Salon 46

Rupa at Salon 46 is amazing. I have been looking for a good hair stylist ever since I moved to DC/​VA ten years ago, and I couldn’t find anyone I really liked until I met Rupa. She really knows color, and she knows all the cutting edge new color strategies that I never heard of at other solons. My hair looks better, blonder and healthier than ever thanks to Rupa. If you’re looking for a new hair stylist, seriously try Rupa… I’m so grateful I found her, and I don’t have to drive 4 hours round trip to my college hair stylist anymore!

Really REALLY wanted to love this salon but it was just okay. I think I just didn’t pick the right stylist… she was very talented but just didn’t «get me» as we were different age brackets and I long for convo and fun, high energy from, me sylist whereas she was cool, calm and almost too laid back and uninvolved, stand offish almost. 2.5 hours in the chair and I think we exchanged a few sentences max. For what I spent not really much to write home about. Good cut and pretty (but boring) color. Convient location, beautiful salon, but not my style fix.

Rupa did my hair a few weeks ago for the first time. She cut, colored, and styled. She took all of my requests/​concerns/​questions in. And then explained everything and gave me perfect advice and recommendations. I felt very comfortable in her chair. When she was finished, my hair had never looked better. I’m beyond happy with the results and can’t wait to see her again in May for a touch up and trim. Trust me… You will not be disappointed with Rupa’s work!

this review is for a cut and color — — - soo…
i’ve come to salon 46 every now and again to get my long hair trimmed, but this time i wanted a pretty big change. when i called, the staff booked me with Rupa (i never really followed who i had before, i always got the same cut and came out very happy) and i’m so so so glad they did. after a very thorough and insightful consultation with Rupa, she walked me through with what we were going to do with my hair. disclaimer: i walked in with some pics of a lob cut on girls that have beauty vlogs on insta/​youtube and didn’t really know how that would fit my face. but Rupa made me feel super comfortable with what she planned on doing with the cut and how easy, versatile and updated my look was going to be. skip to the end, the cut was w o n d e r f u l !!! she did make me aware of what to expect from the cut, in that she was going to make the cut to get that move-​y, piecey, chop-​y, i.e. off duty model hair that i’ve been seeing on insta and but that effect might not be as noticeable, as she pointed out that all the pics i showed her, the girls had some color in it to really make the cut pop.
disclaimer #2: i alwayyysss wanted to get my hair colored every time i sit in those swively chairs, but i’m either too lazy to sit/​make another appointment/​had some misgivings about how the color would come out — but not with Rupa — she totally made me feel like she could be THE ONE to take my undyed-​20some-​year-​virgin hair (i did a box box in like hs?) up a notch.
so i made another appointment for a partial balayage with Rupa — omg she is a serious hair magician. i wanted that natural, beachy (see above for my coveted off-​duty-​model ask) and she totally delivered. my hair looks totally transformed and natural. like i didn’t even try. i don’t miss my 9+ inches of hair, at. all. i am loving this lob cut and warm-​ish/​cool-​ish natural sun-​kissed bronde balayage on my hair. so. so. much. anyone that’s looking to get an informed, thorough and super stylish transformation — look no further. ask for Rupa at Salon 46 and you won’t be disappointed!
extra tip: she works on fridays and i think saturdays but her calendar fills up pretty quickly. just booked an appointment for a gloss treatment before a big trip and had to play with the dates a little bit to get on her schedule.

Perfect haircuts every time, regardless of who cuts your hair I love this salon and have been going since they have opened their doors! Keep up the good work!

I come here to get my hair done by Crystal and every time I get great results, I wouldn’t go anywhere else! I recently went in to get a hair cut and Brazilian blow out and I LOVE IT! Crystal is really good at recommendations that fit your everyday need and also making you feel comfortable. Im looking forward to going back in March for a cut and color!

Finally got my hair cut again — and this place was great. All the stylists have style, there’s a really comfortable waiting area with lots of refreshment, the shampoo/​conditioning was heavenly and used good products. My stylist really listened to me, and made recommendations on my hair. Since it’s very full, she also took the time to thin it slightly with a razor blade. Great haircut with style — difficult to do with very long hair — but I’m very happy. I would recommend these guys!

Bridgid is a very talented woman and I am always happy with her work. I have thin, lifeless hair, but she knows how to give it body. She is also a great conversationalist, which is really important for me. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone else’s name, but I have had good experiences with everyone there!

