Arabella Salon & Spa

I have been getting my hair done since I was hmmmmm....15 and I am 25 now. I am a FREAK about my hair and am very picky when it comes to it, I mean hello its your HAIR it makes you YOU! I have been going to Arabella Salon for about 2 years there and getting my hair PERFECTED by a WONDERFUL woman named PIPER DICKINSON. I get a cut and color once a month from Piper. Piper not only knows MY hair, she knows HAIR period. She knows what goes best for me and what looks good on me. MANY times I go in there and tell her I don't know what I want what do you think, 100x out of 100 I go with what she thinks EVERYTIME and I walk out of that salon looking better each and every time. She is THE BEST. Not only do I look better but even though I just put color in my hair it actually LOOKS & FEELS WAY better then before I got there now how is that possible......Piper that is why! I will never go to another hair stylist again my search is long over! Thank you Piper for making me.....beautiful! Pros: Their location is great and their prices can not be beat. My appts never start later and they are open whenever YOU need them! more

OK first I must explain I have a bit of an obsession with my hair. Not in a shallow flip it around like I'm in a hair commercial sort of way but in a how can I the wimpy hair afflicted have a pretty fun do? I've lived in Portland for three years and I have tried five different stylists in that time with no success. That is until last week when I met Sarah at Arabella! I cannot say enough nice things about her or my fabulous new look!! I have never loved my hair so much before and I've lost count of the complimets! Yes I'm gushing but I"m just so happy. Sarah is knowledgeable, funny, personable and professional so the whole experience was great. She not only gave me a great cut and color but taught me the right products for me and how to style it in a way even I could recreate. I also love the atmosphere at Arabella and the rest of the staff were friendly and welcoming. I intend to stick with Sarah as long as she'll have me! more

I was in great need of a massage, and being new in town I wasn't sure where to go. A woman I had just met referred me to Nikki at Arabella Salon. I am accustomed to getting two or three massages a month and so I am a bit picky on who works on me. I thought I'd give her a shot. Nikki was by far the best massage therapist I have ever seen. Not only did she work on the area's I really needed with much success, but she used wonderful therapy oils and delicious warm towels on my back, my feet, and neck!! She asked plenty of questions prior to the service, and when the service was over she talked with me about stretches, and other therapies that can help me maintain my body & spirit in between services. I truly feel that I have found my massage therapist! She's a delightful person, has a warm energy about her, and is well educated. Whether you are a massage veteran or a newbie, give Nikki a try... you won't regret it! Pros: Plenty of parking, beautiful salon, great atmosphere. Cons: I can't think of any. more

I am thankful for all the reviews on City Search regarding Arabella Salon & Spa that lead the way to finding Jena, an extremely talented, creative, knowledgeable, & caring master stylist/colorist. She is fabulous in the art of coloring and fabulous with a scissors! And I feel Fabulous! If you need your eyebrows waxed/colored make an appointment with Stephanie too! Stephanie made a perfect color match to my hair color. Not to dark - Not to light - The color was Perfect! The Salon is a little bit of heaven off the streets of MLK. Quiet, serene, and relaxing. The ladies are very attentive to you and make sure that your experience is FIVE star. Easy parking in the back lot too! I am thankful for putting my trust in Jena and Stephanie - I just wish I would have found them many years ago! Pros: Perfect Color/Highlight, Skill/Knowledge, Atmosphere, Caring Staff, Value!!! more

I have only had wonderful experiences at Arabella. I started going to see Stephanie to get my eyebrows done about three or four years ago, and she is by far the best esthetician I have ever been to. She uses a kind of wax that does not use paper strips so it's a little more expensive than other places, but the quality is so much better that I'm willing to pay it. Stephanie referred me hair stylist Piper because she had just had extentions for her. I've been very happy with the styles Piper has done for me, even though it's only been since August. Because I'm not used to having short hair I asked her to do whatever she thought would be easy to manage and stylish, and she has come thru both times. And recently Arabella brought on massage therapist Nikki and I think she is just wonderful. She not only explained to me the process she was going to go through but also ways to help between massages. I think all of the women who have helped me at Arabella are extremely nice and make sure to take care of my needs as a client. All of this excellent service AND it's in a cute loft conveniently located across from the Nike outlet. I'm so glad I found a great salon that caters to so many of my needs! It's such a relief to find a talented esthetician, a great stylist, and a knowledgeable masseuse all in one location. I'm so happy! I actually look forward to my appointments :) more

