I lived in West Des Moines, Iowa from February 2013 to November 2013 and I used to get brazilian…read moredone from Kari in the Valley West mall. It was my first brazilian experience in US and she made me feel really comfortable. She is very quick and I felt very little pain. She is definitely an expert. A big thumbs up to Kari!! I also got a haircut, don't remember the stylist's name, but it was not that great. And also got a facial in the Johnston or Des Moines location but wasn't very happy about it. The staff is friendly, the ambience is great and they have good customer service in both the locations.

I had been going to this salon for 10 years! I trusted them and recommended them to everyone. But…read morerecently I had the worse experience I have ever had at a salon. And I am not saying that lightly! I went in on a Wednesday and asked them to touch up my hair. I had a very gold, ombre color. The hairdresser said she was going to try for a more rose-gold color. Okay. My hair came out pink! Not a subtle pink, but a true-pink! I told the girl I wasn't loving the color and I had expected it to be more gold. Over the night, I didn't warm up to it and scheduled a correction with the salon that Thursday. From the second I got there I have never felt so judged! I was treated like I was a problem client, like they wished I wasn't there and accused me at one point of changing my mind. They lightened my hair and applied more gold but the pink was still obviously there. I was told I might have an undertone of pink but these were uneven and sporadic light-pink highlights! I expressed that I was unhappy because I wanted my hair color to at least look like I did it on purpose. I asked for them to put some kind of light-pink toner or something on the ends so it was at least a unison color. What additionally upset me, the owner said I was changing my mind and they had already done $300 of free services to correct my hair, so they would have to charge me for the toner. When I asked how much would it be the owner and hair-dresser spoke at the same time and quoted me two different prices! The owner said $45, the hair-dresser said $25. I was done and just asked them to finish drying and styling my hair, so I could leave. I was a loyal customer for 10 years, I asked for a easy fix for the fact I was prepared to live with pink high-lights, even though 48 hours ago I had none, I was treated badly, and I was getting quoted different prices. I left in tears and drove home crying! I will never go back! The warning I have too those who decide to go to this salon is that do you want to take the chance to be a client that they screw over and then blame you for the mistake making you feel like garbage? Not worth the turmoil with so many other wonderful salons in the area!

Stacey is wonderful! Great haircut and great culture, everyone there was very welcoming and…read moreexperienced! Definitely going back soon!

The salon is so family friendly, they had a kids station with some toys so my son could stay…read moreoccupied. Everyone was so welcoming, kind and educated. My stylist took the time to explain the why behind everything she was doing, and made me feel so comfortable. I could tell they took the health of my hair seriously. I wanted a blended blonde look and it turned out great. I got to relax while they took care of everything else!

The grass is not always greener on the other side when you try to give other small businesses a…read morechance. After a year hiatus, I returned to J Michaels for my eye lash extension care. Sure in the Des Moines Area we have loads of options at premium prices, but do you get top notch quality products from the best technicians? I have allowed numerous businesses to try and top others in facials, nail care, hair, clothing, and eye lash extensions only to have buyers remorse. At J Michaels I have returned for high quality eye lash extensions from Cassie. Here I have no worries on the length, glue, eyelash quality, or time because Cassie is a top notch Eye Lash and Brow Technician who knows her craft and after having her attend to my lashes for over six years I have no worries as I settle into a private room and allow her to work her magic allowing me peace and comfort. Even though they are not experts in my type of hair the techniques I see them applying to the upscale customers are exquisite and chic many walk out looking like a half million dollars. The total aura of the environment is lady chic, clean, and cosmetically sterile with a good venting system and super friendly and very professional customer oriented stylists. Let me not forget the owner (female entrepreneur) who is hands on making sure the establishment stays upscale, chic and price competitive.

I went in to J. Michael's and saw Chelsea. She was so attentive. I saw her for a consultation and a…read moretreatment on two separate occasions before my cut and color appointment to ensure the health and care of my hair, which I was so appreciative of. I cut off 5-6 inches of my hair and added dimensional highlights and color. This was a BIG change for me and she did exactly what I wanted according to our consult and my inspo pictures, while keeping realistic ideas since I started with a very dark base color. The products used at this salon left my hair smelling and feeling good for days after each time I came in. I will be seeing her again!

Moved to ankeny recently and started getting my hair done here. Coco is the best! Always does great…read morework, and easy to talk to.

My first time here and it was amazing! My stylist was Stella and she really helped me through my…read morehaircut. She was really good at listening and knew exactly what to do that I was speechless after my cut. I usually have long hair so doing a short cut made me nervous but she made it worth it.

