J Thomas Salon & Color Studio

J Thomas is not only the owner of the salon but he also is my personal cutter. I have gone to him for a few years and will probably never go any where else as again as long as I am driving distance from Columbia! When I first came to JT's my hair was so damaged from fifteen years of swimming and four years of life guarding. I used straightners on my hair daily when it would not cooperate and needless to say no one would trade their hair for mine. Now my hair is healthy shiny and I love it! I credit this all to JT. He treated my hair and has cleaned up the ends for the past few years and for the first time in my life my hair has grown past my shoulders with out breakage. Every time I go to JT they offer me something to drink and even remember who I am. That is the type of service I want in a hair salon. They even scheduled me in for an emergency fix once. He always fits me in no matter what and since I am a college student he helps me out with the cost. In my opinion the salon is under-priced in comparison to quality. I am shocked to hear people complain on here at all. I know that there is no way someone got their hair colored and it came out looking the same. If that were so JT would have fixed it! I think the complainers are not only being malicious but are purposely attempting to sabotage JT since hair studios are based on word of mouth reference. Well you are hearing it from me (a person who tortures hair and cannot style worth crap) JT is wonderful as a person and a stylist I would not listen to any negative reviews. I was not prompted to write a review on here, I am not JT's close friend, I am just a regular client treated like all his other clients who felt so passionately about JT's work that I had to set the record straight. and P.S. you can check the website for a list of prices if you are so concerned and JT will probably work with you! more

Let me first preface this by saying I love my hair. Before I went to J Thomas I was a hair model for So.Cap USA extensions & take the appearance & health of my hair VERY seriously. I have been going to J Thomas Salon for over 3 years. I first went to him for a corrective color (that another local salon botched). Not only did he fix the mistakes, he also gave me the best set of highlights I've ever received - that look natural even when they've grown out. One of the things I most enjoy about J Thomas Salon & Color Studio is that everyone sticks to their strengths. Unlike the majority of salons - where you have the same stylist your entire visit & though you may love the way he/she colors your hair, maybe you don't like his/hers cut or blow dry - at J Thomas each employee has their strength & you are placed with a stylist according to their speciality, ensuring that you not only leave J Thomas Salon & Color Studio satisfied but also with beautiful hair - just the way you like it. They are personable as well - making you feel welcome & comfortable from the minute you sit in one of their chairs. Reading some of the negative reviews & keeping in mind that everyone has different preferences, the lowest star rating that J Thomas (JT) or any of his staff could possibly receive is a 4. As for the ratings which talk about unprofessionalism & damaged hair - they are completely false. Knowing the Leaptrott family (who not only own but also work in the salon) I know that they would never knowingly let anyone walk out of their salon unhappy. As for the comments on prices, JT is not deceptive or misleading: the prices are not only clearly marked, but many times if JT is running late or inconveniences you in any way he gives discounts. Although I hate to make this assumption about the majority of the comment authors- those comments are not only false but they are personal attacks rather than valid ratings, trying to undermine the quality of J Thomas Salon & Color Studio. I can almost guarantee that the majority of those false comments are from unhappy employees who did not meet the standards of professionalism & services which they attack the salon for. more

I wanted to come post my review because I started not to g to this salon due to some of the reviews on here, but decided to go anyways after reading the website. Pros: Great location, personality,very helpful more

MY FRIENDS AND I MADE A VISIT TO J THOMAS STUDIO TODAY. THEY COULDN'T HAVE BEEN NICER. WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WAIT AND BEST OF ALL OUR HAIR LOOKED GREAT. JT'S SON WASHED MY HAIR AND IT WAS BETTER THAN A SPA VISIT. JT COLORED MY HAIR AND HIS WIFE CUT IT. BOTH CUT AND COLOR I AM WELL PLEASED WITH. IT DID COST A LITTLE MORE(NOT MUCH) THAN I HAVE BEEN PAYING BUT WHEN YOU FIND SOMEONE WHO DOES YOUR HAIR LIKE YOU LIKE IT IT'S WORTH IT. THE STUDIO WAS NICE AND CLEAN AND IT WAS DEFINITELY WORTH THE TRIP FOR US. BEST OF ALL THEY WEREN'T TALKING ON THE PHONE AND CUTTING MY HAIR AT THE SAME TIME.(MY PET PEEVE) Pros: EVERYTHING Cons: NOTHING more

