Doria Salon Spa

My mother goes to Doria for many many years. I have gone as a teenager (over 10 years ago) to fix my hair problems in the past and have had good memories. As of recently, my mother had an appointment and I wanted to get my roots touched up as there was a lot of gray. I called and mentioned to the girl on the phone I have curly hair and very aggressive gray hair. She said she would check with my mothers hair dresser Ashly if she can squeeze me in. I got booked in. The hairdresser Ashley seemed very rushed and advised me she could only do my roots. I said that was okay. After I was done and was gonna pay my bill came to over $ 100.00 I was taken back a bit as I go to my regular hairdresser in gastown who works at a high end salon
Who has 25+ years experience and never charged me that much for just roots. When I got home I realized I still had a lot of grey hairs left. I also noticed that my mother who has been
A loyal customer didn’t receive a discount for referring me which states on their pamphlet that this is their protocol for loyal guests. I decided to call and complain. I spoke to the receptionist and she told me a manager would call me. Several minutes later a woman calls me back and asks me if the grey is in between my hair or from the root. Of course it’s in the root and it’s in the front of my hair line. Then she says that she can book me in with
Ashley to re-​colour and asked if I would be okay walking out with damp hair!!! I was appalled she said that. Then says all colour is the same with every stylist. Well as a matter of fact no it isn’t!!! Some hair dressers are more skilled with doing colour than others!!! And my hairdresser who’s a master stylist from color box in gastown will fix your hair and make sure it’s blow dried and styled even if it’s a re-​do. I thought the manager on the phone was fake, rude and overly saracastic. The funny part is I have worked in salons And have seen this type of treatment before from
Managers who don’t care about quality but just care about gauging people. This woman then said that $ 75 is the regular price for roots and that maintaining beauty is expensive!!! are you kidding me? Ur salon is in buttfuck nowhere and u got inexperienced ppl working there over charging for a root touch up!!! If you want to get you hair done properly, professionally and decently priced I recommend color box in gastown! I’ll never go to this place again! Horrible, horrible, horrible.

This place was like a 10-​minute walk from my place, so that was a plus. It was also bigger than I anticipated, and the décor was lovely and elegant! The staff were very friendly and accommodating, especially the receptionist; she was really friendly and they offer you water (with fruits in them) once you walk in.
I’ve had two visits here; the first being a consultation appointment (which was free!), and the second being an actual hair appointment.
Their hairstylists are based on «levels», but they are not ranked by their experience, but by their clientele base. I had a level 2 stylist, and she was great and listened to what I wanted for my hair.
The prices were reasonable, I guess. It was the first time I got my hair highlighted at a salon.
As for the results of my hair, it didn’t turn out the way I wanted to. I asked for blonde and brown balayage highlights, and even showed photos, but I’m not sure if my stylist was experienced enough to work with Asian hair because she gave me a caramel brown (which I did ask for, but I also mentioned blonde), but to me it just looked like my hair was slightly bleached but not to the point of being blonde. It still looked pretty flat and plain to me, and I told her I wanted it to cover all of my hair from the top (or most of it), but she only started put the colour halfway down. She also gave me a haircut and it looked good from the front, but from the back and side, it didn’t turn out the way I expected it to be (I asked for an angled bob). There was barely any angle to my angled bob, it just looked like my hair was longer in the front, and the rest of it didn’t transition well into the back part. I’m not sure if that was due to the fact that I asked her to fix a bad haircut I came in with.
Overall, the experience was great and I would come back here again with longer hair and hopefully come out with more obvious results. I’m not too mad or bummed about what happened to my hair because I know it could have been better and it’s just hair, but I was still happy anyway because the service was great. And like I said, I’d come back when my hair is ready to cooperate.
Also, I don’t think they gave me the discount they say they give if it’s your first time.

I paid for two great cuts and colors from Theresa at Doria. I also had my eyebrows tinted by Olivia — and she was fabulous.
A week and a half or so before my third hair appointment, I was called to say that Theresa is no longer with Doria. I was rescheduled with a «more advanced» stylist and told that I would still be able to pay my normal rate this time but if I liked the new stylist, I’d have to start paying more for her.
Not so cool. I understand turn-​over, but I’d appreciate not being assigned a more expensive hair dresser and assume I’ll just be willing to pay $ 50+ more! Also, only once was I greeted with a smile and friendly service from the ladies at the front desk — I always felt unwelcome and out of place when I was there.
Theresa [and Olivia, although she’s still there as far as I know] was the best thing about Doria. Moral of the story, I’d pay the «$$$» that Doria charges if the up-​front service and atmosphere was better, outside of the actual hair work. Sorry.

Oh, where do I start… Doria & Co. is just the best salon EVER. My stylist, Jason, is so thorough in his consultations, never rushes, and gives his honest opinion and suggestions regarding your hair needs/​desires/​issues. His experience and constant upgrading of skills really shows his commitment to his craft.
The salon itself — underwent a reno in the last year or two — it looked great before, looks great now too! The front desk receptionists are very professional, courteous, and FRIENDLY; a sometimes rare occurence in most salons-​too often I find salon receptionists to be vacant and unfriendly, probably hired just to have a pretty face at the front of the business. Not at Doria! There I am always greeted with a genuine smile and promptly checked in and offered a beverage. Any questions I have are always answered very helpfully. Truly top-​notch customer service.
The prices are competitive and the retail area well organized and stocked. They carry Dermalogica skincare, and Redken haircare, which I love.
They have an area for men where guys can have a proper, old-​fashioned professional shave, complete with retro barber chairs and a TV that often has some sort of sport event playing.
The music played in the salon is current top 40, and loud enough to hear but not so loud that you can barely hear yourself think.
Oh, I could go on with my praise for days. And I wish I could offer some kind of constructive criticism to avoid having this sound like I work there — but I promise I don’t. It’s just that great! Just go there, you won’t be disappointed!