Testimonials & Gallery

From the moment you walk through the door it’s an oasis – a zen-like vibe from the music, live plants and chic decor to refreshments and snacks.  I was offered a selection of beverages from coconut water to pinot grigio, chardonnay and healthy organic snacks.

Erin her assistant immediately welcomed me, taking “before” pictures prior to the transformation making me feel calm and comfortable while Allison finished up her client before me.  As that client left, I was stunned to see what looked like a hair style from a national salon commercial! It was a stunning color and cut that co-existed so completely with the woman, I was simply mesmerized.

Immediately all my apprehensions dissipated.   My consultation was in-depth, thorough and revealed things about myself I didn’t even know.  I opted for a style that was a little bit more daring than I would normally go because I felt so confident that the results would be good.  Once the color processing was done, my experience at the once drab, non-eventful rinse station was nothing short of extreme luxury. I was treated to the best head massage in my life complete with aromatherapy using essential oils that transcended the shampoo bowl experience to a new level!

And this wasn’t even the best part of the visit to the Color Queen!  I was transformed with a hair style that left me feeling sassy, yet comfortable and most definitely beautiful. I must admit it has taken years off my appearance, giving me a renewed energetic zeal and confidence, which has garnered more compliments than I ever have gotten on a hair-do.

I hesitate to write this because Allison is already so busy, I selfishly want her all to myself, yet she is able to get clients taken care of in a timely fashion without feeling rushed.

In summary, if you need a transformation or just an amazing hair experience call The Color Queen Salon:  Best colorist and best salon…ever!

I can’t stress enough how happy I am finding the color queen Allison.  She is a master stylist who specializes in color and cutting .  It’s hard to find someone who is amazing at both.  She listened to what I had to say and really cares.  I’ve been seeing her regularly now and completely trust her.  I’ve tried out other salons in Honolulu and she truly is the best colorist ever.  It’s always so relaxing and comfortable in her salon .   Friendly atmosphere with a homey vibe.   Great music , great refreshments.   So thankful and blessed my friend recommended me to her.  I give her 10 stars.

Tomoko M. | 10/15/2016 | 4 check-ins

I can’t believe I forgot to review the BEST hair salon ever!  Today was my second appointment with Allison at Color Queen Salon on Kapahulu.  I stumbled across her about 2-3 months ago after reading her reviews on Yelp.  I had been growing out my hair to donate to Locks of Love and it was ridiculously long.  I called to see if she could squeeze me in and she was very accommodating.

After giving some very detailed directions on how to find the salon (in front of the Starbucks on Kapahulu up a set of stairs), I made my appointment for a cut and color.

Well, having lived with boring long unmanagable hair for some time, I was ready for a dramatic change.  I brought in a couple of pictures of a reddish auburn color that I liked, and Allison thankfully approved.  Trust that if it wasn’t going to be a good look for me, she would have said so.  Once you get to know her, if you are like me, you will find her honesty so refreshing in an industry that I’ve found kind of phony in the past.

So during my appointment, I was offered a glass of wine (nice touch!) and enjoyed a great quaint spa-like experience.  The cut was gorgeous and really had the dramatic change I was going for.  When it came to my color, it was really a beautiful job with highlights thoughout.  However, my stubborn stubborn hair came out a little darker than expected  (no fault of Allison’s…she is the best colorist!)  I happen to have unusual hair that requires 3 shades lighter than average for highlights.  Who knew?  Well Allison was the one to say “That’s not the color we talked about…”, made sure I was okay on time, and whisked me back into the chair for a free redo.  SERIOUSLY?  Who does that?  Amazing customer service, and she converted me into a customer for life.  Long story short…the color turned up amazing and exactly what I wanted.  You can see the before and after pics yourself on her website.

My visit today, I reminded her that I have stubborn hair and she nailed my hairdo to perfection.  I left feeling beautiful and self-confident.

Call Allison for a great cut and color!  You’ll enjoy an amazing massage from Erin (and Megan, but sadly, I found out today was her last day).  You”ll love your look…and with their great customer service, it’s pretty much guaranteed.  I’m already booked for my next appointment, and with anyone that knows me, that says a lot!

First, I want to disclose that I’ve been a hairdresser for 15 years and worked in several salons. I’ve been around countless hairdressers, educators, managers, and salon owners. I can honestly say that Allison is the best colorist I know. Whether it’s having a thorough consultation with the client to figuring out a color formula, her instincts are ALWAYS spot on. I have never been in a private hair studio. Once you experience the journey you will never go back to a conventional salon. The attention you receive is almost therapeutic and truly a game changer. I call Allison the hair therapist. She goes beyond the “look” into who you ARE, and brings out the best in every woman who walks through her doors. Hands down the best salon.

