Every time I'm in the Durham / Raleigh area, I make a point to get a haircut appointment with Shea. Her haircuts are amazing - she takes my requests & makes the results better than I ever thought they could be. I leave feeling like a million bucks! Shea's the best & I look forward to each appointment I have with her. read more

Kellie has been my go-to hair expert for close to 5 years now--and she is bloody amazing. She's the ONLY person I let touch my long hair and she has my trust 100%. However-- KELLIE IS NO LONGER AT THE GARDEN. SHE'S AT POSH DURHAM. I called to get an appt and was told she wasn't there any longer. Luckily, I found her. Thank god. I love The Garden's salon - it's girly and cute and their product selection is great. But the location made it impossible to get an appt. with the best stylist there. (Kellie is so amazing, she was booked 2-3 months out). So ladies, yes, the reviews of Kellie are legit...but don't look for her at The Garden. I give The Garden five stars with Kellie. Without Kellie, it's a moot point. read more

I've been going to Kellie at the Garden for over two years. Actually closer to three years now! She was recommended to me by a friend with even curlier hair than mine. Now she is the only one I trust to give me a haircut. All my curly haired friends go to her and I haven't heard a complaint from any of them either. Five stars for Kellie! I am happy for Shea that the new location (closer to Duke) has been such a success but I have to take away one star now that is so hard to get an appointment. I want my hair cut without having to wait two weeks! They do give Duke discounts too if you are looking for a discount. read more

Kellie has cut my hair when it was short, in the middle, and now long...she's advising me on the grays that are starting to pop out, and she's full of helpful tidbits when i tell her I need a hair cut that will work when I travel to Kenya for months when there's no electricity for styling products. I was honestly a little intimidated by my most recent haircut by Kellie. My hair had gotten pretty long and she added LOTS of layers. But she took time to show me how to fix it. Now it takes 5 minutes and people are giving me more compliments than I've ever gotten on my hair (it's usually pretty standard). So, Kellie is your go-to person if you want someone who can have a vision for your hair and execute it well. Just schedule way ahead of time because MANY people have discovered her. However...a co-worker just got a haircut at The Garden from another stylist and looked super great too. read more

I've never been the hair salon kinda gal. Then I went to the Garden and got my hair cut by Karen and I'm hooked. She took the time to explain what she was going to do and offered suggestions. The cut was quick, exactly what I wanted, and affordable (around $40 + tip, $30 if you have given referrals which I've given to just about everyone I know). Even though I explained that I don't often get around to washing my hair, let alone styling it, the next time I went, I walked away with three different kinds of pomades and have used them just about every day since. The Garden, in all of it's pink glory, is going to turn me into a girly-girl just yet. read more

My mom lives in Chapel Hill and whenever I visit her I make it a priority to visit the Garden Salon. It's a lovely establishment and everyone there is kind, attentive and my service is never rushed. I always enjoy my visit thoroughly and always leave happy. Thanks Garden! read more

I've been to the Garden salon 4 times since I moved to Durham and I really love it. I always go see Erin. I sent out an email to several listservs at my school and got the most recommendations for Erin from the girls. They definitely weren't wrong! Erin always listens to what I want and gives me her input. She's done a fantastic job each time. The first time I went in, I asked for a short bob from the mid length hair I had - I love the cut she gave me! She really knows how to give a feminine bob hairstyle to thin hair. I have very fine hair that I always struggle with and she layers it so that I looks fuller. I've gotten my hair highlighted twice by Erin as well - the first time was really good but not exactly what I wanted, but close. The second time I took a picture in and she NAILED IT. We basically went to blonde (cool toned) the first time, but the picture really helped show the red undertones I wanted. It was perfection and it grew out wonderfully blended. I can't wait to go back to get it redone in a couple weeks! Erin has also waxed my eyebrows, and she's a pro at it. She didn't take off too much. She's very friendly and down to earth and I really look forward to chatting with her every time I go. I think its really awkward when you go to a salon and its just **silence** but that's just me :) You know she's experienced when you have her do your hair! As for the salon, it's just lovely. Its always immaculately clean and the colors are so cute. The customers always leave happy and they let you reschedule at your leisure. I love their online booking system. Its very simple to use and efficient. Hope this helps someone! read more