I went to the salon for a ""consult"" a couple weeks prior to my appt. The price I was charged was double what I was quoted at the consult visit. The color he (JT) did was not bad, but it basically looked the same as when I walked in to the salon. I was not unhappy with the results I just feel for 200$ you should look like a million bucks walking out of the salon! The staff was very friendly for the most part. I can get the same results however with coloring for much less. Cons: high price more

Visited this shop in August. The stylists are arrogant and do what THEY want to your hair without listening to your input!!! The prices are way too high for the type of service you get-- full service salon pricing , but the service is like what you would expect in one of those mall hair cutting shops that only takes walk-ins!! Don't bother wasting your time or money!!! Cons: overpriced more

I have been going to J Thomas Salon for 7 years since we moved here from Madison Wi. I had had an AMAZING hair stylist in Madison and was hoping to find someone comparable here. And, I have. Tom is wonderful with color! My hair is naturally white, and when I have my hair colored, and it lasts a long time, people notice I look fabulous but they do not know I have colored my hair. Tosh cuts my hair exactly the way I want it, and I always come out of there looking and feeling wonderful. My husband searched high and low to get someone who could cut his hair as well as the barber he had in Madison, and Tosh does that. Pros: Color by Tom looks so natural, Tosh cuts how you want it! Cons: a little pricey, but worth it to me more

I have been going to J. Thomas Salon & Color Studio for at least 5 years and have always had wonderful experiences! You can expect a relaxed atmosphere in a stylish setting - it really is somewhere you could just hang out and talk all day! Tommy has done an amazing job coloring my hair, and when I was in college he understood paying for highlights was a big expense for a 20-something and would use highlights and low lights to ensure my hair grew out very naturally. I was able to get by with only having it colored once or twice a year, and never had noticeable roots or hair that looked color treated! I've gone to other salons, and even when I ask them to do this (and bring in pictures) it always needs to be touched up in a month or two. A long the same lines, they never push products on you, but if you do want to purchase something and are on a limited budget they will tell you the one product that will really help your hair, and where you can afford to skimp depending on your hair type. I have had Tosh cut my hair many times, and she has also done a loose curl perm for me. I have really enjoyed her cuts and the perm turned out beautifully (soft waves when I let my hair air dry, but could easily be blown straight). I now primarily use Chelsea for my cuts. I have found that if you just tell her to do something fun that looks cute you will always have an excellent cut! If you want something very specific, I'd go with Tosh, but if you want something you probably never would have tried before and will love stick with Chelsea. My entire family goes to J. Thomas Salon - 3 of us for color and cuts, and 2 for just cuts. We all have our personal favorites, but everyone in the studio is a quality stylist. The only time I have heard of a bad experience was with my mom, she went for a new and different color, but did not like the results and felt it didn't suit her personality (I loved how it looked!). Tommy was happy to fix it the very next day, free of charge. I love this salon so much that I even will plan my schedule around it. In college, I'd book my appointments during vacations, and now that I live out-of-state I have been known to plan trips to SC just to have my hair done by J. Thomas. I honestly don't trust anyone else to color my hair. The only cons about this salon is being in the heart of the Vista can make finding parking a challenge at times. They do have designated spots, but if those have all filled up you have to either park at a meter or in the lot across the street. The other con is their rates have increased a little bit since moving from their old location. I'd say the rate increase is reflective of inflation rates, however. Pros: Amazing quality and wonderful atmosphere Cons: Parking & slight increase in rates from old location more

I feel years younger each time I leave and I'm not a youngster... AARP even fits.JT and Josh do a great job working together to get the color perfect each time. Tosh keeps me in a stylish cut that is incredibly easy to work with. ..exactly what I like. It's great to relax here while being worked on. The atmosphere is fun so the hair maintenance isn't a chore. ..You could just hang out here. Pros: Experienced and helpful staff Cons: Park in lot across street or feed meters more

I have been a loyal customer & have known JT & family for over fifteen years. They all have hearts bigger than Texas & I have left the salon numerous times with freebies, just to say thanks for your loyalty. JT is truely an artist/expert with color as Josh is the same with hair extentions. Tosh & Chelsea give the sweetest haircuts in town & actually listen to the customer on what they want. I would recommend this salon to anyone who is looking for a salon experience that will make you ask yourself, "" am I really in Columbia?"" From the moment you walk in, you are greeted & offered a beverage. JT Salon & Color Studio is no cheap copy of a great original & has truely raised the bar for the competition. God bless all of you there who have always made my trips to the salon fun accompanied by a beautiful result. Pros: JT, Tosh, Josh, Chelsea, & entire staff Cons: If You Go Anywhere Else more