Our first trip to Arabella was to find our Stylist, Sarah Bandy, who had moved from her previous location on NE Mississippi. She gave us directions to her new salon and I was thinking, Where? She told us to park in the back, which we did and that led us up to the metal fire escape stairs. When we opened the door, there was this beautiful, tranquil, lovely gem of a space that was completely unexpected. It was such a pleasant, nurturing experience...the whole wash, cut, style thing. And such an improvement over the space that our stylist was at prior to this. Arabella is so warm and homey but classy and professional at the same time. I'm so glad to have it as my new salon, and my 10 year old daughter loves it too...which makes the whole relaxation part of the experience possible. I'd highly recommend searching it out (you do need to call ahead). It's worth the hunt. Sheila more

After a visit to another Portland salon and getting a particularly awful cut, a friend referred me to Steven, saying that he has done amazing work and would be able to fix my cut. Steven was kind enough to fit me in on his day off and, after seeing my erratic cut, got right to work. He is, without a doubt, the best stylist I have ever had. He asks questions, cuts to the face, and uses his expertise to get the cut just right...he's everything I had I heard about and more! On top of all that, he's got great stories of his adventures on tour! If you're looking for a great stylist--one you can trust to do a stellar job--then Steven's your guy! Pros: Ambience, Parking, Service, Steven Cons: None more

I recently visited Arabella for a haircut and hi-lite. I had read very favorable reviews about Jena so decided to make an appt. with her. BEST hair decision I have ever made! Jena knows what she is doing. She listens to you and to what you want, which is very inportant to me. I had been looking for years for someone to work with my very wavy, very thick hair. I wanted layers that I could work with and a realistic hi-lite on my blonde hair. Done. And the proof? My husband told me four times how much he loved it! more

Let me just tell you that when I went to Libby for the first time, she had her work "cut" out for her. Long story short...I tried to bleach my own hair. And as you can guess, it didn't work. Libby took me into her hands and made me beautiful again. She'll never do anything that you don't want and she'll always tell you her honest opinion. If she feels something won't look good on you...she won't do it. Libby is also very educated on everything there is to know about the Davines product line. She is up to date on all the new products and knows exactly which one will keep you looking foxy. I have to honestly say that using the Davines line has made my hair healthier, stronger and better all around. I've gotten so many complements and it's all because of Libby's magic! Get in there soon, before you miss out. -Abby more

I have been living in Portland for almost a year. I have gotten facials from most spas in this city. though some have been decent, I have never found that perfect facial. I am pleased to say that I have found my facialist. Her name is Stephanie, and she was wonderful. Stephanie asked all the right questions and gave me a lovely face, shoulder, and arm massage. She also has a lovely local natural facial line and a very comfy bed. Anyone who is looking for a knowledgeable facialist look no further than Stephanie at Arabella Salon. more

I really liked the atmosphere in the salon but that in itself would not be enough for me to go back. I am very nervous with new stylists; Jena was great at helping me feel relaxed and comfortable. She was honest about telling me what I could and couldn't do with my hair type and she gave me a great cut. I will definitely go back to her. Tahnks Jena! more

