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VSL Hair Design
Rating Details »
Categories: Hair Salons, Nail Salons
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle1607 Connecticut Ave NW
(between N Q St & N Hillyer Pl)
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-3757
15% off Hair Services for Yelpers!
Mention Yelp to get 15% off hair services with featured stylists Jasmine, Fathia, or Sylvie! Must print this page.
- Nearest Transit:
-
Dupont Circle (Red)
- Hours:
Mon. 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Tue-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
86 reviews for VSL Hair Design
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
3/31/2009
11/23/2009
11/4/2009
10/6/2009
11/19/2009
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Updated - 3/11/2009
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Updated - 8/25/2008
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Updated - 2/5/2009
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2/22/2007
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One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
I have heard so many girlfriends exclaim, "Oh, I LOVE my hairstylist - I would never go anywhere else to get my hair done." This was a sentiment I could never really identify with. Every haircut I've gotten, I've been either horrified by or pleased with. But loved?!? Never.
This all changed when I went to VSL, a few blocks from my home. A small unassuming hair salon right next to Subway, it's storefront doesn't really do it justice. I did a walk-in and the G-ds were looking down on me with some serious love because I randomly got assigned to David, a hair genius and a sweetheart at that.
As soon as I got my hair done, I felt different. Prettier. Bouncier. I started styling it in the mornings and really did it up on weekends using techniques David showed me. I've been back to get trims and have left with that same bounce both times.
Price? Reasonable, I must say. With student discount, a cut and dry sets you back about $30. Compared with Hair Cuttery's $26, those 4 extra buckaroonis are definitely worth it. And now I know what people meant when they said they would never go anywhere else.
I go to Chaz for my cut and color - and he is wonderfully innovative, as well as respectful of my concerns.
I had a terrible experience with another DC salon. I asked for all-over color, and got bleached Playboy white. This resulted in some long-term drying damage. I went to a couple of other places for corrective color over the next 3 months. By the time I ended up at VSL, Chaz took one look at my hair, and instead of giving me a quick fix - worked out a long term plan to get my hair healthy. He took it back to a rich brown for a couple of months, cut off the dead ends - and put me on a conditioning treatment every 6 weeks. He also suggested shampoo and conditioner that has done wonders. He takes extensive notes on his client and. I appreciate his long term vision.
My hair is healthier than ever and my cut is so fun. We're experimenting with bangs and layers - and every time i see friends after a cut, I get tons of compliments. Yay for Chaz! I finally found someone that I can trust.
I would follow David across continents should he ever leave VSL.
I've been going to David for almost two years now, on the recommendation of a close friend. His skills have spread through my group of friends faster than a rumor about free cupcake day at Red Velvet. Eight of us now see David--and only David--to make our hair magic dreams come true. He delivers!
Ok, so the salon doesn't shine like a new penny, and yes, there is always a Madonna dance mix blaring, but these are things I don't really see anymore, because my love for David has blinded me.
The whole experience always starts off great, with a shampoo/conditioner/scalp massage that is tantamount to great foreplay. By the time I wobble, weak-kneed, to David's chair, the din and melee of everyone else has subdued and I am ready for Hair Genius to happen.
David is communicative--he speaks honestly and listens intently to what you want. He's not too fast, not too slow, and is great about matching your energy--some days I want to be a chatterbox with him and he chatters right along, and other days I just want to close my eyes and pretend I'm mainlining Riesling, and he hops wordlessly onto my zen raft. By the time he's done with me--half an hour or so--I feel prettier, sexier, and I want to squeeze him so hard that he squeaks a little. He doesn't use any product on my hair, and still gets it bigger and bouncier (with a little sex-panther over-the-eye floof) than I can make it with a can of BIG SEXY HAIR goo. By the time I'm metroing home, I'm deflecting advances from other metro riders, male and female alike, because I've accidentally flirted with them with my new hair.
Ok, so I have good hair to begin with--healthy, naturally pretty straight and blond, but the hair of my other seven David devotees range from course & curly tight ringlets, to fine and thin wisps, to mildly unruly with a side of cowlick, to Brillo-pad Hair Beast, to thinning-in-the-top. We are ALL hooked.
Haircut with Zhen - 5 Stars- She is great. She also taught me a new way to style my unruly bangs. Go Zhen!!
Waxing - Yikes 3 stars - I never broke out from waxing before on my face...this time I did for days. Maybe their wax has a chemical in it?
