Strange Powers

Jan 31, 2025

i’ve debated posting this review because i have mixed feelings about the situation, but i figure it might help someone else in the future from making the same mistakes! i booked a partial highlight + haircut with geneva and the scheduling website said it would be $150. when all was said and done, it was over $400 and i was shocked. when i asked about the total price, she explained that it’s $150 per hour which is listed in the about section of the booking site, so make sure to look there and don’t just rely on the booking process to show you accurate information!! she did reach out to me the next day to try to make it right which i appreciated. i highly recommend talking to your stylist about budget expectations before the service since the booking site is so misleading. i asked for blended roots that will look good as my hair grows out. i think the color and the highlights themselves look good, but i dont think they are very well blended to the root line like i expected them to. they look like they’re a month grown out and the pic is from literally the next morning. i love the haircut and its exactly what i asked for! she gave me long bouncy layers that look soo good!

Jan 30, 2025

This salon is pretty and not pretentious, and that is a delight. I booked yesterday for a haircut with whoever was available, there was a spot for Geneva today, so I checked the work on Instagram. I asked for long femme layers with ability to flip my part, since I’m in a grow out phase, and that’s what I got. Geneva also offered a light color gloss seal, which I didn’t know I needed, and I was in and out in an hour with a selfie with the stylist and some new product. I also realized Lara is doing hair there, another talented one, who I had lost track of from another salon. Cool spot, good hair. I’m happy. Ps. There is no reception. The booking says this, but you can just come on and sit down in the lobby. It’s in a cute neighborhood so check out the easy parking and the bagel and coffee shop next door.

Jan 22, 2025

I have been a client of Geneva's for a couple of years now. She transformed my brassy, overly processed, frizzy hair. It is now shiny and closer to my natural hair color, with face framing highlights to lighten my complexion. Her product recommendations have been very helpful. A couple of months ago I decided to cut my hair short. I showed Geneva several pictures and she chose the one that best suited my face, personality and hair texture. I love it! Multiple strangers have stopped me in coffee shops and restaurants to compliment my hairstyle. It is not due to my styling efforts, but to the quality of the cut.

Jan 22, 2025

Sydney cut my hair and I couldn't be happier with my experience!! I was looking for a queer friendly place to go, and gave this place a try. Really impressed. I liked that I could put my pronouns in my booking so i didnt have to worry about bringing it up in person. The vibe is great, the music is nice and not too loud, very pretty space to look at. There's plants hanging from the ceiling (not sure if they are real or fake) but I loved looking at them. I have some sensory stuff, so it was nice that the lights were not too bright and on the warmer side. Sydney was awesome. They asked me a lot of questions to make sure they knew exactly what I wanted, and mirrored it back to me to make sure it was correct. I can be picky about having my head washed, but she was so gentle I was almost asleep! They made good conversation but also let there be some silence, which as a neurodivergent person I deeply appreciated. I felt very comfortable, and my hair came out FANTASTIC. If you're looking for a butch haircut and fearing a pixicut, Sydney knows how to do it right :)

Jan 15, 2025

Absolutely love this salon and Geneva in particular. I’ve been seeing her for years and she has done an amazing job taking me blonde, rose gold, blue, etc etc! She’s always super clear with setting my expectations and keeps my budget/level of willingness to style my hair in mind. If you’re looking for a warm, collaborative, and extremely talented hair person, I cannot recommend Geneva enough.

