Utopia Salon is a perfect 10: the staff is friendly, talented and attentive, everything is always spotless, they play great music and have interesting art and/or photography that gets changed up regularly. It was easy to appreciate that Utopia is a great space before I even got to Len's mad skills. Quite simply Len was able to turn my "hair apathy" around. Thanks to a recommendation, I made the upgrade from "getting a haircut" to "seeing a stylist" and I can't thank that person enough for the advice. Len is super easy going, friendly and from the start cared to make sure we both were at the same level before he made the first suggestion as to "what to do with it". He showed me how far style could go and I can fully appreciate how talented he is at his craft when I realize how much of a positive thing it is to know when I look great thanks to a great hairstyle.
Addendum: in response to the person complaining about a chemical smell... I say... "huh?" I think of that usual salon smell of burnt hair, dissolved plastic and acetone and Utopia has NONE of those unpleasant aromas. Even with the hair coloring that goes on they somehow they keep the place ventilated so I have never really noticed it. I would say Grant Street smells far worse than inside Utopia! Also, they have comfy couches for the off chance you have to wait before you appointment (which happened exactly one time over the years I have been going there.) Lastly, Len gives a lot back to the upcoming students who work there by not just making hairdressers-to-be sweep up hair, but shows them the hows and whys of his work. That to me shows a very good intent and a genuine desire to teach others. Good karma!
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