**Special note - you cannot add at tip to the CC, bring cash.
So I just moved to DC and needed to find a good hair dresser. I went to the salon on tips from everyone to go to David. David was super sweet. He was running late and gave me a free conditioning, which was nice. As a hair dresser though he was just okay. I had to tell him every step of the way what I wanted, instead of him taking the initiative to do it himself and make me look good. He was actually going to let me walk out of there after 5 minutes with the most basic hair cut that I could have done myself. It was disappointing and made me nerves about his confidence as a hair dresser. If you like to tell your hair dresser exactly what you want, this is the guy for you. On the other hand, if you want a hair dresser who is going to take care of you and make you look beautiful, you may want to try someone else.
In summary: Service great, David sweet, showed me new products, just an okay hair cut, not enough confidence, really loud music
The only good thing I have to say about my first experience at VSL is that it was cheap - $30 for a cut and wash w/out a blow dry ($15 extra for dry)
Went to Shawn based on a recommendation from a friend who has good hair. My haircut wasn't terrible, but not what I wanted, so I can't complain too much.
He not only was unfriendly for my first visit but he answered his cell phone and talked about his plans for the night for about 5 minutes, jerked my head around instead of asking me to move/tilt, and even yelled at me because (I admit) I was quite jumpy due to having no clue what he was doing to my head.
VSL is not what I had expected from a Dupont Salon. A little dirty and very loud. They also don't accept checks and will not put tips onto credit card payments... which is definitely weird.
I wish I could give 5 stars to the shampoo guy. That was seriously the best wash I have ever had at a salon. His only job is to stand there and wash people's hair - I don't think he even cuts hair. Anyway, he had a great European accent and was very friendly. I was completely relaxed by the time he was done - he has magic hands, I swear!
Now on to the haircut. I went to Mark because a friend had recommended him. And while I love my haircut (probably in the top 3 haircuts I've ever had), I was disappointed in his customer service. When I arrived right on time, he was on the phone. He waved me in to the chair and started combing my hair dry. He proceeded to talk on the phone for several more minutes before asking to call the person back. He wasn't apologetic, but he did admit he was talking to his insurance agent about the home he is buying. I get it, but since this was my first time coming to him, I felt like he should have been more welcoming and a lot less comfortable. After that, he did a magnificent cut and was very talkative and easy to chat with.
I would have given this 5 stars (even before the shampoo guy), but I took away a star for lack of customer service. I would highly recommend this place, though. I love my style - very me and exactly what I wanted - and very reasonably priced ($35 for cut and wash). I have paid $60+ for the same hair cut elsewhere.
This was probably the worst haircut I've gotten since the someone gave me the poodle cut in the fifth grade. The star is for the shampoo guy, who really is amazing, and for the overall friendly atmosphere. But, the haircut is just awful.
I have very curly hair, and requested someone who would be able to cut curly hair when I called to make my appointment. When I arrived, the stylist greeted me and surveyed my hair, which was in desperate need of a trim. After they washed my hair (they do not put a smock on you, so your cloths may get wet), I went to get my haircut. We decided to take off about an inch and half.
Whelp, about 3 and 1/2 inches and a soccer-mom cut later, my haircut was over. Frankly, I was surprised that I had any hair left. My stylist did not do the "little bit at a time" approach to haircuts, but rather gathered very large sections and cut the 3 inches off at once. Trust me, there is nothing scarier than sitting in the haircut chair and feeling the weight of large clumps of your hair fall from your head to your lap.
They do not blowdry your hair. You have to make a special appointment for that.
I left the salon with my hair soaking wet. I suspected something was wrong when I got strange looks walking down the street--probably because the top layer of hair was drying (and blowing in the breeze) while the bottom was soaking wet (and not moving at all).
As my hair dried, I notice that the shortest layer fell right above my cheek bone. The shortest layer had previously been about an inch below my chin. I also noticed that the shortest layer on my right side and left side were off by about 1/2 inch. Because the longest layer fell to my collar bone (my hair had been about half-way down my back), the overall look while curly can best be described as grown-out mullet. At least I can look like a soccer mom with it straight.
In a nutshell, really nice people, but really bad haircut (my roommate literally started laughing when she saw it).
2.25 stars. Given the hours of operation not being conducive for a haircut at my usual DC hair salon, I bounced into VSL hair design for a quick fix. Basically, my last hair cut had created a boring ball of hair with very little opportunity to play around with the different strands, so I mentioned to my stylist that I wanted something a bit less conservative.
What I got was one of the most conservative haircuts I've ever received in my life. A clipper was used for my sides, but my real issue was the lack of opportunity to really do anything with the front of my hair. It basically has been reduced to a military cut.
