I live on Capitol Hill and trek up to Silver Spring to get my hair cut by Gwen. That kinds of says it all. After trying every salon on the Hill, in Georgetown, Chinatown... I tried Alchemy since my friend Lauren said Gwen is the only person who know how to cut curly hair... Gwen is a star but the whole place is great with great products, high quality service and cool haircuts. Seriously! Gotta try it out!!!! read more

Love this place!!! It was my first time today and I was blown away. Madinah did an excellent job, and the whole salon is so cute! I will be back!! read more

I was recommended to come see Gwen @ Alchemy by a mutual friend who has the most platinum hair imaginable. After bleaching my hair for 5 years by myself (& I'm a makeup artist, not a hair stylist, so not the easiest thing in the world) I recently decided to give up & go to an actual hair stylist. Keep in mind that in the past 5 years I've had my hair cut by friends at Bang Salon on U St. or Immortal Beloved (who i know as friends & know they get my look), but have always been resistant to let anyone else dye my hair. Frankly if I could cut my hair myself, I would. I have a very specific way I like to look & I have never really had anyone execute it properly & leave my hair in good condition. Being in this industry, I am constantly being recommended salons & stylists, not to mention that a good portion of my friends are hairstylists. I was pretty sure I could find something in the city that would be fun, convenient (I don't drive to Maryland. EVER!) & probably cheap....but when I saw Gwen's work, I was completely convinced that she was the one! So coming to Alchemy was a truly monumental moment for me and I had REALLY high hopes. I came in for a consultation, which I'm sure was a complete hassle for the receptionist to schedule as I was in the middle of opening an art exhibition and had ZERO free time that week. The receptionist was SUPER nice & literally went through 2 weeks of Gwen's schedule to fit me in. I was really impressed because i was the perfect example of a needy client & she was pleasant & helpful throughout....being a manager at MAC, this is something that is so important & meaningful to our clients as well. So I was already feeling good about it. I came in for my consultation, which was quick & painless; I left feeling that Gwen knew exactly what I was looking for & was confident she could execute it. ***I should probably insert a disclaimer here: I came in with maybe 1/2 inch of new growth (roots), & I have medium brown hair. After the new growth I had a 1" band of hair that was gold/brassy from previous bleach applications that did not lift enough. My hair was a DISASTER! So yesterday I came in for my actual appointment & we got right to work with the bleach application on the roots, which went perfectly & super fast. I appreciated that Gwen involved others in the execution, including the salon manager & her assistants. Blonde is not easy to get uniform & my roots were so dark, I really felt bad! Next Gwen corrected the gold band (which took several bleach applications, it was that bad!) & again I was always attended to by either the assistant or Gwen. By this time, Gwen had other appointments coming in (between the thickness of my hair & the amount of lifting required to get to platinum, my hair is always a monumental task) yet I never felt neglected. The assistant was super sweet & ocassionally the salon manager & other stylists would come over & chat. The atmosphere was great. I also got deep conditioning treatments in between toners to maintain the integrity of my hair, which I really needed but didn't expect because I had taken up pretty much all of Gwen's afternoon. Once the color was uniform, both Gwen & an assistant blow dryed my hair & Gwen shaped my bangs a bit. After a total of 4 hours & tons & tons of bleach & toner, I can definitely say that this is the best my hair has probably looked EVER & was by far the best salon experience I've ever had. I will be coming to see Gwen every 3 weeks now & will definitely recommend her to friends. Also worth noting was the atmosphere - almost every stylist commented on how great my hair looked, the salon manager was great & the evening receptionist was friendly as well. I definitely plan on sharing this experience with my staff as an example to how we treat our clients & make them feel at home. So now I have a stylist...& I have to drive to Maryland too, two things I didn't think I'd ever do for my hair! Completely surpassed my expectations...I'm a total convert to Alchemy!! read more

Alchemy is a great salon. The atmosphere is pleasant and they have great customer service across the board. I booked an appointment with Brittany, one of the Junior stylists. I was absolutely exhausted and she was very patient with me despite my crankiness. She's knowledgeable and helped me to figure out what I really wanted. She good at providing options and explaining things. She fixed my roots/gray hair/brassy highlight situation-thank God! She also gave me a blow out and trimmed my bangs. My new look was so bouncy, shiny, and polished! I swear my haircut/style makes me look younger! It's clear that she takes pride in her work and cares about her clients.Plus, she also a great conversationalist which makes the time go quicker. read more