The Garden Salon has been my salon of choice for several years now, and there's a good reason for that. I walk away feeling good about myself and my experience. I'm grateful to my older daughter, who found The Garden Salon when it was located in the heart of downtown Durham. Since that discovery just prior to her prom ~6 years ago, both of my daughters and I have been going to get our different hair types and lengths styled by TGS owner, Shea and the other stylists when she's not available. It's very impressive to see how Shea is able to work with wavy, curly and tight curly/kinky hair. My girls and I are of mixed ancestry (Asian, Black, Native American and White), and we love our hair. However, it can present a challenge to many hairdressers as we've discovered over the years. Shea is excellent when it comes to helping us decide what cut to go with and styling techniques to use, because she listens to us... really listens. She also handles and looks intently at our hair - dry and wet. She's a master observer! Subsequently, her talent at styling goes beyond being skilled; she's an artist. Each time I walk out of The Garden Salon, I'm pleased. This last time on Friday, April 19, was no different. I felt compelled to write this review, because it dawned on me this morning that what is wonderful for me beyond the experience I have while in The Garden Salon and liking how I look when I leave is LOVING how I look when I wash and re-style my hair on my own. Each cut has been so flattering that I can achieve a similar style to that which Shea has created and enjoy what I see in the mirror. Shea and her staff have empowered my girls (both now young adults) and me to have fun with our hair and look good while doing that. Thanks Shea and The Garden Salon! TIPS FOR GOING TO TGS: 1. Use their user-friendly, online scheduler. I got into Shea's chair her first week back from maternity leave! 2. Be prepared to share some insight into your daily activities and how much time you want to spend on styling your hair along with your comfort of using different styling aids/tools. 3. Ask questions - it's your hair. 4. If you want to park right out front, then schedule a non-meal time (lunch or dinner), as the main parking lot serves a host of restaurants. Fortunately, there is an additional parking deck that's great for supporting your resolution to move more. :) 5. Smile - you'll look fabulous before and after your visit wearing one of these! read more

Shea has been cutting my hair for almost three years and even though I drive from Raleigh, I would never consider going anywhere closer. I am consistently happy with Shea's suggestions for my hair. I like change and she's always ready to suggest something new for me. She's really good at suggesting colors to compliment your skin tone/eye color and cuts that will work well with your face shape and type of hair. read more

Went in for a much-needed haircut, and I decided to also go for something new by changing the color. Knowing nothing about hair coloring, I was thinking of getting an all over coloring, but Amy kindly told me that with this being the very first time, an all-color might come out as a bit of a shock. With Amy's suggestion, I opted for some highlighting instead. The color came out beautiful, almost like a secret wow factor - subtle yet special enough, especially during this summer. My hair was silken soft afterwards, and after a few days there was no scalp irritation as I'd feared. For the cut: I have long, Asian, thick, blackest black hair. To be honest, I was slightly afraid that non-Asian hairdressers wouldn't be able to handle Asian hair (iI don't know why but this is like a rumour I've heard too many times) so before this I'd always tried to find a Korean/ Vietnamese/ Japanese hairdresser. This time I'm too tired of searching around, and the Garden is really just around the corner of my place, so I decided to take the risk. I asked for a medium straight cut, like Heidi Klum's, and I want it to easily "curve" in without too much styling every day. Amy gave me the cut, checked with me about the length, kindly shortened it another inch on my request. It was exactly as I wanted (probably not as good as Heidi Klum's, but as good as it can get...). I held off on the review until I did a shampoo and blow dry this morning: After blow drying my hair upside down, the style comes out perfect: no messy end chunks pointing anywhere they like! Thank you Amy :) The Garden accepts online appointment booking, which is great. Tipping on the card is OK. Everything was on-time and on-schedule. I'll come back next time I want a change in my look. read more

Shea has been expertly cutting my hair for over three years, and I'm always happy with how it looks and feels. She is attentive to what I want - a great haircut - and what my life is like - low maintenance. She recommends products but is never pushy. I love the salon itself, which is always friendly and has a relaxed, cheerful feeling. Yes, I have to schedule my haircuts in advance, but that's fine by me, when I always have such a great experience. read more

I have to agree with Katie B about the way Varenka cuts hair. I also left with an awkward and very uneven cut, which looked okay after she flat ironed it, but upon shampooing at home, realizing how horribly uneven it was, so much to the point that close friends noticed! However, too scared to return for a "fix", as Varenka did cut it way shorter than I asked (showed her a photo of style and it wasn't anything like that in the end!). As Katie B said though, Varenka is a very nice woman, and the Garden Salon is very cute and relaxed place. Next cut I get, I'll be going back to Destinee Salon instead. read more

