Gilded Fox Beauty

Gilded Fox Beauty has been based in Portland since 2016 and was founded by Andrea Neal-Thiesen, who has worked there as a curl specialist since then. The salon calls itself Portland's curl specialists and says its services can compare with those of larger traditional salons. It also says it has been featured in LOGO.

The salon's view is that great hair should feel personal, so each cut, color and treatment is tailored to a client's curl pattern, texture and hair goals. All stylists are trained in cutting, coloring and caring for waves, curls and tight coils.

A first Curly Cut Experience takes about three hours, usually between 2.5 and 4, and includes a custom cut, a scalp scrub and product detox, and a hands-on lesson in cleansing, hydrating, styling and drying with Innersense Organic Beauty products. The cut is done on dry hair to show natural shape, then the hair is washed, styled and dried to check it. Returning appointments take about two hours and focus on refining routine and technique. Clients are asked to wash, condition, style and dry their curls the day of or the day before, without pins, clips, hats or hair up. New clients fill out a form before booking. Online booking shows openings within 90 days, and a waitlist is available. Men's curly cuts are offered, and all stylists see children, who book as new clients and submit photos.

Color services include root touch-ups, full color and the signature Curlayage, plus toners and glosses. Some color services require a consultation, and the salon recommends starting with a Curly Cut Experience before booking color. Styling covers wash and sets, diffused styling, curl refreshes and upstyles, and wedding and event styling is available by contacting the salon directly. Prices marked with a plus are starting prices and may change. Cancellations need 48 hours' notice to avoid a 50% charge, and no-shows and no-calls are charged the full booked amount.

Cuts are shaped on dry hair to reveal natural curl shape, then washed and styled to check the result, with each head of curls shaped individually and clients shown how to recreate salon curls at home.