Love this place. It is kind of spendy, but since you get what you paid for, I ALWAYS leave happy. I am also happy the next day. It's already hard to get into my stylist, so I will refrain from saying her name. Seriously, she is that good. I always get compliments on my cut and color (highlights) long after my appointment. The parking does suck. It is a really busy shopping area, so as others have mentioned, do plan ahead. read more

I had an excellent experience today at alchemy. My stylist name was Alvina, and she gave such detailed attention to my hair. I trusted her completely, after cutting off 10+ inches of hair, and am so glad I did because I love my new long bob hair cut. My shampoo was great too - the chairs have massagers and Malik gave me a great head massage as well which really relaxed me. The environment is fun, great music, and kind staff. I donated my hair and got 50% off for doing so, which was really so nice. I recommend alchemy to all that want a self-care day, and want to leave feeling awesome about themselves. Thank you! read more

I have been going to Alchemy Salon for almost two years - hair color, and cuts. But the service has declined. I have been disappointed the last two times I have been there - not in the results for my hair so much. It is their professionalism that has dropped. The stylists seem to talk a lot amongst themselves with less attention to their clients. The helpers are not attentive, leaving color on too long, forgetting to wash out brows. I had one stylist try to use an inappropriate color application tool, and when I protested she said it would be alright - but the color stain on my skin from that situation lasted for days. I really like the atmosphere of the place but I fear they've lost their focus on the customer. read more

Initially came to this salon for Great Lengths extensions and had a consultation with Shereen. As this was my first time getting them, I was nervous about having them done. Shereen made me feel comfortable asking questions. She was even available for follow on ones a couple days after (I was REALLY nervous about it ruining my hair). After asking what my expectations were (because my hair is so thin), she advised that I should have them cut in half to avoid stress on my scalp. Anyway, I'm couple of months in my second set and still LOVE MY EXTENSIONS. She takes the time necessary to remove them as to not pull on the hair which is why I'm always going to come back to her. Just got color done yesterday and Shereen hit it outta the park because I'm loving my hair all over again. The service from beginning to end was awesome and the staff are great. Extra points for the shampoo and massage chairs!!! This place rocks....it really does :) read more

Alchemy Salon - Shereen, @ Alchemy Hair Salon, Great Lengths Extensions bonds - Hair Salons Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

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I have been going to run of the mill "Hair Cuttery" type places for far too long and my hair has suffered. As a dude, I want a place that will manage my moppy, curly hair in an artful way that won't lady blast me as soon as I walk in the front door. Fortunately for me I found Alchemy. It is a salon, so it is more for the ladies? Sure. But it didn't smell like strawberry lotion and have Enya playing in the background. The interior is neutral enough and they have a nice chill waiting area. This place doesn't read suburbia even though it is tucked into the heart of it. I didn't have to hang out long. The lady who cut my hair was really great ( Judy or Jodi, I suck with names, but I am pretty sure it is one or the other). She took the time to hear out my bad descriptors and vague ideas for my hair. "You know, shorter on the sides, kind of, with some moppyness on the top, sort of turn of the century..." She then asked the right questions to put some focus to it and she executed it perfectly. I have had a lot of compliments on the new do. I shop at the Trader Joe's next door a lot and live in downtown Silver Spring so this place has a great location for me. No need to go to boring Bethesda or expensive Dupont for a great experience. It is a little pricey...but you get what you pay for. Oh, and the hair washing experience that some of the other Yelpers have mentioned...it's no joke. Massage chairs and an amazing scalp rub down...money. Thanks Alchemy for providing the creative and professional spot that I have been looking for. I will be back. read more

I went to this salon for the first time last week. I was charged $70 to get my hair blown straight. I expected it to be around $40 since I have shoulder length, curly hair and my hair is easy to straighten. I tried to call and ask why I was charged this much, but was told that was the correct price for this salon and that stylist. I would expect to pay this much for a hair cut and a style, but $70 for 30 minutes of hair blowing is insane. Also I waited to be seen. The salon was very busy and crammed. I won't be returning. read more