I enjoy visits at the Garden Salon. I can always count on Kristin to provide me with a clean cut. Unlike other stylists that I have visited before, she seems to take extra time with my hair, always ask if I am satisfied and her work is always consistent (never too short, nor uneven). Additionally, I enjoy the complimentary craft beer after work often as well. From what I can tell, the other staff members all seem to be just as nice and kind, but my experience with Kristin B has been an A+ so far. read more

I have been going to Kristen for 6 months and she transformed my "bad" new short do to the perfect edgy pixie with a twist. Every time I come in we do something different to it and it all has looked great. She is a great listener and just fun to be around. She is a great colorist as well, we have gone from dark to light and every time the color is spot on! LOVE HER and the salon! read more

I went to Megan today and this was the first time I'm getting my haircut in Durham so I just went by some of the reviews I had read earlier. I had a great time and a cut I really like. My hair feels wonderful! I would definitely go again!! I was apprehensive before I went and now I'm wondering why. She dealt with my thick hair with utmost care and the layers she gave me frame my face really well.They're always busy so book way ahead of time! read more

I originally had Kristin doing my hair, and I really liked how she did it. She ended up randomly leaving much to my disappointment-but I was promised 50% off my services for the inconvenience which was really nice. Shea ended up doing my cut and color. The finished product was okay. I am not sure she really listened to what I wanted and my highlights aren't as red as I would have liked....I feel like I have basically my natural color with random streaks of copper red throughout. Good thing I had 50% off because I could not believe it was $164.00! I had had much better color jobs for less at other salons. My quest for a good stylist continues... read more

I had a great experience with Emily! I needed someone to fix my botched bob. She did a great job cleaning up the mess without making my hair much shorter. I would definitely recommend her. The salon was clean and the staff was kind. read more

I have gone to the Garden Salon several times and although the first time I had a pleasant experience, I should have noticed the warning signs from the very beginning. The first time I went, Shea cut my hair and although she went way shorter than what I asked for, she did a good job, which is why I came back. Recently, she cut my hair and did not cater to my wishes at all. She cut it too short again, it was uneven, and she was in a rush to leave due to a prior engagement. It really showed in her work that she was not attentive to my needs and did not listen to what I wanted. Probably will not be coming back. read more

The garden salon is nice enough, convenient to duke, and they give discounts to duke students. My 2- star review is specifically for Varenka - I don't know anything about the other stylists. Varenka cut my hair for the second time recently (my first visit was fine). I am very disappointed with the second visit and I won't be going back to the salon again. First, when I arrived she had fake orange leprechaun facial hair applied to her face (this was the day AFTER St. Patrick's Day). Fortunately, one of the other employees told her to take it off because she looked ridiculous. I thought she looked completely unprofessional, and that should have been my first sign that the haircut was not going to go well. Second, I wanted a new style and she cut my hair at my shoulder, not below my shoulders like I asked. Third, I came in with my hair parted like I normally wear it. After washing my hair, she asked me which side I part my hair and I reminded her - that's fine to ask. BUT, she started blow drying my hair and cutting it on the opposite side - I thought this was just some hair cutting technique to do it opposite, but halfway through the cut, style, and blow dry I asked her if she remembered that I wear it the opposite way. She said she forgot, but by then my hair was already blow dried in the wrong direction. She didn't even offer to take the time to wet my hair and re-blow dry it in the correct direction. Ultimately, I left there with an awkward haircut and unhappy with the $45 I just spent. The only reason I gave two stars instead of one is that Varenka friendly. read more

I can't say enough good things about the garden salon and my stylist shea of the last 10 years. It's been awesome. Every time I need a fresh new look I can always count on Shea! I was there last week and was bored with my style and wanted a new look. Shea added some amazing red highlights and gave me a super fabulous short cut. I always feel so fantastic when I leave! Thanks Shea and the garden salon for a decade of the best hair styles I've ever had! read more

I got a haircut from Kristen and I was fairly pleased until I got home and realized it was uneven in some places. I fixed it up myself and at one point cut an inch of hair off. I received an average cut, nothing overwhelming. read more