I have been going to the J. Thomas Salon and Color Studio for years, even before they moved to the Vista downtown. JT is the best colorist you could wish for and his personality is delightful. He always makes me laugh! His daughter Chelsea occasionally drys my hair for me after color and cut and I love the way she styles it. His son Josh is very sweet and from what some of his customers have said, quite the expert in extensions, but I cannot personally vouch for that. I would recommend this place to anyone! Everyone there is nice! Pros: Best hair color I have ever gotten Cons: occasionally JT might run 10-15 minutes late more

Horrible money sucking salon! I thought I would do something nice for Administrative Professional Day for my office staff so I called and spoke with Chelsea and scheduled 9 people to come in. I've been a loyal customer for 9 months...visiting about twice a week and tip well. I was charged over $7,000 dollars for 9 people to get their hair & makeup done and one of the 9 people was a guy! They tripled the price because I brought in more business?? Charged $275 for a root touch up and blowdry & $100 to put on lashes. When I questioned the owner, JT...he cussed me out, called me a crazy b.tch because I tip so high (his words exactly), said I was stupid to loan his son money and was mad that I would question the amount charged for 9 people. Just because I have money doesn't mean that I want to be taken advantage of! Josh does extensions but they fall out and he charges $2000 and that does NOT include color, hair cut or style! Also, Chelsea will try to get money from you to help her start a boutique in the store and Josh will ask you to borrow $1000 to buy his girlfriend a diamond so she will marry him and JT needs $20,000 to bail him out of this sinking salon! So, if you visit this salon...BRING THE POCKETBOOK...YOU'RE GONNA NEED IT!! Especially if they find out you have money! Pros: Kenny Cons: Chelsea, Josh, JT, Freya more

When they were at the Two Notch Shop I had a 10 am appt and I called to say I was running 10 min late ( long standing customer) - Chelsea told me not to bother coming but I came anyway- to see if I could be worked in since my husband was returning from 6 mos overseas. I was told they gave my appt away - then JT comes out and took a call ""Oh yea come on I will fit you in"". I told him what Chelsea said and he went ahead and took me. However, while getting my hair clored the wife kept on and on about how everything was running late until she made me cry. Then while she was cutting my hair, and pulling and just wacking at my hair she informed she wasn't going to have time to dry it. When I went to pay - the fee was $50 more then I had been paying for color, cut and style. I had evry intention of going to the magistrate but never did. Pros: None as far as I am concenred Cons: Wife and Daughter are rude and JT has no bajungas more

I have been going to the J Thomas Salon since years before it was moved to lady street. This place is so reliable. I have never walked away from there with any type of incident. J.T. colors my hair and does an exquisite job. The people that work there are so friendly and wonderful. The atmosphere is delightful as they offer you magazines and something to eat or drink while you get your hair done. It is especially neat to go there because it is family owned and everyone there has a big smile on their face! These people love their jobs! I would really recommend the J Thomas salon for anyone! They have color, style, and even extension and eyelash extension experts ready to fix you up! If you're looking for a new salon or need fixing up from another salons bad job, you should consider this place!! more

This is an attractive salon and is a family owned business. The employees who color and cut your hair are family. Josh, their son does a great job on hair color and this is his speciality. But his sister, Chelsea, gave me a razor cut which was a disaster!! There were chunks of hair taken off with no thought whatsoever to the overall cut or style of my hair. Some of my hair was 5"" long and the hair next to it was 2"" long. She said ""do you want your bangs to grow out?"" and I said ""no"" so she took the razor comb and before I knew what was happeining, wacked off my bangs about an inch above my eyebrows. I would like to see her SC state liscense. My 11 year old could have done a better job! The salon is very expensive since they renovated this old building which looks very nice. The cost of the highlights and cut cost a whopping $225 not including the tip. If you go there, you will definitely be paying for their renovation and wake up the following morning wondering how you are going to style your hair! Pros: Good highlights by Josh, nice salon Cons: Terrrible hair cut, very expensive more