Ahead Of Hair

Well, in contrast to those who "seem" to have had a bad experience, I fell in love with the Short Pump location of A Head of Hair!! From my first phone call with a million "nervous to try a new place" questions, to the moment I walked out feeling like a actually HAD a style again (you know, trying to get that "blah" feeling out of my hair), my experience was wonderful! My stylist is Erica, and I have already been back for a trim and some new low AND highlights!! Now that was brave on my part!! But as I tried to express to her what I was trying to aim for, she was VERY patient, as I was having a hard time putting it into words myself -- she seemed to know exactly what conservative, but slightly jazzed up look I was going for!! Erica explained exactly what she was going to do (as I asked a million questions out of nerves), and from the totally relaxing massaging shampooing to the assistant who is adorable to the front desk personnel, I cannot say how excited I am to have found this place!! My hair came out EXACTLY with the look I was aiming for, and you know how when you feel like your hair looks good, that can make everything else seem just a little bit better all the way around :-) I have been going to the same sweet girl for probably 25 years, but her shop was closed the day my hair HAD to get a stylish "fix" for a getaway the next day, and I could not be happier that I just happened to find this salon on the internet. Now, that's a HUGE step for me and I am SOOO glad I took that leap of faith! I am sure all of the stylists are excellent, as there were several ladies (and gents) in there getting cuts, color, etc, and they all seemed quite happy; but if you want to go see Erica and her sweet assistant (I am so sorry I cannot remember her name), then just tell them Beth M sent you their way -- you won't be disappointed!! :-) And...ENJOY the experience of this trendy upscale salon as well as your new look! PROS: Everything...especially being made to feel like I was the only one Erica was focusing on, even though she was quite busy that day. The wine is definitely a plus, but too early in the day for me :-) CONS: Well, they just don't exist. more

From the moment I called I was put at ease. The receptionist explained their level system to me, which allowed me to choose what I wished to pay (I shelled out the money for one of their top stylists.) I was greeted pleasantly, offered a glass of wine (which, after a long day of work was more than welcome) and my appointment started right on time. I honestly don't believe I've ever had a better head massage when I've had my hair washed! This is always my favorite part of the "salon experience" and too often it's rushed through or unpleasant. Not this time. And my stylist, Natasha (sp?), was fantastic! My haircut was superb, and it was like I was talking with an old friend. I don't think this woman has ever met a stranger. This was easily the best salon experience I've had since moving to Virginia over 3 years ago! Pros: Treated like family, plus they offer wine! Cons: ??? more

This salon burnt my scalp and did not even think to apologize for it. I had a simple relaxer which I have had done hundres of time. I have even done my own relaxer with better results than what i got here. The owner, Tony burnt my scalp by applying the chemical directly on the scalp and not on the hair. I left with my entire head feeling as if it was on fire and the feeling lasted for hours afterwards. When Tony was styling my hair, I told him just as I told him when I walked in the door that I like curls and wanted lots of curls in my hair. I left there without a single curl. I told him again that I wanted curls and he had the nerve to tell me that I looked better withouth curls. so he had the nerve to refuse to give me curls. He used a blow dryer on my hair to dry it and straighten it. He then used a flat iron to straighen it even more. He used the flat iron to death on the back of my head and I could not understand why. Well two days later, I washed my hair to clean out all of the puss that was leaking from the sores that the relaxer caused on my scalp. The sores caused my hair to stick together in a mass like syrup or glue was attached to it. I also had decided that I I was going to curl it myself. After washing it, I found that he reason he used the flat iron so much was becuase the relaxer did not work. Either he did not work it onto the hair enough or else he does not know how to do a relaxer but on any account the back of my hair was nappy as if no relaxer had been applied. The front was fine but the back was horrible. I went back to the salon and told them and they did not care. I asked for tony and they said he was at the other shop and would not be back until the next week. I went back that next week and told him about the nappy hair in the back and his response was I do not know why you got sores, I based it enough. He offered no apology nothing. To add insult to all of this, I ended up paying $200 for this lousy hair treament and thought the experience was horrible.The staff gossiped too much and spent to much time talking to Tony that I do noth think he paid attention to what he was doing. So I left Ahead of Hair with straight hair and no curls and my scalp felt like it was on fire. Tow days later I find out that I wasted my money on the relaxer. I had sores and a discharge from my scalp. Good grief, I do not thnk it could have been any worse. I really hate the fact that he refused to do my hair the way I asked. I asked for darn curls and he refused. In hindsight, I should have refused to pay him. But I am not the type to make a scene. If zero stars was an option that is what I would have given this salon Pros: open late Cons: They have no idea how to treat a customer more

