I've been going to the Laboratory for a few years now, and the overall vibe has been consistently…read morewarm, welcoming, and fun. I followed one of the stylists, Sofia, here from another salon and have absolutely loved every visit. The salon specializes in color, but the quality of haircuts I get here has really surpassed anywhere else I've been. All the other stylists I've interacted with here have been delightful and kind, and although I'm super loyal to Sofia, from watching their work I wouldn't hesitate to book one of them if needed. Also, the Halloween and Christmas decor here is not to be missed, seriously a real selling point and something I look forward to seeing every year.

The reason for my negative feedback is that I place a high value on accountability. My appointment…read morewas scheduled for 10:45am, I arrived at exactly 10:45 and parked at 10:48 (see attached photos) the 3 extra minutes was because there was no parking available. After I checked in at the front desk, I sat and waited for almost 40 minutes without any update. Eventually, got up to say something and the receptionist told me I could come back at 12:30 because there was an opening then. When I mentioned that my appointment was at 10:45, she acknowledged that but added that the stylist was running late -- and then tried to place partial blame on me for being "late" as well. I explained that I was only five minutes MAX behind schedule due to the parking situation, but what concerned me most was the lack of accountability here. No one informed me that the stylist was behind schedule when I checked in, and no updates were given to me while I waited. But the most disappointing, and concerning part was the attempt to shift responsibility onto me rather than simply acknowledging the delay. As a business owner myself, I believe accountability and transparency are essential. When a business can't take responsibility for its own scheduling issues and instead blames the customer, it raises serious concerns and makes me question the ethics and how this business might handle more serious issues, and for this reason, I hope to encourage their management team and any potential clients to reflect on how important accountability and honest communication is!

Finally found my hair stylist and salon in Alexandria!…read moreHighly recommend Lynn. She got the roots updated and the partial highlights--to perfection for me! Everyone there is so nice, it's very clean and there is free parking!!

Finally I found place to cut my hair. Ms. Jennifer followed…read moremy instructions the way I like and more than my expectation. Thanks!!!! Highly recommended

This is one of the best experiences I have ever had at a salon and the best experience I have had…read morewith a colorist. I was in need of a color correction and Mary literally worked magic, I still cannot believe how good my hair looks from where it started. Mary is extremely professional, caring and her dedication and attention to detail is unmatched.

I highly recommend this salon! The atmosphere is relaxing and friendly and my stylist Kim did an…read moreoutstanding job on my hair! She colored my hair with exactly what I asked for and provided a beautiful cut/style to get me ready for my son's wedding. Thank you, Kim!

Paul is my favorite hairstylist! He's the best in the NOVA area and I've lived here a long, long…read moretime! Every visit, I leave the salon a happy, happy customer! Paul is an expert stylist who knows exactly what to do to make your hair look its best! Oh, and he's very nice too! His salon has been here for a long time. I wish I had made an appointment with Paul much sooner. Customer for life!

8/6/24: I called a few days in advance to make an appt to get my haircut with the namesake / owner…read more I haven't gotten a haircut in over a year. He did a great job. I have really thick hair and he was able to take some weight off and gave it some good style. I'll be back.

I actually only work with former owner Cindy. She is amazing. I'm grateful to have found her 30+…read moreyears ago after I literally destroyed my hair attempting highlights. We cut it all off and in a couple years she led my hair's return beneath my shoulders within two years and we did highlights. Cindy layered them. On a personal note, I finally snagged some great first dates and my late Mother was really pleased that I finally looked immaculate and feminine.

I needed my hair done for my graduation and glad Angles was able to see me. Raven worked on my hair…read moreand did a great job and made sure I looked great!

I followed my dearest Amanda Stephens here. When I tell you I would cry after every haircut my…read morewhole life because I felt like no one understood my hair and could help me figure out what suited me. She is so kind sweet and honest and give great consultation on whats best for your hair face shape etc. I have wavy hair, that depending on the day may be more curly. Ive gone to her for haircuts, haircolor, everything. 10/10 every time. And the studio itself is so welcoming, laidback, and everyone there is so sweet and talented too. Would 1000% recommend.

I had gone in there on a whim seeing that the reviews were good and truly being disappointed. I…read morecame in asking for a shag cut and curtain bangs that met my eye level and showing reference photos. I had told Amanda that I usually have to ask for my bangs to be shorter and for them to be at my level because usually my hair stylist that I've been to does not cut them short enough. About halfway in to the service, I noticed my bangs were getting shorter and shorter, and turning more into a fringe that a curtain bang I had brought brought this up during the service and she had told me that when it dries it will look different at the end of the service I had brought up that it still look like a fringe and not curtain bangs that met my eye level. She had told me that she had noticed that my bangs were already short so she cut them shorter, and I did not know that my bangs were short because my hair had been growing out for the last three months. She then apologized and said that she should've addressed it to me that she had noticed my bangs were short that she should not have cut them anymore. I am surely disappointed in the lack of communication and the styling of my bangs. My hair now looks choppy and butchered, and I still had to pay full price. I do not recommend.