I have seen her twice at Arabella salon and she's only been there just a few weeks. It was an incredible treatment done by someone who clearly knows what their doing. I felt comfortable and in great hands. She was attentive and provided great advice/feedback in regards to my aliments. I highly recommend it! I am committed to seeing her as often as I'm able. My misunderstanding that Shiatsu is 'painful' were completely put to rest. It was an extremely effective massage and her use of Reiki allowed me to feel calm and centered I've been going to Arabella for some years now and Anna's a wonderful addition to a great salon. Good work Arabella! Pros: Everything. Cons: Amanda is in L.A. too much :) more

I've been living in Portland for over 8 years now, and it took me forever to find a stylist I liked and trusted with my long, curly and fussy hair, but Sarah Bandy is it! She's cool and mellow and really listens to you describe the type of cut you're looking for, unlike a lot of other people I've been to. I've always been happy with the results. And she's also great at doing color! I highly recommend her!! more

You have to see Nikki! I have seen her several times for an one hour massage. She makes you feel very comfortable and relaxed. She will spend extra time where i feel more tense. She even finds tense muscles that I didn't even know were tense. She is very good about making sure the pressure is comfortable. I notice a difference in my body right away. Very educated. I love her and will always see her! she is my one and only! more

I moved to Portland several months ago and had two bad haircuts and color...Then I found Libby! She fixed the awful color and gave me the most beautiful highlights I've ever had. Then she fixed my haircut and I have never had my hair look this good. My sister just came to visit me from Santa Barbara and the first thing she said after not seeing me for more than a year was that she's never seen my hair look this fantastic. Not only do I have a great style and color, but Libby turned me on to Davines products and my hair is so soft and yet feels like it has lots of volume..Libby listens to you...really listens..and asks questions and really takes her job seriously. I honestly have never been this happy with a stylist and I moved here from San Francisco and thought that I was getting good service. But none have compared to Libby!! more

I have curly, difficult to manage hair. Jena gave me the best haircut I've ever had. Instead of over thinning it like all other hairdressers do, she worked with my hair until it ended up beautiful both curly and straight. I will definitely go back to her forever! The salon is also really cool. Other reviews say it's hard to find, but I had no trouble at all locating it. You just have to go up the stairs. Great place, great vibe, awesome haircut. more

finally,Amanda is back!!! i've tried other hair stylist and they can't come close to her hair cuts or color and all of her magic tricks! Today i was especially happy after she relaxed my hair!!! wow, this new chemical free relaxing system has left my hair incredibly soft and shinny and wonderfully straight! even after a sweaty work out my hair remains straight and NO MORE FRIZZ!!!! it really is incredible for someone like me who has constantly battled with big frizzy hair for years and never has a relaxer looked or felt like this. Pros: comfortable atmosphere and a great rooftop garden! Cons: none more

Let me just tell you that when I went to see Libby for the first time, she had her work "cut" out for her. I tried to bleach my own hair (which obviously didn't work), then I went to a hair academy and some girl turned my hair yellow. I showed up at Libbie's salon door almost in tears with how awful I looked. She took me into her hands and made me beautiful again. She'll never do anything that you don't want and she'll always tell you her honest opinion. If she feels something won't look good on you...she won't do it. Libby is also very educated on everything there is to know about the Davines product line. She is up to date on all the new additions to the line and knows exactly which one will keep you looking foxy. Get in soon, before you miss out. -Abby more

Stephanie Johnson is amazing. Best wax anywhere and honestly who likes waxing!! Great space, beautiful atmosphere, quaint rooftop garden and high quality service. Thank you. Pros: Everything Cons: Nothing more

I've been a long time customer of Libby's and I love her new spot in Portland! Arabella has a great soothing and classy yet non-pretentious atmosphere. There is a beautiful rooftop garden. The salon was easyto find with ample parking. Why do I love Libby? -I always love my hair. -Shes really great at understanding what I want even if i have a hard time explaining it. -She takes time to straighten and style my hair perfectly before I leave. -She gives amazing scalp massages. -She has an extensive knowledge of the Davines product line (which btw is amazing!) -She is very pleasant and easy to talk to. I would recommend Libby to anybody. in fact I have and they all love her to and they love me for recommending her. more