Good Salons to Try in DC
Looking for a new stylist? Here are colorists and hairdressers in Washington doing very good work.
By
Sherri Dalphonse
Published Monday, September 01, 2008
The best way to find a hairdresser is to ask someone with hair that you like: Who does your hair? So we asked men and women we spotted on the street, in the Metro, at parties, in malls. We asked fashionable Washingtonians we know to tell us about their stylists. In all, we heard from several hundred men and women. What follows is not a list of the area’s best salons—there are many more good stylists about town—but the names we heard repeatedly from happy clients with nice hair. We also looked at the portfolios of many area stylists, to see their other work. Want to nominate your stylist or colorist? Send an e-mail to hair@washingtonian.com. Let us know what you think are the best salons in DC —leave your thoughts in the comments here. Great Hair | Salons in Virginia | Salons in Maryland Salon for BlondesHair Lounge, 2201 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-337-0951; hairloungesalon.com. Owners Daniel Levy and Serkan Sut—Levy used to work at Okyo; Sut counts Larry King as a client—run a salon specializing in color. From highlights to color correction, Levy says they can give a woman the same color as “when she was a little girl”—as in blond. Also recommended for updos and “event hair.” There’s even a frequent-client program: Spend more than $500 and get 10 percent off products and services; spend $1,500 and it’s 15 percent. Cut: $40 and up for men, $60 and up for women. Color: $70 and up. Highlights: $110 and up.
Right for Redheads One80 Salon, 1275 K St., NW, Suite 101; 202-842-9113; one80salon.com. Heather Finkel, a redhead herself, is the person to see for reddish hues, while blondes and others swear by owner/colorist Jeremy Buchanan. Need a cut? Owner Rémi Metsu is a whiz with scissors. Cyrille Turpin is best for blowouts and updos. Cut: $50 and up for men, $80 and up for women. Color: $75 and up. Highlights: $120 and up. Another Great Choice for Color Urban Style Lab, 1341 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-223-2066; lab-dc.com. As the name implies, this is not the place for stiff helmet hair. The colorists all earn raves—especially Claudia Torrico, for natural-looking blond highlights, and Sertac Ozturk. Cut: $45 and up for men, $75 and up for women. Color: $65 and up. Highlights: $110 and up.
Longtime FavoritesBill Lawrence Salon, 2120 18th St., NW; 202-387-8310. Located in Adams Morgan, this is the go-to salon for African-Americans in Washington. Bill Lawrence and Samantha Banks are the stylists most recommended. Cut: $65 and up. Color: $65 and up. Highlights: $150 and up. George Salon at the Four Seasons, 2828 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-342-1942. Many well-known heads swear by this beauty mainstay in Georgetown. Timo Nguyen and Ismail Tekin are talented with scissors. A great place for blowouts, too. Cut: $45 and up for men, $110 and up for women. Color: $100 and up. Highlights: $150 and up. Ilo Salon & Day Spa, 1637 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-342-0350; ilosalonspa.com. This Georgetown salon continues to turn out high-quality, consistent work. Jack Howard is a top choice for color and highlights; Gary Walker is popular for cuts; Claire Burnham is recommended for curly hair. Cut: $60 and up for men, $90 and up women. Color: $120 and up. Highlights: $111 and up. Okyo Salon, 2903 M St., NW; 202-342-2675; okyosalon.com. Over its 23 years, this Georgetown salon has styled such celebrities as Eva Longoria Parker and Sandra Bullock and won praise in Elle and Vogue. Owner Bernard Portelli (he takes new clients by referral only) is such an institution that his stylists have gone on to start other good salons, including Hair Lounge. A good stylist to see here: Nadine Amiri. Cuts: $50 for men, $80 for women. Color: $95 and up. Highlights: $130 and up. Salon Jean-Paul, 4820 Yuma St., NW; 202-966-4600. Jean-Paul Amsellem was Jackie Kennedy’s hairdresser in the 1960s, and the salon he started 35 years ago—although he’s now retired—is still going strong. The decor and some of the older clientele give it an old-fashioned, beauty-parlor feel. Don’t be surprised to see well-coiffed celebrities such as NBC’s Andrea Mitchell. Mustafa Corumlu is often recommended—he gives WAMU personality Diane Rehm her distinctive ’do. Jean-Paul’s nephew, William Robert, is a stylist and the new co-owner there, carrying on the family tradition. Cut: $45 and up for men, $75 and up for women. Color: $70 and up. Highlights: $155 and up. On the Cutting EdgeEasel Hair Studio, 1616 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-342-3999; easelhair.com. A modern space set in a brick townhouse, this Georgetown salon features easel-shaped haircutting stations and local art on the walls. The styles, especially by owner Shawn Leonard, can be artistic, too. Cuts: $35 for men, $65 for women. Color: $50 and up. Highlights: $100 and up. Trim, A Salon, 2700 Ontario Rd., NW; 202-462-6080. A small, edgy salon where the music is as loud as the green, orange, and silver walls. The salon can get packed with a young clientele—could it be the free beer? Claibourne Reppert and Heather Hogan are especially popular. Women’s cuts are $70, men’s $38. Color: $85 and up. Highlights: $110 and up. New and NoteworthyParlour, 1522 U St., NW; 202-986-0080; parlourdc.com. Rebecca Haehnle and Chris Keller, who previously worked at Axis, opened this pretty and unpretentious salon in May. Cut: $40 and up for men, $65 and up for women. Color: $65 and up. Highlights: $65 and up. Loyal Followings Bogart, 1063 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-333-6550; bogartsalon.com. This Georgetown salon, more than 30 years old, continues to turn out good work on everyone from adults to kids to brides to prom-going teens. All the stylists—who rarely leave—have devoted fans, especially Dragan Jakovljev and co-owner Fernando Ferre. Cut: $35 and up for men, $55 and up for women. Color: $60 and up. Highlights: $90 and up. Paul Bosserman, 3214 N St., NW; 202-337-0020. This unassuming four-chair Georgetown salon isn’t easy to find. But many who do—especially women in their forties and fifties—come back. Cuts: $65 and up for men, $85 and up for women. Color: $85 and up. Highlights: $125 and up.
