Spank

UPDATE: 8−11−14. My hair has been breaking off ever since this visit. It is much thinner now. This has been pretty traumatic for me. My hair is already naturally thin, but now it is ruined. I have to wait until I grow a new head of hair to dye it again, and I have to be super careful in handling it. Amanda hadn’t done a strand test for the dye she applied to my hair, nor for the toner she baked onto it. I have dyed my hair for the past 15 years, and this kind of breakage has never happened. I really should sue this salon for pain and suffering. I’ve given serious thought to shaving my head and starting over completely. I now have these very short twigs of hair surrounding my face, and sticking up all over the rest of my head. Dealing with my hair is a nightmare, and I’ve cried because of it.
Thanks, Amanda.

I was really excited to get my hair cut again after growing it out for a few months after a bad haircut. Lauren was super friendly and really fun to talk to. When I left the salon I felt okay about my hair but I wasn’t super happy with it.
After going home and showering (I always like washing my hair after a haircut to really see what it looks like without any styling) I noticed my hair was uneven, a little shapeless, and choppy.
I called back the next day to schedule a follow-​up and talked to Mitch. He was very understanding and apologetic.
Unfortunately, I was impatient to get my hair fixed so I ended up going to another salon a day before my second appointment at Spank. My haircut was awesome and I am really happy with it now.
I would’ve rated Spank two-​stars based on my haircut alone but thought I’d give it another because Lauren and Mitch were so nice and I never got the chance to see whether Lauren could fix her first haircut.

I love my new haircut. What with being 38 weeks pregnant and a weather forecast of a week-​long heatwave, I knew I needed something shorter and lighter. Lauren did a fantastic job making my vague suggestion of «shorter, lighter, and maybe curly» into an adorable bob. It’s 93 degrees and I feel great!
I also really appreciate how multiple people at the salon went out of their way to return my voicemails multiple times to let me make an appointment. I somehow managed to not answer my cellphone each of the 4 (?) times they called back, and when I finally managed to call at a time they were open they recognized my name immediately and set me up an appointment at exactly the time I wanted. Awesome!

Lauren did a fabulous job with my hair. She’s funny, down-​to-​earth, and made engaging conversation rather than typical stylist small talk. I told her I wanted a bob; she helped me figure out the specifics and gave me an expertly-​razored ‘do that has held up beautifully over the past few weeks. The red hue is exactly what I wanted, despite my being so indecisive about the shade I was going for.
Spank’s location in an old house on Alberta gives it a cozy and relaxed atmosphere that’s delightfully enhanced by the presence of resident mop-​faced dog, Muppet. Making an appointment couldn’t have been simpler. The salon seemed to have a wide-​open schedule, even when calling last-​minute, and they returned my message within an hour.
My only wish is that I’d gone here sooner– I moved away from Portland only a week after that haircut! Had I stayed in the city, Spank would undoubtedly have made me a regular customer. Great service at a better-​than-​average price. Get your hair cut and colored here– and snag an appointment with Lauren if you can!

Sent my niece Julianne there for a birthday haircut. Even though I was out of state, they handled it remotely and my niece was happy and her hair looks great.

Haircut from Lauren was great! I called and was able to get in the same day. She listened to what I wanted and delivered. Easy conversation but the focus was on the haircut. I will come again when I am in town. Very affordable!

Update: I went to Amanda again for another cut and color and she is amazing at color as well! I wanted to darken my hair but do a very subtle ombré. I was scared because any time I’ve tried to get my hair lightened in a salon, I’m there for HOURS because they try to lighten it two to three times and it still ends up looking awful and not what I wanted. It only took Amanda one try and I was there for just 90 minutes. That’s a record! The cut and color was EXACTLY what I wanted, for the first time ever! I hope she never moves! Still can’t stop looking at my new hair :)

Who doesn’t like to be greeted by a puppy when they show up to get their hair cut? Amanda knows what she’s doing and was a super sweet girl. Thanks, Amanda!

So I haven’t had a haircut in a long time and this spot is close to where I live and I drive by it frequently. I tried to call to set up an appointment but even after three attempts no one would pick up the phone. The first call I made was about ten minutes prior to opening. I figured someone would be there getting things ready for the day. The second two were well within business hours. Since I was close by I decided to walk in. I was greeted by a beautiful dog but there was no one behind the counter. I called out as I heard voices but no one came out to assist me. After standing there for a few minutes i decided to be proactive. As I was about to turn the corner of the wall to get someone’s attention I received a business call which I took outside. After that I figured it was a waste of my time and went somewhere else where I was immediately greeted and got a fairly priced haircut.

I had been getting my hair cut by the same woman at Bishops for a while, and when she left I had no idea where to go next. Then I saw a girl at the Hollywood Theatre with really cute hair and I just went up and accosted her and asked where she got it done. «Amanda at Spank». I’ve been seeing her every since, and have never been disappointed. She’s great!

I went in for a cut with Lauren and I’m extremely pleased. I’m pretty picky for a men’s cut — as my sister is an excellent stylist as well — and I left supremely satisfied. I’m not always the best at describing what I want, but Lauren had great instincts and gave me exactly what I wanted. Fellas, this is the lady for a quality cut. Friendly and accommodating to boot, I had tea while I waited!