Jan 08, 2025

Avoid Geneva! I have waited 6 months to leave this review. I needed to make sure I still felt so strongly about my haircut and I truly do. I have moved here from a different state and was trying to establish a relationship with a new stylist. I picked Geneva bc her profile says she specializes in layer haircuts. This is literally a joke. She specialized in what I call the Portland shag. The girl with the dragon tattoo haircut. I had hair touching my butt and asked to have 4-5 inches cut off, a gloss and long layers with face framing pieces. I have curly hair naturally so I came with my hair straight to ensure the layers came out even and I told her my natural texture. I was not planning on keeping my hair naturally as is I was going to blow it out and style it appropriately. I had several pictures and even videos of what I wanted. Quite frankly this is my go to haircut and I’ve never had anyone screw it up before. I’m attaching pictures. I should have stopped her the min she pulled out the razor blade. But I was telling myself trust the process she’s the leading expert at this salon for layer haircuts. She literally Edward scissorhand my hair and went nuts with the blade. My hair was above my shoulder blades. She gave me soooo much freaking bangs my hair started to mushroom. Instead of face framing the hair goes all the way back past the halfway point of my head. The layers are crazy uneven and thick it’s so ugly I cried in the car. Also she asked me how I wear my hair and I said in a side part and the cut she gave me can only stay in a middle part. It’s so short I cannot flip it to the other side. Mind you I got this haircut a few days before my honeymoon. She ruined my honeymoon with this aweful haircut that I didn’t ask for when I texted her she doubled down on her work and said Everyone thinks it was a great cut. And had the audacity to say “it’s a really quick rash decision to book a haircut before your honeymoon and tried to gaslight me by saying I don’t know how to style this cut and I need time to adjust.” I don’t care if YOU think the haircut is cute the client has to live with this haircut until it grows out. it’s literally not the haircut I asked for. You are not allowed liberties with peoples hair you do your damn job and give the service people are asking and if it’s beyond your skill set you say no. I’ve had so many events and weddings I’ve had to attend and it’s been a pain in the ass trying to figure out how to hide this atrocious haircut. After going back and forth with her I did not feel comfortable with her “fixing” my hair as the only thing that could be done was make it shorter. She eventually refunded me the 135. But I would have much rather not have gone through this and am still dealing with it. The salon is beautiful and aesthetic and maybe the other stylists are much better but avoid Geneva. I feel the PTSD from the girl below me Review as it seems we had the same experience and I’m still pissed 6 months later.

Dec 05, 2024

Strange Powers is by appointment only and is well worth the drive into Portland proper. All of the stylists are kind and fun individuals, each with their own unique style. They really listen to what you are looking for and make it a reality. Can't recommend them enough!

Dec 05, 2024

Update- I’m still waiting for this horrible haircut to grow out months later, esp the insanely short layers in the back. Do NOT book with Geneva, I requested long round layers and received a butchered shag instead. Just awful, completely amateur work. —— Last week I scheduled a haircut over the phone with Geneva who said she could definitely get me in for the Monday appointment I needed. She texted me on Friday to reschedule, saying she was not in the salon on Mondays. I let her know that I needed it to be Monday and offered to find another stylist. She told me she would come in no problem. When I arrived I thanked her so much for coming in, and let her know that I needed the cut so badly because I was going to be in photos later that day. I asked for long round layers with curtain bangs, and showed her multiple haircut photos and videos (what I showed her is attached), and asked for a blowout so it would look great for the photos. Grey shirt is the haircut I received, in comparison is my hair after my last haircut in fall 2023 (maroon tank). I knew immediately it was not what I asked for, but at 11:15 she had apologized to a person waiting for running behind and said she didn't have any more time and rushed me out. I texted her after I got home and said I was really bummed about the cut because it wasn't anything like what I had asked for or the photos and videos I showed her. She offered to smooth the layers so I asked if there was any way I could come in before the photos. She said she was booked all day despite telling me she earlier she didn’t work on Mondays. I found another stylist at a different salon who fixed my haircut as best she could. She described what Geneva had done as a "shag cut" and said that the guidelines were completely off, which was why my layers looked so choppy and uneven. Because Geneva cut 3+ inches off my hair, I ended up losing 5 inches total, and had to pay for two separate haircuts (although the other stylist gave me a discount because she felt so bad that I had gotten such a bad cut from Geneva). Geneva charged me $135 for this haircut. She did not mention her price on the phone, and I was shocked at the price when I paid. She let me know before I could even ask that she does not offer refunds. A horrible haircut for such a high price.

