I had to change the time. Gina did an excellent job making me and my family comfortable by chatting us up and offering us beverages. I was even able to borrow a station to apply my make up. Gina added a special touch by taking photos of the finished look as well as family photos. She even emailed me copies right after we left. I really appreciated the high level of service that was provided. Gina is the person to go to! i cannot wait to come back!

I wish I could give Modify more than 5 stars! Audrey and her staff are amazing. The atmosphere is clean and makes the hair really stand out. I recommend them for anyone who has alternative hair or just going in for a trim! They know their stuff.
Edit: Been getting a lot of messages asking if I still go here/​recommend the salon! Yes to both!

First visit and it was amazing! My stylist was Zarah and she is extremely talented and knowledgable of her job and the industry. She was able to take what I «thought» I wanted and gave me a cut I LOVED.
The studio is clean, fun, laid back. The staff make you feel like you’re a long time customer at the first visit.
HIGHLY recommended!

This place is fantastic! I went in for a cut and color the first time this weekend and had nothing but a fantastic experience. Zarah was my stylist and I highly recommend her! We went over what I wanted to do with my hair as soon as I walked in. The hair color combination we chose is exactly what I wanted and she gave me a super awesome cut that I can wear a number of ways.
Not only are all the stylists really warm and friendly, but the atmosphere is wonderful (and the seats are super comfy!). Best salon I’ve been to in years!

I am someone who loves to change and experiment with my hair. I simply bring Audrey a picture and she nails it Everytime! Even when I was growing my hair long I would ask for a trim it would be perfect — not like some places that take of like two inches. I’ve been going to her for nearly 10 year and will continue to see her whenever I’m in town!

Kat is one of the best stylists I’ve ever had and I’ve had several people cut my hair in both Canada and the US. She listens to your concerns, shares her expertise and helps you choose the perfect cut/​style for your hair. My son and my husband also went to Kat and both loved their cuts as well. She is super smart, cool and very caring. I highly recommend her!

Kat was my hairstylist for over three years. The first time I went to her, she cut my long, split-​end, damaged hair into a cute, wavy bob. From that haircut on, I was hooked! Every time I went to see her after that, she experimented new looks on me. She was not afraid to try new things with my hair.
If it weren’t for the fact that we no longer live in the same city, she would still be my hairstylist. Now, I settle for cheap haircuts in bars and trims from my boyfriend. I miss her and her sippin’ and clippin’ ways.
Go see Kat at Modify! She will make you look fooooine.

My stylist Audrey and I have been in a hair raising relationship for 7+ years. From crazy cuts and colors to what we like to call my «soccer mom», she can do it all! I recently had my hair done at her shop and once again she doesn’t disappoint. Whether I have a photo from a magazine, a picture from Pinterest or a vision in my head she gets it right everytime. She also makes you feel so comfortable and spends the time giving pointers on how to get the most from your hair once you get home. I will follow her forever, she truly makes art!

I’d like to highly recommend Modify. I recently moved here and am really lucky I found this place. I have been getting my haircut from Linde May. She is the most personable hairdresser I have ever had. She really tries to get to know you and what your likes and dislikes are in terms of hair style. I’ve received comments on good haircuts from strangers for the first time even though I keep a very straight forward conservative haircut.
The business is in a good location and very clean. Everyone that works there has been real polite and friendly. Great Place!