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Comments
Though some lucky ones might come out of Georges satisfied, I cannot say the same for a bunch of people who have experience otherwise. Recently I had a friend who after the loss of two family members decided to make the effort to get her hair colored at Georges and she came out looking like a parrot. Her hair was over processed by a hair dresser called Teresa who let her hair fry. We do not have the heart to tell our friend how awful she looks. And on two previous occasions when she has requested for a single hair process, she has been talked into getting highlights by the same women. Totally unethical.
I would recommend Vidal Sasson at Tysons Galeria anyday.
Posted by: Anna, Dec 26, 2008 04:54:45 PM
help! my stylist left the salon he’s been with for 8 years and I can’t find an email he sent me relatively recently... does anyone know where Michael Awad (formerly with Watergate Salon) is?
Posted by: Rebecca, Dec 01, 2008 01:25:13 PM
I have heard friends rave about a place in D.C. where only beauty school students and apprentices cut hair, but supposed the place is really edgy and the kids have true talent. Is any one familiar with the name??
Posted by: Ashley , Oct 06, 2008 11:05:29 AM
It’s about time your editors discovered Samantha Banks -the woman is a MAKEOVER QUEEN!!!(Hello? "Sheer Genius")? An extraordinary Colorist, and an amazing Cutter, Samantha masters MULTI-CULTURAL HAIR: European, Asian, African American, and everything in between (she’s great with curly hair too).I first met Sam on a photo-shoot here in NYC, and most recently witnessed her wizadry in Fashion Week Chicago. Trusting my unruly,(now gorgeous)blonde locks to her, was one of one of the best image moves I ever made. This lady is a genius!
Posted by: Paige Van der Kamp , Sep 21, 2008 02:30:28 AM
To answer the previous poster’s question, we did ask many men and women with curly hair to recommend salons and stylists, but there was no consensus--some curly-haired Washingtonians raved about salons that others had had bad experiences with. Although there is currently not a separate section for curly hair, if you look through the list you will find that we point out when a stylist at a listed salon is recommended for curly hair. We will be updating this hair list, and welcome salon and stylist suggestions, including those good with curly hair.
Also, to answer another poster’s question, salons do not have to advertise to be on this list of best salons--there is never any connection in our magazine between editorial listings and advertising.
Posted by: Sherri Dalphonse, Senior Editor, Sep 17, 2008 07:20:19 AM
You guys forgot about best for curly hair??
Posted by: Anon, Sep 11, 2008 06:49:02 PM
I can’t say enough great things about Ola, at PR@Partners K Street salon. Ola has been taking care of my hair for years, and I’m convinced there is no style she can’t provide. Her cuts have always been great and wearable, whether my hair was longer or shorter. She does perfect color and can achieve just the right kind of style to suit the individual--from the hippest of younger Washington women to those of us who are working in more traditional areas where we don’t want to look too interesting. Ola has great style of her own and is the best all around stylist I have found since moving to DC twelve years ago--and that counts a wide variety of salon experiences, from the biggest names in DC salons to the mall-oriented chains. Count on her for excellent customer service and for going above and beyond to make sure you are happy with your cut and color. I keep telling her she should be on "Shear Genius" but I’m secretly glad she’s not because if she became that famous I might not be able to get an appointment with her every three weeks! She is simply the best!
Posted by: Judi, Sep 06, 2008 10:12:02 AM
I’ve been client at Saint Germain Salon since it opened and have never been disappointed!
www.saintgermainsalon.com
Posted by: Paik Young, Sep 03, 2008 03:47:01 PM
I agree with Theresa’s comment. Bonita at Bill Lawrence is GREAT!!! I was in dire need of a hair stylist that not only knew how to style and cut hair but also keep the hair healthy. I’ve been going to Bonita for about a year and half and in that time she has been able to reestablish my hair’s health and growth. I would highly recommend her!
Posted by: Roh, Sep 03, 2008 03:43:36 PM
I guess there are no salons specializing in coarse hair that are worthy of making these lists. Interesting.
Posted by: Taryn, Sep 03, 2008 11:40:39 AM
i am very surprise O salon did not appears anywhere on this article ,do you have to advertise to be in this issues?
Posted by: sandy errico, Aug 30, 2008 04:59:29 AM
At Bill Lawrence Salon in Washington, DC, one of the best hair stylists is Bonita. She has worked there for 2 years and prior to this she owned her own hair salon. She is one of the best hair cutters in the area. She is an artist, not just someone who cuts hair. I would highly recommend her next time you ask for an appointment.
Theresa
Posted by: Theresa Gooden, Aug 29, 2008 09:28:43 AM
I have been going to De La Ines Salon located at 5520 Connecticut Ave NW
- I love the hairstylist Dina - I have been going since the day it has opened because I use to go to Aveda where Dina was. She does a great job really knows how to cut hair - very up to date styles. Keeps up with what is new and very nice.
Posted by: Regina White, Aug 27, 2008 11:48:50 AM
De La Ines- is the BEST thanks for including it in your article!
Posted by: Kristin, Aug 27, 2008 11:01:09 AM
why do so many of these salons have dead links?!
Posted by: anon, Aug 26, 2008 02:51:33 PM
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