Areas served: Charlottesville, VA and surrounding Albemarle County
Charlottesville's hair salon landscape ranges from full-service downtown establishments near the Downtown Mall to specialized color studios in Barracks Road Shopping Center and neighborhood salons throughout Belmont and Woolen Mills. The local market includes salons focused on precision cuts, balayage and color correction, natural hair care, and bridal styling. This directory provides verified information on stylists' training backgrounds, service menus, pricing structures, and appointment availability across greater Charlottesville.
Trend Salon is a full-service Aveda hair salon and spa in Charlottesville, VA specializing in organic plant-based color, precision cuts, hair extensions, and therapeutic massage. With a 4.8-star rating from 839+ reviews, their team of continuously-trained stylists are known for personalized consultations, expert color matching, and protecting hair integrity while achieving stunning results. Located in South Side Shopping Center near Wegmans, Trend serves Charlottesville and Albemarle County with a philosophy of education-first service and top-tier Aveda products.
“Kyleigh did an amazing job cutting and styling my hair. She made sure I was comfortable and took her time with me as I was very indecisive. She’s BEYOND talented and very kind. After my hair, I got a facial with Lillie. I don’t have enough words to express how awesome both ladies were. Lillie did everything she could to make sure I was relaxed and next thing I know I was asleep! I will be coming back and to the girls time and time again and could not recommend booking with them enough!”
— Jada Morton, Google Review · 4.8 ★ avg from 839 reviewsHairSmith and Co. is a full-service salon in Charlottesville specializing in expert cuts, color services, and styling. The team includes Savannah, a 35-year veteran in cuts and color transformations, alongside stylists Zoe and Jaxx who excel in trendy and artistic styles. With a 4.9-star rating from 246 reviews, they're known for creative transformations and personalized hair care.
Studio 108 is a full-service hair salon in downtown Charlottesville led by owner Mike, featuring a team of skilled stylists specializing in cuts, color, and styling for women and men. With a 4.8-star rating from over 400 reviews, they're known for exceptional customer service and offer convenient same-day booking for cuts plus a $5 cash discount on all services. The salon also shares professional hair care tips through their informative podcast.
Moxie Hair & Body Lounge is a full-service salon in Charlottesville offering hair styling, cuts, and body treatments with a focus on skilled execution and personalized service. With a 4.5-star rating from 368 reviews, the salon has built a strong reputation for delivering quality results and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps clients coming back.
BUBBLES Salons in Charlottesville is a full-service hair salon offering cuts, color, styling, and specialty treatments like keratin services and Olaplex bond-building repairs. With a 4.8-star rating from 535 reviews, they welcome both appointments and walk-ins, and offer online booking for convenience. Their stylists stay current on trends and provide comprehensive services from kids' cuts to advanced color techniques like balayage and dimensional color.
Glo-Out Glamour Bar is a full-service hair salon in downtown Charlottesville offering color, cuts, styling, and extensions in a high-energy, trendy atmosphere. With a 4.9-star rating from nearly 400 clients, the salon specializes in making guests feel confident and glamorous through personalized hair transformations and expert technique.
Bristles Hair Design & Day Spa is Charlottesville's voted best hair salon, offering 20+ years of award-winning expertise in cuts, color, and hair extensions. Their master hair designers specialize in seamlessly blended, ethically sourced extensions in every color and texture, alongside comprehensive color services including balayage, foils, and corrective color work. They're known for combining high-quality results with competitive pricing and personalized consultations.
Salon Druknya, founded in 2005 by Tashi and Gyaltsen Druknya, brings authentic Tibetan culture and philosophy to downtown Charlottesville. Every service—from haircuts to waxing—includes a signature experience: quality shampoo with scalp massage and professional blowout. The salon is designed as a complete escape, with carefully curated decor and music, staffed by extensively trained cosmetologists who balance outer beauty with inner wellness.
Elevate Salon + Spa is a nationally awarded salon in Charlottesville specializing in dimensional color, modern blonding, and hand-tied hair extensions. Known for their hospitality-focused approach, the team takes time to understand each client's unique preferences and deliver personalized results that leave guests feeling transformed.
