05/18/08

Ali is professional, skilled and considerate

by megan111

Ali is a highly skilled colorist and stylist. He corrected my color and restored my hair to a soft, healthy shine. I'm a fairly exacting customer when it comes to color. I expect the highlights to look natural, grow out well and keep my hair healthy. With Ali, I'm always pleased with the result, as he spends time to perform the job well. I have very thick hair that takes quite a long time to foil highlight, and he never rushes the job nor makes me feel badly for the amount of time it takes to do it right. He's quite detailed oriented and a perfectionist when it comes to his work. He goes above and beyond to accomodate his clients' needs -- taking last minute requests when he can. He's also quite a personable and kind hearted family man who is easy to talk with. He cares about his clients' satisfaction, and encourages calls to let him know how the cut/color/style is working. He always offers to perform touch-ups if necessary, but I've always been happy with the result so I've not needed it. I find his prices very reasonable for the level of service and expertise that he provides. Overall - recommend!

• Pros: Conveniently located, highly skilled, personable, reasonable prices
• Cons: Street parking

11/13/09

Great Hairdresser Always leave with a smile

by heidimitch

If you are looking for edgy yet affordable haircut by someone who will listen to you in a relaxing environment. Ali is the one.

• Pros: Knows what he is doing
• Cons: Can't think of Any

11/06/09

You've Found Your New Stylist!

by Harperchic

When I moved to L.A. last year, I scoured City Search in hopes I could find someone remotely as good as my last stylist, and someone I could afford. Impressed by the reviews on Ali's page, I tried him out. I am SO happy I did! I've been going to him ever since for cut, color, and highlights, and my hair looks better than it ever has before. It's always great to get compliments on it:) Also, for those girls getting married, Ali did my highlights for my wedding, and they looked absolutely stunning.

I really appreciate Ali's focus during our appointments. He always gives my his full attention and really listens during our pre-cut/color consults. He comes across as an extremely confident perfectionist, and you just know you are in very capable hands. Going to the Cottage is always a very good experience -- the environment is very cheerful and friendly, and the other stylists are very nice. Just overall, a wonderful staff there, and of course Ali is my favorite, but I'm biased.

Thanks for everything Ali! You're amazing!

• Pros: Amazing Colorist/Stylist!
• Cons: Absolutely None!

11/02/09

Ali is the ONLY person I will ever trust with my highlights!

by burbank310

I feel really guilty that I haven't gotten my act together to get this review posted sooner, because Ali isn’t just an amazing professional hair stylist and colorist, he’s also proven to be a good friend to all those who are lucky enough to experience The Cottage. I found him through CitySearch a couple of years ago and even now that I’ve relocated to Pasadena, I won’t ever let anyone else touch my hair – Ali’s that brilliant, especially for dishwater blondes like me!

If you haven't already heard through the grapevine, Ali Hadjian does THE BEST work creating multi-dimensional, long-lasting and natural-looking blonde highlights in all of LA. (I think he works privately with a roster of celebrities, but he’s pretty cagey about that.) In the decade I’ve been in LA, I’ve tried out pretty much every big-name hair stylist imaginable searching to recreate the healthy, natural-looking blonde of my youth from the bleach-out, sun/salt/chlorine damaged locks my active lifestyle created. I’ve tried pretty much every major salon, including Goodform, Maxime, Fekkai, Cristophe, Umberto... But, I never returned to the same place twice because I never got personal attention, I always paid way too much, and I always left with the same, generic blonde “Do” you seem to see on every soccer mom and street corner in the Westside. So, to say I was a little disillusioned by the time I read Ali's reviews on CitySearch and made an appointment is an understatement. But, I was SO pleasantly surprised with Ali and with The Cottage!

First, Ali spends A LOT of time with each of his clients. I think my appointments tend run about 2 hours with no overlap in appointments and no extra fee for the time (as I’ve experienced elsewhere). He’s never once been late or kept me waiting, or taken calls during our appointments, and I’ve never ever felt rushed. He also never ever tries to sell you product, which is a rare treat these days!

Second, Ali is a color specialist. At your first appointment, he'll do an assessment of the quality of your hair and what sort of cut/color you’re looking for and will offer you advice about how to make that work with the shape of your face/features and your individual coloring/complexion. (He actually takes notes, too!) Then, he'll offer you advice about what color or combination of colors will work best with your unique skin and eye coloration. (He typically weaves in 2-3 different color highlights into my hair, alternating every other appointment between highlights and lowlights.)

