Aquilano Salon

I got a cut and style from Alexa. She is very sweet, and refreshingly honest! I’d been getting my hair done at a salon on U street, but noticed my hair was falling out a lot more than usual after my most recent appointment. I switched to Aquilano, and Alexa pointed out that my old stylist shouldn’t have been pulling the bleach through to the ends every time, which was why my hair was now so fragile. My old stylist never told me, probably because the price for the balayage was so much higher than just a partial highlight. So he let me ruin my hair to make more money. Alexa knew what my over-​processed hair needed, and started it on the road to health again! The color she gave was darker than my usual, but it looks good and was probably to help give my hair a break. The cut was so-​so, not bad but nothing amazing. I’ll definitely make this my go-​to salon.

Love this place! The salon itself is cozy, clean, and friendly and the stylists and staff are top notch. Alexa, in particular, is wonderful! Alexa has been coloring and cutting my hair for almost a year and she consistently exceeds my expectations. Highly recommend the salon and Alexa!!!

I recently moved to Montréal but discovered Aquilano right near my apt in Old Town before I moved. I love it there! Reasonably priced, friendly staff, beautiful, clean facility– the total package. I will make a trip every time I’m back in town. I’ve seen Alexa twice, she is FANTASTIC.

Really nice receptionist. Craig does super color. I’ve never had a «wow» haircut, though, and only once did someone actually style my hair. I’m still looking for the «whole package» — great cut, great color, great style, and great energy! The other stylists and shampoo folks/​assistants seem really unhappy.

What a great salon! I had a very positive experience. When I called to make an appointment, the receptionist was super friendly. The salon itself was very cute and they give you tea or coffee when you come in. I had a great wash and Margaret gave me a wonderful scalp massage. I’d come back just for that! Heather cut my hair. She was very nice, took her time and gave me a really lovely cut. I’ll definitely be coming back!

I had a great experience. They were able to book me short notice. Alexa did a wonderful job taming my unruly hair. I will definitely be returning for my next cut.

Alexa at Aquilano is the best!!! She always does such a great job with coloring, cutting and styling! Sooo talented and soo friendly! Always a great experience! Definitely come see her!!!

My Hairstylist is Rachel. We figured out today that she’s been doing wonders for my hair for over 10 years! I have moved out of the area and returned and I always come back to this place. She was the first person to give me my Victoria Secret supermodel cut. She chopped it boy short before I left for Africa. She gave me bangs when I wouldn’t listen to her advice (and thought I don’t regret them her advice was warrented, I’m still growing them out), and I just got another great cut from her today.
At Aquilano, from the moment you walk in the door you are greeted warmly by Amy, served something hot, tea or coffee, and receive a great shampoo. Rachel asks you what you want, and even if you can’t say it perfectly, she understands. Thank you Rachel and all of the great staff at Aquilano.

I was able to get an appointment within a week of calling, and explained I needed someone good with long, extremely thick, wavy hair– and they set me up with Heather. Heather did a fantastic job giving me full highlights, and then took a much needed several inches off my length. I love the results! The reception and salon were also great, they took my coat and offered me a beverage when I walked in. Will definitely be going back here in the future!

Great salon with excellent customer service. Sandra was understanding regarding my hair and did wonders with my extra thick, very long, wavy hair. I would recommend this salon.

Nice color and not too hard on the wallet. All in all I would gladly return!

I got a haircut here from Alexa and I absolutely love the cut! She gave me a long layered cut and shaped it beautifully. I’ve had some really bad haircuts and am always nervous about going to a new stylist, but i’ll definitely be going back to see Alexa. I especially loved the glass of wine that I was offered.
My only reason for taking off 1 star is for the blowout hat Alexa gave me. My hair has quite a few frizzies but whenever I blow it out myself at home I can tame them well. My old stylist at another salon always gave me a smooth and polished blowout regardless of how many of my frizzies he had to work with. But the blowout from Alexa looked unpolished and a little sloppy. I think she may need some help with her technique, because theres really no reason why I should be able to give myself a much better blowout than a professional. I met up with a friend after I left the salon and my friend actually asked me what happened to my hair because it was so flat with all sorts of fly-​aways. But blowout aside, shes talented and gives fantastic cuts.

