Richard Herrera About Hair

I initially called the salon looking for the curly haired expert who I was told works here. Molly answered the phone and said she was that curly hair expert. I thought, «Wow, how convenient and serendipitous that she was the one who answered the phone». Yeah, not so much. I talked to Molly, explaining in detail, how someone had just messed up my curly hair and it was now borderline pyramid hair looking. I also explained to her what I actually wanted. She seemed to be very understanding and laughed along with me at how inexperienced my previous hair dresser was and how she knows not to do that to curly hair. We also talked about coloring my hair, since I was considering a different look and Molly told me I was her last client of the day (at 2pm?) and we could definitely do some color if I decided to go ahead with it. So I made an appointment for the following day (her really open availability surprised me, but I didn’t think too much about it at the time). I came in with my iPad and showed Molly a relatively recent picture of me and said that’s what I wanted my hair to look. She sounded like she understood and kept nodding as we talked about it. Mind you this was a picture of ME, not some celebrity with completely different hair, so you would think this was a completely attainable and realistic goal. I had also drawn a completely exaggerated picture of how I wanted my layers.
As she started to cut my hair I noticed that she was cutting it kind of short, so I asked how much she was cutting off (something she didn’t ask me before cutting but I assumed she was going for the length of my hair in the picture). She said she was taking off about a quarter of an inch of the total length, which actually would look more like she cut closer to an inch on curly hair. Ok, that’s a little short and shorter than the picture, but fine. Once my hair had dried, I saw that it looked a good 2 – 3 inches shorter. After she was done cutting, she put mousse in my hair and started to comb it through with her fingers. Ok, my hair was still wet, so while she was stretching out the curl, she still could have made it work. She dried it a little, then added more mousse (dunno why; it was definitely overkill at this point), then started raking through it again. Dried it some more, then brushed it out with her fingers AGAIN. Everyone with curly hair knows that the more you brush it, the worse it’s going to look. Combing it while it’s still completely wet is one thing, but to continue to do it repeatedly as it dries is just bad curly hair etiquette. That’s when I really started to doubt that she knew the first thing about curly hair. My hair definitely still needed more layers, so I had her put some more in. I didn’t even have her finish drying it because with all the finger combing she was doing it started to look like a frizzy mess. I figured I would wash it and style it how I wanted at home. My hair looked better than before but who wants to pay $ 60 for «better» than horrible? It still wasn’t anywhere near good. My hair ended up somewhere half way between what I wanted and what I had. She left way too much volume on the bottom. I finally called the salon a couple of weeks later and she answered the phone. We talked and she said she’d fix it and once again was very understanding of what I wanted. Mmmmkay… if you really get it, why couldn’t you have done it right from the get go? I called the salon a total of 4 times (last time was to cancel the appointment during which she was going to fix her own doing) and Molly answered the phone every single time. That can be viewed as slight cause for alarm, since talented experienced hairstylists don’t answer the phone on a regular basis. I get that she’s probably new and trying to get clients but I feel like she straight up lied about doing a lot of curly hair and being good at it, just to get a warm body in her chair. I decided not to go back and give her another chance to mess things up some more.
The other thing that I really didn’t like is that once I was there and we were talking about color, she said she couldn’t do it that day, and that I would have to come back. Now that I think about it, it’s probably a blessing in disguise but it definitely rubbed me the wrong way back then, especially because she talked about going to «play in the sun» once the appointment was done, not five minutes after saying she couldn’t color my hair that day. We had just talked about it the day before. She had said we could color my hair the SAME day, so to flake out on that and tell me she’s going to go enjoy the sunshine, is just extremely unprofessional. It would be one thing if we hadn’t discussed doing it over the phone, but we had, and losing the salon and herself money isn’t a very smart move. So between the mediocre job she did, promise to deliver and failing miserably, and unprofessional conduct, I definitely wouldn’t recommend her.

I love this salon– friendly atmosphere and so welcoming.
I’ve been going to Molly for a while now and am amazed at how she hits the mark EACH time she cuts my hair. She’s knowledgeable and willing to share that knowledge so you can look great every day. A very professional staff and a wonderful salon!

Relocated to Portland from Dallas, which also meant leaving my stylist of five years. I am so thankful for the day I spoke to Charles, and he assured me Molly was fantastic. Today, Molly colored/​cut/​styled my hair and it was such a great experience! My hair looks amazing. (Even my sons’ teachers noticed at pickup today.) Thank you!