My name is Leah and I live in a very trendy part of Washington DC. The Salon I used to go to closed (out of business) So i had to find an Amazing salon fast ! I started going down your list and they were mostly booked for 5 to 6 weeks. I called a girlfriend of mine who I trust and it also helps her credibility that she does model work (print ads). She told me about this salon that she discovered called Alchemy Salon in Silver Spring MD. She recommended that I go to Roxi at Alchemy. She said that Roxi is an amazing stylist and a true master at coloring hair ! Well after that review I had to go. I called the salon and just my luck she also was booked for 6 weeks. I asked the receptionist could she please put me on a waiting list. I hung up the phone and was about to call my girlfriend up and find out if she could recommend anyone else. I then received a call and it was Alchemy Salon in Silver Spring, YES they had a cancellation !!!! The following day. I took it. I walked in about 10 minutes early just to look around. People talk about love at first sight when they meet the right man, well I got that feeling when I walked in Alchemy Salon. The atmosphere, the vibe just gave me such a feeling of ease and energy ! The salon served tea and cookies, that was a good surprise, not what i was used to from my former DC salon. I hated the parking in DC and Bethesda salons. Searching for parking in those two congested areas before my appointment at a salon in DC or Bethesda just made me tense and upset. That's not the case with Alchemy's location...great parking. Yes i did see the Starbucks 3 doors down from Alchemy but I wanted to try their tea. It was so well displayed that it caught my eye. I was not disappointed. The receptionist told me that they feature different teas throughout the week. Nice. I was guided back to Roxi's area and she is such a sweet down to earth and caring person. We instantly clicked and to my surprise She was the OWNER ! I congratulated her on such a Inspiring Salon. I asked for a hair cut, color and highlight. When she was done my jaw dropped. I was so unbelievably happy that i had to hug her. The whole experience started with this amazing shampoo. The salon had these wash bowls that the chairs reclined and massaged your body while you received this calming/relaxing shampoo. And the final product, made me feel like I was a model ! I recommend this salon to everyone I have tried many salons in Georgetown DC, Manhattan NY and this salon is in my top 3.. read more

I've been going to alchmey for six years and I love how nikki does my hair. She knew exactly how I want my hair. The parking lot can be a pain to park. read more

Biggest waste of my money. Took my mom there to get her hair done. Paid for a senior stylist to lighten her hair. Did two sessions, paid a small fortune and her hair was darker than when she went in. I got my hair bleached by someone who didn't have a clue about hair. Smh. My hair still has not recovered and it's been months. read more

Salon cancelled daughter's appointment 3 hours before appt. With no alternative to squeeze her in. Just a kids cut! But, they would charge me if I cancel. Appt was made awhile ago and never considered a large salon with a good reputation would just leave a client hanging. Put me in a huge bind as she has an event tonight and desperately needed a cut. Called 4 other salons but no one can take her at the last minute. So now my kid will look like crap at her music performance. This salon was referred to me by a long time client but I am not impressed and want to warn others that they can cancel on you last minute and not even try to squeeze you in. read more

I love this salon! Roxi Romano Aponte, owner of Alchemy, has been getting me compliments on my hair for many years now. She is a great hair stylist--smart and clever--managed to create a sheik, upscale salon experience in the suburbs of Silver Spring. It's the quality of salon you'd expect to see in the heart of the city with a bright, friendly atmosphere. I highly recommend Alchemy Salon and Roxi! read more

The stylists are not trained as well as they should be. I find paying $70+ for a hair cut and going home, getting scissors to make my hair even, is crazy. They are not good with coloring nor highlighting, the salon should be paying to advance their skills to enhance the client's experience. The owner is not friendly (maybe Gordan Ramsey can help even thou he deals with food establishments) she needs to look clients in the eyes and say hello how are you? and THANK YOU FOR COMING IN! showing she values the people who keep HER paycheck coming, in addition to the stylists). I agree with Ellen K. in that this is a place for cuts (NOT COLOR/HIGHLIGHTS) that are very basic and straightforward. And the "cool" look, outfits, glasses, etc...are not impressing clients (take a look at who your clients are and how they dress, get to know your clients) nor are they professional on any level, this includes the owner. I think this is a big piece of the problem with the cuts and colors, is the stylists do what THEY think is fun/funky/trendy not hearing the client's wishes. If you're lucky enough to have a good cut/color, I wonder if you actually had hot water for your hair wash, and the massage chair was not out of order...but by gosh, they have a waxing room! Priorities???? read more

