Cream

Nicole and Luke are a great duo and always do an awesome job of cutting my hair. Small shop, owned by them, well priced, and just a good couple to support.

I feel extremely fortunate to have found Cream and Jen to cut my hair. I moved from LA where I had a long time stylist with great Aveda technique. When I first moved to Portland, I saw that the barbershop/​clipper cut circle was pretty strong but because I have curly hair I really needed a scissor cut from someone with great technique and Jen absolutely nailed it.
The vibe is super mellow too since it’s a two chair salon and all the craziness of normal places doesn’t apply here. My search is over and now I’m home. See you soon!

Hair stylists are a lot like dentists: once I find a good one (friendly «master-​of-​their-​art»), I stick with him or her for YEARS… and CREAM is just that kind of place!
My daughter and I were in the skillful hands of Luke, a true artist at his work (Yes, they even have art mags instead of hair mags — a signal that we were in good artistic hands). The kiddo was ready for her first hairSTYLE in her life– a graduated bob with a fairly steep A-​line for a 10-​year-​old. Luke was precise and patient with his shears and created beautifully stacked layers in the back and the dramatic A-​line that she wanted.
So ecstatic to find our go-​to hair guy. Yay :)

I came to CREAM on a whim, based off of proximity to my apartment and all of the 5 star reviews, and I couldn’t be happier! Luke cut the dead, fried ends off my curly mane, most of which is still recovering from 3+ years of being poorly bleached to be pink. I’ve been growing out my hair and didn’t want to depart with much, but needed a fresh look. Luke worked his magic and gave me some great layers and a better length, and it looked great curly AND straight (which I requested).
After about a week of washing and styling myself, I decided that I needed more length off because the damage was a bit more extensive than I’d originally thought. Luke got me in a couple days later and chopped off another couple of inches. It’s shorter than I thought I wanted to go during the first cut, but I am SO happy with it now. It feels worlds healthier, the layers offer nice movement, and it still looks good straight too :)
I’m so happy to have found Luke and CREAM salon! He is a great stylist and fun to chat with as well. I’ll definitely be back.

This is a tiny (two chair) shop on Burnside. It was easy to find a parking spot on the street when I got my hair cut Saturday. I was offered water or a beer when I got there.
I like this place! The couple that runs it are friendly and efficient. Most important, I love the haircut from Nicole. She listened to me and carefully cut my hair with good results. I will definitely return!
Note that they don’t take credit cards so bring cash or checks.

Nicole is my savior! She does such an amazing job, always attentive, considerate, and genuine. No matter the demand, she is always happy to give a consult, walking me through the process so I have a realistic understanding. Thanks to her guidance I have never been happier. I’ve gone from short to long, light to dark, and everything in between.
Bonus — the business is a husband and wife super duo. If you are over the gossip, starring, and typical salon atmosphere — you’ll love it here.

Nicole is so amazing and talented. From her warm inviting vibe to her magic fingers. Being a stylist myself, I am picky as to who will touch my hair and I would trust this lady any day of the week. She has an amazing eye for art, color and shapes. Her other stylists there are super talented as well, since Nicole would never work with someone that is not up to her own standards.
When my own shop is too busy or we get a walk in we can’t take, I always send clients to this shop because I know they will get great service at a reasonable price and leave happy.
Although it’s a tiny shop, the space is well lit and utilized. Located directly on E. Burnside with a great view for people watching, it’s still private enough with the way they designed the shop front.
They use the best color lines and products and have a constant rotation of fun artwork.

I normally just have my friends cut my hair but I decided it was time for a professional cut. I have curly hair and the haircut I got here has made my curls come out to be much more glorious and full. It was a shot in the dark, I went here based of Unilocal reviews and now know first hand why this joint has 5 stars across the board. Truly deserved. I got an apt that day and went in. Told Luke to do whatever he wants really I just needed something done. I feel like I have a whole new head of hair and am very pleased. Will certainly go back and suggest you go here too if you want a great cut.

I love this salon! Got my first haircut here a few weeks ago, and I absolutely loved it! I had super long Asian hair and was cutting it off to donate to Wigs for Kids, Luke was such a treat to work with. He paid such great attention to the details of the haircut. Highly recommend this salon, I’ll definitely be back!

I’ve flown to PDX for a haircut from Luke. Enough said. He’s an artist and knows how to cut curly hair! I love supporting local, the prices are great, and above all else, every hair cut I’ve gotten has been absolutely perfect.

Schouvie is my hair genius! She works magic on color — and I mean any color — from sunsets on your head to the most natural, subtle highlights. (The photo is what she did on my sweetie’s head) Her other specialty is giving texture and volume to my thin straight hair. I swear it’s the hair cut you can’t style wrong — any way I comb it (or the wind blows it) it looks killer.
The shop is totally cute with lots of natural light and fun art — though small with only 2 chairs. Walk-​ins welcome but I suggest making an appointment.

Luke has magic hands! As an Asian, I’m always a little nervous about getting my hair cut and when I moved to the Portland area I used Unilocal to help me find my new stylist. Boy did I luck out :)
My hair is medium length, thick and I’ve got bangs. I needed my layers fixed, my hair lightened up because it gets heavy at this length and a root touch-​up. I loved the area that the salon was located: good parking, Starbucks across the street and in a fun neighborhood. The salon was relaxed, no glaring hot lights or blasting trance music. Luke was very attentive to the color, cut and style; I’m the low key type and I won’t do anything beyond blowdrying. My haircut was amazing, I’ve got the length but it isn’t weighed down!
Don’t be fooled by the small space – I love supporting small local businesses and he and Nicole are the real deal. Thanks guys!