I had been going to an Aveda salon in Carytown for about six months (after leaving a stylist I had been going to for almost 10 years) when they decided to raise their prices without telling me (found out when I went to pay that the bill was about $20 more than my appt. 4 weeks before). I decided I would try another salon. I saw that Ahead of Hair had received some good reviews, so I felt pretty comfortable about going there. I was still a bit scared about trying somewhere new, but the receptionist said I could come in about 10 or 15 minutes early for a consultation with my stylist (I saw Sheena). Great! My appointment was at 11:30; I got there at 11:20. Despite getting there early, Sheena didn't greet me until my original appointment time. She asked what I wanted, and I said I was there for a color and maybe a highlight (my appointment was booked for overall color, but I wanted to talk about what we might do). She immediately discouraged me from doing a highlight (now I'm glad she did the way my color turned out!), saying it's a pain to keep up with. I'm wondering if maybe she didn't know how to do them. She also didn't show me any hair swatches, which surprised me since this was the first time I was at the salon. I thought, "Maybe she really knows what she's doing." She asked about the kind of cut I wanted. I brought a picture, and she thought it wouldn't work for me. She thought I should go for an angled bob. OK...I told her about some concerns I had: sensitive skin (use Retin-A), wavy hair that doesn't behave, especially on the right side of my head, etc. She said she'd be right back and went to mix the color. I began to wonder when I was going to be given a smock so I wouldn't mess up my clothes. Before I knew it, Sheena was back with the color. She practically threw a smock at me and told me to put it on while I was in the chair. Huh? Usually when I go to a salon, I'm given a smock when I first walk in. Weird. I guess I was a bit discombobulated because I couldn't figure out how to put the smock on, so she had to help me. I've never seen someone put on color so quickly in my life, and I've been getting my hair colored for a very long time. Once she was done, she moved me to another room where I sat for one half hour. She checked on me once (gee thanks), and then someone washed and conditioned my hair. I noticed they didn't pull the color through. Not sure what was up with that. Sheena came back and rinsed my conditioner and took me back to the chair. She gave me the haircut, which looked good when she styled it, but at the end of the appointment, she told me, "Well, that one side with the wave pattern is going to get on your nerves." Gee, thanks a lot. At the time, the color and cut looked nice, so I made a follow-up appointment for six weeks; however, it's only been two weeks, and the roots are noticably LIGHTER than the rest of my hair. Also, the cut has lost its shape. It's a mess. Needless to say, I cancelled my appointment, and am going to try another salon. Pros: Could get an appointment (now I know why) Cons: Felt rushed, roots are lighter than rest of hair...bad!! more

i moved to Richmond about 3 years ago and i had been searching for a salon that i could call home. after many bad experiences i stumbled upon ahead of hair. Christina not only cut my hair but also helped me fix the past unevenness that i was left with from the other salons. if you are looking for a fun short style Christina is possibly the best in Richmond. Pros: great staff, great ambience, great products Cons: none. more

I've been going to A Head of Hair for nearly 15 years. Even when I lived in other parts of the State, I would drive the distance to get Tony to do my hair. I've been to other salons when I didn't have the time to drive to Richmond, but none compared. Now that I'm permanently in Richmond, I'll always see Tony for a perfect cut! Thanks Tony!! Pros: Sufficient parking; relaxing atmosphere (they offer wine!); friendly front desk staff; evening appointments Cons: ?? more

Loved other services they had to offer, very nice receptionist...Loved products! Very friendly staff more