Powder Beauty Boutique

Raphael is as good as they come. I’ve been going to him for the past 3 years and he never disappointed. He listens to you and doesn’t hesitate to show his creative side suggesting something new to compliment your ideas.

I had my haircut at Powder Beauty Boutique back in September (about 6 weeks ago) and have now decided to write about it now because I just had my hair cut today from at a different salon and realized truly how awful Tamara (I recall that’s her name) really was with my cut. I remember feeling very unsatisfied after my appointment back in September and after getting my mop head properly cut today from an Aveda concept salon, I thought I need to warn others not to endure the same disappointment as I did at the Powder «no customer service» Boutique.
Tamara is a farce and let me back up that statement. For someone who should know about hair, actually who should be an expert about hair — she can’t tell the difference if someone has thick or fine hair and she frankly does not know proper technique to layer hair or follow a V-​shape cut that she took the lazy route of cutting the bottom of my hair straight. Let me not forget to mention she even insulted me in her chair — in a «drive-​by» manner, not in an overt manner.
Here’s how my appointment went: I asked if she could clean up and cut some of my damaged ends off, about an inch and I wanted to keep the general shape. Hairstylist said, «you want to keep the V? it’s very outdated». Did I just get insulted for being unfashionable? So, not one to be behind the times, I agreed to have a straight cut. Only to find out from my regular colourist (at the Aveda salon) the V is a classic shape and really doesn’t go out of style.
Then I tell Tamara the incompetent stylist, I have thick hair and lots of it. She tries to convince me I have fine hair. I’m sorry but after 37 years with this mop head, numerous hands foundling and running their fingers and shears through my hair (yes, I’m a stylist whore), basically confirmation each time I have thick, naturally wavy, style holding, Asian hair — this self professed experienced hairstylist is trying to argue with me that I have fine hair. I know better than to argue back with someone who’s got shears in their hands and about to cut my hair, hence I go along with the statement that I have fine hair. After cutting my v-​layered hair away and not giving me new, clean layers, she claims to be done. I look down on the floor and there is hardly any hair on the floor and truly she didn’t hear I wanted an inch off.
Apparently her regular rate is $ 110 but since I had a voucher that day, I said the hell with this joint. I shouldn’t have tipped her, but why not finish off my sucker experience?

His cut made me smile.
I came to Rafael one week after I had a bad experience with a hair dresser. I was upset and confused not really knowing what hair style I want. Rafael was very understanding and patient with me. Together we decided on the hair style that suits my face and yet still looking edgy.
Although I was heart broken to have my hair cut way too short than I wanted (by the previous hair dresser). I decided to go from classic to funky and he made it look so tasteful and beautiful. I am getting compliments on it wherever I go.
A happy customer
xx

So happy!
I really don’t like going to the hairdresser. It’s a chore, it’s expensive, they keep trying to make my hair shorter, they try to sell me more shampoo and scold me for doing my own colour. Then to add insult to injury they ask if I’m going anywhere for my holidays and remind me that I’m not because I’m poor. Not this time though!
I got a great TeamBuy deal for a wash, cut and style at Powder. I felt a bit nervous buying, to be honest, because the business is new and there weren’t really any reviews to go on at the time. They had a Facebook page though and seemed friendly so I took a chance. The gamble paid off, as it turns out.
First point in their favour? I was able to make my appointment by email. Responses were quick and there was no problem getting an appointment for 5pm on Saturday. I love that efficiency. The owner, Rafael, said he’d take me himself.
I arrived just before 5pm and was greeted warmly. The salon is gorgeous: spotless, high ceilings and kind of a French retro style with black, white and red topped off with chandeliers. Everything was very tidy and the whole atmosphere was relaxed.
We started with the consultation. Rafael really made an effort to understand what I wanted and how I style my hair (basically I don’t) day to day. Then it was off for a wash from the lovely Peyton, complete with scalp massage and then back for the cut. I was not asked about vacations. Yes! The conversation was interesting but not overwhelming. He cuts as if he has been doing it all his life and checked the length with me before he chopped. It feels short now… but what he took off needed to go, realistically.
The blow dry was great. Lovely waves and very gentle. I think I nodded off at one stage. I loved the result and he actually sat me down to give me a quick tutorial on how to get the effect with my flat iron at home! Zero products pushed which was wonderful.
I really cannot fault the experience. Sometimes salons make you feel like you’re just not cool enough to be there. This was the opposite. I left feeling more like I’d been to some kind of spiritual retreat. There’s a genuine friendliness and gentleness about the place that I don’t think I’ve experienced before. Rafael is like you’d want your GP to be-​he cares and listens. Peyton was an absolute pleasure. And my hair? Exactly how I wanted it.

I recently purchased a TeamBuy for Powder, mostly because I hadn’t had my hair cut in over 9 months, and didn’t want to spend too much money (clearly it’s no a priority for me). My appointment wasn’t on their schedule for some reason, but they managed to fit me in regardless. I had a the pleasure of seeing the owner, Rafael which worked out perfectly because he and I share the same hair type — curly and crazy! He was the first person to actually sit down with me and ask what I liked about my hair and what i didn’t. I wanted to try something different and usually most stylists will just tell me I can’t because my hair is too curly. Rafael had several options/​suggestions, all of which I loved. It was great chatting with him, and watching him cut my hair was like watching someone do art (which he also does in fact). I absolutely love my new haircut, it’s not something I ever would have thought of doing, it’s super easy to style and I’ve gotten so many compliments on it. The salon is gorgeous and I will definitely go back and pay full price. I’ve never had a regular hair stylist, and I’m so happy I’ve found one!