I followed Niko Ray to Cream where he has been doing my hair for the past 9 months and I have never been more in love –with my hair.
Niko has been putting the magic on my tresses for past 9 months and I’ve never been so complimented by strangers for my hair! A year ago I had moved out here and dreaded finding a new stylist, but after reading through Unilocal reviews I felt comfortable trying out Niko and I instantly felt he was the type of stylist I was looking for –someone willing to try new things but also keeping with the image I had in mind, and he has proven himself every time :)
This guy is full of great ideas and is completely honest with you about any new adventurist hairstyle that might not be the best look for you. That is admirable especially when he can easily just give the client what they are asking for and take the money… But not homeboy here, he wants you to be excited about your hair.
The next best thing about your great new hair style with Niko is the fact that you get a great guy standing behind it with you –full of life, & positive energy and he’s not just there to make the money, he just truly loves what he does and he’s great with hair!
If you haven’t figured it out yet he’s got a great personality, is super fun to talk to and you can sense the passion he puts into everything he does. The shop itself is nice and the other stylists seem just as chill and laid back.

So I never write reviews but I literally joined the Unilocal community so I could sing praises about Niko Ray! I Just moved to Southern Oregon and happened to be visiting Portland for a week. I stumbled upon some amazing reviews about him and decided to go check him out myself.
All I can say is that you must go see him! No review can give him proper justice whatsoever. He is super personable, really takes time with his clients and knows what works best for your face but also listen to what you want. He has awesome tips on Portland, if you need them, and is super funny too. He was booked back to back so I got to see him work with some of his returning clients and even before I was seated I knew that he was an amazing person!
But enough about his personality, can I tell you about how awesome my hair looks, I seriously wanted to go everywhere just to show off my new style! Walking out of the salon I felt super confident and within 10 minuets, I kid you not, a total stranger complimented my hair so I handed over his card! Needless to say I will be scheduling trips to Portland just to see Mr. Niko Ray because he is the best!

I just moved here from Eugene and had previously just been getting my hair done at Bishop’s whenever I visited my parents. They were okay, but there was always some little thing I’d be dissatisfied with.
A few months ago I was staying up here during spring break and Luke gave me a free haircut card while I was out on a run. I returned to Eugene the next week, finished up college and came back up to Portland for good. Today I was walking home and went past CREAM. I decided I might as well use the free haircut card. Luke set me up and went to work. I was extremely pleased with the job he did. He took a look at a picture of the style I wanted and tailored it perfectly to the way my hair grows (no easy task with all the cowlicks I have). He also gave me a kind of semi-​permanent part that no other stylist has ever offered to do. It’s PERFECT! Low maintenance but still looks clean and stylish.
I was worried I’d have a hard time finding a hair salon or barbershop that could match the quality that I got with my old standby, Mos Faded in Eugene. CREAM is my new place to go for a haircut. Right down the street from me, easy, and relaxing. Luke was great too. Funny dude and made me feel completely comfortable.

I normally bring a picture with me of what haircut I want whenever I’m changing my style around, but didn’t this time when I came in to see Niko. And it was the first time seeing him (I came in after researching both him and the salon on Unilocal). Instead, I described to him what I wanted done and he pinpointed it right away.
My hair wasn’t that long when I came in mind you, yet he still spent about an hour meticulously going over and making sure that everything looked good. The best precision cut I’ve ever had. Plus, we had an interesting conversation to go along with it.
Go to Niko, you’re in good hands.

Niko Ray is without any doubt the best hair stylist I have ever had.
He cuts hair for my whole family (mom, step-​father, fashionista brother). He gives the best men’s hair cuts. I get compliments weeks after my hair is cut.
I took my boyfriend to him once, and it just took a mediocre haircut after Niko Ray’s cut to make him realize… OMG, I NEED THE NIKO RAY AGAIN.
I’ve followed him from salon to salon for the past few years. I let one person touch my hair in Seattle, and it was dreadful. Luckily I have family here, because I find an excuse to come every other month to visit family and, of course, get my hair cut by The Niko Ray.
Also, he’s super cute and friendly and just loves what he does! :)

Nicole has been doing all the coloring, cuts, and trims of my hairs since 2008. I’m so happy to have her as my hair dresser. We used to take yoga at the same studio; so, after much talking about hair I made my way over to her while she was still a manager at Bishops… I was sold instantly.
I was so happy for Nicole and Luke when I heard they were opening their own place. I continue to have only Nicole do my hair even with all my traveling lately I still just wait for when I’m in town which seems to be every 6 months. I love her work!
I’ve never had my hair cut by Luke but my mother has and still does I believe. He has always done a great job keeping my moms hair styling.
These two are a gem in the rough for sure, I wouldn’t dare look any further.

Niko is my guy! He really pays attention to detail and cuts it right! The shop has a comfortable and clean environment and everyone is pretty down to earth and friendly. I would recommend it to anyone.

Nicole and Luke are the owners of Cream and they are the nicest and most down-​to-​earth hair stylists I have met in this town.
I used to have long straight asian hair and decided to get my hair cut in an a-​line bob last December 2010. I went to another salon (which I will keep anonymous) and the inexperienced girl went to town on my head with thinning shearers and hacked my hair up. I was horrified but didn’t freak out — afterall, it’s just hair, right?
Well, this experience prompted me to try a new place and one of my friends suggested that I go to Cream. Luke fixed my hair as best as he could during my first haircut with him and I’ve since gone back every 4 – 6 weeks. He is very experienced and very detailed. I highly recommend Luke for asian hair (which is more difficult to cut because it is more coarse and straight) as well as other types of hair.