Elvaya Headspa (formerly Elevate Headspa) is Charlottesville's first dedicated head spa studio, specializing in scalp health, deep relaxation rituals, and holistic hair wellness for all hair types. Founded by Tracy, the studio offers luxurious treatments designed to deliver visible scalp results and deep calm in an inclusive, welcoming environment.
Face Value Salon is an award-winning Aveda lifestyle salon in Charlottesville specializing in plant-powered hair care and transformative treatments. Using Aveda's revolutionary bond-building products that are 94% naturally derived and vegan, they restore damaged hair to its healthiest, most vibrant condition. The salon is the trusted hair provider for the Charlottesville CBS 19 news team and maintains a 4.6-star rating across 141 reviews.
ND Hair Studio is a highly-rated salon in Charlottesville specializing in cuts, color, and styling for all hair types. With a 4.8-star rating from 114 reviews, the studio is known for skilled stylists who deliver personalized service and attention to detail. They focus on creating looks that work for each client's unique hair texture and lifestyle.
Fringe Collective is a boutique salon collective in downtown Charlottesville led by owner and Master Stylist Ashley Clarke. The team specializes in custom hair color, hand-tied extensions, texture improvement, and personalized styling, with expertise ranging from curly hair care to transformative cuts and barber services. Known for building lasting client relationships and delivering customized beauty experiences, they've earned a 5-star rating across 75 reviews.
La Vie En Rose Cville is a Charlottesville hair salon specializing in color, cuts, and styling for all hair types. With a team of stylists passionate about hair and people, they deliver personalized service backed by exceptional customer satisfaction—maintaining a 4.9-star rating across nearly 80 reviews.
Anew Salon is a family-friendly hair salon in Charlottesville serving the community for over 17 years. They specialize in expert cuts, color, balayage, and event styling with professional stylists who prioritize client comfort. Known for competitive pricing, quality services, and a welcoming atmosphere for all ages.
Color Factory is a specialty hair color salon in Charlottesville owned by American Board Certified Haircolorist Tabitha, who trained in Los Angeles and New York City. The salon specializes in personalized, vibrant hair color, dimensional highlights, balayage, and extensions using vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainably sourced products in an eco-friendly environment. With a team of expert stylists dedicated to healthy, shiny results, Color Factory combines technical expertise with conscious beauty practices.
Chair2Chair by Frederick Ayers is a premier hair salon in Charlottesville specializing in color, cutting, and natural hair care services. Founded by Frederick Ayers, the salon combines expert barbershop techniques with inclusive styling for all hair types. With a 4.9-star rating from 60 reviews, they're known for delivering personalized, high-quality results in a welcoming environment.
Honeycomb is an established salon in downtown Charlottesville's Glass Building, serving the community since 2012. Known for their consistently high ratings (4.9 stars), they offer a full range of hair services in a welcoming, professional environment.
Georgetown West Hair Salon is a highly-rated salon in Charlottesville offering comprehensive hair services through their online booking platform. With a 4.9-star rating from 47 reviews, they've built a strong reputation for quality styling and customer service in the local community.
Sola Salon Studios operates a suite rental model in Charlottesville where independent beauty professionals lease private, fully-equipped salon studios rather than working at traditional salons. The location houses 22+ independent stylists, lash artists, barbers, and beauty professionals who each run their own boutique business with complete autonomy over pricing, scheduling, and products. What sets Sola apart is the move-in-ready infrastructure—including custom build-outs, high-end fixtures, utilities, Wi-Fi, and business support—allowing salon professionals to own their practice without the overhead and risk of opening a traditional salon.
Trend Salon ranks #1 in Charlottesville with a Lantern Score of 92/100 and a 4.8-star rating from 839 reviews. As a full-service Aveda salon, they specialize in organic plant-based color, precision cuts, hair extensions, and therapeutic massage. They're particularly well-suited for clients seeking expert color services, hair repair, bridal styling, and eco-conscious products. Trend Salon operates with a consultative approach, providing personalized education and helping clients build long-term relationships with their stylists.
