Innu Hair Salon

**NOTE: INNU just moved down the street, and is now called Slate. Their new website is here:
I cannot sing the praises of this salon enough. I’ve been to Helen twice now, for a haircut and bang trim, and she rocks. She starts with a peppermint oil scalp, neck and shoulder massage (aaahhhmazing), then does her magic with shampoo and scissors. She always does exactly what I want, and never pushes extra products or services on me.
Plus, I get loads of samples every time I go, which is a great extra perk! If you go in as a referral, you get $ 5 off. I can’t say enough good things about Helen and INNU/​Slate!

Helen did a bang trim for me, as well as a blow-​dry for a wedding I was in.
These are seriously some of the best bangs I’ve gotten. As well, she managed to get my hair to do some amazing things. It was full of body and looked fantastic. I’m bummed that I couldn’t take her back to Chicago with me!
The only not-​awesome thing was that my hair did end up falling flat after a few hours. I still give it four stars, though, because I have a ton of hair but it’s baby-​fine, and no one has ever gotten body to last that long before. Ever. Also, it was raining which didn’t help.
Annnd the bride loved her hair – it was perfect and lasted all night! Not too bridal-​y, but very sophisticated and unique.

I have been shopping around to different chain salons for all of my time in Austin– started with places at the mall like Toni & Guy then Visible Changes. Both are OK but at Innu, I’ve found a winner & I’m sticking with it!
First, they have an awesome atmosphere– cool and relaxed but very professional. Then, all of the stylists give a head massage before they do the shampoo– very nice! I’ve had two stylists — Helen and Chris, and both gave me great haircuts. I love the Bumble & Bumble products too, although I’m still hesitating to buy them because I have a hard time swallowing that cost. Finally, I haven’t taken them up on it yet, but I believe the have a free trim a few weeks after your cut to keep things tidy.

A friend of mine has fabulous Pantene hair so when I was in the market for a really good cut I asked her. She gave me a referral card so I instantly saved $ 5. I love pre-​discounts! Her girl was booked this week so they scheduled me with Chris instead.
Remember that scene in Cocktail when Tom Cruise spins and flips around the bottles and glasses? That what Chris looked like as he was rescuing my disgusting excuse for a do and turned it into FAB-​U-​LOUS!
Back up a second, before my shampoo I had a relaxing scalp massage. Then the cut. Okay continue. He talked me though everything he was using and gave me samples of it all. No pressure to buy anything. They also donate 10% of product sales to a local charity.
The icing was the awesomeness behind the counter that complimented my vintage black handbag. A great cut, great service, AND commenting on my purse??? LOVE IT!
Oh.I almost forgot. They offer a bang touch-​up in between cuts for free! I have paid more for a cut and gotten so much less than at INNU. The service is wonderful and they are talented. I will be going back!

Thank Goodness Solana is BACK! But even during her absence, I was always taken care of and happy at Innu! I have long hair, I don’t get cuts that often so its very important when I do! Honestly, the best cuts I’ve ever had, especially when I want to do something different. They’re the best crew and they’re all so nice and always seem to be having a good time! Cute and trendy without the pretentiousness. I have several friends that go too and are loyal customers. Highly recommended!

Love this place and Love Julia! It was my first time here and I have long, straight hair. She gave it life again! This is the first cut that I am completely in love with. The rest of the salon seemed nice and helpful as well. I will for sure continue to go here.

Sheila has moved down to Aura Veni on Riverside across from Threadgill’s! I still go to her and she still does a great job.

Lauren still totally rocks. I love my newest haircut. She is so sweet and the people are friendly. They always call and check after a week and have been seriously pressuring me to schedule a free bangs trim so I don’t look as shaggy when the bangs grow out.
One of the nicest things is their operating hours. They know people work so they have hours set to make it easy. I mean 7 in the morning and then they are open until 7 at night. Plus I want to pick flowers from their flowers beds but have managed to stop myself. ^^

Just wanted to write a quick update — I’ve now been back to Innu a number of times and I’m still just as happy as I was with my first trip, if not more so now. Everyone there is so sweet and accommodating, I end up feeling like a pampered barbie doll by the time I leave. In addition to seeing Kendall, who is excellent, I’ve also seen Becky a few times. She’s fantastic. I recently decided to switch from blonde to brunette and she did the most amazing job making my new hair color look like it’s always belonged on me. I only got color done (not cut) and I was pleasantly surprised when my total was only $ 90, especially considering I took up close to 3 hours of their time. I also love that the scheduling people are always so accommodating, I tend to make appointments fairly last minute and they always seem to find a way to squeeze me in.
So, in summary: great service, great place, great people, amazing results.