I had a GREAT experience at Salon 46. The receptionist was professional and friendly when setting up my appointment, and when I arrived. They are very ‘customer service friendly’ (offered me a drink, took my coat, etc.). They also followed up with me after my appointment with a card in the mail thanking me for my service, etc. It’s the little things.
I was recommended to Jessica P and loved the result. I had her do some lowlights and highlights and was impressed with her technique and how she listened to the explanation of what I wanted. I was ‘in and out’ in no time, and loved knowing that I can go here and not have to spend hours of my day.
Overall, very impressed! I am going back this week for a hair cut!

Everything is still awesome at the Salon. Brigid’s prices have been hiked up, but I’ve had enough bad haircuts in my life to stick with her. Crystal cuts my daughter’s hair and does a fantastic job, Ava likes a little more of a sassy punky look and Crystal delivers! I refer people here all the time, and constantly get compliments on my new pixie cut and Ava’s little sassy bob!

I am new to the area and needed a trim. I have long hair and rarely get my hair trimmed (1 – 2 times per year, max.) I am usually disappointed with getting my hair trimmed and find that many stylists don’t take time to evaluate your individual hair texture and how it falls.
Needless to say, based on the amount of stars I have provided for this review, that this was quite a different experience for me. Booking online was easy and the receptionist was wonderful once I arrived for my appointment. She took my coat from me and offered me something to drink.
My appointment was with Ludy, who is a Jr. Stylist. Don’t let the «JR» fool you. She is completely professional and very pleasant and was very in-​tune to my hair texture and how my hair falls naturally. She was also concerned with the moisture level of my hair, how frequently I am washing and how I normally style my hair on a day to day basis. She inquired as to how my hair had been cut in the past and whether or not a razor was used. She had a very «proceed with caution» type attitude since I articulated that I was very nervous about losing too much length. She washed my hair, combed it out, trimmed it while wet (very conservatively), then blew out my hair very nicely and trimmed up the layers while it was dry.
I’m very happy with her professionalism and the quality of my haircut. She took her time (an hour) and paid very close attention to detail.
I have already recommended this salon (and Ludy) to 3 – 4. Will definitely be a regular patron of this salon.

I have curly hair, so booked an appointment with Bridgid based on the other Unilocal reviews. I can’t remember the last time I got such a great haircut! I have definitely found my new salon.

This was my first time visiting and I had the best experience! I called ahead to make an appointment for a cut and style and was able to get in within the next couple hours. The receptionist was very nice and pleasant to speak to.
I had the joy of having Crystal work with me and I cannot recommend her enough. Right when I got in I showed her a few photos of the look I was going for and she knew exactly what I wanted. She listened to the type of style I wanted and walked me through what she wanted to do, which I loved. The shampoo/​conditioner/​scalp massage was amazing and a nice touch.
I really felt like she took the time to give me a great haircut and style. As difficult as it can be to find a great stylist I am definitely coming back to Crystal!
The salon is very clean and has a cute look to the décor. Each station and waiting area is orderly and clean, which is a huge plus. I was offered something to drink immediately and overall I had the best experience.

I’ve been going to Rupa for years. She always provides a fabulous cut but I always appreciate her creativity with color. I’m not one to settle for the boring same-​ol-​same-​ol and often look to her for the latest trend and keen ability to give me something unique without going over the top. She’s consistent and conscientious and provides her clients with a great hairstyle.

I’m a big fan of Crystal. I tell her exactly what I want, show her a few pictures, and that’s what I get. The spa uses Bumble and Bumble, which is nice. Their shampoo techs are wonderful and give a great scalp massage. I think the prices are a bit high, but I don’t play games with the hair.

I just moved to the area and finding a good hair stylist is always a pain! I took a recommendation from a co-​worker for here… bad move.
I asked for a edgy/​rock, textured/​layered bob, and explained that she had artistic license (this description has yet to steer me wrong all over the world!) The two things I did NOT want — a 12 yr old’s summer bob or to look like a Repubican’s house wife… I ended up with the two things I did NOT want!
I called to express my dismay at my cut the next day (I like to wash and style myself once before judging a cut) and was told the manager would fix it for me. When I turned up, they were going to put me back with the same stylist who messed it up the first time!
Don’t advertise one thing, tell someone that same thing, and then do something else! Liars do not impress me as a good way to run a business…

