Kalista Salon & Spa

09/15/2007 Posted by happpyfriend

I was drawn in by the outside of the building and pleasantly surpirsed by the service. I hadn't had a hair cut or style in a long time. I saw Tia. She was great. really listened to what I was looking for and delievered an amazing cut and style. Which can be difficult for some, because my hair is curly. My friends raved about it when they saw me. Tia is talented, friendly and comforting. I highly recommend her. I could really tell she loves what she does and where she works. The next week I tried them for a massage. All I can say is WOW. Best massage I have ever had! The LMT was Colette. She is very intuitive, caring and has magical hands. Her style is unique. I do a lot of computer stuff and have chronic shoulder pain. She did deep tissue that really loosened me up without causing me discomfort during or after. I actually fell asleep at one point. You have to try this massage therapist! Check this place out ! You'll leave relaxed and happy.

Pros: Ambience, attentive staff, alternative feel and professional

Cons: maybe limited street parking

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

09/05/2007 Posted by esfnudge

I've had the same hairstyle for years, when I decided to change it up I wanted to go to a place that would take the time needed to get things done right. Kalista's was that place. I got a full color change and it was amazing how close the color was to the picture I brought in - dead on. Aime was great and she took the time needed to get everything the way I wanted. I recommend this place for anything. Espcecially if you are going to try something new and need someone to take the time necessary to make it look great. And Aime did an awesome job with the new color!!!!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

09/01/2007 Posted by darlakay4444

It's just amazing to me how I've read bad reviews, along with good reviews, but the bad ones all the sudden disappear, including mine. So.....be careful! It's not a true rating, when only the good reviews are kept on. And if they are kept on, ever wonder why Kalista doesn't respond to them. No "comments from the owner". You have to wonder how everything is just wonderful, but as soon as someone posts a negative review it is deleted by the owner. What have you got to hide Kim?

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful

08/30/2007 Posted by brja30

I chose Kalista because the majority of the reviews here are not only favorable, they're down right glowing. Unfortunatly, I did NOT have a similar experience; it started bad and progressively got worse. First, after arriving for my appoinment 15 minutes early I was shown to a back room and asked to complete a questionnaire about my hair, the services I wanted done, etc. I completed the questionnaire and was left to wait. A couple stylists and receptionists passed through the room occasionally, but none said a word to me. I could see there was a coffee/water/tea bar set up in the corner of the room, but it was messy and no one offered me anything as I continued to wait and my appointment time came and went. After waiting for 20 minutes passed my appointment time (a total of 35 minutes since I walked in the door) I was just about to leave when a stylist walked in and asked,"who's here for a cut?" She didn't even bother to look at her appointments to read my name. Finally in "the chair" I told the stylist I did not want to take off any length, an inch at most. Well folks, after a brief 15 minutes, my hair was 4 inches shorter! (and remember that questionnaire they had me fill out - she didn't even glance at it). Now, I know it's only hair and it will grow back...but, it was really hard to be treated so rudely and then to have my hair wacked off. I have NEVER cried over a stupid hair cut before, but I did that day and the next day. Oh, but this story gets even better. I had to wait AGAIN to pay because the receptionists were busy gossiping. I finally asked THEM if I could pay! I called Kalista Salon the next day to talk to the owner or manager, but I should have known they wouldn't care. I was told no one was available, but someone would call me back. I called back later that day to be told the same thing again. If you want a salon that is friendly, inviting, and cuts your hair the way you ask then DO NOT go to Kalista. It was a horrible experience.

Pros: nothing

Cons: how much time do you have?

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful

08/29/2007 Posted by bo16

Having my hair cut and styled at Kalista was the second worse experience I've ever had at a salon. This place is a joke! An expensive joke -you'll pay once for their so called 'stylist' to give you a cut that's inappropriate for your hair texture and face shape and then you'll have to pay a true professional to perform damage control. Apathy reigns at Kalista Salon. The standard for who they will let operate a chair at this salon is low. Oh ya, and the before and after pictures of their hair extensions are laughable. I simply can't relive the trauma of my salon visit by going into further detail but I can advise you to STAY AWAY FROM KALISTA SALON!!!!!!

Cons: I'm still cying!!

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful

08/29/2007 Posted by maryjones23

I am one of the wives of an NBA basketball player and I went into get hair extensions from Kim at Kalista because MY hair dresser recommended her to me. My hair has never looked better! It's fuller longer and sooooo fabulous! This girl is a rock star! Best work for extensions i have ever had. And believe me I've been getting them done for a long time. She is great.