I heart INNU!
This is such a great salon. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I’ve seen a few different stylists here and they all listen to what you want and do great work.
Their prices are very competitive and if you book your next appointment during your appointment you will get 10% off the next. They use great products and the salon is welcoming and clean!
I have recommended INNU to some friends and all have had great experiences as well.

I moved to Austin in September of 2006. In January of 2007 I stupidly went to Byrds Barber Shop to get a hair cut before going to NYC to check out what the locals do on the island. I left Byrds disturbed and only got to feeling worse each time I looked in the mirror. A friend mentioned this gal that he had dated who had mentioned Innu Salon, so I went. Solana gave me one of the greatest cuts– I notice every time I look back at the NYC pics– and I only had about 2 inches or less to work with.
It’s now been 3 years since that first theraputic trip to Innu Salon. Solana has since moved to another city and I have had cuts from Kendal and Helen, each one unique, cute, sexy, and very easy to style. My Innu cuts and color are usually good for up to 2 months, after which I need to return. They also provide «bang trims.»
In between some cuts I have gotten impatient (I’m impulsive) and jumped to get a cut at some other salon. Some of them have been okay and worth the really cheap price, but none of them have ever come close to the greatness the sits atop my head after a visit to Innu.
I have always found their staff to be knowledgeable, friendly, and never in a hurry. I have had color several times and numerous cuts over the past 3 years and I always feel enthusiastic and comfortable with my new do. Their prices are right in line with current salon services and they increase with the experience of the stylist– even the $ 35 cut (all I’ve ever gotten) is great, perfect, fun, easy.

This was one of my worst hair cut experiences ever. When the stylist first introduced himself to me (Alex? Something like that), he was super creepy and mean-​spirited. I should have left immediately. Instead, I decided to just have trust that things would work out since a friend-​of-​a-​friend had recommended him.
He was extremely hateful. When I showed him a picture of Bridget Bardot to show the cut that I wanted, he sarcastically said, «Do you think that you look like her!!!» Um, no. Then he added, «Do you watch her movies or do you just look at pictures!!!» He wasn’t even being funny or playful, he was trying to be mean and hateful. I was so baffled at what was happening – I should have left immediately, but I must have been in shock.
He then went on to insinuate that I couldn’t possibly be the friend of the friend-​of-​my-​friend, and was really trying to be insulting. He wasn’t smart at all, and seemed borderline retarded. On one hand, I felt sorry for him that he is a retarded hairdresser, but on the other hand, I don’t know why I didn’t get the hell out of there.
He proceeded with the haircut which was basically him whacking at my long hair randomly while wielding his razor like a machete. My hair was looking horrible, and I politely asked him to stop whacking at my hair. I finally just said STOP. And the haircut was over, and he slithered away to the back room.
Yes, my hair looked AWFUL. It looked like it had been weed-​whacked.

I’ve been going to Innu for 7 years. Everyone at Innu is professional, friendly, and the best at what they do. The salon is spotlessly clean, and has a warm, inviting décor. Alexis usually cuts my hair, and she is fantastic — she always gives me what I ask for and also makes good suggestions when I don’t really know what I want. Other things I love about Innu: being able to get a cup of coffee or diet coke or glass of water at no charge; the awesome head and shoulder massage you get before every shampoo; the groovy t-​shirts; Bumble & Bumble products for sale; the very friendly staff; and the awesome central location. I highly recommend Innu.

I’ve been feeling yucky lately and needed a pick me up. I made my appt. 2 days in advance, and was happy to pay $ 40 instead of $ 70 at Pink.
I told Kendall, my stylist, I wanted to feel glamorous. She went out of her way to give me an amazing blow out at the end, and she wasn’t afraid to take risks. Very nice but not overly chatty (I hate those «let’s share your life story» hairdressers).
I had organic chai tea when I arrived and tons of samples when I left. And a nice scalp/​shoulder massage.
Highly recommended and well worth the money.
**NB prices vary by stylist, but the receptionist usually tells you on the phone how much your stylist will charge

Never again! I should have known when I walked in to the salon and met Lauren: Beautiful long red hair. One length and half pulled up. Soft pink v-​neck sweater with pearls. Jeans. Too conservative for me. When she was shampooing my hair, I believe she was afraid to touch my head. Conversation was difficult to have and hold. To top it off, she dropped the blow dryer on my head. Laughed it off and said she «drops everything». Ah, do you think I’m coming back… No way! I wish I had more constructive criticism. I picked this salon based on the reviews and their education philosophy, moderately priced stylist and proximity to my home. It’s always hard to find a stylist in a new city, but from now on, I ask people where they got their haircut.