Molly has been cutting/​coloring my hair every month for more than 6 months — I love how she listens — and translates what I say into what happens to my hair… only better! She is truely a professional — in every sense of the word.

Love this place! Molly is the absolute best! Check out the ombré technique in my daughter’s hair. Book your next cut & color with Molly!

I rarely write reviews but I strive to write a review when I feel something is OUTSTANDING. Raul Sanchez at Richard Herrera is that to me. I have always had a hard time with hair stylist, but not with Raul. I have been going to Richard Herrera since 2003 and while I have used a variety of different stylist Raul is the one who has best understood what I need in both my hair cut/​hair color and for my hair stylist. My entire family (mom, brother, sister) also use Raul. I cannot recommend him enough to people. Thank you Raul. — Jackie

What is more important than your hair dresser actually listening to what you want?
… talking to you about what you want and what’s actually possible.
Raoul at About Hair does both.
I appreciate his skills and get great compliments on my style each time he cuts my hair.
Raoul calms my thick curly hair… managing to create a style that holds up even in Portland’s rainy weather.

Love this place! I couldn’t be happier with my haircut by Raul. Raul is very friendly, polite and personable. He took his time cutting my hair. He was careful and not careless. My hair feels sooo good! I’m definitely going back to see him. Also, Charles, who washed my hair, gave the best scalp massage! :) This place is easy to find and offers free parking. I even got to meet the owner, Richard, who was super nice.

The staff at Richard Herrera are great. They’re employees of the salon as opposed to renting their chairs, which means they are very happy to collaborate with each other. If one stylist is running behind, someone else might wash your hair to help keep everybody on schedule.
They are genius when it comes to color. I’ve seen them fix more than one color emergency for teens whose experiments went too far. When I decided I wanted to stop coloring my hair and let the gray come out, they thought through how to do one last color treatment so the gray would look more natural as it grew in. I got lots of compliments at a time when I’d been dreading the next several months.
They’ve got lots of long time, loyal clients and always welcome new clients too.

Firstly, let me say that these guys are great. Even the people in training (always under supervision). They give haircuts and styles to «models». Pretty much like being their test dummy. Best part is usually that’s free, and he’s (Richard) there walking them through it. Don’t feel like gambling with your mane? That’s okay, if you can look past the relatively high prices, you’ll find FANTASTIC colorists, phenomenal cuts, knowledgeable makeup artists (I mean they really know how to make you look hot), and a friendly atmosphere. Once I went, paid $ 200.00 but that was for a wash, cut, style and color. That price tag included getting my makeup done and the cosmetics going home with me to boot. Do you want to look like you got butchered at super-​cuts? Didn’t think so, save up a few bucks and get your do done by the best place in Portland. Oh and for those of you that have already gotten the $ 12.00 hack, these guys can fix it, unless you shaved your head or something, they’re also WONDERFUL with up-​dos for weddings and such (makeup as I mentioned) and don’t worry guys, they know their way around a mans cut as well.

I recently moved to Portland and was putting off getting a haircut since I am paranoid about finding a good stylist. My friend suggested I visit this salon and have my hair cut by Michael; he is presently an apprentice there (but I’m not sure for how much longer). Long story short, he did an amazing job! I’ve never gotten so many compliments after a haircut.
The salon was easy to locate, has free parking in downtown, and everyone seemed super friendly. They use great Kerastase products on hair and do a great job of trying to understand what look you are trying to achieve. My haircut took quite a while, but I’m very pleased with the results!

I had my hair done here as part of a wedding party. The bride had done a hair consultation with Raul months ago, so coming in for the actual day of the wedding was easy. Raul did a phenomenal job with the bride’s hair and gave some good advice on where to place her flower hair clips. Most importantly though, I was impressed with his patience when even on the day-​of, he re-​did a braid that wrapped around her head because the bride didn’t like it anymore.
I don’t think I got my stylist’s name, but she did a great job with my hair. I have long, layered hair, so she said it was easy to put up in an updo. We settled kind of on a medium height bun, with a few curled locks on the side to frame my face. I’d say that no consultation is really necessary for bridesmaids, but it’s definitely recommended for any brides.
Service was great there. We actually met and saw Richard Herrera talking to clients and sweeping the salon floor. I think there’s a lot to be said for an owner who also contributes to basic tasks for his own salon. He offered us champagne for the wedding party. There’s even water and coffee service in the waiting area. Everyone at the salon was friendly and it really was a clean, comfortable atmosphere to be in.