I hate doing this, but I just have to. :(
I’ve had the same stylist for 10 years. She just retired, and I chose Salon 46 to try out based on the Unilocal reviews.
First, the salon itself is beautiful. Great location (next to Starbucks!), the interior is modern and comfortable, and the receptionist is fantastic. Super sweet.
I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt by saying there are a few stylists in other reviews that people gave RAVE reviews.
When I called, the receptionist recommended a new stylist because the stylists in all of the Unilocal reviews weren’t available. I told her I needed someone who was excellent with color, and she said this new stylist was very good.
The stylist was super friendly and we immediately hit it off. As a person, I think she’s adorable.
I took four pictures in of what I wanted — both for color and cut. I have very long hair and wanted to take a few inches off, add some face layering, and then get all over high and low lights.
The pictures I took showed VERY blond, vibrant, bombshell-​like blonds — Christie Brinkly, Heidi Clum, Britney Spears. Very blond, very sunshiny highlights.
What I got was so disappointing. I should have said something when I was there, but a part of me hoped it might get better after a day or two (because sometimes color can fade or change a bit).
For $ 250, my color looks dull & bland. The high and low lights are virtually the same shade. Instead of being a vibrant, eye-​catching, summery blond… I’m a dirty, sandy dull-​ish blond that has zero oomph and is lackluster.
On top of that, my hair is fried. I haven’t had a reaction to color like this in over a decade… but with water or heat, my hair curls up into a damaged knot that I have to gently try and work out. It’s going to take some time and some deep conditioning to try and get my hair to recover.
Finally, the cut. It’s not bad, but I could have gotten the same quality cut at a $ 30 mall salon.
Does my hair look awful? No. I can work with it.
Did I get a $ 250 experience and walk out happy? Not even close.
Stick with the stylists mentioned in the glowing reviews.

thank you, Rupa, for taking the time and care to bring new life to my growing-​out haircut. she examined my hair before i was shampooed, asked about how it lays and grows out, how i style it, how often i wash, the products i use — all the important details. i am a very low-​maintenance, slap on some product and air dry, diffuser at most, kind of girl with shoulder length & growing, thick, wavy, über-​prone-​to-​frizz hair. she made the most detailed and precise cuts, dried it, looked it over some more, made a few more snips, did some «channeling» to help my wonky right side lay more neatly, and blow dried in harmony with my hair’s natural growth pattern. i bounced out of there with a smooth, full-​bodied, and totally natural looking blowout and hair feeling soft as silk, just as i like it.
i’ve been to this place exactly twice now. it’s been 12 weeks since my appointment. Rupa spots me in the waiting area, gives me a hug and tells me she feels like she’s been cutting my hair forever. again looks over my hair as-​is — how did it go? how is it growing? do you like it? anything need adjusting? just a trim? oh good. we’re making progress. :) she snips so very carefully it looks like my hair has actually grown a half-​inch and doubled in bounce. and how was your halloween? weren’t you guys dressing as something weird and cool? we chatted about our holidays, our nephews, our digestive tracts… :) just like she said, like she’s been cutting my hair forever. a good stylist is hard to find. i consider myself very, very lucky.

If you have yet to find your stylist, ask for Crystal — thank me later because I just saved you a lot of time!
Obviously this is the right place to get your hair done: Five stars across the board should be evidence enough.
Again, I would advise Crystal; she is THE BEST! She cares to take the time to understand exactly what you are looking for, and does an excellent job every time. She’s like a prodigy sent down from heaven to style hair — Salon 46 is lucky to have her.
Everything else is great; it’s an awesome atmosphere and incredible design — in the stylist area you’ll find parallel mirror panels giving off a surreal feeling that the mirror stretches full-​across the room — and when someone is sitting on the other side it’s as though there is someone in the mirror that’s not on your side! Super cool experience that compliments the beverages they provide, service they excelled at, and consistent additive reasons to go back…

I followed Bridgid here as well. Once you find a stylist who can work with curly hair, you follow her to the ends of the earth. I’ve bounced around different salons in VA and DC, and I adore the welcoming feel of Salon 46. Everyone working here is professional and friendly, which is not always the case in the über-​pretentiousness of the DMV. I love that there’s always plenty of free parking around the salon too!
And Brigid… she is a gem. She’s funny and sweet and she works color magic on my greys every 6 weeks. She listens to what you want and always has great advice and styling suggestions. Because of her, I’ve learned to accept my curly hair… and since finding her, I’ve starting receiving compliments on my natural curls for the first time in my life. My hair and I are at war no more.