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 Maryland—leave your thoughts in the comments here. 

Great Hair | Salons in DC | Salons in Virginia

A Great Choice for Color

Eyma, 7829 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-986-6996; eymasalonandspa.com. Elle magazine named Eyma a great salon for color in 2004. Clients—mostly professional women over 35—call co-owner Massimo Quartararo an artist at natural-looking highlights. He’s great for cuts, too, while co-owner Eyal Uzana is a choice for curly hair. Cuts: Most regular cuts are $40 for men and $65 for women; $90 with Massimo. Color: $70 and up. Highlights: $75 and up.

Longtime Favorites

David’s Beautiful People, 12121 Rockville Pike, Rockville; 301-881-2540; davidsbeautifulpeople.com. David Cohen, who opened his salon in 1973, continues to offer high-quality work. Cuts: $25 and up. Color: $60 and up. Highlights: $75 and up. 

Progressions, 12211 Nebel St., Rockville; 301-231-8757; progressions.com. Ira Ludwick is a terrific cutter who runs a big, up-to-date salon. Cut: $35 and up for men, $45 and up for women. Color: $60 and up. Highlights: $95 and up.

Salon Cielo, Columbia Mall, 410-730-6165; Bethesda Row, 301-656-5807; saloncielo.com. For the money—$40 to $55—you can get a good cut here. Color: $55 and up. Highlights: $95 and up.

Salon Privé, 7818 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda; 301-654-4808; privehairsalon.com. A friendly, well-appointed salon in the heart of Bethesda. Nicole Lefevre is a good choice. Cut: $35 and up for men, $50 and up for women. Color: $60 and up. Highlights: $85 and up.

Zin Hair + Colour, 7711 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-654-2229; zinhair.com. This salon may not be for everyone—for example, the small, intimate space isn’t a good place to bring children—but we’ve seen stylish work here, especially by owner Ouri Kandero. Cut: $45 and up for men, $65 and up for women. Color: $85 and up. Highlights: $120 and up.

Why Drive to Georgetown?

Kibana Salon, 921-A Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring; 301-588-8858; www.kibanasalon.com. This salon—a sister salon to Aqua in Georgetown—is sleek and modern, with white leather couches and Jetsons-style white chairs. Ian Palmiero is a good stylist to try. Women’s cut: $65. Men’s cut: $40. Color: $65 and up. Highlights: $100 and up.

New and Noteworthy

Salon Capelli, 835-D Rockville Pike, Rockville; 301-610-5606; salon-capelli.com. Clients like the salon’s warm, casual vibe. Owner Becky Watson wins praise for updated cuts and color—she’s good with curly locks, too, as well as makeup. Co-owner Michelle Tamayo earns raves for her multidimensional color. Great shampoos with scalp massages. Cut: $35 and up for men, $60 and up women. Color: $60 and up. Highlights: $85 and up.

Aces at Asian Hair

Citrine, 6931-D Arlington Rd., Bethesda; 301-656-8220; citrinesalonandspa.com. At this serene salon with an Asian vibe, the stylists—some of whom have lovely straight hair—offer, among other services, Japanese relaxers ($500 and up). Cut: $40 and up for men, $65 and up for women. Color: $65 and up. Highlights: $95 and up.

Family-Friendly Stylist

Jillian Behram, Headlines Hair Design, 8740 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring; 301-587-5040. Jillian Behram has developed a following among moms. After our September 2008 issue went to press, Behram took a new job at Headlines. A young mother herself, she works Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. She doesn’t have just women for clients; she often styles their husbands’ and kids’ hair, too. Cuts: $30 for kids, $40 for men, $65 for women. Color $55 and up. Highlights $95 and up.