That's not to say that the final product looked terrible. I didn't like it, but I got no less than three compliments from friends on my hair (although they might have just been being generous). Then again, I got the same amount of compliments for a horrendous burnt orange tie I was wearing that day (I literally rank it dead last in my entire wardrobe of ties). So there you go.
For $30, I expect a better cut especially when I sometimes get exceptional cuts from a competitor in the neighborhood for $10 less.
I'm pretty surprised that I'm saying this, but after salon-hopping for the last few years, it's Terri at VSL who wins my vote.
I've tried Blondies (okay cut, botched bangs), Ipsa (good haircut but pricey), Salon Cielo (decent), Imaj Salon (decent but cuts two clients at once!), Shears (I mentioned that I like layers to be minimal - I got lots and LOTS of layers which I am growing out), Aqua (wonderful but pricey!), Toka ($95 for what was hands-down the worst haircut of my life from a man who told me that he knows better than I do what I want in a haircut - can we say mushroom head?).
I'm not really a traveling hair-gypsy. More like... a hair guinea pig? Sigh, that sounds bad too. Just so you know, before this I was loyal to Dario Salon (see review) in New York for several years.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/14/2008
In the three years I've been living in Dupont, VSL has become my standby for blow-outs. The gay… Read more »
My ex-roommate regularly takes two trains from the other side of town to get her hair done here. Her wavy red hair always looks amazing. So when DC's oppressive heat broiled my black hair so much I wanted to chop most of it off, I decided to give VSL a try.
Yesterday, a Saturday, at 11am, VSL looked really busy. But it turned out there's a ton of hidden space in the back, so there was no wait for either my husband or me.
My stylist was Madina, who talked me out of chopping off too much hair. She explained that a my face had a very round shape, and that the short straight bob I proposed might accentuate the roundness too much.
I asked Madina what my options were, given that I don't have time to style my hair every morning, hell I don't even own a hair dryer. My main goals were to feel more comfortable in the heat, and to look presentable just running a comb through my hair for 5 seconds before running out the door.
She suggested keeping the length at the sides to frame my face nicely, but she would take off a lot of the volume to make the load of hair feel lighter. She assured me it would look fine even with no special products or styling effort.
Madina wasn't particularly chatty, but if you strike up a conversation, she's happy to answer questions as she works. Turns out she's a relatively recent transplant to DC, having moved here from Los Angeles to be with her significant other. While in LA she worked for Warner Bros., styling models and actors! Apparently DC's super high-end salons aren't too busy hiring these days, which is unfortunate for Madina, but lucky for us, because it means we can get an affordable cut from the same skilled hands that once styled the likes of Russell Crowe.
Well the cut worked, my hair does feel lighter in this heat. The new cut will take some getting used to, it's very different from the straight no-nonsense cuts I've had my whole life. I met a friend for lunch right after and she said "I like it! Very STYLISH." My husband even said (with an amusing air of shock) that my hair looked "sexy," which he's never said before.
Even though my favorite stylist no longer works there, I went back today for a trim and was happy with the results.
The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is charged with energy (maybe that was just the techno music), and I had no problem getting an appointment that worked with my schedule.
In terms of style, again I'm pleased with the result. Put it this way, it had been over a month and I looked a hot mess, so (practically) anything would be an improvement.
A little pricey, but I'll probably go again.
I feel like I can't in good conscience give this place the full five stars, since I've only ever been to see Michael, but he consistently does a fantastic job with my hair. And, as any lady with short hair will tell you, getting your short hair done can be very risky business.
Got an eyebrow wax done here once and it was passable. The prices seem a little weird, too-- a $35 haircut is a great deal for DC, but a $15 eyebrow wax is not. Tips are cash-only, too, so bring some with you and don't be that girl running to the ATM with her hair wrapped up in foils (not that this has ever happened to me).
Shaun (Asian Shaun!!) gets a solid 5 stars. Dear Shaun, I'm sorry I hair cheated on you and went to Donell. It's just I really wanted a haircut and you were booked and I was impatient. Please forgive me!! -- If you want a hot, sexy, people-stop-u-on-the-street and ask where you got your hair did, then come see Shaun. I will go back one day... when I lose the guilt of going to another hair cutter at the salon. Shaun is the only one who can do anything there (IMO). People stop me on the street asking me where I got my hair done. The cut and color is amazing.