Oct 05, 2024

Lara is the best! I have had various hair styles throughout the years and Laras range of knowledge is great! This time I had major hair needs and corrections. Lara helped revamp my cut and color. Lara very much communicates on what your ideas are for your hair and guides you in the right away. The salon space is always calming and comfortable. Thank you!

Sep 05, 2024

Had Dan cut my hair recently and they were very thorough, precise, and welcoming. All the qualities you’d want in a stylist. Really gives you every ounce of their time, knowledge, and attention to detail. They made me feel right at home while also giving me an amazing haircut that worked stunningly with my natural texture. Will be seeing Dan for all my hair needs from here on out!

Sep 05, 2024

Strange Powers is such a beautiful, soothing place to get your haircut. I love my stylist, Dan, but everything I’ve seen in other people’s chairs has been cool as hell.

Aug 05, 2024

I've been seeing Andrea for my razor shag cuts for nearly five years and I just adore her! She's so talented with a razor and carves beautiful shape back into my mop every time. She listens to what I want, asks questions as she goes, and is so sweet and kind. She also cuts my long-haired husband's hair occasionally. We're both big fans! Thanks Andrea!

Jun 05, 2024

The best queer haircut in town! If you’re looking to get a gay haircut, this is the place. 💕

Apr 05, 2024

Savannah has been doing my hair for years and always gets it right. She is very easy to talk to and has a quiet calmness to her that is easy to be with. Savannah will ask the right questions to make sure there is an understanding on what you want. I would recommend her to any of my friends. The salon itself is LGBTQ friendly, non judgmental and cozy.

Apr 05, 2024

Savannah is hands down the best stylist I’ve seen in a long time. I feel so lucky to have found her. She transformed my box colored red hair to a beautiful strawberry blonde and gave my fine hair texture. Highly recommend and she’s fun to chat with.

Feb 05, 2024

***Update because the more time passes, the more I realize how badly my hair has been treated.*** I saw Savannah in November. I’d never seen her before and scheduled a curly cut with her, which is supposed to last an hour-and-a-half but she only spent about forty minutes on me. It seemed like she was high at work, she was on her phone through part of the cut, but I told myself it wasn’t a big deal if she did a good job. However, after a couple days, I noticed a section on the right side toward the back was much heavier than the rest and in general the two sides are unincorporated, like two different cuts. I contacted Savannah via instagram for a touch up. No response. I sent the salon a message, ditto. I didn’t hear back for a week, and when Savannah finally got me in it was clear from her attitude that she didn’t care about fixing her mistake. I explained what I wanted done and she disregarded me. She cut some from the back but not the section I asked her to fix. This made my haircut even more uneven. Now the bottom right is still bulky but the top section is in some places two or more inches shorter than the left. It’s an embarrassing haircut and I only hope someone else can fix it, though now I’m in need of a haircut that’s not in my budget. This salon is expensive. I spent more than a hundred dollars on this cut, yet no one in the month my review had been up has contacted me. In my opinion they minimally owe me an apology but I’d prefer a refund. I understand that everyone has off days, but Savannah and the salon had a chance to correct a mistake. Instead of taking that chance to work with me and gain a client, I was treated poorly. The experience was stressful and disappointing when it didn’t need to be and it will take many months for my mangled hair to grow out.

Feb 05, 2024

Beth gave me the most affirming hair transformation I’ve ever had. I was super nervous about going short again after a disastrous series of haircuts 9 years before that made me think short hair just wasn’t for me, but she made it look incredible and has gotten me cleaned up just right since then. I couldn’t recommend her enough!

Feb 05, 2024

Beth is a wizard with my fine hair, which is surprisingly difficult to find. I'm growing out some weird stuff and Beth has been a huge help, getting creative but always within what I specifically ask for or deny. Highly highly recommend. I've also had friends get curly cuts here and colour and leave beautiful and happy

Feb 05, 2024

Bethaney, thank you for the incredible transformation cut! This was my first short cut ever. I came in with a few inspo photos, and Bethaney created a gorgeous custom cut! My partner said that i look better than the photo. I wanted to make an appointment with the best of the best for such a big change, and I'm so glad i drove all the way in to Portland for this occasion! I'm in love. Thank you!!

