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Cooney For Hair
Category: Beauty and Spas Hair Salons Hair Salons
441 Queen Street WToronto, ON M5V 2A5
Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Entertainment District, Queen Street West, Downtown Core
(416) 348-9961
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Cooney For Hair
14 reviews in English
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Review from Ted A.
Toronto, ON
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been going to Cooney For Hair for a few months now. I have extremely straight hair, and since I noticed that many Japanese males also have very straight hair, I thought perhaps a Japanese hair stylist would know best how to cut mine. I'm not sure if my theory really makes sense, but I've had a number of different stylists and they've all done a great job regardless.
Here's a few things that keep me coming back to Cooney For Hair:
- Talented stylists.
- Lengthy hours all week long.
- Very affordable for a downtown salon that takes their time and pays attention to the details (about $45 before tip for a men's cut)
- Lots of stylists to choose from, so you can easily show up without appointment and get a cut. I've had about 3 or 4 now and they've all done a great job.
- Just casual enough for me. Professional service, but I'm not left with that crap where I am choosing between junior and senior stylists.
- Excellent choice of music playing!
- People watch on Queen St. through the windows while you get your hair cut.
There's only one con I can think of:
- As mentioned in other reviews, the stylists don't stick around for long. The best haircut I ever had was from a man named Yuya. I asked for him on my next visit and he had already gone back to Japan. I lost two other stylists this way as well. It's not a huge issue for me as my requests are fairly simple, but if you are picky you may find this to be an issue.
All in all, Cooney For Hair is a solid, affordable place to get your hair cut in Toronto. Check it out! -
Review from Michael Y.
Toronto, ON
4/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
It's so hard to find a hair dresser that's right for you. When you find one, they should be your friend for life! I started coming here because it was suggested by my wife. The aspect of asians understanding the texture and growth of asian hair appealed to me, so I went and she was right.
The only problem I have is every stylist I've been paired up with has left. It's like they only work there for 6 months and then leave. I've heard that a lot of them are there on a working visa so they can't stay very long. Which make me want to look elsewhere for a hair stylist that I would not have to explain all the time how I like my hair cut and styled. All in all, every different stylist I've had cut my hair the way I like it. So can't really complain. -
Review from Olivia O.
Toronto, ON
4/23/2012 6 photos
Cuts $43-$67
Treatment $38-$70
Colour $62-$160
Perm $105-$170 -
Review from Xi Y.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2012
I went there by the recommendation of a coworker quite long ago and I went to this place for a simple hair cut. The girl basically did nothing but cutting a little bit of my band and a little bit of everything ..and then she curled my hair a bit with a curling iron, i admit I am picky when it comes to my hair, but my new hair looks like a disaster. I know the the price so i had a little expectations, they charged me 50-60 for it....60 for a bad hair cut?! I was not happy at all and I will never come back after everyone at work laughed at my "new hair style"... The girl who cut my hair, she is nice, but can't cut hair.....
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Review from Hilary S.
11/17/2010
I must admit--Cooney gave me a GREAT haircut. I brought in maybe two fuzzy photos of the vague idea of hair I thought I might like...not very descriptive or helpful at all. Also, the woman cutting my hair seemed to sort of understand english functionally, but not perfectly so I ended up just gesturing a lot with my hands vaguely about what I wanted.
Wow, did she bring it. My haircut was better than I could have imagined.
(And I haven't cut it for almost a year since and it still looks passable--amazing.)
The only problem I had with this place was when I also asked them to colour my hair for me. I have black asian hair, and I have had sections of it lightened to blonde before at another place (which is now closed--sadface). I don't know what they did at the other place, but it was very gentle and didn't damage my hair at all while still lightening it considerably.
At Cooney's they just straight up bleached my hair. It burned. And my hair died completely. A year afterwards, and I still have a lot of split ends.
Verdit: AMAZING haircuts. Don't get your hair coloured here.Listed in: Hair.
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Review from Audra W.
Toronto, ON
10/31/2011
I got an adorable pixie cut on Thursday, by Yuya. We had great talks, and he was really helpful at helping me figure out exactly how short it was the best idea to cut my hair. He was even really chill that I was late! It was also waaaay cheaper than I've paid for a haircut in the last five years. I'll go back for sure.
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Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
9/9/2010
I needed a haircut in a hurry, my regular stylist was unavailable and I had a birthday party (mine) to attend and bangs that were too long to comfortably hold a conversation from beneath. My co-worker suggested Cooney.
I had Yuki, and I found her to be very nice. I wanted something a little more exciting with some personality, and she played it pretty safe. I admit I look kinda boring (!), and I am sure she didn't want to go overboard and upset me. Regardless, while the look I got wasn't exciting enough for me, it was done really well. The layers were among the best I have sported and it grew out really nicely. Plus I got to browse J POP Magazines while I waited.
This review would have been a 3.5 if it wasn't for the wash/ head massage. Well worth the half star.Listed in: My Hair Dids.
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Review from Rita C.
Saanich, BC
5/26/2009
I have problems going to the hair salon.
It's all due to one simple fact: I'm near-sighted, and I don't wear glasses. Consequently, during a haircut, I can only see vague shapes and where the hair stylist is in proximity to me. This was made even worse by the fact that I had let my bangs grow into my eyes, so during my hair cut at Cooney, I couldn't see at all. I'm pretty much at the mercy of my hairdresser whenever I get my hair done, sitting there and hoping that my hair won't turn out dreadful.
On a whim, I decided to lop off a foot of hair (I'm sorry I didn't donate-- it was too damaged) and decided to go to Cooney. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea: all the hair dressers are Japanese, so their command of the English language isn't quite fluent. Still, my hairdresser understood what I wanted, and if you haven't any ideas of your own, they have plenty of Japanese hair magazines so you can simply point.