I dumb down the stars because they over book their staff here causing massive delays. I mean these workers are humans, not robots. It's hard to truly judge a salon overall when you have stylists who are unique and different. (Again, GO TO SHAUN!!!) So because of the massive over bookings, sometimes you have to wait 10, 15, 45 minutes. It's a busy salon so if you're looking for relaxing - this is not the place. You're in, you're out. It's loud as hell (hence another ding) so good luck telling Shaun how you want your hair cut. The cool Argentine man who washes hair is HILARIOUS!! (again, once I feel no guilt for hair cheating on Shaun I'm so back there!)
Cash tip only (and you should tip Shaun). Near a metro. Cheap. All that good stuff. Products. Go to Shaun.
Wow, Zhen really did a number on me. And not a good one.
I asked her to keep the length & put it some razored layers - & I specifically asked for anything that would give it volume & keep my already sort of fat face from looking any larger.
Armed with a razor & plenty of enthusiasm, Zhen quickly trimmed me up a bona fide hooker bob - stacked in the back, long & stringy in the front, uneven if I try to put any of it behind my ears. She blew it out, teased it up, put a TON of product on my very thin, fine hair, and then exclaimed, "There, it's not boring anymore!"
No, it's not. Now I look like a very exciting streetwalker.
I paid my $35, took three steps outside the salon, and burst into tears.
I read good reviews of this place on Yelp and so I booked an appointment to get my highlights touched up (I have naturally dirty blond hair, but get it highlighted every 4 months or so). I stressed to my hairdresser (I think his name was Ricky) that I really wanted my hair to look natural and that I didn't want any big change. I was only there to fix my slight roots from the simple highlights I had from a few months before. My hair has always been very easy to highlight, and I am not a hard customer to please. I have never had a highlight job about which I wasn't pleased.
Ricky dyed my hair blue- he left the toner in too long, or put the wrong toner in (he had to put a second toner in even before I realized he had dyed it blue because he didn't like how it looked in my wet hair- I did not see what it looked like after toner #1). I don't understand how this happened, all I know is that he dyed my hair blue- undeniably blue, even when it was wet (it was WAY worse in the part of my hair that he started to blow-dry, which was bright blue). Then he and 4 other hair stylists frantically scrubbed at my head and dumped chemicals into my hair to get the color out. The blue more or less came out (though it was still obvious to people who knew what happened that my hair had a blue hue to it) but now a month later, my color is just horrible.
I have always had nice blond hair- natural looking and it is very forgiving of bad color. Now my hair is just a wreck. Whatever they put in my hair to fix it left it completely fried, and the color is a weird orange on top (again, I don't know what they put in, but my highlights have never turned orange before) and platinum blond at the bottom.
I didn't write this review for a month because I have never written a Yelp review and don't like writing such a harsh one. However, I still am beside myself at what a horrible, horrible color I have. Perhaps the worst part is that they made me pay for it. DO NOT GO HERE for blond color- you will regret it.
This review is for my asian brothers out there. It's been about two years since I've been in DC and lordy, to find a decent place that can cut asian hair (regardless of price) is impossible. What usually was a 20 dollar trip to the barber, I had to resort paying nearly 30 dollars here for a hair cut that was not suitable for me.
Here my issues:
1. I don't want my hair washed. Why do I have to get it washed?
2. I'm not a fan of those mass staffed hair cutteries. You get cut by Sarah one month, have a good chat with her, get her card and then the next month you find yourself with Maria (who happens to cut next to Sarah) and you spend all your time avoiding eye contact with Sarah.
The woman who was cutting hair next to the lady cutting my hair jokingly said "Hey, you're cutting sushi" and then she proceeded to cut it as such.
It's been two years, I learned my lesson. I pay 40 bucks, go to New Jersey, spend a weekend at home, and get it cut at a Korean barber shop.
VSL is like a hair cuttery but a little nicer. I only go when I can't see my normal stylist because the wait time for walking in is almost always under 15 minutes. While I've never had a bad haircut here, I'm not usually super impressed. The stylists never make an effort to make me a repeat customer and the line to be shampooed can sometimes take up to 10-15 minutes. Overall if you need a haircut in a pinch, it works out well.
Dear Fatia,
You give a great haircut, but your customer service sucks. I've been coming to you for over a year now and you've just lost me as a client because of the terrible service you gave on my last visit.
You seemed more interested in flirting with your gay "office-mates" than paying attention to 1) what you were doing 2) your client's needs 3) smoke breaks.
Other points of contention:
- Perception is... well, it's not everything, but guess what- you work in an industry where it counts for a lot and my perception is that you don't need me as a client... your little louie with your mercedes keys hanging out of it scream it loud a clear.