So, I've debated how to write this review for the past 24 hours. I don't like writing negative reviews and feel like I only do write ones about hair salons. Which got me thinking, maybe my expectations are too high in general? Maybe so, but I went in this time armed with a simple, clear expectations. My thick, wavy hair had gotten quite long and - thanks to a litany of excuses - pretty damaged, frizzy and unstyled. I figured a nice hair cut would be inspiration to get the whole personal beauty regimen back in full swing. I told Hannah that I wanted something as low maintenance as possible and that I wanted to keep my hair long. Usually when my hair gets long I want to chop it off, but not this time. She said that she'd cut it to about an inch below my shoulders, which I figured must be necessary to remove all my dead ends, but that was an assumption I made and I guess I should have confirmed. She spent a lot of time very focused on cutting my hair and thinning out the thickness. I always appreciate a non-rushed job. So kudos for that. Unfortunately, I walked out of there with hair about an inch above my shoulders. I now unexpectedly have short hair I'm really disappointed. Maybe the hair was more damaged than expected and she had to go shorter. I'm not sure. I wish she would have communicated that she was cutting off than expected to me. Because she didn't, however, I feel like my wishes were just disregarded even though it was my hair. The cut itself is probably really well done (unfortunately, I'm kind of biased to dislike it right now). Hannah is really professional. I don't want to throw her talents under the bus because I really don't feel I'm in a position to judge them for popular opinion. I'm trying to convey communication failures more than anything else. But I just feel kind of robbed of a lot of hair. Do I sound as overly dramatic as I feel right now? She also suggested that I purchase a few of the salon's products that she said should help with the dryness and rehydrate my semi-curly hair, which I really hope help out my daily maintenance struggles. Fingers crossed they work, I'm always skeptical that the salon is just pushing their products. So the moral of this review - clear requests with confirmation of strategy for the haircut. read more

I just moved to the area, was looking to get my long hair trimmed, and found generally good reviews of this place. Pros: they booked me quickly; the salon has a good vibe; receptionists were very nice. Cons: I got the worst haircut of my life from a stylist who went on and on about how thin my hair is, rolled her eyes when I told her I don't/ can't spend much time styling my hair, cut off at least 10 inches, and left me with a haircut that I had to spend $$ to go get repaired elsewhere (which I've never done before). Needless to say, I don't recommend this place one bit. read more

Wow. I love the ambience of this salon. Everyone is so pleasant. Front desk staff are courteous..Salon is neat and clean..The shampoo experience is so relaxing! The customer service is amazing. I got stuck in traffic and was very late for my appointment but was still seen. I have gone to Shireen a a few times to get my haircut. She always exceeds my expectations. I love how she takes time to truly understand her clients want before starting. She's always calm, never rushed and makes great conversation. Shes very quick but gentle while blow drying. I am always done my shampoo, cut and dry in less than one hour, despite having VERY thick, long hair. I would definitely recommend her to women with thick and long hair. Her finished work is amazing. Thumbs up. I'm definitely going to Alchemy again! read more

Shortly after my poor experience, the salon reached out to me through Yelp to apologize. They offered a multiple options to help remedy my color. I had already had my hair recolored at another salon, so I decided not to go back for the color fix. A few weeks later, the stylist that performed my color reached out to apologize. This was something I did not expect and a very nice gesture. All businesses make mistakes, but it is nice to know Alchemy cares about making sure their customers are happy in the end. read more

