Propaganda the Salon

Niko has been my go-​to stylist in Portland for the last two years. He’s been excellent while I’ve been shifting around from short, mid, and longer hairstyles, delivering cuts that went beyond expectations when leaving the salon’s doors and held up after weeks (often months) of growth. Ask him about his favorite camping spots along the coast. Ask him how he spent Mother’s Day the last few years. Very happy whenever I see him.

Niko is awesome, he really listens to you, and asks helpful questions. He is very good at what he does, and I will continue to see him for all my hair needs!

Scott has been cutting my hair for years; I think he’s the best stylist in Portland and he’s more talented than the stylists I got to work with in New York, Chicago, and DC. We’re lucky to have him here! Propaganda is a locally owned salon with a great, authentic Portland atmosphere. They don’t push products but are extremely knowledgable, experienced, and helpful. Don’t miss out on this awesome place!

I went in to get my haircut by Joseph today. I haven’t gotten it cut in two years! I don’t like going to hair salons. I feel so happy with my experience here though. He seemed to genuinely care about how I wanted my hair to be cut and asked questions to see what to do. I usually dislike getting my hair shampooed because i’m so sensitive and it feels so rough but he was so gentle and it felt like i was given a head massage. I felt like I could fall asleep haha!
It felt like such a human place, if that makes sense. There was no sense that it was just a job for him and that the place was only interested in making money. A human salon, not a technology-​money driven salon.

Niko Ray you are a true treasure.
I could not be more happy with the service I recieve from Niko. I have never had the feeling that I found the «One» when it comes to stylists. He is definately hands down the best stylist I have ever been to and will continue with as long as he is doing hair.
He has a wonderful personality, attention to detail is flawless ans is just a rad dude. I love chatting with him and I leave his chair feeling fantastic! Dont cheat yourself. schedule with him

niko Ray has been snipping my hair for over 5 years… I’ve followed him from salon to salon. He’s amazing, and an artist with hair. I have very long, very thick hair. Whenever I book an appointment, I’m amazed at what he does. I’ve never had a bad cut, it always turns out perfect. What is really interesting to me is that it LOOKS like he has cut a lot of hair, but then I look down on the ground and there’s just little fluffs. How he can cut so little hair and yet make it look amazeballs is like magic to me. I love him. Cannot recommend him enough. My daughter now goes to him and her rave about niko is probably somewhere in here too…

Just had my hair cut by Joseph — he did a great job, was quick, and fun to chat with. I would definitely trust him with my hair any day. Thanks, Joseph!

No place that is better in Portland! I was having a panic attack back in August when I had to have a very last minute hair appointment for my sister’s wedding. Their salon fit me in at the last minute and I had the best haircut I can remember having… Thank you to stylist Alicia Thompson, who I will definitely be returning to!

Niko Ray has been cutting my hair for several years, the last couple at Propaganda. Niko is great at listening to what you want and making suggestions and giving his honest opinion on what will look good. Then, he does a great job executing the idea. He also is nice to talk to, a regular guy who has interesting things to talk about. Propaganda is in a convenient spot. I highly recommend seeing Niko there.

I’ve been traveling around the country for the past decade, and finally landed in Portland last year.
I have extremely flat Asian hair, and I’ve never found a barber or hairstylist who could ever make it look good. I’d always end up with the haircut that took 2 weeks to graduate from that «awkward phase» — regardless of how much I paid. I had really kinda given-​up on ever finding a good hairstylist.
In Portland, a friend referred me to his hairstylist at Propoganda salon, Niko. Based on price, I expected the same results as I had gotten for the past 10 years.
But I can say, without a doubt, that first haircut was levels above what anyone has ever been able to do with my hair — even though Niko was very clear that it takes 2 – 3 haircuts to really learn my unique hair and head.
I’ve been back for every haircut since that first one. And with every cut, Niko’s been able to refine and perfect my style.
I know this is getting long, but I’ll add my final thoughts on why this salon is so good: their hairstylists care. They care about their clients, and they care about their clients’ hair.

I had one of the best experiences ever coming to this salon, everyone working at the salon was so wonderful and genuinely friendly. Very laid back and professional environment and the minute I sat down in the chair I felt fully comfortable and at ease. These guys know what they are doing and genuinely care about giving you exactly what you are envisioning. Elijah and Scott are both the best in the business.

The stylist I see is Alicia Thompson. I cannot tell you how wonderful she is not only does she make great suggestions but she cuts and colors hair amazingly well and really listens to what you are looking for and how you want to looks. She really understands colors and what looks best. I was there yesterday and this is my 4^th time seeing her and I cannot give her anything but amazing reviews she really is wonderful she is also super positive, creative and talented. I would suggest her to anyone who wants great color and to come away smiling after your hair done.

This salon is wonderful! They have convenient online scheduling and a great location. I saw Jen and she did an excellent job. She agreed to giving me highlights (even though I only booked a cut), staying late to get the job done. My hair looks great and I had a blast chatting/​laughing with her.