Best wishes for the new year,
Haircut,
All over color,
full High-lights.
I went to see Gina on the recommendation of a friend. To put it mildly, she's not the best with curly hair. I have never been so upset after a haircut. I wear my hair short, and Gina cut my curly hair wet and didn't dry it, and she cut the curls at such an angle that instead of curling they poke out messily, channeling Don King - not a great professional look, and I had told her I need to look conservative and professional for my job. Seriously, no matter what I do my hair is sticking out three inches on each side of my head.
She used a razor, which makes the curls messy and spiky and is a disaster on my curls. She cut individual curls into pieces of different lengths. She also gave me straight-across bangs, which absolutely do not work with curly hair (and I told her I never wear it straight) and she cut them way too short. And since she cut it wet and didn't want to dry it (I had no problem paying for her to dry it, but she didn't want to) there was no opportunity to see what it actually looked like or try to fix it.
Maybe this is my fault for letting a stylist I've never been to before change my hairstyle instead of just doing a trim. I'll be hiding the spiky mess under headbands for the next couple of months. VSL's prices are reasonable and the salon is basic but nice, but I can't recommend Gina for curly hair.
I've been hitting VSL since 2003. Low employee turnover rate, which for me is nice. I like walking in and seeing friendly faces. My regular stylist is Tyler, who aside from being a really cool chick to spend 30 or 45 minutes with, is a hell of a gal when it comes to cutting hair.
What God deprived me of with the rest of my appearance, he made up for with my hair. It's my one saving glory, so I'm particular about who I let touch my curls. Tyler has a magic touch, not only does it look good when I get it cut, but the cuts ALWAYS grow out really well and last for months, which is helpful in this economic climate where everyone is cutting back financially.
She's attentive, doesn't ever hurry me through to get to the next client, and is a genuine kind soul.
Clearly I'm a VSL/Tyler loyalist, but they've earned it. I won't go anywhere else.
I highly recommend VSL for students or anyone on a budget. Shirin cut my hair last July, right before I moved to NY, and I waited until the next time I was back in DC so she could cut it again. I told her I don't blow dry my hair, and I need to be able to get out of the shower and walk out the door, and both times she has done a spectacular job.
If you are looking for VIP treatment, look elsewhere. You'll get shampoo in your ears, hair in your mouth and lots of chaos in the background. But if you want a great, affordable, fast haircut, this is the spot. I made an appt 2 days in advance and got the exact time I requested (on New Years Eve, when I was afraid they might be all booked).
VSL is the only salon I know of that has student discounts (cash only). My cut was $31 plus tip. (Original price was $35.)
Sean is awesome--
So awesome that five of my friends have started going to him, cause they liked the haircuts he was giving me so much.
My hair is fine and straight, so it's really obvious when I have a cut that wasn't well executed--These always grow out really well and require little to no styling. All that for $35. It's quite the deal.
Ok, so I have one of these extremely soft hairs that's slips around and is very hard to manage, so I have to use a lot of gel to keep it still. Naturally its very hard to get a decent cut that looks good. I have tried many diffrent hair cutters and expensive salons and the best they could do is give me a buzz cut that would look satisfactory (btw: I usually give the person up to three tries before I make a decision, because I know it takes a few sessions for them to get to know my hair and my style)
I have tried so many different ways to get a haircut from picking out a style from the picture books the salons usually have to going into detail of what would look good with my facial features. None of them have worked until I got a hair cut with Shireen. She is amazing to say the least. Over the years I had given up on styling my hair and was satisfied with a buzz cut. (Btw: I spend no more than 20 sec styling my hair in-front of a mirror, if it takes more time, I consider it a bad hair cut)
Anyway, every time I go to her she cuts my hair exactly the style I imagine. She has a lot of experience and is very friendly. More importantly she listens and gives you the hair cut you WANT using her skills. Other hair dresser usually listen but they have a generic cut for any particular hair type that is bland and not unique. She genuinely cares about what she does.
Give her a try you won't regret her work!
VSL has the makings of a great gay club: attractive men, mirror-lined walls, and Madonna remixes blasting from the speakers. Unfortunately, it is a hair salon.
I first went to VSL after my 4-year-long protest against getting a haircut in DC. The stylist was really excited to work on a woman since he could try out the latest hair-cutting techniques he learned at school. Ummm...shouldn't he have completed those already? The haircut turned out to be pretty nice, but really difficult to replicate at home.
