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Chameleon Salon
Chameleon Salon
Chameleon Salon

Chameleon Salon Lil Papa

Hair salon in Portland, OR · 2 locations

Rated 4.8 out of 5 (588 on Google Maps) (opens in a new tab) Open now · until 7 PM

The salon has served Portland clients since 2008. Co-owner Madelyn opened it shortly after finishing her training, and co-owner Nicole manages it day to day. The two locations sit side by side: the Big Mama stylists work at 8079 Southeast 13th Avenue, and the Lil Papa stylists and nail techs work at 8071. The salon describes itself as a fun, laid-back, non-pretentious place that is inclusive of all bodies, genders and ethnicities, queer affirming and size-inclusive.

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About

The salon has served Portland clients since 2008. Co-owner Madelyn opened it shortly after finishing her training, and co-owner Nicole manages it day to day. The two locations sit side by side: the Big Mama stylists work at 8079 Southeast 13th Avenue, and the Lil Papa stylists and nail techs work at 8071. The salon describes itself as a fun, laid-back, non-pretentious place that is inclusive of all bodies, genders and ethnicities, queer affirming and size-inclusive.

Hours are 11am to 7pm, every day, by appointment only. Clients can book online or call 503-286-3711. A credit card is needed to book, and a 50 percent fee applies to a no-show or to a cancellation or change made within 24 hours; at least 24 hours notice is requested for cancellations and reschedules. Clients arriving 15 or more minutes late are typically asked to reschedule, and guests are not allowed at appointments. Clients under 13 are not accepted, and clients 13 and older may book when a parent or guardian makes the appointment. Color services are only for clients 13 and older. Tips typically run 20 to 30 percent of the total service cost. Services are not refunded, and adjustment requests need to be made within 7 days of the appointment. Retail products can be exchanged for salon credit if they are gently used, mostly full and returned within 2 weeks of purchase.

Color prices are starting prices that depend on hair length, density and how complex the service is. The salon does not quote color without seeing the hair in person, so consultations can be booked online. Blonding visits begin with a consultation, and some hair is not a good candidate for lightening; in that case the stylist may suggest a care routine first. The salon says it has years of blonding experience and describes some of its blonde specialists as among the best in Portland. Clients with long or thick hair are asked to mention it when booking so enough time is set aside. Touch-ups are typically suggested every 4 to 6 weeks for roots and every 8 to 12 weeks for balayage, and current clients are encouraged to book the next visit before leaving.

Prices are set by the services booked, not by the client's gender. Clients who feel uncomfortable in the space can tell their stylist, and the salon says it will look for new options to help. Seating was selected with comfort and support in mind. Styling chairs carry an 800-pound rating, dryer chairs have no armrests, and the salon's chairs are extra wide and fitted with arms. At 8079, wheelchair access is through the back door; at 8071, it is through the front door. An accessible parking space is located in the OnPoint Credit Union lot. The back entrance at the Sellwood space has no steps, followed by a small downhill slope into the salon.

The nail services are offered at the Nail Nook, on the 8071 side, and include nail art, gel manicures, structured gel manicures using Luminary Systems Builder Gel, Gel X full sets, and acrylic and gel removal. Nail services are not available as walk-ins, and the nail artist works on select days. Clients can bring photos or designs for inspiration. The nail page says the salon uses medical-grade disinfectants and sterilizes tools after every client, and the nail FAQ says all employees are trained and licensed. The salon states that all of its stylists are licensed.

Built around inclusion and size-friendly comfort, with gender-free pricing. Color is consulted in person before any price is given, so the plan fits the hair.

The salon describes the setting as fun, laid-back and non-pretentious.

Services

Final prices may vary.

Mini, partial, full and Barbie Blonde services, from maintenance for regrowth to a full blonding overhaul. Visits start with a consultation.

  • Mini Blonding $140+
  • Partial Blonding $210+
  • Barbie Blonde Maintenance $250+
  • Barbie Blonde Transformation $280+
  • Full Blonding $280+

Single process color, plus vivid services from Mini Vivids and Partial Vivids to a Full Vivid Transformation.

  • Mini Vivids $140+
  • Single Process Color $150+
  • Partial Vivids $245+
  • Full Vivid Transformation $350+

Haircuts, blowouts, styling and extensions, updos and wedding hair, color correction, balayage, and gender-affirming hairstyles.