I was visiting Portland from out of town (I’m an East Coaster) and in dire need of a haircut. I wanted a different style, but not in the usual sense (long to short, bangs, tons of layers, etc). I was staying with friends on 34^th Ave, and passed by Propaganda. After looking it up on Unilocal,I was impressed by the reviews and booked with the stylist who had the most convenient opening for me. I booked with Joseph Morris, and I am so super happy I did!
I have fine yet thick, long, wavy/​curly hair and it is not the easiest to make it look great unless I put in a ton of time. Because no professional stylist has ever shown me how to play up the curls, my coif usually looks sad and desperate when I try to promote its natural state. I typically try to blow my hair straight, but it’s rarely ever as straight and smooth as I’d like.
Upon hearing my request for «something different,» Joseph said, mid-​cut, «Wow, your hair is actually curly! Can we play this up?»
Gasp!
Yes please, I thought.
Joseph modified the layers that I already had, so the cut looks amazing whether my hair is styled straight or curly. My fine hair goes limp by the afternoon, no matter the product I put in, but this cut has encouraged my hair to retain some amazing volume. And the best part of all, the curls.
I’m in love.
Friends and tons of coworkers have complimented the cut, style, and curls, and I cannot say enough good things about the magic Joseph worked with my hair.
He used minimal product, and I ended up buying the Aveda curly hair product he used, because he made it look so good. He didn’t push the product at all, I sought it out at the register.
The ‘do is a breeze in the morning, and it looks (almost) as fabulous as when he did it.

After moving to Portland I was in SERIOUS need of a haircut. After looking around I saw Propaganda and thought that I would give it a try. I did some research on some of the stylist and I decided to pick Niko Ray.
Let me tell you, Niko is a magician with hair!
I went in needing my bangs trimmed back out of my eyes and I got the whole shebang! Niko made me look so chic! He even made suggestions that turned out amazingly with my hair texture and style. My haircut now shows off my face more thanks to Niko.
One of the first things he told me was «You’re in good hands.» TRUTH. Niko is confident in his work and is super talented. Everybody in the salon was complimenting my hair. It made my week! And he’s super affordable. I feel like I’m always ripping him off, so I tip him extra. He is also really LGBTQ friendly. :)
Also, he’s a total cutie who dresses the part as well. Could not have imagined a better experience.

Niko Ray gave me the haircut I’ve wanted for years but haven’t been able to verbalize or imagine. And he just did it! I love it. I wish I still lived in Portland, he’s a gem.

Joseph Morris at Propaganda the Salon is a life saver! I text him asking for an emergency appointment and he was sure to get back to me!
Unfortunately, It the midst of my hurrying I went to a different salon because I had an interview that I thought it was absolutely necessary to get my hair done … well, that was a mess! (not to say this other salon didnt do a good job, but well… the job wasnt quite finished and they charged me $ 230 and sent me on my way)
I ended up calling Joseph back and he fit me in the next day. He is absolutely talented! He colored it back to my natural brunette, and cut it in a fun sassy way that I had asked! (Ive always wanted to try a short pixie cut with tons of layers and have that layered wispy look without looking like a guy… you know? I left there today so pleased and excited with my hair and SO HAPPY that I didnt have to wear a hat to hide my haircut! (yes, Ive had many haircuts that called for a hat afterward)
This is my second time Ive had my hair cut by Joseph and each time I was VERY VERY VERY happy! (I usually dont write reviews because I never have enough time… but I thought to myself id make the time today) I cannot say enough how talented he is. He is the first stylist to actually listen to what I want and help me figure out a style that will work for me. (not to mention he is very kind and easy to talk to!)
I am the type of person to jump from hair style to hair style and go from salon to salon in hoping to find the cheapest hair cut/​color. Joseph is reasonably priced and I am DEFINITELY going back! — After many horrible experiences at different salons I am happy to say I found a stylist I love and will be happy to be a regular there.

I’ve been here a couple of times now, and Jennifer is great! She’s low key, and really nice and has done awesome highlights for me. I like the place for everyone there is low key. Right off of Belmont Street too. I’ve tried a few places since living here in the PDX area and this has been my fav salon thus far!

My review is specifically for Kate — she has cut my hair twice now and I just love what she does. She understands how my fine/​wavy-​ish hair behaves and so far I’ve had the best grow-​out periods between cuts — somehow circumventing the really-​need-​a-​haircut «shelf» that has mockingly graced my head so often in the past.
The salon itself has a nice atmosphere and the other staff I’ve spoken with all seem very friendly and welcoming.

You know you’ve found a hair stylist you love when you carry their business cards around in your wallet. That’s right, business cards, plural. I’ve gotten so many compliments since Niko started cutting my hair that I’ve gotta keep my own fresh supply!
I was hooked after the first cut when he kindly took the time to explain how to manage the stupid cowlick that’s always made my bangs separate and look awkward. As he showed me the simple technique with a blowdryer and hairbrush he said, «There is no reason your hair can’t look this good everyday.»
And now it does look that good everyday! Because he factored in my personal style while adding a bit of his own flair, taking a full hour to meticulously quaff my short do and then showing me how to rock it multiple ways with different styling techniques.
Your hair, Niko’s chair, make it happen!