Upon arriving at Harpo's, I was a little bit nervous, as it was the only real ""salon"" I've ever been to. In the past, I always fell victim to poor, sloppy cuts from mainstream corporate chains. As a result, I began to loathe the idea of getting another haircut anytime soon (for fear of it being butchered by Edward Scissorhands). For a while, I was very apprehensive about the whole ordeal, so I decided to let my hair grow out. Fast forward two years later later, it grew past shoulder length and arched backwards, but I didn't mind as it fit the whole ""bohemian"" look I was striving for at the time. However, it didn't take long before dreadlocks started to form (due to odd, irregular sleeping patterns, and other bad habits). At any rate, I realized I needed the work of a certified professional; someone who was trustworthy, experienced, but most of all, willing to put a decent amount of time and effort to make hair slick and elegant enough to catch flirty side glances. So I logged onto the web, printed out several images of trendy styles for men, along with various musicians that I idolized. I told the lady she could do whatever she pleased based off those images, as I had no specific idea in mind, other than the fact that I wanted it ""easy to manage"". Consequently, this gave her a great degree of flexibility, or creative control over the task at hand. By the end of the session, my hair was transformed from a thick, unkempt mane, to something wavy and unique, curling gently off to the sides. In other words, she discovered that underneath the cold, rigid exterior, lay fine, delicate hair that could indeed be tamed! Luckily, this was only the tip of the iceberg... The final work she produced was nearly perfectly even! Flawless symmetry: a sure sign of beauty! As I went off to dry, I was offered free coffee, without even expecting to be served. The place was very hospitable, and must provide other services I'm unaware of. As for the hair turn out itself, I was delighted to see something as impressive as a king's crown, which is good for all intents and purposes. (Bachelors, serious students, prospective employees at job interviews...) I immediately felt self-esteem rise to higher levels, and, for the first time in a long while, received genuine compliments for being ""handsome"". Rest assured, it will be flattering, but not too eccentric or queer. As I gazed in the mirror, I was convinced the hair stylist possessed some rare, remarkable skills in her field of craftsmanship! Without a doubt, this was something I could wear with pride and dignity, as a frequent reminder of where to go in the nearby future. The ladies were polite, open-minded, sincere, and never judgmental of background, lifestyle or character. Harpo's uses high quality grade materials; obscure brands I never even heard of or recognized. Juices cultivated and extracted from rich, organic sources. As for ambiance, it was bright, warm, roomy and inviting, but not particularly snobby (as you might expect in a high-end, suburban salon). Haven't paid much attention to wall decor or surroundings, since I was much too absorbed in conversation, but it didn't give off an ""edgy"" aura or vibe -- it was just a casual, relaxing place to be. But not only are they excellent barbers; they can make you feel comfortable and at ease, too! By asking a series of questions relevant to your interests, the ladies learn more what their clients are like, and what kind of image we want them to project. This level of consideration, is simply uncommon at most barber shops. I got the impression that the barber actually cared, by listening to demands, instead of rushing hack jobs. As long as Harpo's remains in business, I pledge to offer them my support, and eagerly await a triumphant return. Harpo's is a fine establishment, far surpassing initial expectations, and living up to the hype here online. So if you need to be groomed, you can't go wrong by adding them to your list of contacts.
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