Gary Manuel Studio

It’s a treat to come to the Gary Manuel Studio to get my hair cut. I love that they are open on Sundays, and I can drive down to SLU without having to worry about paying for parking my meter running out. It is easy to schedule an appointment, and the receptionist does a good job in asking if you want to book your next appointment when you are checking out.
The salon staff are all really friendly and knowledgeable. I have been seeing Morgan as my stylist (my previous stylist left the salon), and have LOVED it! She is super friendly, personable, and can translate my ideas into a really beautiful cut. She uses techniques on my hair that makes it feel weightless (I have a ton of hair), while still maintaining great shape and texture. I never feel like she is rushing to turn her appointments — she takes the time to make sure everything looks perfect.
Pricing is very reasonable (I pay around $ 40), and the salon offers high quality cuts and hair products. Thank you Gary Manuel Studio!

I was going over my check-​ins today and realized I never got around to reviewing this awesome salon. I had a horrible hair color catastrophe (not from them) that needed to be corrected. I mean it was HIDEOUS! My natural hair color is red, but I’ve been dying it black for several years. So I decided hey, why not take it a step further and get Big Blue streaks put through it? Ummm seriously BAD IDEA; after about 4 hours in the salon (again, not this place), I ended up with a weird saturated very unflattering darkish purple, with tones of brown crunchy random spots all over what had one been pretty black silky hair. So I decided on getting it fixed and went to see Kai at Aveda: she was so helpful and concerned and really worked with me on what turned out to be a several month process. After 3 months of at home color removers, lots of aveda treatment and several trips to Kai, she was finally able to bring back some normalcy to my hair. What’s the sound that angels make? My hair made that sound. You can’t even imagine even by the pics I’m going to post, but this could have easily been a «will have to shave it off and start over kind of scenario». Not only after 4 – 5 hours in her chair for our final visit did she manage to remove the horribleness, she also gave me a color that was so pretty, and hair that was so soft, you’d have thought it was smoke and mirrors. I walked around for 5 months feeling horrible and walking out of Aveda after 5 feeling amazing. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU KAI, and to the whole Aveda team, you’ve got a customer for life, I love you guys!

Great Salon, reasonable and very attentive. I’ve gotten complements ever since I started going here so Giada is great in shaping my hair for my head and always had no problem getting an appointment. They offer trims between haircuts and water bottles and white shirts to avoid hair on your own shirt so overall an enjoyable experience.

I have been going to the studio for the last 12 months. The place can be a hit or a miss depending on who you get. I have not found the right stylist for my hair yet — most of them are still in the program and learning. The staff is friendly, the selection of Aveda cosmetics is comprehensive. The Aveda Tea a bonus. A men’s cut usually runs in the mid $ 30s.

Have been in search of a good hair salon and finally found it :) The place is very professional and pampers you well with hot tea and complimentary services. From talking to my hair stylist, they go through a lot of training consistently and know what they are doing. The salon is clean, modern, and friendly service. This is my usual salon now!

I’ve been going here for the past year, yes the price is greater than the Aveda school but the quality is through the roof. I’ve had a full updo for a black tie event and haircuts here and they really know what they’re doing and how to not overdo it.

I have been going here since it opened after my gal a the Belltown location quit. First I found Krista who was very sweet and cut my hair just right. She left to go have a baby :) Then I was lucky enough to get Luca after that who is my all time favorite stylist EVER who not only made my hair look stunning every time, but was genuine and easy to work with.
My question is for the manager — Who can I try out next that is just as good, but friendly? The personality is almost as important to me in finding the one. I need someone that loves what they do, who is friendly, will listen to what I want and give expert advice, Again– positive energy only — not some bored entitled stylist that is looking for that next tip regardless if they do a good job. After all hair is everything :) I look forward to hearing back from you as I need to book something soon. Thank you!

Luca ! Thanks for making me shiny, thrilled with my new healthy hairdo.
This feels like another important part of wellness to me.
Having a reliable respectful insightful professional take care of you: fabulous.

So thankful to Annastina for my new hair! After a botched job from another salon, she transformed my hair from dull to damn! The salon is located right in the heart of South Lake Union. I was able to walk easily from my home in Queen Anne. If you’re a blonde, ask for Annastina! This girl knows blonde!
Thumbs up from me in all departments! Cleanliness, style, atmosphere, and most importantly-​service.

Best Service Ever.
It was not in my original plan to continue coming here after my first time since I live in Carnation. However, Brittany R. had me hooked after my first appointment. I scored an Amazon Local deal over two years ago and have going back ever since.
Front desk: Always very helpful, patient, and friendly, offering tea, water or both when I arrive. It is easy to book or reschedule appointments.
Brittany R: AMAZING! She is professional, the most knowledgeable stylist ever, and a true artist. You can tell she loves what she does and takes pride in her work. Her hair always looks great and my hair has never looked better. Not only that, but she has a sparkling personality. I enjoy our conversations so much that I am always surprised when the appointment is over!
Other Stylists: Great! I was forced to try out different stylists when Britanny was out for two of my appointments and I was pleasantly surprised. Like Brittany, they took the time to listen to what I wanted and made suggestions using their expertise.
I have tried other Aveda Salons and this one truly outshines the competition. A+

Seth is my favorite! He rocked out my ombré look and did a perfect cut. All for a fabulous price ($ 35 for cut & $ 115-​$ 145 for color depending on what you want)!