The next few times I went, I experienced a couple problems. The first was that my stylist did not understand the concept of a trim. Instead of taking a little bit off the ends, he proceeded to give me the same haircut as before, taking a couple inches up, and repeating his new tricks. And then there was the blow-drying. Clearly, my stylist and I have different ideas of what "fabulous" looks like. To me, it is straight, smooth and sleek. To him, it is big, bold and...well, I can't think of another "b" word, but I pretty much walked out of there looking like a giant pom-pom.
As for the time I went there for an up-do...let's just say I took the entire thing out a moment later, which was the moment I got back to my apartment.
Why... please tell me whyyyyyyyy did I return to VSL?
No, I didn't go there to let any of the incompetent scissor-happy crazies get close to my head with their pointy objects. I was actually experiencing an - emergency situation - (refer to my last review of Blondie's) last Wednesday and I needed an emergency blowout. Like, stat. I called all the salons within walking/metroing/busing distance and nobody could fit me in last minute, not even for a teeny-tiny little blow out that I could have done myself in my sleep. Nope. So I held my head high, swallowed my pride, and pushed through the doors at VSL's "salon".
The pretty front desk lady told me that yes, indeed I can get a blowout immediately. Noting that they don't take tips that aren't in cash, I ran over to the ATM and withdrew some money. When I came back my "stylist" was ready. She walked me back in to the depth that is VSL - and it looks like a 3rd world sweat shop factory back there. There were probably 68 stylists. It was unbelievable. I should have taken this as a sign and ran the other way.
Instead, I let the woman doing my hair (was it Maryann?) slowly and sluggishly push me over to the three sinks where a guy from El Salvador was washing hair. I sat and waited probably 20 minutes until my hair was washed- and when it was washed my entire outfit was soaked in the process.
I went back to the lady who was supposed to give me a blow out, and she was sitting in her salon chair looking completely disinterested and indifferent. She seemed to not notice me, and that was probably red flag #2. But I chugged ahead - thinking, who could mess up a blow out?
If only I had heeded my own advice to never, ever return.
I explained exactly what I needed, how she could do it, and then tried to make small talk. She was anti-social and didn't want to talk to me. I also think she didn't know what the blow-dryer was or how to use it, because once she sectioned off my hair she proceeded to dry it while it was on a "cold" setting. I should have stepped in and said something - instead she just kept looking at the dryer like she was a cavewoman who never saw an electronic before. The way she was looking at it every couple of minutes- kind of staring at the dryer quizzically, was extremely comical.
Instead of using a round brush to brush my hair as she dried it, she decided she was going to use a round brush as a roller. So I had three or four BRUSHES rolled up in my hair, with their handles hanging out every which way off of my head, probably because she was too lazy to hold the brush up herself while she dried my hair - something that I do one-handed by myself every morning.
The brushes rolled up in my hair was so ridiculous that even other stylists were giving her funny looks. One was looking at me with pity. I gave him "save me" eyes but he looked away immediately. Ugh.
She didn't apply any heat to the roots, only the ends (and yes - on cold). That resulted in terribly frizzy, unpolished, not anything related to silky, hair. It also resulted in hardly any volume.
When she finished she ran her fingers through my hair and I finally heard some words come out of her mouth "you need your ends trimmed" she said, with a devilish look in her eyes. I wanted to scream back "I would never let you ever, ever touch my hair with anything ever again" and almost said "I'm sorry but only the talented artists at Roche cut my hair"
but what I actually said was "yeah, um, maybe next time" in a really uncomfortable way.
$35 was way too expensive for that blow-out.
At the end, my hair came out looking "fine" - because no matter what you do as long as you're somewhat drying it it will look substandard. But the reason that I walked out of the salon with the best hair is because I have it cut at Roche, and with a cut from Roche, it's pretty hard to go wrong.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/16/2005 First to Review
The place was alright, they took me as a walk-in and I was in the first available stylist's chair… Read more »
Overall, a very enjoyable experience. I was recommended to Chas by a good friend. He was really friendly, but not too chatty...I could tell he likes to focus on his job rather than learning about my life, haha. I had to wait a few minutes but Chas was right on time for the most part. I was out of there in LESS than one hour for a hair cut, which shocked me. He gave me a great cut and I would highly recommend him!
The only weird thing was is you had to just kind of stand around the washing area until there is a seat free to get your hair washed.
Also, you can NOT add tip to your credit card -- so remember to bring cash! I had to trek across rush hour traffic to the ATM.
Update as of 2009---note, Kevin left the VSL by late 2009 and I found management to be curt and other stylists to not be as good. I've stopped going to VSL and go to Dupont Hair now instead.
