Cortex Hair Studio

Emily is absolutely amazing. My former hairdresser moved to California and before meeting Emily I refused for anyone else to do my hair. I’m so glad I gave her the chance, shes my person when it comes to hair! Thank you so much!

Cortex is such a wonderful hair studio. I see Skip, who does wonders with my long layered hair and side-​swept bangs. She is down to earth, funny, and I genuinely look forward to our conversations. Always walk out with a smile.
The staff and atmosphere make me feel so welcome and comfortable (versus other salons with a pretentious and smug attitude). They are great about rescheduling when needed and the free bang trims in-​between appointments are the best. Prices are extremely reasonable and the skill level is top notch. Zero complaints.

Awesome website where you can take a look at all the stylists and see what they specialize in. Easy to get an appointment, everyone is super friendly, the place is comfortable and inviting (you don’t feel like you are not cool enough to be there), and the experience was overall awesome. Rachel was awesome, listened to exactly what I wanted, talked me through the cut (it was pretty drastic!) and did a fantastic job. No high pressure BUY OUR STUFF tactics. Overall a fantastic experience.

Ask for Tracie — she is the best and takes care of my entire family! Great cuts and colors for men/​women/​children (4+).

Just have to hop on to show my girl Skip some more love! I had Skip highlight my naturally medium-​blonde hair last month and OH. MY. GOD. I have never had more natural color in my life, and I have been coloring my hair for 14 years! Skip, as usual, listened carefully to what I wanted and delivered 3 different tones of blonde mixed with my natural color, all of which melded together in a perfect storm of honey, cornsilk, platinum, and sunshine! I can’t even do justice to her skill set in words. Additionally, my hair texture is nearly unchanged, despite the coloring, which anyone can tell you is hard to come by! Such a gentle technique, such flawless results… hair love, guys. For real. And again, she’s just a straight-​up cool chick. 5 weeks til my next appointment… can’t wait!

I’ve been going to Cortex, and specifically to Brandy, for years now. Even after moving to Germany, I make it a priority on each visit home to book an appointment with her. I have very curly hair, and have had mostly OK haircuts most of my life, and a couple of shrieking disasters. Brandy, however, takes my recalcitrant mop, waves her scissors around while I’m chattering away, and shazam — my locks are suddenly modern, grown-​up and attractive. Not just «Oh, this isn’t half bad!» attractive. Actual I-​leave-​the-​salon-​feeling-​like-​a-​sexy-​beast attractive. I come in saying «I haven’t had my hair cut since the last time I was here a year ago» and «I want to look good, and um, yeah, do you know how to do that» and she just does her magic.
In other news… the salon is attractive, airy and cozy. The best of modern southern style and comfort. The staff are friendly and helpful. I find the prices quite reasonable for the quality of the work, and while I do occasionally buy products, I have never felt pressured to do so. The place is a little difficult to find back in the warren of Virginia Highland’s residential district, but it’s worth the effort. Parking is on-​street, but I’ve never had to park very far away.

I visited Cortex based on the strength of other Unilocal reviews. The small salon, hidden in an intown neighborhood, was airy and quiet. The stylist, Emily, was friendly and professional. She took her time, explaining each product she used and offering styling suggestions. I certainly would recommend Cortex to anyone looking for a new salon.

The best hair salon in Atlanta! I have been seeing Skip for over 2 years now and can’t imagine not seeing her! I came to her with really dry damaged hair from over bleaching — She took me from bleach blonde to a beautiful deep red color that I die for and my hair is soft and shiny again! I get asked many times a week who does my hair and where I go — SKIP! No matter what color or style you’re looking for, she can do :)
I also love there cortex salon conditioner and the hair spray that you can buy. It smells amazing and lasts a long time!
The prices can be a little bit higher but you get what you pay for here and it’s worth it!

My roommate goes to this salon, so I thought I’d try it out. I’m a poor student living on a stipend so I made an appointment with the most affordable stylist. Note: the website may state there is a discount, but double check if there really is.
My appointment was at 5 pm on a Friday and maybe that is why the stylist I saw seemed to be rushed and in a hurry. Sure, she was nice enough and I don’t really like talking to stylists anyways, but this haircut was the fastest I have had and the quick attention showed in the end result. My bob was uneven in the front, my bangs were uneven and choppy, and the stylist made my hair so poofy that I felt like my mom. I immediately wanted to wash my hair. That was the first time I ever left a salon feeling that way. Good thing hair grows quickly to hide choppy cuts.
My roommate does have great experiences here, but she sees a different stylist and generally gets more than just a trim. Based on my appointment, it seems that the stylists don’t really care about service if they think the person won’t come back again. Had my experience been satisfactory, however, I would have become a regular client. For me, a two-​star meh is an apt description of the service I received at Cortex.

My review is looooong overdue for Lindsey. I was probably waiting to write anything because I am selfish and didn’t want her to get too popular and too expensive. But since I’ve relocated to DC, I will say that she is truly amazing with color, and if you live in Atlanta and highlight your hair, you must go see her. She is a master of using highlights and lowlights to create the exact look that you’re wanting. She’s also great about suggesting subtle changes (darker hues in the winter, brighter around the face in the summer, etc) to keep things fresh. She really listens, and she executes color that is even richer and brighter than what you’re picturing. I like that the salon itself is really low-​key also. Not too loud, not too congested. Feels like a neighborhood gem and a place where you can relax. Oh, did I mention that she’s affordable? I think partial highlights are around $ 80, and a cut is around $ 30 — for her skill level, you are getting an absolute steal.

Brandy is f’amazing, particularly for curly hair. Best haicuts (plural) I’ve ever had. She’s able to change it up which can oftentimes be hard for curly hair. My hair has never looked so great – bouncy and shiny. I receive compliments all of the time from friends and strangers.

