11/06/09

Amado is a great find!

by mizmars

I wanted to say thanks, again, to Amado for doing such a great job on my hair / body wave. I had asked about products that have fewer toxic chemicals, and he went out of his way to get me a product with no ammonia or thio. At least I assume the "Chi" brand is free of those nasty things (I forgot to look at the bottles/ingredients).

I welcome the next opportunity for Amado to help me with my hair care needs, as he was also a pleasure to be around.

RE: my "cons": the owner of the salon said they would be more conscious of the fumes in the future.

All in all, I appreciate their staff, their location and their prices- which are comparable to others around town.

• Pros: Cool guy, and I got great service.
• Cons: Fumes inside were bad, but they said they'd address it.

11/05/09

Awesome cut and color for my curls!

by reebs26

I lost a ton of weight through lap-band surgery last year. With all the hormonal changes, my straightish hair turned curly and I haven't known what on earth to do with it. I met with Amado—a new stylist to Catena's—and he walked me through what I should do on a daily basis. (Like, skip the shampoo half the time--who knew?!) Then he added a gorgeous, rich reddish brown and covered up my horns of grey at the front of my head. For the cut, he chunked it up and thinned out my Ronald McDonald effect.

I've waited a few weeks to post b/c I wanted to see how it played out in real life. I'm loving it and getting loads of compliments. All-around, he made it fun and bouncy, and it takes me about 5 minutes to do in the morning. I'll be back soon and feel thrilled to find someone who knows what the heck they're doing!

P.S. His shampoos are to die for! Make sure you request the full monty!!

• Pros: Someone who understood my hair
• Cons: none yet!

11/05/09

Senon: need I say more?

by tproc

Finding someone who could cut curly hair and not push product has been an on-going quest my entire life. I have always embraced my curls and my natural hair color. I found my holy grail in Senon. He gives a GREAT haircut. I can't even count how many compliments I get about my hair from colleagues and friends. The bonus to all of this is how he does not push product. If I ask him what he used, he tells me. If I am interested in buying, he sells it to me. No pressure. He is charming, personable, funny and really cares about his clients.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: Nothing

Response from this business

catenas– November 05, 2009 at 10:51:47 PST

Thank you for your kind words I appreciate you patronage and I hope to see you soon. Senon

10/29/09

Great people, great place

by April54

I've been going to Catena's for close to 10 years and highly recommend it. As soon as you walk through the door of the charming old home that has been converted into a salon and spa you are greeted and made to feel welcome. While you're there you are surrounded by friendly professionals who obviously care not only about their clients and the service they provide but also about each other. You can't go wrong - give them a try!

Response from this business

catenas– October 30, 2009 at 07:46:54 PDT

WOW

What wonderful things to hear, we certainly respect and love each other. We have built this business together and know that we are each an intricate part of the survival of our studio.

I the owner of this establidshment acknowledge that it is a team that wins the game not the one.

sincerely

Mary Ann

10/20/09

Bill is Fantastic with Cut and Color!!!!!!!!

by socalibabe190

I have been to a lot of salons in Austin and have to say that Bill at Catena's was exceptional! The salon is very cute and everyone is so nice. I had blondish brown hair with highlights with dark black roots and he did an amazing job touching up the roots and freshening up the highlights. He also cut my hair exactly how I wanted. I didn't want too much taken off and he said that he just cuts a little bit at first because it's easier to cut more if needed, but you can't sew it back on if you cut too much off! He is a very warm and friendly man with a down to earth small town personality! Welcome to Austin and thanks for the great service!

• Pros: Awesome Root Touchup/ Highlights and Cut!
• Cons: Nothing!

Response from this business

catenas– October 22, 2009 at 14:33:26 PDT

Thanks for coming into our Studio. It was such a pleasure working with you and your beautiful hair. It's people like you that make what I do easy and worth while.

Again, it was my pleasure,

Thanks

Bill

10/16/09

Who Knew I Had Curls??? Mary Ann!

by Meredithwriter

Before I went to Catena's I was getting average haircuts, cut the same old way. I went to Mary Ann and told her I wanted something easy and cute, she cut it, flipped my head upside down and went to work with the diffuser, and when I flipped back up, I had gorgeous curls. Best, I can do it at home on my own. Mary Ann calls them "savage" curls, and I can tell you, that's the first time I've been called "savage"! I love Mary Ann, she makes me smile.

Heather painstakingly and sweetly removed the largest heel callous known to man and made my hands and feet so soft, a miracle.

• Pros: They listen to what you want, and then do it beautifully.