Feb 05, 2024

GO SEE LARA 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 as their client of many years, I can say the magic they have worked on my hair has not just changed the quality of the hairs on my head but my personal confidence as well. They’ve taught me so much on how to properly care for and manage MY hair in a way that works for ME. Plus they are so understanding and flexible of real life- not the “I expect you back in 6 weeks” type. Thank you for changing not only my hair game but my perception of myself, Lara! You’re the best!

Feb 05, 2024

I just wanted to say how wonderful my experience was at the salon today. Lara did the most incredible job cutting and stying my hair which was long overdue for attention. I trusted their art and guidance for how to care for my hair afterwards. This was one of the best haircuts (if not the best) I have ever received. Literal weight was lifted off of me and for the first time in a while I felt excited and relieved. I hope this message finds Lara. I can not express how grateful I was for this service today. I highly recommend Lara to anyone. Thank You

Feb 05, 2024

I've had my hair cut by Bethaney for years. She's amazing

Feb 05, 2024

In love with my curly cut from Jaina! Strange Powers is a cute salon, it’s such a neighborhood vibe and everyone was sweet. Very pretty space, great products, good music, and wonderful results. There’s nothing better than a good day at the salon. If you’re looking for a curl stylist in Portland I highly recommend Jaina. She understands shape so well and can see what my hair is gonna do before she makes a cut. She was able to balance the shape of my individual curls, placement of where that curl will fall, volume, and overall style. We did a shag that wasn’t super high contrast so I can still blow it out when I need to. She really listened to me when I was describing what I wanted and asked questions and made suggestions. When we were drying she taught me all her techniques and after being a curly girl all my life I have never heard of these! So smart and low effort that just lets your natural texture come through. Loved my experience here! Highly recommend Strange Powers.

Feb 05, 2024

Savannah is an amazing hair stylist! I wish I lived in town and could regularly have her cut my hair. I cut off a lot of hair and she helped me through the process and made it look great! The space is also lovely.

Feb 05, 2024

Savannah is the best. Great person and great stylist. Strange Powers always makes me feel so comfortable and confident.

Feb 05, 2024

The space is open and relaxing. Beth does a great job and is always willing to talk through what I'm looking for or share ideas. Can't see going anywhere else!

Feb 05, 2024

Went here for the first time today and got a fantastic haircut from Savannah! Great space, cool vibe, friendly humans - 10/10 would recommend.

Feb 05, 2023

Geneva was Nice

Feb 05, 2023

I had a five star haircut with Dan! I’ve got a ton of hair and they really listened to what I wanted, are super light handed, and did a great job doing a long razor cut for me and removed lots of weight so my hair isn’t so heavy :) thank you Dan!

Feb 05, 2023

I was a customer at twenty six cafe and they do not have a restroom currently and neither does the neighboring market. It would have become an embarrassing situation for me had the person at the front desk in the salon not graciously allowed me to use the restroom. I can not express how grateful I was for this.Thank you from the girl doing the potty dance

Feb 05, 2023

I'm very finicky with my hair (several bad experiences), but I was really impressed by the hair color service I received here. The color looks great and the stylists are great!

Feb 05, 2023

Love my stylist and the place is super chill.

Feb 05, 2023

Love my time at Strange Powers. Beth is a wonderful hairstylist. The inside is cozy, antique, chic and a great place to hang for a while to get a new look.

Feb 05, 2023

Seems like a good place to work. I have gone to my stylist for many years and she chose this place for a reason.

Feb 05, 2023

Such a great salon. Amazing lighting and plants create the perfect ambiance. Andrea is the best.. she is really an artist at what she does, also super funny as an extra.. Highly recommend!