Simply Bliss Salon

You have to have Evelyn cut your hair! Excellent! Just excellent!
She is better then any super fancy salons around here.
They also have second location in Bethesda.

Got my hair cut there by Rosy. I took in some picture that I found on the Internet of a a particular hair style I liked. She did a great job cutting my hair

Completely fantastic Mani/​Pedi with Yoly!

I have been going to Simply Bliss for some time, maybe 2+ years. Evelyn, who is a super nice person, has always done my hair and it worked fine. It was affordable (35 $ for a cut), no drying, just a wash and a cut. A few months back I stopped going because although I had called ahead for appointments, my cuts were done more and more quickly and rushed. At one point another client (another regular seems like, who out-​loud announced to she just finished her PHD) showed up 5 minutes into my appointment and looked very impatient and I felt my cut even more rushed, she even got served coffee! in all the time I’ve been coming and tipping well, I’ve never been served coffee. I vowed not to go back at that point. Just yesterday, I got desperate. My hair has gotten so long and I called again for an appointment, Evelyn was not there, she was at the Bethesda one apparently. I needed a simple bob, with layers in back and a bit longer in front, long enough to still wear a pony. I asked for who else could do it, they made an appointment for me with Rosy for a cut ($ 35). I went in and Rosy began cutting my hair and all seemed well until I noticed that she was «done» but the front was still drastically longer than the back, in fact she hardly cut the front at all… while the back was up to my neck. I asked, in Spanish even, if she could make the angel more subtle, that the change was very abrupt and that the front had two large chunks that she had not touched. At this point Rosy said, that in order to really help me get this angel right, she’d need to blow dry my hair so she could see. I have wavy hair, she could have simply rewet my hair to ‘see’ where it was not straight, but I was not about to argue, plus I did not think anything of it. She needed to do it she said. I told her I never blow dry my hair but if she needed to do that to get her job done it that was fine. I knew in general people charge for blow drying, but this was not something I «needed», she said she needed to do it to get the angel right, and because my hair was too wavy… which again, she could have wet. The cut looked okay, the angel was still crazy steep and the right side looked like the angle was different than the left, but I was done sitting there, I was ready to go home and «fix it» on my own seeing as she was not getting what I wanted. I went to pay and the young tall man handed me a bill for $ 77!!, not my usual $ 35. I looked at the breakdown and I was charged $ 35 for the cut and $ 40 for the blow drying! FORTY! I even tipped her $ 15 before the bill was handed to me… shocked, I called back from the car and explained to the young woman who answered that I had not asked for the blow drying and felt that I should not have been charged for this, plus, Rosy had mentioned SHE needed to do this for her benefit, not mine. I was on my way home to wash off the blow drying anyway, I wanted a more natural look. The young woman who answered explained that I had a «full blow drying» done and that is the cost is $ 40 and asked if I’d like to personally speak to Rosy. When I asked why? she said that maybe if I talked to her she’d be willing to ‘pay me back’, I felt a bit odd doing this but I said yes seeing as this may be the only way I could get back my funds, no manager… just Rosy decides. She puts me on hold and after a minute Rosy comes on the phone and in a sweet voice explains that «sweetie», «I needed to do do it to get it done, sweetie», «your hair was way long» and «but don’t worry because you look really good now…», «this was necessary»… I knew by what she was saying I would not be getting any of my hard-​earned money back, I felt sick. I got off the phone and again, vowed NEVER to go back there. I went home and washed my hair immediately so I could see what it would look like for real and again, the huge slant was there, with 2 huge chucks on either side…, while the back was much shorter, the transition being very abrupt still. I had told her this several times in Spanish, but she just kept saying it looks ‘pretty’ on me. Partly it’s my fault; (1) I should have asked if this woman was experienced. In retrospect, I think she pretended to know what she was doing. She was super super nice lady but I felt totally cheated afterwards, I had even tipped her well. Another reason I feel it’s partly my fault is (2) I have never gotten my hair blowed dried at the hair salon, so I had no idea I’d be charged $ 40 for this 10 minute service. I would have loved to have known, I would have very much rejected it have I known. Yes, they got an extra $ 40 from me, but that’s the last time I will go there. And this is my final decision.
–Miriam Cutelis, appointment at 2:30pm July 10, 2015

Amanda is a new stylist at this location. She completely fried my hair. I wanted highlights, she gave me a poorly executed ombré, and charged for full color which was not discussed before she started. Also, this train wreck went on for 5 hours. I arrived at 11 am and didn’t leave until 4:30 pm. The haircut was supposed to be a trim. She cut 6 inches off. The bottom was completely uneven and frizzy despite the attempt at a blunt cut. Through all this, her manager was there but not overseeing the process.
The salon itself is very outdated and cramped. I hit my head going over to the sink to wash out my hair. The containers for combs had no disinfectant or any liquid at all.
The location is very weird to get to. They are in the basement of an apartment building. The parking it very slim. I was fearful for my little car. Heaven forbid I would have driven my grand marquis, I wouldn’t have been able to safely exit the parking structure.