I was overdue for a hair trim. So I decided to make an appointment with Weini. I have 4c hair, so…read moreI was nervous. I saw another person leave a review for her on Google and decided to give her a shot. I was able to get an appointment on the same day. The salon was fine. They probably can do a better job with answering the phone and making appointments. Other than that, I am happy with the service. 4 stars

Long does a great job with men's haircuts. I have been using him for about 3 years. He is steady,…read morepleasant, efficient and consistent. I really appreciate his service and have heard other men say he's their "secret weapon." Definitely recommend him... He is in Bradlee Shopping Center, Alexandria.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I would visit my barber (Eddie) every 4-5 weeks. After exchanging…read morepleasantries about how our respective families were doing and small talk about the weather, Eddie would ask how I wanted my hair cut. And my response was usually something along the lines of, "Use the number 3 setting on the clippers to take a couple of inches off the top, the number 2 to keep the sides 'high and tight', and then finish with the number 2 setting to do a skin-fade for the back." To which Eddie would normally reply, "Don't worry, I'll make it look fresh and crisp as always." I would venture to guess that 90+ percent of men have had a similar if not verbatim conversation with their barber. March 8, 2020 was the last time I visited Eddie, and I recall this vividly since we were discussing this "Coronavirus" thing that was in the news and whether it was something to be concerned about here in the U.S. I believe that our uninformed opinion was that this was probably just another "flu strain" and that it was nothing to worry about. Hmm...weren't we a bit off on this prediction? As things were shutting down, I started experiencing the dreaded "pandemic hair," which is to stay by May 2020, the hair on the top of my head was a crazy unkept mane. It got so bad that during a MS TEAMS meeting, one of my co-workers offered to send me some Scooby Snacks, since I was looking so Shaggy. Thankfully, a family member told me about May Samara Beauty Studio in the summer of 2020. I was a bit hesitant at first to see May for two reasons: 1). What type of COVID-19 protocols did she have established to ensure a safe environment? 2). I was raised with the belief that men only went to "barbers" for their haircuts. As for point number one, May has implemented excellent COVID safety and security protocols. It starts with the appointment process itself. She will usually want to talk with you first to vet you as a potential client. And once the appointment is made, upon entering her studio (in the basement of a Condo building), she only allows one (two max) people in at a time and makes sure to lock the door so as to control access to her space. All clients need to wash their hands before starting, and May provides a fresh paper face mask during their visit; I actually appreciate this gesture since it prevents my usual cloth mask from getting too filled with tiny cut hairs. May, herself, is of course masked up during the visit and takes care to clean between clients. She also has a UV air filter to sanitize and circulate the air. In the past 9 months that I've been a client, I've always felt safe visiting her studio. But how about the most important consideration...which is to say, how does May perform as a hair stylist? Simple - 5 stars! As other reviewers have noted, she definitely takes the time to not just ask how you want your hair cut, but does a CONSULTATION to factor in the shape of your face, whether you wear glasses, and what kind of look a person is trying to achieve. She will start with a thorough hair washing, and will provide feedback regarding the health of your scalp and hair, and suggest some strategies if she feels there are areas of improvement. And unlike with my former barber Eddie, who was usually done in 15 minutes since it was mostly just "buzz, buzz, buzz" with the clippers and done - May takes the time to not just cut by also style hair. She does use clippers, but also utilizes a range of various sizes of scissors to create texture; a concept which was previously lost upon me. My old haircuts may have looked "fresh and crisp," but after leaving May's studio, I am extremely happy with the cut since it looks good and more importantly, professional. Post-pandemic I'll still be patronizing May Samra's Beauty Studio because if 2020 taught me anything, it's that once you find a good hair stylist, you KEEP that person.

I am so grateful that I found May's studio in Northern Virginia. I am really particular about…read moreproducts and used to go to an Oway salon in Fort Lauderdale, so when I moved to the DMV, I searched for an Oway salon, and May's studio popped up! Just like the Oway products she uses, May's studio and approach to color/styling are organic, clean, and blissful. For those looking for a thoughtful, high quality, organic, customer-focused long-term hair care salon, then definitely give May a call to schedule your appointment :)