Power Cuts
Violet Hair and Skin Care: This violet-walled salon’s client list cuts a swath across politics and media with such names as Rahm Emanuel, Jake Tapper, and Valerie Jarrett. Owners Jimmy Cehreli and Mesut Ozaydin are known for their cuts and color—and charm. White wine and tea are a plus. Cut: $55 and up for men, $125 and up for women. Color: $90 and up.
Blondes and Redheads
One80: Hillary Clinton and Natalie Portman have had their hair done here, as have a host of lobbyists and Hill types. Owner Rémi Metsu is a whiz with scissors, and business partner Jeremy Buchanan gets kudos for highlights and blond shades. Melissa Murphy is tops for redheads. Cut: $60 and up for men, $90 and up for women. Color: $80 and up.
Ury & Associates: Loyal clients, particularly blondes, rave about the natural-looking color by colorist Patricia Dias and the movement-filled cuts by Sara Lord at this Georgetown salon. The unassuming location—you enter via a private elevator in the Steve Madden shop downstairs—is made for VIP access, and owner Ury Emsellem has authors Sally Quinn and Nora Ephron in his little black book of clients. The cost can be higher than at most area salons—a women’s cut goes up to $135—but regulars say you can’t put a price on quality. Cut: $45 and up for men, $80 and up for women. Color: $75 and up.
Great Highlights
Alchemy Salon: For hair with a sun-kissed glow even when summer is long gone, Alchemy is a good bet. Other perks: cookies and tea, online booking, and massage chairs at the hair-wash station. Though all the stylists are talented, in-demand Taylor Malik is known for wash-and-go cuts, while Jesslyn Irvin is expert at snipping thick, curly hair and creating natural-looking highlights. Cut: $41 and up for men, $58 and up for women. Color: $55 and up. Highlights: $85 and up.
Trendy and Fun
Bella Bethesda Salon: The fact that every stylist here has a great haircut is a good sign. There’s a bit of a party vibe with loud tunes and a spread of iced tea and cookies in this spare, light-filled aerie. Stylists and colorists are all talented, but standouts include co-owner Lindsey Dabney for cuts, Ngoc Le for highlights, Megan Atkinson and Tania Osinaga for curly cuts, and Demetrios Bafitis for color and blow dry. Shampooist Khang Sharp is known for transporting head massages. Cut: $35 and up for men, $48 and up for women. Color: $55 and up.
Multicultural Hair
Strands Hair Studios: Shirley Gordon, who opened her salon at age 25, has styled everyone from the wives of Wizards and Redskins players to sister tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams to Stacie Scott Turner of The Real Housewives of Washington D.C. Gordon was one of five finalists for hairstylist of the year in this year’s North American Hairstyling Awards. Cut: $95 and up. Color: $55 and up.
Friendly and Relaxing
Eclips Salon Day Spa: A warm welcome and low-key mood, not to mention a cappuccino machine, make this salon an oasis for many. Cutter Ashley Love has a way with short, thick, wavy hair. Tiffany Dwyer and Stanley Le are good at color, and Telisha Allison is a choice for highlights. Cut: $41 and up for men, $61 and up for women. Color: $74 and up.
Eyma Salon and Spa: Even first-time clients leave this bustling salon feeling like old friends, and from all the hugs and warm greetings it’s clear that most repeat customers are. Stylists in the bright space with terra-cotta-colored walls are just as comfortable creating a trendy, modern do for a twentysomething as they are with more traditional styles. Versatile stylist Denise Sharpe has a loyal fan base, as does Didi Greene, whose specialty is curly hair but who can work magic with a razor for funky layered cuts, too. Cut: $40 and up for men, $65 and up for women. Color: $70 and up.
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