In Dallas, we take our hair very seriously, so choosing the right salon and stylist may be the most critical beauty decision we make. We’ve taken the work out of finding your perfect hair relationship by investigating salons around Dallas to put together a list of the town’s top shops.
Some of these are institutions; others are newer to the scene. But all of them will make you love your locks.
Blanc Salon
This chic Uptown salon is owned by Scott Tuan Witmer, the former art director of Toni & Guy. He’s a local Fashion Week participant, so he’s got his finger on the pulse of hair trends, as well as cutting-edge techniques. His scissors have cut the locks of celebrities like Fergie, Molly Quinn from ABC’s Castle, and McKaley Miller from Hart of Dixie. A-list colorist Michael Canale recently joined the team, named “best of hair color” by Elle Magazine and one of Hollywood’s sought-after talents. They focus on sexy hair that’s as healthy as it is good looking.
Chad Rookstool Salon
Forget that Chad Rookstool was once the boyfriend of Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher; this guy has been in the hair biz for 20 years, originally training under renowned French stylist Jean-Philippe. At his eponymous salon in Victory Park, he leads a team of stylists with expertise in cuts, color, Brazilian blowouts, extensions, special occasion updos, and makeup. Curly-headed girls would be wise to book with Jason Hull, who flies in every other week from California to serve his loyal Dallas clients.
Dear Clark Salon
At the helm of this beloved Uptown salon are co-owners Holly Dear and Kaycee Clark, backed by a team of gifted colorists, stylists, and braid artisans. The client list includes many of the city’s art and fashion aficionados, but everyone will enjoy the star treatment, from free valet parking to a cold glass of bubbly. Dear Clark recently launched a line of products made in Texas from natural ingredients, and it even has a loyalty program: for every $250 spent on hair care products, you receive $25 off your next product purchase. The salon also hosts artist showcases and openings.
Era Salon
Old Hollywood glam meets modern-day urban chic at Era Salon, owned by 2014 CultureMap Stylemaker Maleiah Rogers, who learned Southern hospitality as a young woman in her mother’s East Texas salon. Rogers’ Oak Lawn salon is staffed by 10 hair aces skilled in cuts and color, many of whom specialize in balayage coloring. This is the kind of place that treats you like family and remembers your favorite drink; complimentary champagne, wine, and snacks are always available. Era is the only salon in Dallas to offer the odorless, long-lasting Simply Glowing spray tan, and it sells Kérastase, Shu Umera, Oribe, and a kids’ line called Hot Tots.
Hair by Charlie
Located next to fellow Design District hot spot Ascension, the recently expanded Hair by Charlie boasts an industrial chic vibe, with glam light fixtures bouncing light on concrete floors and cowhide rugs. Founder Charlie Price came to Dallas after a stint in Manhattan, crafting hair for fashion editorial spreads, and he has also created looks for designers like Diane von Furstenberg at Fashion Week. Like the name suggests, this place focuses on hair, offering cuts for men and women, blowouts, and color. A fixture on the party circuit himself, Price is the man behind many of the most fabulous ’dos in town.
Johnny Rodriquez the Salon
Beloved for a decade, this salon on Lovers Lane has legions of superfans who swear by the scissors and brushes of its stylists. Visiting the salon is not just about achieving the perfect cut, color, or style; it’s about the experience of having beautiful hair, which extends beyond the salon visit. To achieve this, Johnny Rodriguez offers clients classes on how to maintain their look at home between visits. The “happier hour” on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 3 pm to close, serves up blowouts, treatments, and complimentary sips without blowing your budget. New clients get $25 off any service, and the salon sells luxury brands Oribe, R+Co., V76, and Smith and Cult.
Muse the Salon
Co-owners and industry veterans Garrett Lemmons and Daren Brimberry worked for Toni & Guy for more than a decade before opening Muse eight years ago. The salon is staffed solely by master-level stylists and colorists, and exclusive to Muse is fluid hair painting, a style of balayage where clients lean back in a chair, and the hair is fanned on a table before being brushed with color. These pros also offer Balmain hair extensions, braids, eyelash extensions, and makeup. Clients rave over the “shampoo beds” and selection of Oribe products. In fact, Muse is one of the only places in town to offer Oribe’s new makeup and nail lacquers. (The display just went up at the beginning of August.)
Osgood O’Neil
Founded in 1998 by Bruce Osgood and Allane O’Neil, Osgood O’Neil is a Dallas institution known for some of the best hair services in the city. Now with three locations — Snider Plaza, Knox Street, and University Park — it specializes in both hair and makeup, and it’s noted for luxe details like fresh flowers and massage chairs. Coming soon to the Lovers Lane location is a second-floor event space and bar that will serve beer and wine, espresso drinks, and some cocktails made with wines. We’ll toast to that.
Pin Salon
Although it opened in 2013, this relaxed, upscale salon is not staffed by newbies. Co-owners Billy Irby and Ranier Schneck trained under celebrity stylist José Eber, and they colored and styled the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders’ locks for 14 years. Schneck also has worked on celebrities including Lady Gaga, Van Morrison, Lisa Loeb, Don Henley, and Troy Aikman. At Pin, they use top-of-the-line products by Kérastase, Kevin Murphy, and Karg, as well as Pin Salon signature products. The highly vetted team has earned a reputation for cutting-edge, eco-friendly techniques, such as dry and precision hair cutting, and using a formaldehyde-free KeraGreen straightening system and freestyle balayage highlighting.
Salon Pompeo
New York native Deanna DiPizio-Johnson opened the first location on McKinney Avenue in 1995, at just 24 years old, and has since moved to a new location on Mockingbird Lane. She knows how to take care of her clients: Pompeo has a fully stocked bar for refreshments during hair, skin, and nail treatments. The salon specializes in the latest trends, so this is the place to get your balayage on. The salon can accommodate 40 stylists, so it’s not hard to book an appointment. They also just completed some fresh, fashionable updates to the salon.
The Songbird Society
Fans of this central Dallas salon can’t help but sing its praises. Founders Richard Hayler (formerly of Richard Hayler Colour Salon) and J.T. Osgood (formerly of Osgood O’Neil) are heavy-hitters in the Dallas hair community. Their small salon, named after the Beatles song “Blackbird,” is tucked away near Knox-Henderson in a white brick building on a nondescript street. But don’t let that fool you; Osgood has nearly a year-long wait for one of her color sessions. The staff is carefully chosen, and the products, including Oribe and R+Co, are stellar.
Tangerine Salon
Founded by Brandon and Janet Hensley in 2005, Tangerine is the official salon of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. The newest location at Preston Hollow Village is sleek and stylish, staffed by 12 experts in cuts and color, many of whom are go-tos for blondes. It’s is an Aveda Lifestyle salon, meaning only naturally derived and organic hair and body products are used there. If you’re feeling stressed, have a cup of the Aveda Comforting Tea. If you’re still feeling stressed, have a complimentary glass of wine and feel comforted knowing all the stylists receive extensive continuing education.
Tru Salon
Housed in a historic Uptown building with a wide, welcoming front porch, Tru Salon rolls out the red carpet for Dallas debutantes and regular folks alike. Owner Tanya Carpenter has staffed Tru with some serious talent, including Kimmi Peacock, who departed Dear Clark for this gig. While in the chair, you can hone your foreign language skills, as four of the stylists are French and happily chat with clients while working magic on their manes.
Muse is staffed solely by master-level stylists and colorists who have earned their spot behind the chair.