ANNASTINA is AMAZING! She has been doing my hair for over a year now. Not only is the studio beautiful, clean and friendly, but Annastina does beautiful work.
She does an amazing job with blondes. My hair has tons of dimension and never gets brassy. I have a bob cut and she always cuts it so it is easy to style and has tons of volume!
I would recommend her to anyone, especially blondes or bobs!

I have been going to the Aveda SLU for two years and Franklin and the other stylists are always professional and creative. Highly reccommend, also the USB chargers at the stations is really cool.

Seth cut and styled my hair and I am very pleased. He kept the length and cut out the heft evenly. I can feel the difference today and it’s so nice!
The style was very pretty also and I enjoyed the scalp massage. Will be back!

Omg I am in love! Great central SLU location! High level salon and really reasonable prices. Easy to get appointments too and everyone is soooo nice!
I have gotten an awesome updo for a black tie event I had for work and highlights. Both times left a very happy customer.
The photo booth is super cool too.

Having been a previous client of the Belltown phase 3 salon, I initially called to make an appointment over there. However they were all booked up over the holiday season. Instead I was scheduled for a color process with Kolby over at SLU. She was awesome! Super sweet and fun to talk with, and she did an amazing job lightening my dark roots to match the rest of my platinum color. My previous color wasn’t from Aveda products but she managed to blend everything effortlessly into a beautiful white blonde. I highly recommend Kolby for color!
My color appointment ran over so Pax did my blow dry and bang trim. She layered my awkward, growing-​out-​stage fringe and gave me great styling suggestions.
The only reason I rated the experience 4 stars was because the service ended up costing $ 100 even though I was quoted $ 55 on the phone. Ultimately it was worth it and I’m very happy with my color.

I first came to Gary Manuel Studio in SLU summer of 2013 after purchasing an Amazon Local deal. Before coming to Gary Manuel, my mother (I know, I know) used to cut my hair and then I finally upgraded to a cute little Asian lady in Kent who charged $ 15 for a great cut. So, I was pretty on the fence about spending more than $ 15 for a haircut. However, I was desperate.
I was scheduled with Bettie and she changed my entire perspective. I finally understood why people spend more money on going to a nice salon. The facility was beautiful, clean and trendy. The staff is super nice, and I’m always greeted with smiles and an offer for a beverage. You also get to choose from 2 services (massage, hair treatment, etc.) each visit for free. Bettie is great at listening to what I want and shows me how to get the style I want as well. I have had long hair pretty much my whole life, and just a few months ago, decided to get a long bob that I loved and got to donate 9 inches! Bettie made me feel comfortable with the process and told me how she was going to cut everything and why.
I have probably had my hair cut by Bettie 4 or 5 times and have recommended Bettie to four people now. She is great about remembering small details and every time I see her is like seeing an old friend.

I love going to this salon! David has been doing my hair cut and color ever since he started at Gary Manuel Studio. I always leave feeling like I have just been pampered and have such confidence with my new do.
I am the type of person that gets bored with my hair after it’s been the same cut or color for more than a few months. I’m always wanting to try something new. So I usually bring in a picture for inspiration and David creates something just for me. I love that he can take an idea of something I like and turn it into something even better. He truly has a gift!

I feel the need to mention that I’ve been going to Gary Manuel since I was in college (studio and salon in Belltown) and without giving away my age, let’s just say it was a long time ago! I’ve worked with several different stylists throughout the years and nobody has ever been this terrible. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble so I’m not going to drop names here, but if you are reading this and must know, drop me a line in private and I’ll share. If you have read any of my other reviews, you should know I seldom give one star reviews without backing it up! So here goes nothing…
I’m somewhat high maintenance when it comes to hair and makeup, but I think I’m fairly easy going. Chill. I don’t bark just to bark. I’ve also had my hair and makeup done a million times over, but I honestly have to say this has got to be the worst experience I’ve ever had. First, the hair… I’m tough and can take a little tug, but I literally felt like someone was trying to push a pin into my skull. To be fair she warned me it would hurt a little but DAYAM was she trying to kill me or what? The worse part of it all was at the end of the day, there wasn’t even pins that ended up in my hair! The person ended up using rubber bands instead which didn’t end up working out so well either since I took my hair apart at home before my event.
I’ve had my makeup professional done for special occasions countless times before. In this case, I think I would have been better off going to the mall and getting a free session and buying mascara. I asked for a natural look with a «glow» and I left looking like a DRAG QUEEN. I ended up wiping off my cheeks in the car and taking my hair apart at home. She did a shitty job on my eyeliner and half ass color on my lips too.
If it isn’t icing on the cake she had the audacity to joke with me before I left about «no refunds». I should mention I dropped $ 75 for my services. She was pleasant and I didn’t speak up at the time (I didn’t want to hurt her feelings); however, I did tell her what I wanted in terms of looks before we began. One thing she did that was impressive was curling skills.
The other negative would be parking. At least there’s street parking in Belltown but DA-​YAM I had to circle and circle and circle before finding anything in SLU!
I think I should mention that the facility itself is modern and clean. Love the hairdryers that hang from the ceiling & the «bar» waiting area. This review is for the service I received.
That’s my story and I’m sticking with it! And this is no April fools joke!

Stunning décor, super fast (well trained) stylists! And it’s down the street from where I live. It’s a nice pretty place that gives you pretty results. It also cost pretty penny… hair color addiction runs me about $ 200 a month. I swear the prices keep going up every time. But the speed is unmatched by most salons in the area with little to no errors.
The only con: they are so darn busy and overbooked: I have yet to get my hair styled the way I want after my cuts/​color services. Hope they change that soon!!! I’d like to walk out with pretty salon finished hair instead of semi damp quick blow outs.