I enjoy going months between cuts to really get my money’s worth out of each haircut and really give the barber a challenge to identify what it is that has happened to my hair. So it’s christmas, time for a new cut, and I’m wandering down Alberta and decide maybe it’s time for a cut.
It was the middle of a weekday when I went in so I was able to get a walk-​in. My barber– whose name I unfortunately don’t remember! — was absolutely great. I described what I wanted, and she gave a FANTASTIC guy’s cut, exactly what I wanted. All the staff there seemed very friendly and knowledgable. I wished I lived here so I could come in again; it’s so hard to find a place that really gives a good haircut, and this is one of them.

This is a great little salon. I’ve just recently started having my hair done here and I really like it. The atmosphere is great and all of they stylists I have met seem very nice and welcoming.
Amanda is great. She just recently relocated here so I was able to get in with her quickly rather than having to wait for several weeks as can happen with more establishes stylists. However, I have a feeling her calendar is going to be full in no time.
Reasonable prices as well, especially in comparison to downtown.

I think my problem is that I want people to do things to my hair that my hair is just not capable of. I go into a salon appointing hoping to come out having hair like a cover girl and it never does. So that being said the salon is super cute. I love the open concept of this converted home. The décor is inviting but not overpowering or chintzy (no posters of hair models on the walls) and I didn’t find a speck of dust of clumps of hair anywhere. My stylist was very friendly and helped me figure out how to cut my hair and what color to dye it. I like that she made sure to take her time with me to make sure I was comfortable with each decision. The color turned out perfectly and my cut was good. Again– I don’t look like a cover girl, i look like me with shorter hair, but I guess that’ll do. I’m definitely coming back here as a regular.

GO SEE AMANDA… She is new at Spank and I literally called the same day and got an appointment. I hesitantly got a short (ish) hair-​cut and I love it! I am not the best at describing what I want but what I loved about Amanda is that even though I kind of lamely explained what I wanted, she intuited what I was going for and gave me a great cut. I’m getting tons of compliments on my new do!
Very reasonably priced, cute little salon, friendly staff and very sweet and adorable puppy dog that greets you when you walk in. What can I say? I’ve found my go-​to salon and boy, have I been looking for a while! Amanda is great!

Lauren is a guru! After realizing that I looked too shaggy for my night out, she squeezed me in early the same morning and let me tell you… she is a wizard with the shears. She gave me an awesome cut that was everything I wanted, and more! She did a rather fabulous job shaping the rather lifeless mane atop my head. The studio is beautiful and warm, the other stylists were friendly and their cat, Portland, is a totally sweetie. Will definitely be going back.
Thanks Lauren, for Spankin’ the ugly outta my ‘Do!

I have been going to Lauren for a while now– there is no reason for me to stop. She does a great job every time. I have very short hair and I am amazed by how often people mess it up. Not Lauren. She has done quite a few styles on me and I am happy each time.
She takes her time and is very precise. Also, I have noticed that it grows out looking much better now that she is cutting my hair.
If you want a sweet cut from a friendly and engaging lady go to Lauren.

I finally found a hair salon that I look forward to going back to! I have struggled with my hair ever since I went pixie a year ago. The grow out has been so awkward to deal with. I found Spank on Unilocal and decided to give it a try. I was able to get a next day appointment, and explained that I needed to stick within a certain budget. «No problem!»
My stylist was Jamison, and he was so awesome. He listened to my rants and raves about previous hair stylists and took into account what had been done to my hair in the past and where I wanted to go in the future BEFORE he started cutting. Conversation wasn’t forced, and he was obviously very experienced.
My favorite part, (other than the haircut) was the fact that he actually shampooed my hair. THANK YOU! After going to salon after salon that thought flat ironing my hair and cutting it dry would be the best way to go… I finally got my head in a sink! I hate leaving the salon with flat limp hair because the stylist decided that was «the best way to go.» WASH MY HAIR! And Jamison did.
Ya know what else was great? He didn’t push product on me. In fact he recommended some in-​store brands they didn’t carry based on my budget. He didn’t force me to make another appointment in 2 – 3 weeks. They offer free band trims. AND he said if it started looking funky and I decided I wanted to go a different way, they guarantee their cuts! So I can get it fixed free of charge.
I would recommend Spank to ANYONE. I left looking classy with a twist. There’s a cat on the sofa, a dog on the floor; it’s like getting your haircut at your best friend’s house. (And your best friend is the best hair stylist EVER.) Two happy thumbs way up.

I had my hair done yesterday by Randee Cole. She did a GREAT job! I was stuck in a rut, feeling like everyday was a bad hair day. I went in and she scheduled me in for the next day. When I got in, I looked through some hair magazinesand told her that I wanted something sexy but that would require very little upkeep… that’s what I got! I came in with really boring hair and left feeling fly!
BOTTOM LINE: it’s pretty inexpensive with an intimate atmosphere, and approachable personalities who listen and take care of your hair.

Spank has great hours, open later in the evenings most nights (although call to be sure). The interior is really pleasant, and the people who work there are fun and easygoing. It’s hip without being pretentious, and it’s also quite cozy and comfortable, too.
They cut my bangs just a tad too short, but that was mostly my fault because I suck at giving direction. Otherwise, I love my haircut, and loved my stylist, Randee — she was kind and funny, and is very good at appearing to actually care how I respond to the questions hairstylists always ask to make the whole experience less awkward.
I left wishing I knew her better and feeling vaguely that we had a special rapport — this illusion is one salons have an interest in perpetuating, and let’s just say they’re good at it here, which to me is a hallmark of a salon that not only does good work, but also treats people well and has great customer service. I will go back again.
I referred my brother there, and he’s been back twice, so they must do a good job on men as well.