Several top-rated Charlottesville salons offer Sunday hours. Trend Salon (#1, 92 Lantern Score) is open Sunday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. BUBBLES Salons (#4, 4.8 stars) has extended Sunday hours from 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. Studio 108 (#5) operates Sunday 11:00 AM–3:00 PM. Elevate Salon + Spa (#9) offers Sunday appointments from 12:00 PM–7:00 PM, which is particularly convenient for evening availability. Elvaya Headspa (#10) has unique Sunday hours from 2:00 AM–7:00 PM, and ND Hair Studio (#12) is open Sunday 8:00 AM–6:00 PM. Honeycomb (#19) rounds out the options with Sunday hours from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Trend Salon leads with 839 reviews and a 4.8-star rating, making it the most reviewed salon in Charlottesville by a significant margin. This high review volume, combined with their top Lantern Score of 92/100, indicates consistent client satisfaction over time. Elevate Salon + Spa comes in second with 794 reviews (4.8 stars), followed by BUBBLES Salons with 535 reviews (4.8 stars). These substantial review counts provide strong social proof for potential clients seeking established salons with proven track records.
Trend Salon (#1, 92 Lantern Score) specializes in hair extensions as part of their comprehensive Aveda services. Glo-Out Glamour Bar (#6, 4.9 stars) explicitly focuses on extensions alongside their color and styling services. Elevate Salon + Spa (#9, 4.8 stars with 794 reviews) is nationally awarded and specializes in hand-tied hair extensions specifically. Fringe Collective (#13, perfect 5-star rating) offers custom hand-tied extensions led by Master Stylist Ashley Clarke. Color Factory (#16) also provides seamless extensions as part of their specialty color services. These salons combine extension expertise with strong ratings and specialized training.
Elvaya Headspa (formerly Elevate Headspa) holds a perfect 5.0-star rating from 184 reviews, making it the highest-rated salon in Charlottesville. As Charlottesville's first dedicated head spa studio, they specialize in scalp health treatments and holistic hair wellness rather than traditional cutting and coloring. For traditional full-service salons with perfect ratings, Fringe Collective has 5 stars from 75 reviews. Among larger review volumes, HairSmith and CO. (#2) leads traditional salons with 4.9 stars from 246 reviews, followed closely by Glo-Out Glamour Bar (4.9 stars, 383 reviews).
Yes, Charlottesville has two Aveda concept salons. Trend Salon (#1, 92 Lantern Score) is a full-service Aveda hair salon and spa specializing in organic plant-based color, making it the top-ranked option for clients seeking Aveda's natural product line. Face Value Salon (#11, 4.6 stars) is an award-winning Aveda lifestyle salon that emphasizes plant-powered hair care and Aveda's revolutionary bond-building products. Both salons cater to eco-conscious clients and those with damaged or color-treated hair who prefer natural, environmentally responsible beauty solutions.
Charlottesville hair salons typically don't publish prices publicly, as costs vary significantly based on service complexity, stylist experience level, and hair length or condition. Women's haircuts generally range from $45-$85, while men's cuts run $30-$50. Single-process color typically starts around $75-$100, while balayage and dimensional color services range from $150-$300+. Specialty services like hand-tied extensions can cost $800-$2,000+ depending on amount and quality. Premium salons like Trend Salon, Elevate Salon + Spa, and Bristles Hair Design charge toward the higher end but offer master-level expertise. Many salons offer complimentary consultations where they'll provide specific pricing based on your hair goals.
Traditional salons like Trend Salon or Elevate Salon + Spa offer team environments with reception staff, coordinated scheduling, and consistent salon culture. They're ideal if you want to explore different stylists, need last-minute appointments, or prefer a full-service experience with amenities. Studio rental spaces like Sola Salon Studios (#20) house independent stylists who run their own businesses—you're essentially booking directly with a small business owner rather than a salon brand. Studios often provide more personalized one-on-one attention and flexible scheduling, but you're committing to a specific stylist's expertise and availability. If you find a stylist you love at a studio, you'll follow them rather than the location. Consider whether you value team resources or independent, personalized service.
Traditional hair salons like Trend Salon or BUBBLES focus on aesthetic services—cuts, color, styling, and treatments that change your hair's appearance. A head spa like Elvaya Headspa (#10, perfect 5-star rating) takes a wellness-focused approach, treating the scalp as a health and relaxation priority. Head spa services typically include extended scalp massage, deep cleansing treatments, exfoliation, aromatherapy, and treatments addressing specific scalp conditions like dryness, oil production, or sensitivity. While traditional salons may offer quick scalp treatments as add-ons, dedicated head spas provide 60-90 minute experiences focused on circulation, stress relief, and scalp health. Think of it as the difference between a quick facial and a spa day—both valuable, but serving different needs.