I do not recommend this salon. Yes, they offer organic color, but I had to return multiple times to get my color redone by the owner, no less. She’s not good about returning calls either.
The salon’s atmosphere and décor are very dated and unattractive (the last I was there). It needs a total revamp.
Maybe if the owner put some effort towards these improvements, she wouldn’t have to regularly offer discounts and coupon deals to get customers into the chairs.

An old salon (NOT a spa), in an old building, in an old, window-​less room, with old patrons. Also, it was too hard to find. Not worth the effort. And regarding the actual service… The nail technician was too heavy-​handed and the filing and cuticle work was painful. And she was rushing, which probably explains the heavy-​handedness. I would not have gone there if I had not purchased a Bloomspot voucher and I probably will not return.

It’s been a while since I’ve been in a salon – ever since my last haircut, which left me with about as much hair as Homer Simpson, I’ve been avoiding stylists until it grows out. But! A Groupon for Simply Bliss salon popped into my inbox, and I decided to use it to try some new things. Specifically, a bikini wax & paraffin wax treatment. Having never tried either before I don’t have much to compare them to, but my uninformed assessment is:
# Paraffin wax was not the skin softening wonder it was made out to be. My hands and feet are softER but not significantly so. Pass on this.
# The salon’s atrocious wax-​related reviews on Unilocal left me apprehensive, but I needn’t have feared: Yoli was very gentle. Well, about as gentle as one can be when violently removing bodily accessories. She made sure the wax didn’t burn and offered to trim my (admittedly uneven) nails. And she addresses customers in a charming mix of Spanish and English – always a plus.
So many Unilocalers call out Simply Bliss on their décor/​setup/​vibe, but I saw nothing to object to. This is NOT your trendy hair sculpturey with recessed lighting and the latest tunes. It’s also NOT your neighborhood hair cuttery – just a solid little salon with decent décor and great staffers. Let me repeat: GREAT STAFFERS! The stylists really make this place glow. They are all genuinely nice and pleasant. They keep the salon humming but not hectic.
Minor downside: My appointment was scheduled for 3pm, but when I arrived the receptionist told me I was down for 3:30. 3:30 came and went, so I asked what the holdup was. The receptionist apologetically informed me that the waxees before me had arrived late, and the schedule had been thrown off. So I wasn’t seen until almost 4pm. Worth the wait tho.; } I’ll be back.

The staff were nice and welcoming… and that is about all that place has to offer. It’s in an old and outdated apartment building near Embassy Row. The shop itself if small, crowded, outdated and without any ambience. While the pedicure job was good, the chair I was in was rather old. And the «foot bath» was merely a tub of luke-​warm water that vibrated because the chair vibrated. No attached foot bath with jets like most nail salons. The manicure was nothing to write home about… with edges near the cuticles uneven. If I didn’t have a coupon for the two, I would’ve been highly upset to pay full-​price. I have definitely had better for way less in the more local shops. Won’t be returning.

Zorka! Zorka! Zorka!
What would YOU do for the perfect hair cut and style?
*Would you ride a bus from Dupont or Friendship Heights?
*Would you go to an apartment building for a salon?
*Would you reserve your judgment about a salon just because it doesn’t come across as trendy or hip?
Bitch, I know you would do more than that for the perfect haircut.
Okay, so why did I shout Zorka? Because she turned my ratty straight hair into ravishing; turned the «meh» into mesmerizing. She seriously gave me a fantastic style.
I told her that I wasn’t sure what I wanted, but I wanted some kind of style and I didn’t want to lose my long locks. She did EXACTLY what I asked – even though I didn’t give her that much direction.
It’s hard to make me happy when it comes to haircuts, I never know what I want. I usually walk away from the salon ambivalent at best, full of regret at worst. After Zorka, I walked away impressed!
About the someone complaining about a comb dropping on the floor: it’s not surgery or a restaurant. It’s just a comb.
It’s not that far, they’re not charging you for atmosphere, and you won’t regret the fantastic haircut. Just try it!