Visited during their Christmas Event and O+J Salon definitely know how to throw a PARTY!…read moreVery impressed with the hospitality and the welcoming environment. Cute salon and a nice sized facility. Very open and with big windows. Very modern and stylish style. The salon was a packed house with all their new and regular clients. Came with a friend and was introduced to her stylist Jessica. She was very knowledgeable with hair and very open about her services and availability. Their Christmas party had food, drinks, and hair product samples. Raffle prizes with product purchases. Oliver + James were generous with this party, now we know why they throw great parties. It was a nice time meeting all the stylists and the owner. Link and Lou permanent jewelry were also at the party as a pop up event for them. It was so great to see another business supporting another business. Awesome marketing to get their business out there and to reach the Des Moines community. Definitely looking to go back as a hair client soon and buying their products! Those samples SOLD me.

Update: the absolute nightmare of trying to work with the owner of this salon got worse. During our…read moreoriginal call, she was resistant to giving me a refund because "they don't allow refunds" (that is disclosed nowhere on their website or in their salon, nor was it told to me before or during my service) but finally said she would be willing to give me one. I never received a refund and it seems I never will. I decided to contact the salon again and say I never received a refund and they told me they couldn't send a refund through card because it was already processed. I sent proof of bank statements showing that there was never a refund and suddenly they were willing to write a check on accord of the "honor system" despite me providing proof I never got my money back. They then requested I delete my photos and review before picking up my check because it was an "unfair" review. I never agreed to deleting anything and decided to try to pick up my check anyway. When I get there, the owner says to come back another day because she's demanding it's deleted. I tell her I'll delete it in the salon because I'm not driving 35 minutes one way to come back, so I delete it in person. The owner then made me wait over 40 minutes before eventually kicking me out of the salon and saying that she won't give me a refund after all, proving it was a deceitful attempt to get me to delete an honest review. Not only did she chastise me during my initial request for a refund, then in person when denying me my promised refund, she only got more rude and insulting. She was upset at me for having an issue with my experience saying how the stylist I saw was highly rated and reviewed and she messed up in no way. Then in person she said how the stylist was fired not even two months later. Fishy that I was berated for having an issue for such a good stylist who then had grounds for termination just weeks after. My bank also confirmed they never attempted to refund my card in the first place and the salon has since blocked me on platforms confirming their unprofessionalism and inability to work with the customers who were done wrong at their business.

I've been a client of Serenity Couture for nearly a decade and have been seeing Christin the entire…read moretime -- which really speaks for itself. She's exceptional at what she does and genuinely one of the kindest people you'll meet. My haircut is fairly simple, but I've seen firsthand the work she does with women's hair through several close friends who go to her, and she is incredibly talented -- precise, consistent, and thoughtful in her approach. You can tell she truly cares about her clients and takes real pride in her craft. She's also great at consulting with me on the right products, personalized specifically for my hair and skin. Their brand new location in the Atlas Building in West Des Moines is stunning. The space is beautifully designed -- elegant, refined, and thoughtfully done while still feeling welcoming and comfortable. It's conveniently located, easy to access, and truly elevates the entire experience. The team is always professional and welcoming, and the level of service is consistently top tier. I also appreciate that they've expanded their services beyond what was offered at the West Glen location -- it really feels like a full-service destination now. Another big plus is their use of Aveda products. They're excellent for sensitive skin, made with naturally derived ingredients, and the brand is known for environmentally responsible practices and more sustainable packaging. I personally purchase both Aveda hair and skincare products from Serenity, and they always have a great selection in stock. Serenity continues to set a high standard for quality, service, and overall experience. Highly recommend.

My stylist left so made an appointment with another one. Explained I wanted same cut I've been…read moregetting for 3 years and manager comes out and says the stylist isn't competent for that and I need to reschedule a more expensive stylist. Nope. Not going to do that. you would think an Aveda trained stylist could manage a simple cut.

I've been getting my hair done by Lauren for a couple years now. She's awesome! I went to several…read moresalons in Ankeny and they were all way over priced or they didn't understand how to do color well. Lauren does great cuts, colors my roots, puts in the best sun-kissed highlights, and she's fun to talk to! Guys, this Salon is it.

I had my hair color done for the first time by Bailey. She did an excellent job. I enjoyed her…read morecompany very much. The prices at Marc Stephens are more reasonable than most salons. Great experience all the way around! I recommend highly.

Laine is amazing. She is so skilled and she is very quick. One thing i have always disliked about…read moremy highlight appointments is how long it takes. Laine gets me in and out in an hour and a half and that is a full highlight and trim. She is friendly and her salon is beautiful. I highly recommend giving this salon a try. You won't regret it!

Absolutely devastated by this business. Made an appointment weeks in advance to have my daughters…read morehair and make up done for Prom. Daughter had her hair cut and colored here just a couple days ago. Confirmed her appointment for today. Got reminder for today. Arrive at the salon twenty minutes early, it's closed! Wait until exact appt time and nobody showed. Will not answer phone or emails. Just left my daughter stuck on Prom day with no make up or hair. Will never go there again.