For popular stylists at top-rated salons like Trend Salon, HairSmith and CO., or Elevate Salon + Spa, book 3-4 weeks ahead for standard services and 6-8 weeks for major color transformations or extensions. Weekend appointments fill fastest, especially Saturday mornings. If you need same-day or walk-in service, BUBBLES Salons specifically accommodates walk-ins, and Studio 108 is noted for same-day appointment availability. New client consultations for complex services like color correction should be booked 4-6 weeks out. Many salons have online booking systems showing real-time availability. During wedding season (April-October) and holidays, add an extra 2-3 weeks to these timeframes. Building a relationship with a specific stylist often makes future booking easier.
Curly and textured hair requires specialized cutting techniques and product knowledge that not all stylists possess. Fringe Collective (#13, perfect 5 stars) explicitly specializes in curly and textured hair as part of their service focus. Chair2Chair by Frederick Ayers (#17) emphasizes natural hair care services and combines expert barbershop techniques with texture expertise. When researching salons, look for stylists who mention curly cutting techniques like DevaCut or Rezo Cut, or those who showcase textured hair transformations in their portfolios. During consultations, ask about their experience with your specific curl pattern, their approach to dry cutting versus wet cutting for curls, and which product lines they recommend. Stylists experienced with textured hair understand shrinkage, curl definition, and how to work with rather than against your natural texture.
Several Charlottesville salons specialize in color correction, which requires advanced technical knowledge and significant time investment. Bristles Hair Design (#7) explicitly lists corrective color work as a specialty alongside their 20+ years of expertise. Color Factory (#16) is owned by an American Board Certified Haircolorist trained in Los Angeles and NYC, making them particularly qualified for complex color corrections. HairSmith and Co. (#2) has a 35-year veteran who specializes in color transformations. Anew Salon (#15) also mentions color correction as a specialty. Color correction typically requires a consultation appointment first, can take 4-6 hours or multiple sessions, and costs significantly more than standard color ($250-$500+). Bring photos of your current color, your history, and your goal color to the consultation.
Trend Salon (#1, 92 Lantern Score) specifically mentions brides and special event clients as their ideal customers, combining their Aveda expertise with event styling. Anew Salon (#15, 4.9 stars) has served the community for 17+ years and explicitly specializes in bridal and event styling services. For wedding hair, book your trial 2-3 months before the wedding and the actual service 6-8 weeks out. Consider whether you want the stylist to travel to your venue or if you'll come to the salon (many offer both). Ask about their experience with updos, half-up styles, and working with hair extensions or accessories. Request to see their bridal portfolio and discuss timing for your bridal party. Some salons offer bridal packages covering the entire wedding party.
Elevate Salon + Spa (#9, nationally awarded with 794 reviews) specifically specializes in modern blonding techniques alongside dimensional color. Their expertise in blonding, combined with their hospitality-focused luxury experience, makes them a top choice for clients wanting to go blonde or maintain blonde hair. Achieving and maintaining healthy blonde hair requires specialized knowledge of toning, purple shampoo regimens, bond-building treatments, and preventing brassiness. During consultations, discuss your natural base color, previous color history, desired blonde shade (cool, warm, platinum, honey), and maintenance commitment. Blonding typically requires appointments every 6-8 weeks and significant at-home care investment. Salons experienced in blonding will educate you on realistic timelines and help you avoid damage.
Start by identifying your primary need: precision cuts (HairSmith and CO. or Studio 108), creative color (Color Factory or Glo-Out Glamour Bar), extensions (Trend Salon or Elevate Salon + Spa), or curly hair (Fringe Collective). Check salon websites and Instagram accounts to view stylist portfolios—their posted work reveals their aesthetic and specialties. Book consultations at 2-3 salons before committing to major services; most offer free or low-cost consultations. During consultations, assess whether the stylist listens to your concerns, asks questions about your lifestyle and styling habits, and explains their recommendations. Chemistry matters—you should feel comfortable being honest about what you do and don't like. Once you find someone you click with, stay consistent; stylists who see your hair regularly provide better results and often prioritize scheduling for loyal clients.