I have been here three times. First to get a bang trim. I messed up and cut them drunk. The hairdresser fixed them and I felt happy to find a salon like the one I would go to back home in California. I was so happy I decided to go back next month for a bleach. That's when chaos started. To book my appointment I was told I need a consultation because I wanted my hair dyed (hombre). I asked if I could schedule my consultation with my first bleach session. I had to wait longer in the week, but the receptionist assured me i could book out a whole afternoon. I did a preliminary bleach because I know it's a process and my hair is naturally dark. I show up. She gets to me thirty minutes late. Get the consultation. Since I was a "fresh" bleach my only option was a conditioning treatment and possible tone. Okay. Cool. Too bad there's no time. By the time she repeated herself and said how angry she was for me, there was time for nothing and she was booked out the rest of the day. WTF. That's not what the receptionist said. I flipped out and left. With nothing done and a wasted trip. I got so mad in my car, I decided to go back in and talk to the manager. She was really nice and grabbed another stylist to talk to me. The stylist told me the same thing. But kept repeating herself. Cool. What can I do today then? I got a conditioning treatment and toning done while she was in between clients. Cool. Now what? Let's do a basic dry and see if you like it. But let me hang up your sweater. Cool. I pay and get talked into their line of products (Phyto) that they suggest. Then the stylist tells me how to wash my hair multiple times. Okay. I know how to wash my hair. I get that you're trying to help. But just tell me and let me go. SO much time was wasted that day. Now here's the kicker. I went back yesterday to get my sweater I had left (stupid me being angry). Receptionist refuses to look for it while I'm there. To save time? I don't know. She leaves a sticky and sends me on my way. I called back today. No sweater. And I had just purchased it the day I went in to be turned away. If you're going for a cut, schedule in advance. Anything else. No. Nope. Nope. I'm down a sweater and my hair is still dark. FML. read more

Jodi is wonderful. I highly recommend this Silver Spring based salon. Informative for my tomboy ass... Above all friendly contractors/stylists read more

Today was my first visit to Alchemy Salon which was amazing!! My stylist was Adriana. Adriana is knowledgeable about all types of hair, color, styles, Bantu knots, twists, braiding etc. I have natural hair. She washed my hair with a scalp massage, only trimmed my hair as I asked and curled it with the flat iron. I have made my appointment for next month already. I spoke to the owner who was delightful and pleasant. The front desk staff are so nice and kind. Today was a real treat for me and looking forward to my next visit. Lastly, the salon is clean and beautiful. It was nice to go to a salon and get what you ask for at a reasonable fee; it was easy leaving a tip for Adriana!! read more

Johnny gave me a blow out today that was amazing. Just needed a quick wash and set look for a hot date out. I walked in with no appointment and he happened to have a cancelled appointment. He made me look like a sex pot. Awesome. Good job, Johnny. read more

Julie is really great with short hair. I went from chin length to pixie and it was exactly what I wanted with no fuss. I went back again a few months later for the same cut and highlights and it was great again. Not much more you can ask for, and the price is reasonable considering the quality. read more

My hair is very complicated and requires intricate detail so that it wont stick up like ALFALFA in the back. At other salons I would be quickly shushed and I felt like just any other customer. The end result would always be me yelling at the hair dresser and leaving with a horrible hair cut. My first haircut at Alchemy was a complete different experience. Since it was my first appointment I went with Johnnie, referred to me by my aunt, and he did an awesome job. He listened to me talk for about 10 minutes about my hair and my hair cut experience and within minutes knew exactly what hair cut I needed. By the end my hair looked great and I had no complaint. For the first time in a few years people actually complimented my hair and noticed my hair cut and it was a great feeling. Alchemy is the kind of salon that you stick with and I am glad that such a great salon is within a decent distance from my house. I highly recommend this salon and I recommend Johnnie, he knows what he's doing, he treats his customer with respect and is very social. ( I hate when its awkwardly silent with the person cutting your hair) read more

Shereen was the most amazing hair stylist I've had. She genuinely listened to me, talked to me like a person and turned my flat unilength, never changing hair into a wonderous alive mass of curls. Even the shampoo alone was a delight, with a massage chair, a beautiful and ergonomic bowl imported from Italy and a soothing head massage. I am genuinely crushed I live in Portland, OR. Otherwise i would have finally found my style soulmate. read more

