Helio Hair Studio

August is a genius. She listens to what I want and makes it better than I imagined possible.

I saw Anne at Helio Hair Studio who did my hair just fine, I suppose. However, I am rating only 1 star for Anne’s unwillingness to work with me in booking a final appointment before I move to a new town. Instead, she has asked that I find a new salon and a new hair dresser just to get my hair done one time before I move away from Seattle. How ridiculous is that!!!
I am now going to have to go at least 2.5 months without getting my hair cut or colored instead of the normal 4-​weeks that I go in between appointments. This is probably for the best now that I see firsthand how much she cares about her clients.
I wholeheartedly do not recommend Anne or Helio Hair Studio to anyone.

Kyle James is the best! I went from bleach bleach blond to red, and it turned out great. I’ve been going for over a year to Kyle James and highly recommend him. I get compliments a lot now. The cut and styling he does is great too! My hair is soft and manageable and looks great:)

Ok, last night one of my clients asked me if I get my haircut on the eastside, she liked my cut and is moving to the eastside, needs a stylist. I get complements on my cut all the time after visiting Anne. NO I do not have a stylist on the eastside and as much as I HATE to plan ahead and drive all the way to Freemont from Kirkland to get my hair cut, I will never stray from Anne again.
I was in Las Vegas for a convention and my long hair was so frizzy I just walked into a mall salon and WACK cut it off. An older man who didn’t really know what the heck he was doing… it was AWEFUL. This is when you realize your friends LIE about your hair… «hmmm, nice cut, you look great with short hair…» ouch, it was terrible. A gal I came work with came in the next day after getting her hair cut and I was blown away. It was SOoooo cute. I asked her who cut it and she told me about Anne. First I was like… dang… Seattle =(. I took the trek and, over an hour later, the absolutely best cut I have had in my life. I can not rave enough about Anne’s skills. Twice I have strayed out of my sense of urgency thinking I could not plan ahead or wait for Anne, twice I have had to go back to her, in shame, to have my hair fixed.
I usually get there before she is finished with her customer before me and they ALL look great. I think she is especially good with short cuts, but it might just be that I don’t see many long hair cuts when I am there.
Color? Amazing, she is an artist. I typically do my own coloring to save some money but she has done some great highlights, etc for me as well. (she doesn’t make fun of my home coloring, I like that)
She is very helpful with product choices but doesn’t try to oversell products like some salons do.
The time she takes with each person is really nice, She washes, cuts, drys, straightens, cuts again, straightens again… etc etc. until you are completely happy.
I have paid way more for cuts and colors only to be disappointed. My only regret about Anne is that she isn’t on the eastside ;)
Curly hair? Mine is naturally curly, I went through a stage where I wore it that way. She is trained in diva curl, it takes someone who knows what they are doing to cut curly hair well. She also gave me tons of tips on what do do, and not do when wearing it that way. Now I have a cut I can wear straight or curly.
Totally at ease, nothing snobby about this salon that I have ever seen. All the stylists seem very competent and friendly. One time Anne was busy and Kyle cut my hair. He did a great job as well.
I don’t mean to gush but seriously, she is worth the wait and drive, you will not be disappointed.
One more thing, her conversations I always find friendly and caring. I am fifty years old and have never had a stylist I felt loyal to. She is stuck with me.
It took me sending my client Anne’s info this morning to realize that I have never posted for her! There are 9 other filtered reviews for this salon, all 5 stars and they deserve every one of them.
I just remembered one more thing, it is smart to book in advance because it seems like things get booked out. I just can NOT do that… all I have to do is text Anne with a message «Hey Anne, what do you have open». she then sends me a list of times and dates and I reply back… easy! Then I usually say, great… I will take this but let me know if something opens up. She then will text me if she has a cancelation… I am not really sure if she prefers this type of scheduling but it works great for me. Then she texts me a reminder the day before… that works GREAT for me as well.

Three haircuts in and I’m staying! The salon itself is cute, clean and has a really good energy. You don’t feel like anyone is rushing to get through your appointment there, quite the opposite. They take their time to make sure that you’re happy with your cut. This doesn’t mean they run over on their appointments but it just means they will take the time to make sure it’s done right. I have only ever gone to Kyle based on fellow Unilocalers’ suggestions and I’m definitely a happy camper. Kyle is good about remembering you, your hair and all its little nuances. He also makes sure to put something on the books for your next appointment so you’re not scrambling to get an appointment when you’re a few weeks out. He is booked, so take him up on the offer to put something on the calendar in advance. One thing to know about Kyle is he only takes cash or check for payment. So go prepared or alternatively, there is a cash machine in the Market Time a few steps away. Prices are reasonable and the haircut is great so you feel like you’re walking away with a steal! Have I gushed enough? :) This place is great.

August is an amazing professional and human being. And the salon is warm and friendly. Highly recommend.

