SALONS of GEORGETOWN
By • August 27, 2018 0 4112
The political players in town come and go, and our city is always in a state of change, but one thing remains: Georgetown is the place for good hair.
With more than 30 salons in our village, people come from far and wide for their coiffures— and they don’t mind the higher prices and (occasional) parking hassles.
Ismail Tekin, head stylist at the George salon at the Four Seasons, has a four-to-six-week waiting list for a $150 haircut and blow-dry.
Ismail Tekin, George at the Four Seasons
Hair is important, after all, even in an intellectual city like Washington.
Among the George “regulars” are Nancy Pelosi and T.H.E Artist Agency President Lynda Erkiletian. Nearby, at Aveda, columnist Maureen Dowd and State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert are enjoying the salon’s extensive renovations under the direction of new owner Adrienne Anthony.
“People want to come where there’s shopping and fashion,” explains Anthony, who is a transplant from Boston. She compares Georgetown to Beantown’s chic Newbury Street.
As with Cafe Milano, people want to be seen at Georgetown salons, even if they are under a hair dryer and have tinfoil hanging from their temples — which partly explains why Tekin can easily tend to 15 to 20 heads a day. That, and the fact that he has tenderly built relationships with his customers. One of his clients died this summer, well into her 90s. She often told Tekin they should be married since they saw each other so often.
Georgetown has owned this glamorous distinction for over 100 years.
Back in 1913, Georgetown Hairstyling on 35th Street charged a quarter for a cut and a shave. Today, its gentlemen clients are still filling the barber chairs on any given day you stop by.
The Georgetown salons have thrived because of cozy relationships, explains Yvette Guerra, who manages Illusions on the 1600 block of Wisconsin Avenue, where one finds Mon Salon, La Veronique and Salon ILO, where Gary Walker and Terry Bell have created another destination for some of the coolest heads in politics.
Down the street is David Rios Salon & Spa, where celeb stylists like Brian Oliver have worked their tonsorial magic.
Brian Oliver, David Rios
After seeing a great opening for business in Georgetown, Arlington-based Illusions launched the salon’s second location here three and a half years ago. And it was no surprise when the hip blow-dry chain Drybar opened its first D.C. location on upper Wisconsin Avenue.
We asked our favorite stylists what trend they are suggesting for their clients as fall approaches.
“Roots are in,” is something we heard a lot. So expect more shadowing effects or “baby lights balayage,” explains Aveda stylist Zak Moukhtabir. This trend allows the customer to have more natural-looking, graduated highlights, with less obvious roots.
Whatever your hair problems or aspirations, rest assured that Georgetown has you covered.
Email editorial@georgetowner.com to let us know of your favorite salon or stylist for future stories.