Response from this business

catenas– October 24, 2009 at 19:03:28 PDT

Thank you so much for your review, you made me smile ,and I enjoy surprising clients when I can reveal the full life of there hair. what a thrill to see the look on the customers faces when they see the finished product. Thank you again Im looking forward to our next appointment together.

with humble appreciation Mary Ann Catena

10/15/09

They REALLY are REAL.

by missbeth1

I’m talking about the testimonials and positive feedback that I was scanning through before my trip to Catena’s Hair Studio & Day Spa. I seriously thought that they were fake entries entered by the employees’ and their family and friends, because they were waaaaay too positive. Not the norm, at least as I was accustomed to.

Quick background: I have wandered and searched for years, literally years, trying to find a salon in which I felt comfortable and wanted to return. A salon in which I, the customer, am valued (beyond my pocketbook), treated with respect, listened to and where my ideas are actually taken into consideration, to give me the look I would like.

Today, I found it.

My hair is long, curly, thick, and a bit coarse; challenging to manage to say the least. I was long overdue for a haircut and recently made the transition from flat-ironing it straight, to wearing it naturally curly every day. I found out real quick that I needed a good, quality cut and shaping, besides, I wanted movement and overall versatility.

In steps Bill.

Short story: Bill is absolutely wonderful!! Bill LISTENED to all of my concerns about my hair and paid attention to the description of what I’d like my hair to be able to do and look like. He asked questions and methodically and meticulously shaped my curls.

Part of my leeriness of salons is from having sat in the chair of too many “scissor-happy” stylists with a vision of how THEY want my hair to look. More than once a ‘trim’ has turned into me losing 5-8 inches of length.)

I had to actually ask Bill to cut more off, but I felt safe, as if I could trust him with my locks and my hair turned out absolutely bee-utiful!!! And…I still had my length!

Other huge pluses: The owner came over, introduced herself and actually conversed with me. None of that pretentious stuff here either. (You can tell when people are faking it.) Ms. MaryAnn is so kind and her spirit exudes her love of people and a commitment to serving them, well.

Overall, the atmosphere at Catena's is service oriented, super friendly and welcoming. Décor is nice and it just smells great in the salon! Michelle, the first face to welcome you, offers you a drink and other stylists acknowledge your presence and speak, even though you are in someone else’s chair. Details matter to me and I take note of everything.

So, believe me, ALL of the reviews are real, and they actually don’t do Catena’s Hair Studio & Day Spa justice.

They offer so much more.

• Pros: Service. They listen. Creative Talent. Welcome Atmos.
• Cons: None.

Response from this business

catenas– October 16, 2009 at 08:04:25 PDT

Beth, Thanks for selecting Catena's Hair Studio. We do work as a team and consult with each other for the best results for our clients. It starts with the phone call then meeting Michelle at the front desk and on to the stylist. We are here to serve our clients and make their dreams come true. It was so awesome to meet and work with you. Looking forward to seeing you again. Bill ------- Dearest Beth,Thank you for such a wonderful review about our salon,we will continue to work and run our business with integrity so that all who come will have a great experience and be proud to tell others about us . Thank You Mary Ann Catena

10/13/09

If you have sensitive skin...call Bill.

by Tracy Shubitz

Today Bill colored and cut my hair.

Sounds pretty average, right? It was anything but. You see, I have a serious sensitivity to some chemicals found in hair color products. And I wanted to take my naturally strawberry blonde hair to nearly black.

Bill listened to my experience. He consulted other members of the team. And together we created a plan to use as many precautions as possible to avoid getting chemicals on my scalp or ears.

As humans we all have a need to feel heard and listened to, if you are lacking that with your current stylist I highly recommend that you call Bill.

Oh, and my hair color and cut is great. Better than what I had ever expected.

• Pros: Great cut, color, location, friendly staff

Response from this business

catenas– October 13, 2009 at 14:09:58 PDT

Tracy, I had such a great time working with you today. It was my pleasure to send you on your way looking so beautiful and feeling so good about yourself. Looking forward to seeing you again in 6 to 8 weeks.

Thanks, Bill

10/11/09

Outstanding Service and Care

by William H

Time, Quality and Service are important to me and Catenas goes the extra mile to make these things happen.

• Pros: The Best salon in Austin
• Cons: None

Response from this business

catenas– October 14, 2009 at 11:53:22 PDT

Thank You so much William for your time in giving us a report on the way we like to run our business. Its most important to me as an owner that we never take advantage of a persons valuable time And we will continue to go the extra mile to please and serve our clients in a way they deserve

Thank You,

MaryAnn Catena

10/01/09

Haircut with a homestyle feel

by Alex008

Not your typical salon. It looks like a regular house on the outside. Very cool. Very cozy. Friendly staff and I got a great haircut as well. Looking forward to my next appointment.

• Pros: Great haircut and nice atmosphere

Response from this business

catenas– October 06, 2009 at 07:03:48 PDT

Alex,

Thanks for coming to Catena's, it was a pleasure working with you. Looking forward to your return.

Bill