Pros: Beautiful inside

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

08/15/2007 Posted by blondie101ashley

Wow, where do I start. I first met Kim (Kalista Salon Owner) back in 2004. I found Kalista through city search trying to look for a great place to try some hair extensions in Portland. I live in WA and usually head to Portland for larger shopping trips (save on tax) and figured I'd throw in some extensions as well. I liked Kalista's reviews and I loved the pics/style of the salon. So I went, and I could not have been happier. First, the salon is awesome. Totally cool vibe there, urban trendy, not stuffy and I liked that. Don't get me wrong, some stuffy salons are fantastic but Kalista was relaxed, upbeat, cool, yet professional. Kim did my extensions which turned out absolutely gorgeous, they made my already blonde hair thicker and longer and I felt like a rock star. My bf's jaw dropped to the floor, he was happy as well. I had never met someone like Kim at any salon I've ever been to. She and I clicked right away and I consider her a great friend, not just a stylist. Over the years I've met many others on her staff (although since Kim did my hair the first time, she does my hair every time) and everyone at the salon is great. It's just such a cool vibe there. Whenever I go I always get my hair done, facial, pedicure, eyelash extensions, and some other new treatment that Kim tells me about. For once, I found a salon owner (not just an employee) that I trust what they are telling me and what it will really do for my hair or skin. No upselling bs, just great products and unbiased advice. I think we'd all like to have a celebrity stylist of our own to tell us all the beauty secrets that we need to know. I've definitely found that in Kim and I will be a client for life. I would highly recommend Kalista Salon.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

08/14/2007 Posted by darlakay

I've been reading the comments for well over a month now & never said a word, til now. I had extensions done by Kim on June 15th. I went to her on the 13th for a consultation & was told my hair WAS long enough for extensions. (I had pretty short hair) When I left the salon I was ecstatic! Finally long hair! And by the way, I had a lip wax & pedicure too. WONDERFUL! Anyway, I woke up the next morning & it was a nightmare! My head was hurting so bad, I had sores all over my head from the glue, where it was fused onto my own hair. My hair was pretty short, so the hair was fused pretty close to my scalp. I called & left a message on the recorder for Kim to call me, but never heard from her. I called later in the day & talked to the receptionist & was told "she's with a client". Understandable. The salon was closed on Sunday & Monday & I could not wait til Tuesday. I made it thru Friday night, then on Saturday night it was unbearable! Sunday night it was repeated. Because the hair extension was glued to my own hair so close to the scalp, cutting them out would make the hair uneven all over. And since it was short to begin with. I went to another Salon on the 18th & had them cut out & then had the head shaved to be able to put this nightmare behind me and let the hair grow at the same rate all over. What surprised me the most, was the fact that I never received a call from Kim, when I left two messages, then there was not even a followup call to see how I like the extensions. We could have handled this privately if she just would have followed up with any type of customer service! I'm not a former employee, I'm a dissatisfied customer. I want my picture removed from the web-site, as I would not recommend this Salon for extensions, based on my own personal experience. And I ask.......why have this site if they erase all the negative comments & keep only the positive feedback??

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful

08/12/2007 Posted by 755464

I would highly recommend this salon. I have lived in four different states in the last five years. I know how hard it is to find a good stylist, especially when you move to a new town. I picked this salon based off of the city search reviews and I am happy to say that they exceeded my expectations. I went into the salon wanting a more natural color and to change my hair style a little bit. Kim did an amazing job. She made suggestions and asked me to trust her. My hair has never actually had volume, but with my new cut I can't believe the difference. There were two other stylists working at the same time and every customer left happy while I was in the salon.

Pros: listens to the customer, plus gives their opinion

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

08/04/2007 Posted by laurafpdx

I've been going to Kim at Kalista for haircuts and color for since around 2000. I've gotten haircuts all over Portland, and before Kim, I never stayed with any stylist for over a year and half. Kim simply has extraordinary coloring and haircutting skills. I let her do whatever she thinks is best, because her instincts haven't failed me yet. She evolves my style over time, so I know I'm not going to end up with a 10-year-old hairstyle "because that's what we've always done." (You've seen those women on the street with the same haircut they had in the 80s -- you know what I'm talking about!) I get tons of compliments about my hair. I'm always happy to tell anyone who asks that I go to Kalista!

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful