Alan He Hair Studio 31

During my first visit, he was very nice, and his office was clean and organized. I showed him a reference photo with layers and texture, and he began to thin my hair and blow dry it, essentially frying and damaging it. Additionally, he charges $50 for men’s haircut, but doesn’t update the price on his website. He rushes as if the service would be any better. In the end, I got cut marks from the razor. I would not visit again.

Alan was great! I was looking for a new stylist to do my Japanese straight perm, which I’ve been getting done for more than 2 decades. Alan let me know he has 25 years of experience using the Liscio products, which put me at ease. I have been to several stylists in different states and countries for this process, and Alan was very kind, thorough, and efficient with my long, very thick hair. Highly recommend!

Would recommend for men’s medium length hair. Alan is really good at what he does. I got my first cut from him in October, and over 4 months it grew out beautifully. Came in again this week and got a trim and some texture. Was a bit shorter than expected, but that was probably a communication problem on my part. Nonetheless, it looks really great, and I know it’s gonna grow out well thanks to the texture he added. Give a reference picture and describe what you want then you’ll be in good hands. If you’re a guy looking to get a medium length flow-like haircut you’ll only need to come in every couple months, which is super affordable. He is quick and the vibes are good. Comes with wash and style.

My son wanted to get his hair permed, so I searched online and discovered Alan He. Booking the appointment was super easy—he was very responsive and worked around our schedule, which I really appreciated. When we arrived, Alan was incredibly informative about the perm process. He recommended using a tighter rod so the perm would last longer instead of falling out quickly. I really appreciated his honesty and expertise. He did a fantastic job, and Jameson is so happy with the results. We will definitely be coming back to see Alan again!

Finding a truly exceptional hairdresser is challenging and daunting, made paradoxically more so when you live in an area with so many, and just as many are so well-reviewed. So I enlisted AI and Google to assist—at least I’d have two parties to blame if the haircut is a disaster. I asked AI to produce a list of the most highly regarded hairdressers in Irvine and neighboring areas. Alan He was listed, and at the top. Still, the list was too long. I asked AI to narrow it down: “Amongst the highest regarded hairdressers in those areas, whom are also considered the most welcoming?” I want to feel comfortable. In a salon, that’s to say un-judged and unburdened by the presence of preening peacocks so typically at salons. AI produced a more refined list. Alan was on it, and I think at the top again. So then I checked all the hairdressers on the initial longer list and the shorter one. I decided to go with Alan—and I found out a few hours ago, it was the right choice. At the very start of consultation, Alan told me the cut would have to be $5 more than the booked price (a men’s cut reservation, which likely presumes you have shorter or medium hair), as I have long hair. And he apologized for it. It’s a wonderful reveal of a person when they apologize for something that warrants no apology. When asking for advice for my cut and general hair care, he swiftly dismissed all options; they would have required additional expense for me—and I assume profit for him, if he sells the products he could have recommended. He made clear certain products I’m curious about would have no meaningful benefit for my hair type and desired outcome. And he never recommended additional services. It was also a truly comfortable place to be. I talk hardly at all, yet during the entire cut, conversation was easy and enjoyable, and somehow plentiful throughout. I used more words in that session and this review than I do over the course of an entire year. And, finally, the cut. It’s just right. He achieved what I wanted. He made clear what was possible and not (I’m not gonna look like the heartthrobs in any Asian TV drama, though he was kind enough to say otherwise after the cut). And perhaps even more important than having a good cut, with the sober advice he gave me on general haircare, namely that so many of the products on the market I’m curious and hopefully about (and tried) do not achieve what they promise and what I’m hoping for, I feel much more informed and able to care for my hair from now on. I recommend Alan if you’re looking for the cut you want and a comfortable place to be for a little while. And if it doesn’t work out, you can always blame AI and Google.