Honestly, DC finds ways to make me reminiscent of Russia everyday. Yes — this place IS in a strange location. Yes — many of the ladies in there were old old old. There were a couple children running around and some early nineties music playing quietly and my stylist was sharing a blow dryer and had to pull a bunch of hair out of her round brush before she used it on me (is that sanitary?) but YES. I love my hair. Isn’t that what you go in for, really?
I bought the Groupon a while back so it wasn’t that much all told. I’m not sure of my stylist’s name, but she did a great job and deserved her tip. I only wish the place was a little more sanitary. I didn’t like that she dropped her comb on the floor and used it on me again without any kind of cleaning, and the hair in the brush made me wonder about regulations… you know those big vats of sanitizer usually?
I might go back, depending on my trips home (to Madison, WI), where it’s quite a bit cheaper.

It started off rough. The individual who answered the phone was a weak gatekeeper. When I asked for an appointment (for anything) she was seemingly booked up, even gasped that I would assume free time on a Saturday. After a little discussion it appeared I could be fit in at 4pm for a cut and blow dry (I originally called to use a Groupon for a mani and pedi).
When I arrived at the ancient apartment building on Mass Ave in DC, I already knew what I was in for: old school hairdryers (witnessed woman get herself smacked with one), a restroom you couldn’t swing a cat in, products your Grandmother recommends… well, cos, your Grandmother is their top client; and nothing in the line of self-​entertainment sans my iPhone.
The salon reminded me of a cheesy apartment I first rented in Miami (sight unseen from college) — a square low ceiling boxed-​room with white tiles and glass walls. Enough said.
Now, the upside to all this? Zorka, my stylist, has the blow-​drying skills of an. um…I don’t know… super blower? Whatever, she rocked. She cut me in an instant and did an amazing job at styling my ordinarily flat head of hair. That, and that alone, earned 2 more stars on this puppy.

Waste of money… I bought a deal online for a friend and myself. Wow, this place is old and out of the way! We went to get a mani/​pedi. When I requested that the employee not use a file on my nails, she got upset and barked in front of other customers (twice) that I needed to «Give her 1 reason why». Really? This was a disappointment.
The pedicure was OK, but used an old machine with nothing for our feet. Instead they purchased a plastic bowl (probably from Michael’s) to clean our feet before painting our nails. If you are looking for a quick, cheap fix, then this will do.
It’s nice that they offer garage parking, but it doesn’t seem very safe.

I get the best cut and color in town every time I see Evelyn who is as sweet as she is gifted in the art of making a person look and feel their best.
From the moment I walk into the salon Evelyn makes sure I feel comfortable by providing that personal touch that so many salons today are lacking because they want to get you in and out as quickly as possible.
The rest of the staff makes you feel right at home as well and I would recommend this place for anyone who is looking for a top quality stylist and great service.

I’ve been to some really fancy hair salons and walked out crying because they completely destroyed my hair and charged me for their «aesthetics». I was always fearful of getting highlights/​color but since I found Evelyn I am so happy with the results. Her haircolor skills are far and above anyone I’ve ever been to. I receive compliments all the time on my hair color and it even makes my hair super shiny!!!
This past summer I got the brazilian keratin treatment and I was very impressed with that too!
Now that I’ve found Evelyn I’d never let anyone touch my hair color again!!! I used to do it at home but I stopped that too!
I strongly recommend Evelyn for haircolor, brazilian, and cut!!!

I’m not sure I went to the same salong as the positive reviewers…
First of all, this place is SO out of the way. It may be inexpensive, but not worth the metro to bus to .5 mile walk that it takes to get there.
So, I scheduled an appt. for the hot on Unilocal cut & color special. When I got to the salon I was greeted and taken to the stylist chair. The stylist asked if I was in for a cut and then asked if I wanted a blow out after. I apparently wrongly assumed it was communicated what services I was coming in for (cut & color).
The shampoo was good, the shampooer was friendly as well. A+ to her.
Now, I have very curly hair and reiterated many times that I wanted to shape and thin — NOT touch the length. Stylist repeated what I wanted and said she understood. As I’m watching, I’m getting increasingly nervous at the huge mounds of hair on my lap, but the stylist says she’s not touching the length, so, OK.
In the middle of the cut, I mentioned I had also come in for color. Stylist said she could do highlights or color, so I assumed we would discuss after the cut was finished what she was going to do — wrong again.
To finish this story up, my hair is drastically shorter than when I walked in. — 2 stars. –1 star because after the cut, the stylist chose to ignore that I had asked for, and booked, color and simply said «thank you», took off the cape, and sent me on my way.
Why not press the issue, you ask? Because if the hair cut turned out so drastically different than what I asked for, how do you think color would have gone?
Also, no sooner did I step away from the chair that another client moved in. It was clear there was no time for the color I had booked, which is, I’m assuming, why the stylist pretended that request didn’t exist.
2 stars for friendly service and low prices.
P. S. — bring cash for tip.

