Sunshine Beauty Salon

Where to begin… Ms. Samri and her colleagues are amazing! At Sunshine Beauty Salon, they were able to transform my tight, natural spirals into long, silky, fluffy, full curls. Ms. Samri was very kind, and gentle, and never once stopped working. There was no appointment required, and it was less than three hours from the time I walked in the door until the time I walked back out. The shampoo technician was kind and attentive. My hair has never been so thick and full with NO relaxer. Ms Samri uses very few chemicals and offers great guidance about how to best care for your hair without pushing random over priced products I’ve never heard of. I can not say enough about how incredible my experience was at Sunshine Beauty Salon. I highly recommend them to anyone with natural hair who is looking for a salon where you can get in and out with stellar results. Try them… see for yourself.

I have been coming to Sunshine Beauty Salon since 2007. I had attempted to wear my natural hair for a very long time, but had a difficult time learning to manage it on my own. They are very familiar with my hair texture and made me feel comfortable in their ability to help me! Luckily for me I have seen the episode of Seinfeld with the «Soup Nazi» so the culture of the salon is just fine with me and I have never felt uncomfortable. As with anything new, I think it’s important to observe and learn. It is a business and has a natural order. I didn’t have the attitude that they had to do it «my way» I simply learned THEIR way and my hair is long (waist length), strong, healthy, and I couldn’t be happier. What I learned and have always had a positive experience — is «When in Rome…» I have a strategy that works for me consistently for almost 8 years now! It is walk in only — not by appointment unless you are getting a service done. If I need to be in the chair first, I arrive an hour before they open and sign the sheet FIRST as soon as the shop opens. This guarantees me a 2 – 2.5 hour turn around time once I get to the shampoo bowl. If I’m going in the evening, then I go about an hour before they lock the doors, and again I’m guaranteed a 2 – 2.5 hour turn around time. They are closed on Tuesdays. So Monday, Wednesday through Saturday they are open until 6pm — so I’ll arrive at 5. Sundays they close at 5, so I will arrive at 4. OR I’ll arrive at 9 since they open at 10. That’s the strategy that works best for me for the past 8 years. I have a lot of allergies to ingredients, so I bring my own shampoo, conditioner, and styling products with no problems. Samrit cuts my hair. Just about anyone that shampoos and roller sets my hair has done a great job. I have NEVER, I repeat NEVER had heat damage on my hair. They do not use temperatures that should damage, and they always make sure the hair is completely dry prior to using heat. A roller set is $ 20 and flat iron is $ 40. The prices have been the same since I’ve been going and I’m all too happy to pay it. I have learned a lot about my hair and how to manage it since going there. I am able to retain length and manage my hair in it’s naturally curly state or stretched. Once upon a time I was able to go every 2 weeks, but now my schedule only permits every 3 months when I go for a regular trim. Have an open mind when going, don’t take their speaking their native language personally, and expect a great experience!

My stylist Samrie has done it again. She keeps my hair healthy and on point. She’s theeeeeee BEST!

I’m a long-​time customer of sunshine beauty salon, 8 years to be exact. Looovvvee this salon. They are clean, professional and do miracle on my hair. No one else does my hair like they do. I have gone natural for 4 years now and I still come out looking like I have a relaxer. They always do a fantastic job, If you tell them what hairstyle you want specifically, they’ll do it for you amazingly. It stays without any issues through rain, shine and workout. I see a lot of comments about the wait. It is under a new management now and it’s run much much better. It’s still a walk in salon so you still have to get there early to be in and out. They do take appointment for colors and relaxers though. I usually get there before they open and I’m out of there in 2 hours. Some of the wash girls do speak their native language. I see a lot of negative comments about this. I don’t think they are trying to be rude at all. They are very sweat and hard working. At the end of the day Amharic is their native language and that’s what they are comfortable with. Give it a shot, you will not be disappointed.

They always do a good job here with straightening and coloring plus they are very professional and friendly.
My only complaint is that they have very long waits if they’re busy; which is often.
Tip: go on a weekday during the day.

Second time back and my hair is damaged after being styled with too much heat. I trusted the stylist and he hurt my hair. Never going back and don’t know what to do!

I left sunshine with complete disappointment today. The regular hair salon I go to happen to be closed, so for an alternative I went to sunshine. Having asked for a wash set and a my roots touched up with a flat iron, I received the complete opposite. After getting out the hair dryer I asked the lady to not use the hot comb, so she said «if you would like the flat iron he’ll have to touch it up for you.» Which was fine with me. So I sit at his chair. After having being told by plenty of his co workers and myself how I want my hair styled; he ran through all my hair with a flat iron spiral curling it. There hasn’t been one time that I’ve gone to an Ethiopian hair salon and not walked out disappointed. A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME.