The experience was pleasant-- even though I sat there blindly, the stylist asked enough questions that I felt confident that she would give me a good cut. She understood my vague instructions for a cut, even. As they shampoo, they give you a half-decent (I've had better, it's pretty standard for Japanese hair salons) head massage, and everything's comfortable. The incongruity of the music playing was hilarious, though-- T-Pain at a cute Japanese hair salon?
My only issue with the place was the price: for my women's cut, it was $55 before taxes. Although that isn't so bad in the grand scheme of hair salons, most of my friends would scowl at the price. Asian hair salons are generally cheaper.
I can't complain though. A salon review bottles down to how nice your hair looks, and gosh, my new haircut is so cute! -
Review from Gloria H.
Mississauga, ON
6/2/2011
Went to Cooney's for the first time around a week ago, and I loved it! I had always wanted to try Cooney's because one of my friends (who, incidentally, has amazing hair :P) raved about it. Usually, I get my haircuts for $15-$20 from assorted places, but this place is definitely a worthwhile investment and I think I'll stick with it from now on.
You can choose between getting a cut from a senior stylist or from Cooney himself. I got a haircut from a senior stylist (his name was Yuya) and it turned out great!
Before getting started, I had a few pictures of what I wanted. LISTEN to them when they make suggestions though! Originally I wanted chin-length hair, but he said that slightly longer would look nicer, and in retrospect he was right. I think that if I had gotten the haircut in the photo I walked in with, it wouldn't have looked good no matter what. He also made a few tweaks here and there (after asking me, of course), which I think added a lot to the finished result.
I was really nervous before the haircut, because I've had absolutely horrendous short hair experiences, not to mention I was sick that day, so whenever I tried to make conversation with him my voice sounded like Kermit the frog. But the end result was amazing- I still haven't stopped getting compliments on it!
So this place is definitely worth it. If you're like me, a total cheapskate, try it once and (if you're like me) you'll want to stick with them :)
EDIT JAN 2012: Yuya is no longer there and has gone back to Japan. However, I did get a haircut by Kaori and she did a FANTASTIC job. Haven't stopped getting compliments. -
Review from Marvin D.
Toronto, ON
5/26/2010
I phoned ahead before going because I've never been, and Cooney recommended Yuki for me as I was new to the salon. She was a great hair dresser and I got exactly what I wanted.
Although she did not speak English well, Yuki quickly grasped onto the fact that I just wanted to shape up my hair, and did not want too much cut off. She also discerned that I didn't want a "cutie pie" hair cut but wanted to look professional and clean - even if she didn't use that many words. She really seemed to enjoy and know what she is doing. She smiled throughout and answered my questions, but didn't force uncomfortable small talk onto me nor try to convince me that my last stylist did a terrible job and that I should just stick to her from now on. Also, she didn't burn my scalp once with the dryer, which I really appreciate as most other salons I've been to, including the more pricey ones, usually make this mistake.
A great, intuitive and non-pushy hair dresser is pretty hard to find in my opinion. It was totally worth the $55-60 (can't remember the exact figure) I paid for the services including tax and tips. -
Review from Stas Z.
Toronto, ON
4/26/2009
Most stylists in this salon are Japanese on a temp work visa, so be careful not to get attached to one of them. I have in my history of using this place got a do from about 4 of them with slightly variable consistency, but good quality result overall. Mr. Cooney seems to be doing great selection work with all new stylists. Not insignificant benefit - they wash your hair with really good head massage, and generally make you feel relaxed and comfortable. Must be Japanese commitment to great quality service. With moderate price ($40 before tips) this place definitely delivers good value for the money.
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Review from christina T.
Toronto, ON
9/20/2009
This is a response to Rita C's review. I have been going to Cooney for quite some time now and I wanted to say that this isn't some cheap hair salon (although $55 in my opinion is NOT EVEN CLOSE to being expensive for a good haircut). I thought Rita was being quite obnoxious assuming that b/c the hairstylists are Japanese/Asian the haircuts should be cheap. If you want a cheap haircut go to first choice cutters...This salon is for those who want a well cut hair style by hairdressers who are well-trained in their profession.
Also, I have had no problems communicating what I want to my hairstylist. They ARE ALL FLUENT IN ENGLISH. I have no idea what Rita is talking about. I have to say I felt like Rita thought this hair salon was somehow inferior b/c the hairdressers are Asian-absolutely not true. If you look online you will see that Cooney for hair is one of the best salons in toronto and has a loyal following.
My hair cuts range from 85-110 with Cooney. He is extremely versatile and is meticulous when cutting bangs. I have seen him give girls long wavey flowy styles and precision cuts on me. I only wish the pricing wasn't so high, ugghh, but I know when I go there I will come out completely satisfied. -
Review from Laurie G.
North York, ON
8/15/2011
I had one of the most satisfying haircuts at this place not too long ago. Although they are a bit pricey ($58 for long hair, if I remember correctly), it was worthwhile. Instead of acting like other stylists who always think they know what's "best" for you (and end up screwing up your hair), the stylist I had made sure to ask if it was okay chop off even 0.5 cm. This is now my go-to place.
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Review from Jason S.
Toronto, ON
7/19/2010
Cooney @ Cooney for Hair is simply the best. He knows his stuff and it shows. I'm a guy and he was very detail-oriented while cutting my short hair. His staff are friendly and skilled as well. The price is definitely justified and I would pay more if I had to. This is the only salon I will ever go to in Toronto.