I’ve been seeing Skip for 3 years now and can’t imagine anyone else cutting my hair. Skip’s a wizard at long layered cuts and super cool and laid back. I feel like I’m visiting a friend at every appointment. Cortex staff all seem laid back and I appreciate the friendly and unpretentious vibe. Yes, go there, you won’t be disappointed!

I’ve been going to Cortex Hair Studio and seeing Rachel for a little over 5 years now. I couldn’t ask for a more easy-​going, trustworthy stylist! I never know what I want to do with my hair and she always sends me away feeling great!
It’s a charming little salon in the heart of Virginia Highlands. The staff is always attentive and you can tell the clientèle have been coming there for years. I also love the fact that they text your appointment confirmation!
I would recommend both Cortex and Rachel to anyone with no hesitation!

I have been a Cortex customer for several years. Before I started going to Cortex I was a Great Clips regular. I always left unhappy, and finally decided to find myself a real salon. A friend recommended Cortex, and more specifically Skip, so I moseyed on over to the Highlands to check it out.
It was great! The staff has always been friendly and responsive to requests, and the price is reasonable for the quality. The building is cool, and it’s a nice, relaxed atmosphere.
The real plus to Cortex has been Skip, however. She’s very laid back and easy to talk to, and it’s clear she is actually listening. Every time I go in we are able to pick up where we left off — she asks about the dog, my family, etc. She also has some solid bar recommendations!
I’m leaving Atlanta to live on the West Coast, but I am going to miss this place. It’ll be hard to find a new hair stylist, that’s for sure.

I have been going to Cortex for almost 7 years. They’ve seen me through countless hairstyles, jobs, boys and cars. They are the constant.
I love the zen-​like feel of Cortex. I’ve been to other salons for blow outs and I can’t believe what people put up with him this town — it should be relaxing and calming to get your hair cut!
Cortex is always on time, always peaceful, great magazines, coffee, and most of all, stylists.
Brandy has been snipping my locks since I was barely legal and not only has she become a friend, but she is a talented confidante. I trust her inherently — the girls here are all up on the styles and trends but they just do great work.
I have been so lucky to find Cortex and Brandy. Cortex is like a home away from home and I love my hair every single time.
I also love buying accessories at check-​out — so dangerous but it gets me every time!

I have crazy curly hair (Irish blood) and tend to have to locate a trained curly-​haired stylist to not walk out looking like Marge Simpson or her sisters. Brandy at Cortex is fantastic. I went to see her based on her high reviews on specific curly-​haired websites, nervous that Cortex would end up being like the high-​powered, product-​selling, credit-​card-​running-​up people at Fresche in Oakhurst. If Cortex is like that, Brandy isn’t — a mother of two, she’s pretty laid back, fun to talk to, obviously highly skilled, and very efficient. She did recommend a product to me, but didn’t push it and I ended up not buying it.
I get the impression that Cortex is a fairly posh generally, but its stylists weren’t pretentious or pushy. I got a great haircut, for $ 55 (very good for the quality), and it didn’t take me an hour and a half to get it!

I’ve been getting my hair cut (and sometimes colored) at Cortex for over a year now and love it. I see Rachel and my husband sees Skip — we couldn’t be happier! They use great products (Bumble and Bumble and Aveda), have an excellent staff and I’ve always been happy with the service. Prices aren’t shocking and it’s usually not too hard to get an appointment (though that depends on the stylist). Always leave feeling great!

I have been going to Rachel at Cortex for three years. I can’t say enough good things about Cortex. Everyone there is friendly and professional. It is an upscale salon sans snootiness. When I go to my appointment my hair is usually a mess — I don’t want to have to get all dolled up to go to a salon! But that never effects how they treat you.
It is usually pretty easy to get a appointment, and they almost always run on time. If you are waiting, they have wi-​fi, coffee, and tea.
I have curly hair and I highly recommend Rachel to anyone who does. It is difficult to find a stylist who doesn’t want to make you conform into a cut and style better suited for straight hair. She is also great at color!
Although they are helpful with suggestions for products, they are never pushy.
Though the price is a little hard on the wallet ($ 60 for a cut including tip), it is a good value for the level of expertise. At comparable salons in Atlanta you would pay more.

I literally have nothing negative to say about my experience at Cortex. I’ve lived in Atlanta for 2 years so far and have yet to find my «soulmate stylist.» Until now. In looking for a salon, I was searching for something nearby my apartment that sold both Aveda as well as Bumble and Bumble. Finding Cortex was like my lucky day… Skip is a dream come true! Not only is she chill and actually fun to talk to, but she gave my long, flat, boring hair shape and body again and I left feeling refreshed and happy! Highly, highly recommend this place. Plus, the staff was SO nice! You have to love that!

If you are sick of all the hair factories in Atlanta, try going to Cortex in the Virginia Highlands! I have been going to Cortex for about 5 years now and I love it! The space recently went through a renovation to have more of a modern vibe. They use products such as MOP, Aveda and Bumble and Bumble (My fave!!! Try the sumo wax for super shiny hold)! If you have to wait a little bit for your haircut, fear not… coffee and tea is available and the staff is super friendly! One more thing about the staff… it’s always a good thing to see the same faces that I met 5 years ago!
I personally see Roxanne when I go to Cortex! Not only can she cut fabulous hair and do rock star color, but she is fun to talk to, gives excellent gym/​workout advice, and is a super hottie. (Guys…she is single! :)) Plus, she always cuts my hair just right to give me that sporty David Beckham look that I want!
Check it out if you are looking for a change! You won’t be disappointed!
***Special Tip — New clients booking an appointment with Roxanne and mention the Cortex website or Roxanne as the featured stylist of the month will receive a 15% discount!