OAK MONSARRAT SALON — Local services in Honolulu

Great salon experience. Worst haircut I've had in decades - do not recommend this place for anyone who has thick or wavy/curly hair

I wanted this to be a five star experience. After reading the reviews, I was very excited about my appointment with Yoshi. I had thick, s-curl, hip length hair, but after years of growing out with just trims, there was no actual style to the cut, and it hung long and boring around my face. I'd seen great reviews about Yoshi's ability to help find flattering cuts for people's face shape and since I lack the vision to see something and know whether it would look good on me or not, I thought, "This is exactly what I need."

The salon experience was great. Clean, minimalist layout and decor. Many small details that focus on client comfort. During the "consultation" part at the beginning, he and I talked about my concerns and goals for my hair. I told him I wasn't necessarily married to keeping my length, but that I wanted something that would wash well with minimal styling required, but still look flattering. As a mom to a toddler with another baby due in a few months, I don't have much time to spend on my hair, typically needing to pull it back, and I never take the time to use blow driers or straighteners. He commented on the thickness and texture of my hair, spoke understanding about the need for face framing layers to be long enough to tuck behind the ears since moms spend a lot of time looking down at their children. I felt heard and he was able to articulate a plan that sounded like it would meet what I needed. He told me all of the products he'd be using, since I'd made a note of concern at my booking that they be safe for use during pregnancy. I really appreciated that. The hair wash and head, neck, and shoulder massage was wonderful. The customer treatment is very representative of Japanese courtesies, which was welcomed and enjoyed.

The cut. He did do a good job of thinning my hair out from the underside to keep it from getting too much volume without adding frizz to the outside, which I appreciated. That's the end of the positives I can say about the end result however. Before even washing, he took about 6-8 inches of length. Okay, weird, but not a big deal. I said I wasn't married to keeping the length. Despite commenting multiple times on the texture of my hair, he kept combing it straight to cut it. Fine, maybe he was trying to get his baseline edge from which he'd work in the style, which I assumed was why he also wanted to style it straight despite our earlier conversation about how I never use heat products to style my hair. Though with pulling it straight he was cutting it to just below my collar bones. He'd seen the curls. He had to realize that meant it would lose another few inches to curling. The extent of any "face framing" consisted of tiny, 1/4 to 1/2in pieces on either side of my part being about 2 inches shorter that the pulled straight collarbone length. Okay... I mean I guess it's more than I had. Maybe it'll help break up the boring drop of hair on either side of my face. And then he was done. The "layering" was limited to the bottom centimeter of my hair leaving a bulky, chunky line. My hair, while too thick to be a "razor edge," was effectively cut in almost a straight across line. No shape. Definitely not flattering.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt, wore it home, washed it and let it dry my normal way overnight. Nope. Still the least flattering, worst cut I've had. Pretty much it does not frame my face at all unless you count the fact that it is now defunct shoulder length and doesn't stay back.

I haven't been this disappointed in a haircut since poor parent choices in middle school (and I've cut my own hair multiple times in the intervening decades). At this point, I'm debating trying to fix it myself or pay another salon to try. After losing 13 inches, though, and having such a blunt bottom, there's not much left to try to trim up without making it...

There is a feeling of warmth, welcome and genuine thankfulness when you first walk thru the doors of Oak Monsarrat. Today was my first visit at the salon, but it definitely won't be my last. Within my first 5 minutes, I was greeted, sat in a comfy chair, offered a disposable mask, and provided a tablet to use to browse the internet or use Netflix while my stylist Yoshi finished up him prior client. I was early, but he apologized profusely about making me wait longer than he felt was necessary.

I came in with processed, sun damaged thinning hair, and was thisclose to chopping it all off. I even told Yoshi to do what he thought was best, I just wanted it HEALTHY. After combing thru it, analyzing strands and my face shape, he told me that I should keep my length, but that we'd even out the layers to make my thin hair appear thicker, while encouraging healthy growth.

It's been a long time since a stylist has truly listened to my concerns, which is probably why I just automatically told Yoshi to do whatever he felt worked. Knowing that he spent the extra time to analyze my daily routine, preferences, and hair goals meant SO MUCH!

I am so happy with the cut that Yoshi assessed was best for me, my hair both looks and FEELs healthier and thicker. This is the first time that while, in a new salon, I was already trying to mentally figure out mid-treatment when I could schedule my next appointment. Walking into Oak Monsarrat felt like coming home.

The pricing, the staff, the location, the ALOHA. It doesn't get better than this!! Thank you Oak...

Yoshi is every bit as wonderful as written on other reviews. He is a highly talented, skilled, craftsman/artist at what he does. Not only does he truly takes pride in creating that beautifully cut, “low maintenance” style, that takes into account your hair type/condition, facial features, and personality/style in creating that desired look, but that care extends to every aspect of his business and salon. The whole esthetics/vibe of the salon, as well as the care and attention with which he and his staff care for each customer is genuine Japanese “Omotenashi”. The Head and Shoulder massage that was a part of the shampoo process was absolutely, out-of-this-world amazing, and the whole experience was a luscious treat! I would not hesitate to recommended Yoshi and his staff, if you want a really good cut and a wonderful treat for yourself! Highly...