First, if I could give 10 stars, I would. Get ready for details, folks. I want you to know exactly…read morewhy this was an exceptional experience.
In the many, many years I've been augmenting my hair color (I started going gray at 16), I count myself fortunate to have only required two "fixes." This was one. I share this because when a color experience goes bad for me, it's really, really bad. And I had a big event. In TWO days.
Thanks to other trusty Yelpers, I was able identify nearby salons with customers' experiences specifically addressing color (People! Share your reviews!). I drove to make an appointment, because I wanted 1) who ever I spoke with to physically see my hair (& show pics of what I "should" look like), and 2) to be ready on the off chance I could be seen right away. At Studio XO, I met Damian Gaskins. He took time to look over my hair, feel the condition, and listen to my concerns.
Damian was able to get me a time slot for the next day, allocating plenty of time for what we were going to need to do.
When I arrived (early!), he was finishing with another client. I was given options for a beverage, and chose the red wine. The Studio XO has wifi for guests and the space for waiting is clean and inviting.
When I was seated in the chair, Damian had obviously given my predicament thought and crafted a plan that he walked through. He was going to use a multi-layered approach with a base, high-lights, and low-lights to approximate my natural look. After answering questions, Damian got to work. Over and again, he wove his tool through countless layers of hair to grab TINY sets of strands to create the color layers, demonstrating supreme attention to detail and care.
You know that distinctively unpleasant smell that some professional products have? Well, folks, that was notably absent. What Damian used smelled good.
And you know how many salon rinsing bowls tend to be horribly uncomfortable, with sometimes painful pressure on your neck? Also absent. The sinks were evidently carefully chosen to support the back of the head in a way that was actually restful.
This was not a quick fix. Damian set aside two and a half hours. The entire time he was attentive, thoughtful, gracious, and unrushed. When he completed the color and dried and lightly styled my hair, I saw me. This was color magic (aka "highly skilled") at it's best. Even better, my hair felt silky soft and smelled awesome.
Now, just in case you think my experience reflects a one time data point, let me share my observation regarding Damian's immediately prior client. That individual appeared to be a regular, was clearly delighted with the results, and the interaction was also a professionally caring and friendly engagement. Watching, I felt good about what was coming next for me. I also had a chance to see another highly satisfied customer check out.
Studio XO is a cozy, thoughtful, and well designed space serving any gender. Deep, rich grays, contemporary lines, and a balance of wood and metal create a clean, attractive, well-lit, and comfortable space with an array of details to serve both client and staff needs. While you can't see the salon from the street, trust your GPS and head back towards McCanns' Pub. I highly recommend Studio XO.