About Salon Aficionado
Salon Aficionado is a specialized salon located in Laguna Hills, Orange County, focusing on curly hair. Helmed by expert stylist Michelle Stiver, the salon is known for its personalized approach to curly hair care. Clients appreciate the thorough consultations, where Michelle takes the time to understand each individual's hair journey and goals. With certifications in various curly hair techniques, including Curl By Curl, DevaCurl, and Ouidad, she provides tailored services for all types of curls, from wavy to super curly. Many reviews highlight Michelle's exceptional skills and knowledge about curly hair. Clients have expressed their delight in her ability to execute bold cuts and offer valuable maintenance tips for styling at home. The dry cut technique, which shapes the hair and enhances natural curls, is particularly praised. Michelle’s expertise extends beyond cutting; she also educates clients on the right products for their hair type and explains how to apply them effectively. Visitors often leave feeling confident and satisfied, having found a stylist who truly understands and cares for their curly hair needs. The salon also hosts another talented curly hair specialist, Jenn, who is highly praised for her hair color skills, especially balayage. She manages to keep curls perfectly intact while lightening dark hair, demonstrating her careful product selection and technique. Clients who have been seeing Jenn for years say she knows how to handle curly hair and achieve the best curls ever. Overall, Salon Aficionado is a go-to destination for anyone looking to embrace and love their curls, making it highly recommended for those seeking expert curly hair care.
Michelle has changed my life!! I spent YEARS fighting my frizzy, curly/wavy hair- always wanting to love it but not knowing how to manage it. Midlife hormone shifting was making it even more maddening. Then on social media I learned about curly specialists (who knew!?!) and was referred to Michelle. She taught me how to handle my curls with my new haircut designed to maximize my curl potential and was very kind when explaining how I was doing everything to encourage the frizz! She gave me step by step instructions and has been very encouraging post-visit via text as I have learned to recreate her magic.
I have never been more confident or felt more beautiful in...read full review
I can’t say enough great things about Michelle! She’s an incredible curly hair specialist who completely changed the way I see and care for my hair. Not only did she teach me how to properly manage and style my curls, but she also helped me truly appreciate and love them.
Michelle guided me through transitioning to gray with so much care and expertise, making the process feel empowering instead of stressful. She also supported me through some genetic hair loss, offering thoughtful advice and solutions that made a real difference.
Her knowledge, patience, and genuine passion for what she does really shines through. If you’re looking for someone who understands...read full review
TLDR: Michelle is incredible! She is the best thing that happened to my curls in decades! With her cut and techniques I consistently still have amazing curls from day 1 to day 5 (and that once included a day at an amusement park with rollercoasters on day 4)!
I will definitely be going back and I cannot recommend her enough for anyone with curls whether you are new to being a curly girl or a longterm curly veteran! I guarantee you will learn something from her!
Longer version:
I've followed various curly girl methods for over 20 years and have been getting curly hair cuts for just as long. If there is a wash/style/refresh method of doing hair or a curly...read full review