I had a haircut with Nikki, who is, btw, probably the hottest pregnant chick I've ever seen and has hair to die for. I have very thick curly hair which I straighten a lot but also wear curly and I'm trying to keep it very long, so needless to say I'm a challenging customer who wants the best of every world. Nikki spent at least 10-15 minutes just talking to me about my "hair history" and how I like to wear it, what kinds of products I'm using, etc. I've been to a lot of salons over the years and this was by far the longest, most in-depth consultation I've ever had. The wash was with Adriana (or was it Ariana?) and it was awesome, as the reviews had said - thorough, lovely scalp massage, and they must've spent at least 15-20 mins just washing and conditioning my hair. The cut was very thorough and because she was cutting so much and took so long I was worried she cut off too much but in the end I could see that she had not and she had done a great job of maintaining my length. I asked her to style my hair curly using the products she would use, and I wasn't a big fan of how it turned out but we had very different curls so I don't know what I expected. I use the Deva curl system and I like it a lot so I'm going to stick with that. She did go through all the products the salon sells and gave me thorough explanations and reviews, which was very helpful, without the pressure of buying anything. The cut was only $58 before tip, which I thought was a great price for the amount of time and attention to detail I got. I will be back, hopefully she won't be on maternity leave! read more

This was my first time at Alchemy Salon, and Jesslyn is a genius. She really knows her trade. I have very curly hair, which is also in the process of recovering from a long term illness, so it can be a little fragile. I went in for highlights and Jess customized some gorgeous reds for me based off the natural color of my hair (black and chocolate) and my skintone. She was very gentle with my hair, really listened to my concerns, and gave me a wonderful experience at the salon. The highlights are amazing and didn't overprocess at all on my hair. Very comfortable and positive experience! read more

She said..." I went here for highlights and a haircut and Desiree did a fantastic job! I showed her a picture of the haircut and color I liked and she did exactly what I wanted. It's pricey here but so worth it. She really takes her time to make it perfect. I will be going back to see her for sure read more

Desirea-this is an update to my previous reviews which is still out standing! She continues to be versatile, consistent, and offer her honest opinion about what works with my hair and with my overall look. She's amazing with color- traditional and modern and cuts hair like a pro. If that's what you're looking for in a stylist you'll want to give Desirea a try! read more

After walking by countless times on trips to Trader Joe's, I tried this salon for the first time today, based on good Yelp recs. Salon was really busy for midday Wednesday but it wasn't chaotic and the customer service was still nice. It's great to see a local business doing well like this. The salon's website isn't great for newcomers because the section about stylists is still "coming soon" so it's difficult to choose someone. But the receptionist asked for a brief description of my hair to try to help me choose. Based on that and the availability, I ended up with an appointment with Jeremiah. Receptionist said he was one of the senior stylists and would charge more for the hair cut, to which I agreed. My appointment started with a pleasant and relaxing shampoo with Brittney. The chairs at the shampoo stations lift your feet up, which is a nice touch while you have your head arched back. Hair cut was disappointing. I had hair below my shoulders and looking to bring up the length, I showed Jeremiah pics of Reese Witherspoon's recent long bob. He seemed to understand what I wanted and said he would adjust the hair cut to fit my face shape and texture (naturally), but I ended up with a short bob, about 2 inches shorter than the pics. It'll grow back, but I didn't feel like he got it right. Then at checkout, I was told that the hair cut would cost ~10% more than I was told over the phone because Jeremiah "needed more time." I was surprised by this because my hair was on the long side, but it's straight and of average thickness. When I brought this up, the receptionist said she would honor the over-the-phone price for this one time but it would be the higher price next time. I understand that many salons have a discretionary policy and can charge more to cut longer hair. But given that he cut my hair short, what would be the reason for the higher price next time? To her credit, the receptionist offered to go ask for a clarification, but I didn't have time to wait and also didn't want it to be awkward, so I declined. She followed up by saying that she'd be happy to find out the reason and add it as a note to my account for next time. Alchemy seems to have a tiered pricing structure based on stylist's experience and women's hair cuts start at $58. I left the salon wishing that the pricing structure and policies, along with stylist bios, were more transparent on their website. As a new customer, I was offered a welcome package, which included a username and password for returning customers to book online (love that). The packet also detailed the salon's reward system based on points you can earn for services and purchases. Unfortunately there were no details about the value of the points (how many points do I need to redeem for what kinds of rewards?). I would go back to this salon (hair grows back afterall), mainly because the welcome package included a $10 gift card for next time. But I would pick a different stylist (there are so many!), and possibly one that charges less. read more