The result, for me, is that my hair looks healthier than it has in years (despite the damage I inflict upon it!), and I finally have my youthful blonde back. Ali’s done such a tremendous job masking my dishwater blonde/brown locks that I keep receiving compliments on the cut/color – even weeks after my appointments when I think the roots are starting to show. In fact, Ali does SUCH a tremendous job with my color and cut, that I don’t even really have to come in to see him for touch ups that often – maybe once every 2 months, since the highlights grow out so naturally. (That’s bad for him, but good for my pocketbook!)

Lastly, Ali is just a really decent human being and a whole lot of fun to talk to during the appointments. You can tell that he has good relationships with everybody at The Cottage. Also, unlike a lot of hair stylists out there (and again, I think I’ve seen a lot of the best LA has to offer!), he seems to really take pride in his profession and in getting to know his clients and helping them be their best selves. He and the entire team at The Cottage have created such a welcoming, “family” environment, that I look forward to the commute out there and won't be seeing anyone else anytime soon.

Thank you, Ali!

• Pros: Ali does the best, most natural-looking blonde
• Cons: Um. What?

11/02/09

Best hairdresser in town

by flola

Ali is an amazing artist. He knows what's best for you. He is also a food listener and really care about his customer. Definitely a keeper!!

• Pros: Highlights
• Cons: so far so good!!

10/26/09

Did my hair color for my wedding! Stunning!

by Danigirl

Just wanted to thank you Ali! You did my hair color for my wedding and it looked absolutely stunning! Thank you for taking the time as usual to listen and produce exactly what I asked for. You have a talent for giving my hair the most gorgeous, natural highlights. I have since moved to Belgium and recently had to get my roots done, and of course, now I look like a stripey skunk. I want my Ali back! When I come back to LA you will be the first person I stop in to see. Thanks for your brilliance! You are such a talented colorist.

• Pros: He does amazing color/highlights!
• Cons: I moved to Belgium and couldn't take him with me!

10/24/09

Great place for color!

by chishirtfactory

Every time I leave Ali from having my color done people comment how nice it is to see a natural blonde.

Is great as I have my hair lightened 3 levels!

Ali is kind and friendly. The salon itself is clean, friendly, professional, relaxing.

If you need color, Ali is the man to go to-

• Pros: Color is fantastic, nice environment

10/23/09

SIGH OF RELIEF

by lseay

Thank god. Thank god thank god. So I found Ali on Citysearch and called after reading so many stunning reviews. He was wonderful on the phone. I had been dying my hair red for about a year now and wanted to go back to blond. He wanted to make sure he knew what I wanted so we met a day before for an initial consultation. Ali will listen to you but also make sure you don't do anything....well...stupid : ) He gave me a beautiful blonde while still maintaining a beautiful contrast to my pale skin with some lowlights and richer colors at my roots. He has a great sense of humor and obviously really cares about his clients satisfaction.

GO!

• Pros: Professional, Reasonably priced
• Cons: parking isn't great

10/18/09

Great place to get your hair done!

by StephanieWilson

I have been going to Ali for over two years now and every time I leave the salon, I could not be happier. I recommend him to everyone! The color is great, he listens to what I want and it always comes out so great. I have never been more satisfied with the cut as well! All around, he is the best person to do you hair, I have only had good experiences with him. I get compliments on my hair all the time and I owe it all to him. He is worth every penny spent!! If you are looking for a place to get your hair and want to be happy with your hair, go to ALI!!

• Pros: Color and Cut
• Cons: N/A

10/12/09

Professional&Fun

by miriamellersiek

When I moved to LA I was afraid to leave the best hairdresser I ever had behind and that I would never find anyone like him again. But I did !!!

After scouring citysearch for quite a while, I decided to trust the great reviews about Ali and went for it. ... I must say I'm really happy I have found him.

He is very professional, a great hairstylist + colorist and a really nice guy. He always does a great job with my (and also my husband's) hair. In addition, he has a lot of valuable advice for new parents like us :-).

• Pros: Talent, Skill, personality, reasonable prices
• Cons: None

10/11/09

Best Harcut in L.A.

by lush341

Every time I go to Ali, I come out with just the look I envisioned went I made the appointment. He doesn't try to up sell or push a bunch of products on me, but he does have great advice on ways to achieve the look I want if I ask for it.

His prices are reasonable, and the Cottage (the salon he works out of) is great as well-very cute and laid back.

• Pros: great listener, incredibly skilled, fun
• Cons: Haven't run into any