I stopped in on a lunch break to ask for a bang trim without an appointment and Raul helped me out. He patiently listened to what wanted and gave me the cut best for my face. While trimming my bangs, we discussed how I wasn’t as happy with my last stylist and he offered for me to come back in and that he could spruce up my color in 5 min. I don’t remember what the service is called, but it enhances blond highlights– and extends your grow out!
I went back the next day and I was in and out in 45 min. (he also added a few highlights to help blend the faded color I had just gotten 2 weeks prior). My hair looks and feels great– Thank you Raul! I’m anxious to see how my grow out looks and how long I can go without a touch-​up.
It is a little pricer than what I normally pay, but they are all very polite, you get offered a beverage (I only asked for water– not sure what the other options were), they have changing rooms to put on a smock, so your clothes don’t get wet/​hair on it, and have great products.

If you’re going to pay a lot for your hair — I feel that you should go somewhere that delivers. Richard Herrera is that salon.
Deborah, in particular, is amazing. Her most recent cut/​color was so amazing, that I’m still getting compliments — a month later!
If you need a change, or just a stylist you can trust, I would recommend this salon, and suggest you ask for Deborah.

I have jumped around from Salon to Salon for years and have finally found a place that I will visit regularly from now on! The first time I went to RH, Kate was my stylist and she did a phenomenal job cutting my hair. The next time I went back and requested Kate again for a cut and color and I have never been so happy with my hair. I work downtown and regularly get complimented on my hair. You better believe I will send them up the street to RH! Not only are the people friendly and welcoming, the salon itself is clean and comfortable which is always a plus! I should probably get some business cards to hand out, that’s how good my hair looks. Thanks Kate, you are the best! You’ve gained a client for life!

I found RH when I went searching online for a good salon in PDX that does «Ombré» hair color (darker up top, light on the ends) I found that there were several links to KATU’s AM Northwest morning show that RH stylists had been featured. This salon specializes in very specific treatments and color. My regular stylist said she didn’t know how to do the Ombré color so I called and scheduled my appointment with RH. I was greeted like a family member. I showed up 20 min early and they got me in right away. Paula was my stylist and she knew exactly what to do. After a long process I got exactly what I wanted. My hair looks incredible and I get compliments everywhere I go. I will continue to get my hair done at RH from now on!

I don’t always use the same barber shop or salon. I tend to go with a place like bishops, or y chrome, or hair m whenever its convenient. Last December I happened to have a gift certificate for a haircut from this place and they did a wonderful job. I can tell you I honestly felt privileged to be having my hair cut in this joint.
Richard Herrera has the feel of NY/​London fashion and class, but without a shred of the haughtiness or snootiness you come to expect from a place with great credentials. They make you feel right at home, like family upon walking in. Richard spends a good portion of his day continuing the education of his stylists and when I arrived for my appointment that is exactly what he was doing. I believe they may offer discounted hair care when this is going on. He stepped away from giving his lesson to start in on me.
At a normal haircut the gal who is cutting my hair will ask what I want to have done and then she’ll do a pretty good job of executing what I tell her. Richard was much more interested in hearing about how I have had my hair cut before, if I like my current style, if I would like to try something new, all in a very natural conversational way. It just so happens I had been wanting to have a newer style but wasn’t sure how to approach it. Richard was right there with recommendations, all the while explaining everything perfectly to reassure me.
By the time I was through, I looked the best I have in years, knew how to style and care better for my hair, and had an appointment made for my next cut. I still visit some of the other joints I mentioned earlier but I’ve been back twice since. I want to make sure I don’t stray too far from the path they’ve helped me to establish.

It was my first time there and I went because I needed an expert eye for a style that fits my face. Richard Herrera did not disappoint! I was hesitant at first but finally told myself «it can always grow back», and relaxed and just let him do his job. It was perfect and I could not be happier with the style. They also determined the treatment my hair needed and improved my eye make-​up. I am a very pleased customer and will go back. I can highly recommend this salon!

I had my hair cut and styled by the owner on a dead weekday afternoon… he spent more than an hour hacking off my below shoulder length hair into a stylish bob and my hair looked so good, I wanted to cry! This was 14 years ago. Richard has talent beyond belief! Later I returned, but he was busy busy taking care of the salon, interrupted and really rushed and it was never quite the same. I don’t know if Richard is still doing hair, but if you could manage to get him totally alone for an hour…