This is one for the ladies. I will be traveling to D.C. for a week and would like to spend an afternoon at a nice salon getting fully coiffed before hubby and I go out to dinner for our anniversary. Not looking for a cheap chain or the most expensive place either. Just want a chic haircut, trendy highlighying job, and good manicure. Give me the name of a place you trust ladies!

Lauren:
Personally, I'd get the highlighting job at home by someone I REALLY trust and go anywhere for a blow-out and manicure & pedicure. Sorry, but I don't live in DC. Maybe Gary Condit's people can direct you to his salon - his coif looks fab!

You may call Dennis Roche's salon in Georgetown and ask for Helen ... but be sure to book well before you come to DC. I happen to know a redhead, LOL, thus I know Helen's work quite well. You call Helen, she'll give you coffee or spring water, and a neck massage, and you can relax ... you'll be in good hands. Plan on 90 minutes for cut and color. This is an excellent tip ... just think of me as an internet Welcome Wagon for DC. Ciao

Try Headlines Salon, 326 Massachusetts Ave NE, 546-5151. It's run by a family friend, Angelica Werner. I don't much about hairstyling but I know Angie runs a top-notch shop.

I live just outside of D.C. and although I can't personally afford it, I would LOVE to get my color done at the salon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. The colorist there is supposed to be the BEST and charges for it too! Local rumor has it that the salon Elodie is supposed to be excellent as well. I would love to hear about your experience after you get all "done" and see if it was worth the $$!

This is outside DC, so it may not be what you're looking for, but I like Circe day spa on N. Washington in Old Town Alexandria.

Ilo in Georgetown is excellent for hair, and also has a full-service day spa for any other pampering you need. Also agree with the post about the 4 Seasons.

http://www.washingtonian.com/etc/shopping
/greathair/salons.html

Sorry for making you cut and paste

Ilo, that's it!! Thanks, K - that's actually what I meant, not Elodie. I think Ilo is where Monica Lewinsky used to get her hair done, right? Anyway, Ilo is supposed to be the "it" chic salon in town.

Thanks ladies. The Washingtonian website was especially helpful because it gave phone numbers and prices, even listed some stylists by name at the top salons which were mentioned by other posters. I'm hoping to spend around $250, hope thats enough, at many places it looks like it may not be. Just another reason to up my budget. LOL

Lauren, you can do Dennis Roche for $250, including tip. Not to annoy anyone, but Monica at Ilo would argue against Ilo ... and besides, I think she changed after the local media got wind. When the new Ritz Carlton on M Street NW was under construction, they asked Dennis to come in and head up their new salon when it opened. So, that's about all I can tell you ... I'm sure you know when you select a salon, it's really hit and miss. Or perhaps you're the one in a 100 that hits it right. Regardless, I hope you have good luck with the place you select, and a nice time in DC. Ciao

Hey, L - are you getting a kickback or something from Roche? Considering you don't get your hair "done" like we ladies do, you seem awfully convinced that Lauren should go there. I wonder what the attraction is? Also, regarding Hanna's post, I though Monica Lewinsky's hair looked pretty good...

On the contrary, I know a lot about hair, women's hair. You know that men come in all sorts of shades. Speaking of which, Helen at the Roche salon is a fabulous choice. Kickbacks? Hmmm ... sort of an honesty issue that. I suggest Helen for one reason only ... she takes care of a red head with whom I share a moment or two. If I'd trust her with her, then I'm sure Lauren would be in safe hands. Ciao

Not too surprising that a guy who calls himself Leone and says ciao all the time seems to be an expert on hair salons.

I'd have to agree with [email protected] even though I believe he has blasted me in the past for a recommendation I had made.

I am a hair stylist and have lived in the metropolitan D.C. area. I met Dennis Roche a few years ago at a class he was giving. I was very impressed with him and decided to visit his salon for a pedicure. He runs a "class" operation and I would trust most if not all of his employees to do a good job. Since Helen is recommended and booked weeks in advance, I'd venture to say she's as good, if not better, than Dennis.

As far as the Colorist at the Four Seasons being the Best, he may be one of the best, but there is no such thing as the best for everyone. In fact, it's likely that by the time you're referred to as the best, you're so booked that you no longer spend the time that you did in the first place to acquire the recognition.

top for Lauren

Thanks for that feedback, Tammy. I bet I didn't blast you too hard. And Whata, if you're open to an idea or two, Leone means lion, and I'm an August person, you know, Leo. I'm certain Whata must have an equally rational derivation. As for hair, if you expect to have a decent realtionship with a stylish, modern woman, you better get up on hair, my friend. She's a redhead with a PhD, and looks terrific ... so I have the best of both worlds. Ciao

Norbert's at Connecticut and L sts. Phone is 466-2111. I've been getting my hair done there for years and get compliments from strangers on the cut (it's very simple). Cut and coloring runs about $130-$150--don't get highlighting done so I don't know about the price for that. They have manicure and some spa services also. Very nice place and centrally located.

You think, Leone? My husband of 17 years hasn't a clue as to how long it takes to cut and color my hair, where I go, or god forbid how much it costs! He'd have a heart attack if he found out. Some things are best kept a secret!

L/Leone/Leo/Lion/whatever - quit dreaming buddy! That redhead will disappear as soon as you wake up.

In D.C. maybe women judge men on their hair salon knowledge - your Demo buddy Condit is an expert I am sure and he seemed to do well with the ladies up there. However, in the real world outside the District of Corruption, I don't think you will find too many women interested or impressed by your beauty tips.