I will NEVER return. It seems here if you speak their language you get better treatment here! I walked in and everyone says hi but no one asks what services I needed. I had to ask where to sign in and the male stylist just giggled and pointed to the clip board. Then another woman comes in kisses the male stylist and go straight back to get her hair washed. Now I had already called and found that they don’t take appointments so this was strange. It was just a very unwelcoming experience.
After having my hair washed and rolled I came from under the dryer to sit for another 25mins. waiting to be flat ironed. At this point other stylists are just standing around and talking and since there were no appointments I was confused as to why no one could at least start taking out my rollers and prep me for anything !
Lastly and MOST IMPORTANT to anyone who has natural African –American hair THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH with HEALTH of your hair, just the the out come. I told her I wanted it straight, my hair ended up lifeless! They use TOO MUCH HEAT (dryers, comb and flatiron) and couldn’t even give a consultation. I was referred by another natural woman so it was very disappointing! I fear my natural curl pattern is ruined!

I did not feel like driving to Maryland to get my hair done and decided to give this place a try. The price was not bad for Virginia but effective June 2014 they will go up. I don’t know how much. I had a wash, set, blow dry and flat iron for $ 40. The wash girl really washed my hair well and even asked if I had any particular area of concern.
I believe it’s run by an Ethiopian owner and most of the folks that work there are from Ethiopia. They do speak their native language, but it’s not a bother. I did not feel they gave others from their country better service. The owner even offered me tea. Sarah styled my hair. She was good. I did not give a complete five star because I am use to having a lot of body in my hair and I am spoiled by my current stylist. Don’t get me wrong I did leave with body but I believe the shampoo they used was not a good fit for my hair.
I would recommend any of the stylist in the shop. They are all good. If you would like to be in and out in less than two hours Saturday may not be the best day to go, but given their clientele they move pretty fast.
No harm in trying it out at the price.

So I finally had an opportunity to check out this hair salon and I must confess I was pleasantly surprise! The hair stylists were friendly, skilled and knowledgeable about hair. I was greeted immediately upon entering the doors which showcased their excellent customer service skills.
In the past, I have gone to other salons in the area for a blow dry and flat iron but my hair usually reverts back to its kinky state as I’m pulling out the parking lot (like seriously!!)!! However, Samri, the hairstylist did an excellent job straightening my hair and conversing with me about hair management. Samri is a true professional, speaks perfect English, her hair is perfectly styled, she is knowledgeable about hair and knows how to make you look fabulous. When I left that salon my hair was shiny, bouncy and I was highly satisfied. I would highly recommend Samri and this hair salon.

I went to Sunshine Beauty Salon a few months ago and loved it. My hair came out beautiful. I had never been there before, didn’t have to wait or have an appointment. I did have to sit under the dryer, which I prefer not to do, but my blowout lasted a long time. Loved it!

Service here is very poor unless you are from their native country. They try to be slick because they assume you don’t understand the language. You’ll be there all day or have to wait for people while they eat lunch and others just sit around instead of doing your hair. Very unprofessional. Do NOT go here!!!

I wanted to update my review from November and let everyone know I found ANOTHER awesome stylist at this salon.
I visited this salon on Sunday and Tigi (spelling?) pre-​treated my hair (butter+steamer), washed/​conditioned, and set my hair on rollers. She did a good job and was very attentive. She even detangled my natural hair with wide tooth comb as requested.
Next, Sarah flat ironed my hair. Sarah did an awesome job! I told her I didn’t want my hair bone straight so she offered to only make one pass with the flat iron. When she finished my curls were big (I love volume) and my hair had so much body! Sarah also offered advice about the all of different protective and color services they offer. We talked quite a bit during my service (I love a stylist with personality). Needless to say, I’m a fan.
I wanted to address some of the negative reviews online about this salon:
1) Wait time — Ladies, you don’t have an appointment. No one is waiting for you to arrive. Be prepared to wait. The salon is good. So, the salon is popular. So, they’re busy. When they’re fully staffed, they have about 6+ people constantly doing hair so the wait line moves fast.
2) Language — English seems to be a second language to some of the stylists, so this may create communication issues. Sarah explained that was the problem during my first visit. I believe her, but I’m still sticking with her and Samry.
3) The male stylist — Reviews on other sites rave about how good he is at flat ironing, but warn that he isn’t nice. I watched him flat iron hair and he does do an awesome flat iron. As for his attitude, I’m not saying that the other reviews are false, but I do want to point out that they are old reviews (2+ years). When he arrived at the salon on Sunday, he came in and shook EVERYONE’S hand in the waiting area and greeted us. During my time at the salon he seemed very personable to everyone AND his clients loved him. People change and it seems like he has for the good.
Final word, there are about 7+ salons in this plaza but Sunshine Beauty is the best. It’s clean, affordable, modern, and they do a good job!

Ethiopian Salon: There are two Sarahs here; the Sarah at the middle station does my hair. She’s rough, talks too much on the phone but does my hair great!
I’m natural and my hair is the thickest in the world; when I leave there, it’s BONE STRAIGHT! Also, Nadia; the shampoo girl is the best; you’ll never get a wash this clean! You can recognize her because she’s Muslim and covers her hair; doesn’t work on Thursdays.
Walk-​ins only, 30 – 40 bucks for an awesome wash, roller set, blow dry and flat iron. Free parking; may be harder to find a space on weekends.
Downs: You will be there for at least 3 hours and they’re always busy; always!