Noelani T. | 2/10/2016 | 2 check-ins

Before & Afters

Wow! What can I say…I looked better after a few hours with Alison & Michelle than I have EVER EVER EVER looked (even on my wedding day)!!! This was the best experience I have ever had. As a busy over-worked mom, I decided to “treat” myself to a mommy make-over. In researching a salon I came across The Color Queen salon on Kapahulu Ave. The website won me over as Alison, the master stylist spoke of her philosophy on getting to know her clients prior to the first cut or even a drop of color touches the hair. Alison’s passion to reveal the beauty that every woman has within them is awe inspiring! I am so happy with every single aspect of my experience and would recommend Alison & Michelle at The Color Queen salon to anyone that needs any type of hair service! Seriously it is the best!!!!!

From stepping foot in the door at the Color queen, Allison and Michele made me feel like a super model. I was offered a variety of beverages and went with the homemade lemonade. And let me tell you, I’m a born and bred southern girl and it was the best lemonade I’d ever had. Allison talked with me about what I wanted and what the best way to go about achieving the look was based on my hair condition,texture, etc…

The space was cozy and intimate, not like other crowded salons. After The Color queen worked her magic on my color, Michele gave me the best shampoo and then I got something I didn’t even pay for, a full head and neck massage. I would’ve payed $50 bucks alone for that massage. I then had the best blowout, better than any “dry bar” or “blow bar” I’ve been too.

The Color queen is the best salon I’ve been. Allison is truly an artist and is amazing at her work. If you want the best color/ cut, blow-dry and overall salon experience, I recommend the Color queen!  You won’t be disappointed.

I had seen “Color Queen” Facebook posts for a while, and I was immediately drawn in by the ‘before and after’ pictures — who doesn’t love a good transformation? I became a voracious voyeur of the before and afters — they gave me the feels!

Then, I noticed my friend/colleague started posting that she was visiting The Color Queen Salon — and, I loved her new hair. She told me the salon was ‘private’ and I thought exclusive –“Costco-private” “Starbucks Gold Card private” — or, like Honolulu Club Private?

I emailed Allison, and then made an appointment via text. I was so lucky (simple economics people, supply and demand!) to get an appointment relatively quickly as I had some flexibility to my M-F schedule. Turns out, “private” means private … for YOU. She has one styling chair. She focuses her attention and talents, on you.

OK, all the stuff you can read in other reviews, and on the salon’s website — you are greeted so warmly — Desiree, Brie, and Michelle were a super amazing support team — offered water, sparkling water, lemonade, coconut water, white wine, or red wine (and the good stuff!) and, handmade dark chocolate truffles! I needed to have some de-programming and asked for ‘water’ first …. c’mon ladies, loosen up and go for the red wine and eat those truffles!
The dry cut was so awesome to see your hair transformation and she cuts, the color was perfect, and I appreciate all the time devoted to having my color-resistant (more like color-repellant!!) hair take hair color.

Now, for the really important stuff. Why should you come to the Color Queen Salon?

Do you, or have you, ever felt intimated (at best,) and bullied (at worst,) at a previous salon? Have you ever asked your stylist, a professional — who has no problem telling you all the training, the celebrities they’ve styled, the metropolises they’ve worked — for an opinion about your look, and then received really bad advice, and/or felt like you were just a mannequin head for them to show off what they wanted to show, not necessarily what is best for you?

I was so impressed with Allison’s consultation. I have a thing about ‘eye lookers’ — I believe that when you speak to someone, you look them in the eye. I always notice after I feel like I’ve connected with someone that I remember their eyes (Allison’s are beautiful green.) She didn’t once ask me for a photograph. She didn’t condescend when I shared that my last haircut (that I was growing out for a year!) was really severe and chunky layers. She just, listened. She asked me, if money were no object to purchase a new wardrobe, where would I shop? What was my favorite “I feel hot” outfit? How would I decorate? What did my favorite top look like?

Have you ever heard the saying “A lotus blooms from mud”? Allison is a lotus. Beautiful. Strong. Kind. A Survivor — why does that matter? Because she is helping you present the best you. You feel it in her sassiness and her sauciness. You feel it when she asks you questions, and gives her well-informed opinion. You feel it the way she speaks to her support stylists. You will definitely feel it in her healing touch as she massages you, or blow dries and styles you.

I must shout out Allison and Michelle’s collaborative work — my color and cut looked gorgeous after my first go; however, I shared with Allison that I didn’t feel the same way when I got home — after the blissfulness of the massage wore off, and the night got darker. It wasn’t that my hair was ‘bad’ it just wasn’t so vavoom as I had thought at first. She GRACIOUSLY worked me in, and they did some MAGIC with my resistant hair. It looks vavoom now indoors and out. Yo, I got catcalled at my daughter’s preschool (I hated it, but my hair loved it!)

At the risk of sounding like a new cult inductee — I just want to say that I am writing such a glowing, looonggg review, with pure sincerity. This is what beauty ‘services’ SHOULD BE. Many cultures have traditions of men and women caring for each other —- this is not a sexist statement, but women should care for women. We should uplift each other, make each other beautiful, nurture our collective spirit — if you need to get your mojo back, treat yourself to a fresh cut, and be open to being cared for … just remember, “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself” — Allison will work amazing miracles on the dressing, but what you put out will be reflected back to you.