War Paint Salon

I have loved every haircut I get from Clifton. He and his assistant Lisa are both very friendly, remember me from one appointment to the next (and I don’t get my hair cut very often, maybe 2 – 3 times a year). His wife does my color and she does an excellent job. It’s a small (2 chairs), lovely salon on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. He takes the time to consult before he cuts, and is very precise.

The first time Clifton cut my hair, I was so happy, I tipped him 40%. He told me how he intentionally kept his business small, two chairs, so that when you visit him, you are the sole focus of his attention.
The second time, I arrived 5 minutes early for my 11:15 a.m. appt. His assistant, lovely Londoner Lisa, washed my hair, saying Clifton would be there shortly. I sat in the chair, shivering with wet hair, for a full hour until Clifton breezed in at 12:10. He hadn’t called to say he would be late, nor did he offer an apology. Two of his clients had dropped in without an appointment while I was waiting and Clifton started working on them before starting on me. (What happened to «you’re the sole focus when you’re here?»
By the time he started cutting, my hair was almost dry and had started to curl up. I’m not a stylist, but I’m pretty sure hair needs to be wet when it’s cut. Clifton didn’t bother to re-​wet it, just started cutting. There was no consultation… I had wanted to ask him about growing out my bangs. He rushed through the haircut, then blew it dry in a style that I hated. When I let him know, he said, «I style it different every time.» I was very disappointed… it was my birthday and I had plans for the evening and a party to go to the next day. I told Clifton, «I guess I can go home and restyle it.» He said, «The style is different, but I promise you, the cut is the same.» Even though I kept saying I wanted to pay, he said he wouldn’t charge me because it was my birthday, (but I felt that it was really because he knew he had given me crappy service.)
When I got home, I was dismayed to find that one side was a full inch longer than the other side and the back had chunks of uncut hair sticking out the bottom. I called to ask to speak to Clifton but he never called me back. Lisa assured me he would phone me on Monday morning, but he did not. She put me in the book for another appointment a week later, but I told her I wanted to speak to Clifton first. His wife called me a day ahead to find out if I was coming to the appointment and I again asked to speak to Clifton, but, again, no call from him. She justified the bad haircut because he had not charged me. She is his wife of 30 years, and I understand her defense of him, but she wasn’t there and didn’t see how I was treated. I really believe that deep down his is a good person and was overwhelmed that day and it just happened that I was the one who took the fall (either that or there was just something about me that he didn’t like.)
I am sad and disappointed that I will not be going to Clifton in the future. He is a talented hair cutter and for some reason he messed up with me. We all make mistakes, and it’s better to just admit them and move on. One phone call from Clifton would have changed everything.
If you go to War Paint, just be sure to insist on good service and not allow yourself to be bulldozed. He is a very special, gifted and charismatic artist who can work miracles with his scissors but, sadly, he didn’t like me or want me for a client.
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Clifton Chippewa is the kind, quick witted Native American owner of War Paint Salon. He has over 30 years experience giving beautiful cuts and gorgeous color that make us ordinary folk feel more like movie stars as we strut out his front door. He works alone, along side his assistant and occasionally his beautiful wife, Dianne.
I was referred to Clifton by another of his long standing clients. When I first met him, my hair was a disaster. Overly textured and poorly processed, my hair long hair was in serious trouble. Through much patience, it took nearly a year of thoughtful trimming and styling, my hair is finally back to beautiful. There were many months Clifton wouldn’t cut my hair at all, waiting for certain sections to grow out. Now, my hair is healthy, strong and gorgeous.
If color is what you seek, he is THE MASTER of mixing the perfect shade to compliment your skin tone and eye color. Right now I’m sporting a dark, rich Brunette base with the ombré effect. Makes me feel like a Victoria’s Secret fashion model… It’s stunning.
Clfton is well respected in the industry, is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and has styled countless A-​list Hollywood celebrities on-​set when movie crews role into Michigan to film. I’m glad to call him my friend. As they say, «only your hairdresser knows.» And he does.
His prices are VERY reasonable compared to other Ann Arbor salons. I wouldn’t trust my hair to anyone else.