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(From October 2008):
I'm a fan of my hairdresser Kevin. My friend got his hair randomly styled by Kevin, and I then went in, was impressed, and have continued going back. Definitely ask for him--he's usually in Saturdays. It seems very easy to get an appointment even on the same day, within the same hour (not sure why it's that easy!).
On the flip side, because this is a designer hair salon, it's pricier than what I was used to before I moved to DC ($30 vs $16). Also, the owner (who sometimes sits at the front desk) is curt, clip, and very business-minded. Two of three times I've gotten my hair cut, she has interrupted and called Kevin on the intercom to get him to take on more clients in a limited amount of time (I think he gets 30 minutes per patron, leaving little time for clean-up and turnaround). I also get the sense that not a whole lot of my $30 goes to the wages of the actual staff.
Seconding what someone else pointed out below, yes, there is some awkwardness in way we're expected to just stand around waiting for a wash basin to open. Seems like there's not enough chairs and there's general chaos and confusion as to what happens once the stylist is done cutting.
I can't speak for women's cuts, but if you're a guy who wants a good hair stylist, come here and ask for Kevin. But if you want a basic haircut under $30, look elsewhere.
I had a good first experience, but then my last 3 were just ok. One lady took only 10 minutes (woman's hair) and I was like - that's it? And there was a language barrier with the last one so the cut did not turn out as expected. And I hate how they trick you into using the blow dryer. After saying no, one lady was like, "it's only $5", and the other, "oh just let me do the front", which overall, $35 for a haircut I understand is still a relatively great price for the area. But if they're going to do that, they might as well just change their price to $35 then. Given that option, I don't need my super short hair blow-dyed. Sure it's only $5 but that can buy me a footlong dinner next door. Disappointed, I suppose since I haven't found a stylist there I liked after a handful of tries, I'm not likely going to go back there.
Been going to VSL now for a year. Good place for a trim or a haircut, and an awesome place for a waxing or man-scaping. I'd give it a 4 but it seems to be that whenever I find a good stylist, I can't ever get him again, either he's gone or unavailable. Also, the place is running on GST (Gay Standard Time) because they're never on time for their appointments.
Susana rocks for waxing. Totally painless and quick. She even does my eyebrows which I can't do myself without embarassing myself again for the next month...
They need to update their decor. Badly... But overall a convenient, clean, efficient place to get a cut, trim, wax or whatever.
Can't say enough good things about VSL. It's spot on for both quality and price.
I've been going to Thomas for nearly a year now. He's fabulous. Great cuts and personality. He charges $40 for cut and style--whatta steal!
Recently, he was out on vacation and I really needed a cut, so I saw Fathia. She was wonderful too, did an excellent job on my short bob. She was $35 for cut/style.. I would have payed double.
For men, I HIGHLY recommend Velma, she does wonders on my boyfriend's curly, thick unruly hair.
They allow walk-ins but best to call ahead to secure a quality person.
VSL is an affordable, completely unpretentious salon -- absolutely a great value for men.
Vincent cut my hair and did a fabulous job. I style my hair conservatively, so often it's tough for me to see any real benefit to paying more for a cut -- but the cut I got at VSL is more manageable and was layered just right. I'll definitely be going back, and I'll be sad to leave VSL behind when I leave DC in the fall...
Don't forget to bring cash, though -- they'll usually give you change so you can tip the hair-washing person and your stylist separately, so bringing a $20 is fine. But you can't add a tip on your card when you pay.
This place is a total hit or miss. I went because I needed a haircut desperately and couldn't spend the money to go somewhere really nice. I don't know what it takes to be a hairdresser here, but it worries me slightly that some of these people are actually licensed. My hair, thank God, turned out all right. I had to hand hold my stylist though, often reminding her not to go too short. If you go here, don't be afraid to speak up!
My best friend from home is a hair dresser and I've been to some really good salons in the area so I know all too well the right and wrong ways to give a haircut... I watched the way this woman did my hair and cringed. All the cuts were very blunt, she never used a razor to create the layers or anything and I have to be honest, I am shocked my hair turned out as well as it did. She also complained halfway through doing my hair that something was in her contact and her vision was a little blurry... why... why would you tell me that and just keep going with my hair?
I think if you go in for a simple haircut, like taking 2 inches off the bottom or if you are a guy, this place is fine. I would never, ever, ever come here looking for a drastic haircut, or if I had difficult to deal with hair or curly hair, or if I wanted my hair colored or permed, it would just be way too risky. The plus side, they did deep condition my hair free of charge without asking so it is now silky smooth and oh so healthy, I have to give them props for that.