I always leave Aquilano feeling & looking fabulous! The salon is in a great location right on Washington Street (with a Starbucks across the street and within walking distance) and the ambiance inside the salon is cozy and nice. As it’s somewhat of a small space, it can be quite loud with all the normal salon «chatter» between stylists and clients, but that comes with the territory. My last appointment was with Craig and we were in the Penthouse suite, baby! His station is upstairs & it’s somewhat removed from all the loud conversation downstairs, which I liked. I got my regular service — partial highlights, cut, wash & blowdry. He was FABULOUS!
The nice gentleman who washed my hair was pleasant, but not very communicative and I felt he could’ve been a bit gentler with my hair & scalp, but overall not unpleasant. I did have to sit in the chair a while for various magic potions being put on and rinsed out of my hair, but I had no idea what he was doing. One lady sat in the chair next to me and was rather rude and very specific about how she wanted to be seated. She wasn’t nice about it either, so instead of complaining, I just sat patiently.
Great service, but more importantly — great hair! If you’re searching for a new salon, Aquilano is definitely worth a shot.

I was blown away by the staff of Aquilano Salon. Amy, the receptionist, is a gem! Not only is she the most friendly woman I’ve had the pleasure to meet, she is great at her job. Margaret shampooed and conditioned my hair – she has magic fingers. And Sandra. I can’t say enough about Sandra. She worked wonders on my mess of a head of hair – I have thick, wavy, untamed tresses and she whipped them into submission. I have the best haircut I’ve ever had and the experience was a pleasure from making the appointment to walking out the door. I will be back, sooner rather than later.

Alexa was able to fit me in with less than 24 hrs notice and is crazy talented. She also was super fun to talk with, not like the occassional awkward forced — conversation you get sometimes at hair salons. The location was adorable-​dont park on Washington Street between 4 – 6 pm! Also a shout out to the front receptionist Amy who is a total sweetheart. I’ll be back!

This salon is the best of the best in Old Town! After trying out a few places after moving to the area, I’m so glad I was recommended here. Spike, the owner, did exactly what I asked, and gave me a few tips and hair tricks along the way. The staff is all very friendly and professional (especially the receptionist!). Located in a quaint old house on Washington, the salon is clean and beautiful. Highly recommend!

Alexa seriously saved my hair! I had bleached it to no return. I had a faded blue color that looked mint green when I came in, not to mention it was broken everywhere and extremely fragile. She did exactly what I asked and was really nice and entertaining during the whole process. My hair turned out great, shiny and healthy looking, and the cut was awesome too. Would recommend her to anyone.
The salon in general is great too, well decorated and clean with really sweet employees.

I waited after a few haircuts to give a fair review of this friendly spot.
My hair cut gets compliments everyday. Literally! Alexa may be a junior stylist but her edge in style is what makes me come back.
The receptionist is super perky and friendly. She completes the experience. Of course the wine, coffee, and snacks seals the deal too but you gotta do more than that for this Unilocaler! And that’s what Aquilano did! Totally surpassed my expectations and fear of a new salon and stylist.

(Oops. I started this review in 2011 when I first went to Aquliano. I went a couple of times before I found a good salon closer to me in DC.)
I left Aquilano Salon feeling GOOD! I had a cut with Rachel, and she has a unique personality, like no other stylist I’ve seen anywhere, and I felt listened to and taken care of. I love the Davine’s products they sell, too! (And the receptionist will take time to talk you through which product to use and how to do it, which is such a bonus.)
Though ultimately I was happy to find a place in DC that didn’t require so much travel, I would absolutely recommend Rachel and Aquilano to someone looking for an Alexandria salon.

I just moved to Alexandria and was in desperate need of a cut and color. Unilocal came to my rescue with this place — only a few blocks from my condo and a coupon? Worth a try!
They were able to schedule a next day appointment for me when I called, and the stylist (Samantha) was great. Most recently I’ve taken to dying my hair a bright red, and she was excited to be doing something out of the ordinary (I guess most people want fairly conservative cuts/​colors). The color came out great and I haven’t had any problems with dying my towels pink or heavy fading (which has happened to me before at other salons) so I’m a happy camper.
The receptionist was very sweet, and they seem to offer periodic coupons and rewards points, so it’s worth it to go back. They also stock Davines products, which I love, and were willing to special order something that they didn’t have. Plus, you can drink wine while you’re getting your hair done, which rates an A+ in my book :)