This is a cute, quiet little salon with 5 stations I believe. However, all the times I’ve been there there’s only been one other stylist doing hair, they all vary their hours. I believe typically appt’s are booked thru the stylist you want to see, as there is no paid desk person.
Now I’ll go into my stylist. In a small hair salon like this, aside from the ambiance, it’s your stylist that makes or breaks it. It’s not like a large salon like Gene Juarez, where if you really don’t care for your stylist, but like everything else there, you’ll probably go back and try someone else. I got my hair done and GJ for years. Anyways, like the previous reviewer, I can’t say enough about Kyle James. I am always bragging about him to people. He does any amazing job. I see him every 6 – 7 weeks to get my hair cut and and colored. He is so sweet, easy to talk to and amazing with hair!
PS. there is a little parking garage right behind Helio for customers that’s part of the building. I used street parking for so long before Kyle mentioned it one day.

Kyle does amazing things with hair. I had the good fortune of randomly calling Helio for an emergency cut when Kyle had an opening and he got me in right away. I’ve been going to him ever since.
I don’t get color or anything, just a cut and style so that’s all I can speak to and Kyle is wonderful. He does such a great, fresh cut it lasts longer than previous ones… somehow, magically. And people will ask me weeks after a visit if I’ve just got my hair trimmed. Anyway, go get your hair cut from Kyle (and you also get an uh-​may-​zing head massage during the shampoo. yay!).

Awesome hair studio! Comfy space with nice décor. Anne is a great stylist and has always done an amazing job with my hair. I always leave feeling beautiful. All the stylist there are super nice. I highly recommend this salon!

A two hour drive every 6 weeks is well worth it! Rachelle is the Best!!! I have never had a foil done by anyone that I was satisfied with until Rachelle started doing mine. The color is always spot on and I haven’t even mentioned the haircut I receive from her. I have never been dissatisfied. She is a pleasure to be around and has such a sense of style. I have people ask me all the time who my stylist is and am always happy to refer her. Living two hours away you wouldn’t think I would meet anyone else that goes to her but amazingly I know several people who make the drive regularly. If you are looking for someone with a great personality, and extremely talented, and most importantly will listen to what you want Rachelle should be your new stylist… You will never need another one! I wish there were 10 stars… she deserves them!

It’s not always easy being a male and going to a stylist knowing I have clippers at home that will do the trick for free, but Anne is definitely worth it. She does a much better job than any barber/​stylist I have ever used! Additionally, I am new to the neighborhood, and she has been a great source of information for the ins and outs of the Fremont-​Phinney-​Wallingford area! I have seen Anne for my last two cuts, and plan to go back indefinitely.

Anne is one of the best stylists I’ve every worked with. She really sees YOU and makes your hair bring out your best. She listens to what you want and improves it.
Helio is one of the most welcoming salons I’ve ever been in. If you’re in the Phinney-​Fremont-​Wallingford area, there’s no reason to go anywhere else.
You’ll leave feeling — and looking — great.

Rachelle Smithson is fantastic. Not only does she have an incredible sense of style but she’s honest and will make sure I leave the salon feeling amazing and looking great. She’s talented, friendly and an overall pleasure to be around. Two thumbs up, waaaaayyyyy up.

I am in love. And her name is Anne. Never have I ever received such a brilliant hair cut from a new stylist (she’s not new to styling, but new to me). I picked this place because it’s close to my home and work but after reading reviews of her on Unilocal I knew I had made the right decision.
The woman who was getting a trim and color before me left with some beautiful new highlights and low-​lights. When I sat down in Anne’s chair she let me know that she likes to add a little extra time to her new client appointments to spend more time on their cut and get to know them, which is so impressive and is a brilliant business move, in my opinion. So often when getting a haircut from someone new do I feel rushed and like I’m wasting the stylist’s time. As if they won’t give you a great haircut unless you become a regular. Not Anne. She listened, gave insight, and gave the best haircut I’ve had in several years. Her work speaks for itself. Not only that, she’s so cool! She’s extremely bright, funny and easy to talk to. It only took one visit for me to become a follower. Go to her!!!

Anne’s use of color and eye for style are amazing. My friends and family have seen me through various shades of the blonde category and her work prompted, «This is your best shade yet.» All those shades of blonde were a great lift during a tough time in my life.

Choose Anne!
Anne has been my stylist for over a year now. she is fantastic with color and highlights– i get very specific about the shades i want and the base color, and she gets it right every time!
she will also give you a great sheer/​razor cut (I’ve done both) as well as really listening to what you want.
most importantly, she’s very out going and easy to talk to, makes you feel very comfortable and you know you will leave the salon looking great!
if you are looking for a new stylist– i highly recommend Anne!

I have been getting my hair cut by August for years, and she has never failed to give me the perfect cut and color. I love how August has styled my hair over the years– edgy, conservative, sporty, and everything in between. I have loved all the looks, and I am often asked who my stylist is. She has a faithful following, and clients who have moved out of the area still make sure to book their appointment with August when they are in Seattle
Conveniently located on busy-​but-​not-​too-​busy upper Fremont Avenue, with lots of parking, A hip, light, clean, laid-​back, friendly vibe to the salon, great music, definitely a neighborhood place.