Dan covered up a few grays around my hair line, perfectly. Cost: $20 (optional blow out extra). Apparently, my brown hair is in between a five and a six. They were low on color that day, and Dan had to mix a four and an eight. I couldn't believe it. He matched my color exactly. And, as usual, I was treated to excellent customer service and warm, relaxed conversation. read more

I just had my first haircut at Alchemy and I can say for certain that it won't be my last. I've never had a regular salon, I just kind of go wherever the wind takes me but safe to say I have one now. Everyone was SO nice and friendly, it doesn't have a snooty salon vibe at all - you get all the niceties like drinks, little snacks, and robes but not with the haughty vibe some places have that always turns me off. The woman that washed my hair was great (and the chair freaking massaged my back while she washed my hair - I decided I was in love with the place the minute that started, before I even got my hair cut!). Dan cut my hair and he worked a miracle. I just told him to "help me" and to not make it too short. He did just that and more. My hair has never been this cute and I will absolutely be returning to him to have him keep it looking like this. And to sit in the massagy shampooing chairs. I also loved that there was no pressure from Dan or anyone there to buy their products. That's always a huge turn off to me, when you spend a lot of money on a haircut and then get pressured to spend the same amount on shampoos and whatnot. I appreciate that a lot. read more

I only received a wash and blow dry but this salon gave me this best experience I have ever had in a hair salon. The woman who washed my hair was amazing! These minor things really make a difference in your experience. Julie is the woman who did my hair and she was fantastic. Very nice, friendly, and easy going. I think the place is pricey, but I also believe it is worth it especially if you want to treat yourself. I recommend this salon and making an appt with Julie 100%. read more

I've tried numerous hair stylists here, and they're all fantastic. I've stuck with Shereen because I'm very happy with her ability to match color to my natural hair color. I have thick, wavy/curly hair and Shereen always gives me a great cut and color. Also, the salon staff is amenable to suggesting other stylists if yours isn't available, and they are not jealous or possessive over each other's clients at all. I appreciate that the most about this place. Johnnie and Desirea have also done my cut and color in the past, and I was happy with them as well. read more

Julia was my stylist, and she did a FANTASTIC job...I wanted a change from my long-ish hair, but often I've been disappointed in the shorter styles I've tried. She gave me just what I wanted, and I continue to enjoy my new cut however I choose to style it. Those massaging shampoo chairs don't hurt either. Overall, nice ambiance, good service, and reasonable prices. read more

I had a great experience at Alchemy. I will be going back for another Deva cut, even though my stylist Jessalyn has fled the DMV for the West Coast. I immediately felt welcome and as a girl with curly hair (Deva Curl Devotee) will look forward to my next experience at Alchemy. The salon itself is lovely, but I do wish they had some "spa" services like mani-pedis. In any case, even though it was a busy Friday afternoon, I still left feeling relaxed and pretty after a week from hell. When it comes down to it, isn't that all a girl can ask for? read more

I've been going to Alchemy for years but I've never had such a positive experience as I did this last time. I had my hair done by Jody and she was amazing! I usually bring in a picture to explain what I want and while it always comes out good it's never come out as amazing as when I had Jody. She really listened and it turned out just like the picture. I was also interested in buying new hair products but didn't want to spend a fortune, so Jody showed me a line that wasn't only affordable but also perfect for my type of hair. She didn't even try to up sell the high end stuff which I really liked. I've always loved the atmosphere of Alchemy, it's definitely has a spa like quality but at a good price. I highly suggest getting your hair done by Jody. She's definitely one of the friendliest and bubbliest hair stylist's I've ever had. read more

In a sleep-deprived haze of new motherhood, I went Alchemy in search of the Great Haircut. It was either take the baby with me or stay shaggy. The haircut won. I was curious to see how it would all play out. The front desk folks, the shampoo goddess and Johnnie could not have been more lovely and accommodating. I actually relaxed - even with a high-needs baby on my person. Bonus points to Johnnie for executing a superior cut while I breastfed my kid under the cape. Shhhh! Don't tell him! read more