  • Balayage Services Price at booking
  • Blowout Services Price at booking
  • Color Correction Price at booking
  • Consultation + Hair Cutting Services Price at booking
  • Curly Cuts & Styles Price at booking
  • Gender-Affirming Hairstyles Price at booking
  • Japanese Thermal Straightening Price at booking
  • Keratin Treatments Price at booking
  • Pixie Cuts Price at booking
  • Portland Mullet Hairstyles Price at booking
  • Razor, Clipper and Fade Cuts Price at booking
  • Shag Haircut Price at booking
  • Styling + Extensions Price at booking
  • Updos and Wedding Hair Price at booking
  • Vintage Hair Price at booking
  • Bang trim/undercut $25+
  • Clipper/short cut $45+
  • Express curly cut $50+
  • Express cut $50+
  • Medium/long cut $75+
  • Shag/mullet cut $75+
  • Curly cut $100+
  • Blonding Services Price at booking
  • Color Services Price at booking
  • K18+ Keratin Treatments Price at booking

Nail art at several levels, from simple designs to elaborate work or an artist's choice, added on to a manicure.

  • Simple nail art $20
  • Medium nail art $40
  • Freestyle (artist's choice) $60
  • Elaborate nail art (going all out) $70

Gel and structured gel manicures, Gel X full sets, and acrylic or gel removal.

  • House apres removal $20
  • Simple nail art add-on $20
  • Foreign apres/gel removal $40
  • Medium nail art add-on $40
  • Acrylic removal $45
  • Gel manicure $55
  • Freestyle nail art add-on $60
  • Elaborate nail art add-on $70
  • Structured gel manicure (new clients) $85
  • Apres Gel X full set $90
  • Structured gel manicure (returning clients) $100

A general listing of haircut and consultation, mullet services, and razor, clipper and fade haircuts.

  • Haircut & Consultation Price at booking
  • Mullet Services Price at booking
  • Razor, Clipper and Fade Haircut Services Price at booking

Photos

  • Back view of long blonde highlighted hair
  • Model with rainbow pastel hair against a brick wall
  • Back view of long curly hair with caramel highlights
  • Long hair with bold red streaks, face partly hidden
  • Before and after of keratin straightening treatment
  • Before and after of keratin straightening treatment
  • Hands with decorated nail art in mixed metallic designs
  • Hands with silver and dark themed nail art
  • Hands with colorful 3D charm nail art
  • Hands with blue chrome cat-eye nails
  • Silver chrome skull nails on a purple cloth
  • Iridescent blue and chrome abstract nail art

Meet the team

Their website doesn't list the team, so we don't either.

Highlights
  • Two side-by-side Portland locations, with Big Mama and Lil Papa teams and a nail space, the Nail Nook
  • Blonding menu from Mini Blonding to Barbie Blonde transformations and maintenance
  • Vivid color services, including Mini Vivids with a vivid overlay and a K18 bond treatment
  • Japanese thermal straightening and K18+ keratin treatments
  • Gender-affirming hairstyles offered, with gender-free pricing
  • The salon describes itself as Portland's premier salon for hair extensions; it also says it was named Best Hair Salon in Portland by Willamette Weekly
Good for
  • Color clients 13 and older
  • Blonding and vivid clients
  • Clients with long or thick hair who need extra time
  • Hair extension clients
  • Gender-affirming haircuts
  • Curly and wavy cuts
  • Wedding and event hair
  • Gel manicures and nail art
  • Clients who need wheelchair access
  • Clients who book ahead, since walk-ins are not taken
Treats
  • Color correction
  • Blonde maintenance
  • Vivid color
  • Straightening
  • Curly hair cuts
  • Gender-affirming hairstyles
  • Nail art
  • Gel manicure and removal
  • Wedding hair
  • Hair extensions
Techniques
  • Blonding
  • Balayage
  • Vivid overlays
  • Japanese thermal straightening
  • K18 bond treatment
  • Keratin treatments
  • Hair extensions
  • Color correction
  • Blowouts
  • Razor, clipper and fade cuts

Products & treatments

  • Luminary Systems Builder Gel
  • K18
  • Chameleon blonding maintenance products, sold directly to clients

Similar salons nearby

Other locations

  • Big Mama 8079 Southeast 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

More in Portland

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