After reading the other reviews on Unilocal,I have to say I’m surprised at the negatives. I have been a fan of INNU for over 6 months (especially Solanna). It’s pretty difficult to find a stylist that listens and creates the look you actual want… they accomplish that at INNU! I am very picky about my cut/​color and have been increasingly happy with each one.
The atmosphere is very relaxing and calm… maybe others mistake that for snobbery, but getting your hair styled is not about good conversation as far as I am concerned. It’s about the hair. The Bumble and Bumble products are fantastic, especially the free samples. I would recommend INNU to anyone who wants to see their vision of the perfect style come to life.

I’ve been going to Innu for about six months or so, mainly because I don’t drive and it’s really close to my house. Also, two separate friends of mine on two different occasions both recommended it and neither of them was the hair salon recommending type, so I figure it must be good!
The first time I walked in, it kind of intimidated me, but I’m easily intimidated. I’m not a fan of being the center of attention, which, of course, at the hair salon, you really kind of have to be, or, well… you get a bad haircut. I love the little massage and the hot tea (or your drink of choice) and the styling products.
My stylist did a really excellent job with my rather vague instructions («Eh, a little bit off here… kind of flippy over this way…») and the next time was even better because she wasn’t trying to fix months of awkward growing-​out-​ness. All in all, some of the best haircuts I’ve ever had!
Now if only I could just bring her home with me and have her style my hair every morning when I wake up… yeah…that’d be great.

Nope.
I tried INNU because they are about a minute from my house and the reviews seemed mostly positive. I had been going to Pink on South Congress and was looking for somewhere more convenient. I have very long hair and simple bangs, so I figured it couldn’t go that far astray.
They got me in the day I called with a $ 30 stylist who’s name I’ll keep to myself to protect her reputation. I’m not spiteful. The experience starts off positive. I’m offered something to drink, my stylist was on time, the head and neck massage was great.
They are very into their Bumble and bumble products at the INNU. So much so that I left feeling as if my hair weighed five extra pounds. Initially, I think my bangs will be fine. They are a little round, let’s say. I figure I’ll go home and flat iron them. No. They are the most strangely behaving bangs I’ve ever seen.
As I wear my bangs for a week after the cut, it becomes apparent I’m not going to be able to make them work. The nice thing about INNU is they do follow-​up calls and will give you a recut if you are not satisfied. The unfortunate thing is they set you up with the original stylist you saw.
So I returned this evening hoping she could correct the bang issue. She immediately states that she believes it is a problem with how I am styling them, and not the cut. I reply that I’m styling them the same way I styled the bangs I’d had for the past six months and they are not working for me.
The other thing that bothered me is she didn’t remember me from the previous week. She was asking the same questions and making the same generic conversation. My other stylist remembered exactly who I was three months after my initial visit.
I ask about maybe feathering them to get them to lie flat. I’m not the stylist, I don’t know, just fix them. She goes to feathering furiously. She spins me around about a minute later and I am troubled by what I see. It now looks like a first grader cut them. I say that it’s fine, I want to get away from this woman and her scissors as quickly as possible.
I manage to make it to the car before boo-​hooing. I will not be returning. I will make the journey to Chenoh at Pink in South Austin. She is a master. I can’t believe I went to anyone else. I suppose I got what I deserved. This place might be lovely if you are lucky enough to get paired with a skilled stylist. I was not so fortunate.

I have been seeing a stylist at Innu for the past 6 months and have been very pleased with the results. I decided to try Innu after my husband and a co-​worker both got amazing cuts there. The Bumble and Bumble products are amazing, the atmosphere is very low-​key and relaxed and I’ve never felt pressured into services. I do agree with the reviewer below that you should probably have a fairly good idea of the style you’re looking for.
I sincerely wanted to sit down and say, «You’re the professional, make me look great,» but instead I had to come up with an idea of what I thought I wanted. The first time out, admittedly, I wasn’t too pleased with the results. The second time, however, I came with a clearer idea of what I wanted and ended up with my all-​time favorite haircut. Seriously.

I picked this salon for two reasons. One, they are a Bumble and Bumble Salon, meaning they get lots of training and support. Two, because they’re one of the main sponsors of the Rude Mechanicals. And everyone knows that those folks look GREAT.
Sure enough, I got a great haircut.
It started with excellent coffee in a real mug (thank you!), then a head and neck massage in the shampoo area. SolAna carefully cut my hair, adjusting and shaping it into the perfect final result. When I checked out, they included samples of all the products used during my haircut, without any pressure to buy or schedule my next appointment. I couldn’t have asked for a better session. Oh, and the prices are definitely right.