I am new to the area and was looking for a good place to get a hair cut so I bought a Groupon after much research. I am not very picky about getting my hair cut because it is on the longer side so I usually think it always looks the same… regardless Zorka did a really nice job layering my hair and I am very happy! She also did the job really quickly and was very pleasant. I will definitely be back for my next hair cut!
I was able to find the parking garage and it brings you right onto the 7^th floor where the salon is. You just have to enter on Idaho Ave (I think??)…
The only thing that slightly annoyed me: I had the first appointment of the day and everyone was running 10+ minutes late so I had to hang out in the hallway and wait.

I came in because I purchased a Groupon and have been frustrated at the high prices for waxing in DC. I had a brazilian and a pedicure done by the same woman.
The pedicure was lovely, and she did a great job of shaping my nails and painting them. And she gave me a very nice massage.
The wax was a nightmare. The worst I’ve ever experienced. She used the same muslin strips over and over again on me, which become less effective and deposit wax on the skin (not to mention, rather disgusting.)
She spread the wax on in too large of an area, and wasn’t able to rip it all of in a single go, so she ended up slowly ripping out the hair by going over it several times. Ouch! And, after all of the torture was said and done, she had missed several spots. Will never be getting any waxing done there again.

A good BuyWithMe deal on a Mani/​Pedi brought me to Simply Bliss. Had it not been for that, it’s likely I would have never found it, as it might win an award for most hidden salon in DC. The address brings you to a huge apartment building on Mass Ave NW, with no sign of the salon anywhere and no signs for the parking garage/​lot. I never did find the parking lot, so I just parked on the street. You walk in, and you feel kind of weird because you’re walking into someone’s apartment building without knowing anyone there. Even stranger is that the salon is on Floor 7, which is down a floor despite that you walked in at ground level.
Upon entering, it’s kind of like you’ve entered a mini time-​warp, back to a time when really upscale apartment buildings had stores and salons built into them to meet all of your needs. The salon is, in fact, next to a mini-​store and the immediate neighbors are all residential apartment doors. The salon itself is tiny — there is only one nail technician on staff at a time, so this is not the place to come with girlfriends and gossip and chat while people tend to your needs. You’re coming here for your mani/​pedi and not social time.
I had an appointment at the end of a long Saturday, and I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t get the best treatment because of this. However, Yoly took amazing care of me. She didn’t rush anything and she did a great job. She engaged in bilingual conversation with me the entire hour I was there, which I really enjoyed (although I was a bit mentally spent at the end of it all). It’s been several days and none of my nails or toenails have chipped yet.
I would love to consider coming back to see Yoly in the future, but the prices are way out of my reach without some kind of discount. Alas, the less privileged can rarely have pretty nails, so I’ll happily ride this one beautifying moment out while I can.

Finally. I have finally found a hairdresser in DC to call my very own – Zorka! The lady knows style and put me right back in it. I went in with a long, overgrown, thick, coarse, unkempt drape surrounding my head, and left with the best color and cut I’ve had in YEARS. And all for less than HALF of what I paid the last time I had the works near Metro Center.
Other reviewers are correct in that it’s in an odd spot and somewhat a secret – there is no sign, and I checked the address a couple times to make sure I was where I needed to be. There are definitely a lot of older ladies who live in the building or nearby who have their hair done at Simply Bliss, and I had a blast eavesdropping on their conversations. The salon is not fancy or posh, so if you want some hipstery salon where the staff and patrons are more concerned with who or what you’re wearing than good solid service and fabulous hair, this is not the place for you.
If you want great quality (and vegan) hair color, and an amazing and stylish cut from someone who just seems to «understand» hair, go see Zorka. We chatted about what I wanted – and what I needed – and I left almost giddy. Giddy I tell ya! I am now looking for something to do tonight, because hair this good shouldn’t go to waste!
Remember to bring cash, because you cannot tip on a card and there’s no ATM in the building.