I went to VSL today after doing an Edward Scissorhands number on my bangs earlier in the week. I just moved to DC and after reading the good reviews on Yelp, I decided to try them out. They were able to fit me in the same day for a cut and blow dry.
Michael was my stylist and he did such a wonderful job. I told him I wanted my bangs fixed and "swingy" hair. He took a lot of time and really really made it look fabulous. I felt so pretty after he had finished and my hair was "swingy" which is hard to do with my thick hair. I will definitely be going back to see Michael!
I just got the best haircut I've had in years here. It cost $30, which is more than I am accustomed to paying, but the whole staff was so nice and friendly and smart... and the haircut was SO good... that I left feeling like I had gotten a bargain. And after you get your hair cut here, you can go around the corner to Firehook Bakery to get a genuine French baguette for just $2. The corner of Q Street & Connecticut Avenue is definitely one of the best spots in DC.
Sorry I don't know the name of the guy who gave me my great haircut, but he was a cute young guy with spikey hair.
PS- I returned to VSL almost two months later and got another great haircut by a charming woman named Shireen. In fact, I now believe Shireen gave me the best haircut I have ever had. She is wonderful!
I visited VSL recently for a haircut and was very pleased with the whole experience. I arrived early for my 10AM appointment and was seen almost immediately by Shirin, who did a quick consult with me. As a side-note, I *never* know exactly what I want when I go in for a cut. My in-between straight and curly hair does what it wants in DC humidity, so I usually have just a few guidelines for the cut (off my neck, doesn't need a lot of product, works with waviness), but not a good idea of what it will end up looking like. Shirin did a fantastic job listening to my requests and let me know what she was planning to do, and even checked in a few times during the cut to make sure the length was ok. The best part? She was so efficient: I was out the door a mere 35 minutes after I arrived.
As for the salon itself, I can see how other reviewers might have had a more zoo-like experience. Yes, there are a lot of chairs, and I imagine that they have just as many stylists to work them. But it was quiet when I went (Saturday morning), and it was all pretty laid-back. My recommendation? go early on a weekend day.
Also, the woman who shampooed me gave me the best scalp massage I've ever had. I wish for the life of me I had caught her name.
Here's the thing about VSL- They have a lot of stylists and they aren't all that great. Stick with Eve and David and you're set.
I started going to Eve in 2005, and the girl is great. She's meticulous- you need to block some serious time out of your day to go to her because she is a perfectionist. This is awesome, but it takes forever. She's honest and that's what's great. There's been a few times where I've asked her to do something, and even though it would be more money for her, she's told me exactly why it wouldn't work. I like that.
In November I decided to cut my long hair very short. Instead of just cutting it, Eve mentioned that another stylist- David- is phenomenal at short cuts. So, I've been going to him since then and I couldn't be happier. He's quick and fun, and has convinced me to be a bit more daring with my hair than I've ever been. And I LOVE my cut. Even better, everyone loves my cut. I get stopped everywhere for compliments on my hair, and the "where did you go?" So, world, here it is: You want an awesome, head-turning cut, go to Eve for long hair or David for short hair at VSL.
My second haircut at VSL by Eve was an overall good experience. Eve surprised me by pulling out a piece of paper from a thick book filled with past clients. She knew when was my last appointment, the length of my hair, what she cut and styled, and the price. It felt nice to know that she paid attention.
I'm growing out my shoulder length hair, so I just wanted a trim. Eve carefully took her time, expertly cut, explained what she was doing, and didn't chat with anyone else while she cut.
The only negative part was that I paid about $10 more than expected, because my hair had grown several inches.
Overall, I recommend Eve as a stylist. VSL buzzes, almost nervously, with activity, but Eve is patient and meticulous.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/9/2008
For a decent price and atmosphere, I wanted a few inches off my shoulder length hair, which I rarely… Read more »
I shouldn't write this because I already am now having to wait 3 days to get an appt instead of same day, but Quincy is awesome. Even when he's running behind it's ok because you know he won't rush through your haircut. Also, if you have beard, have him trim/shave it. It's totally worth the extra $10.
This is the place that cut my hubby's hair for our wedding day. And you may wonder how it turned out..
Let me back up a bit. Hubby's hair is curly..but not loose curls. When he lets it grow it is like a brillo pad or an afro depending on the day. In one of my rare "bridezilla" moments I ordered him to get his hair done at VSL.
One of the highlights of my father in law's speech at the reception was about how great hubby's hair looked that day. That about says it all.
