Alex Smallwood

My former hairdresser moved away, so I have been on a long quest for a great new stylist. Alex did a fabulous job on my naturally curly hair! The highlights are lovely and the cut works great whether blown out or left to dry naturally. I’m quite particular, and I am very, very pleased. Alex is also a delightful person who really listened to what I was looking for in a cut and executed my vision perfectly. He really is quite talented. It was a long appointment since I have very thick hair, and I so enjoyed visiting with him some of the time and sitting in comfortable silence the rest. Alex and his salon space are both wonderfully serene. If he keeps up the great work, my quest stops here!

I have been taking my wavy-​curly hair to Alex for ten years (first at Innu, then Slate, and now, at 4003 Duval St). I’ve gone long, medium, pixie, back to medium, and am currently rocking asymmetrical short. I have yet to have a style that I’ve been unhappy with.
His appointments always start on time, his tools and space are always clean and organized, and he is meticulous about his cuts. When you sit down in the chair, he will talk through a style with you, including what kind of upkeep you should expect. I have never walked out of his salon feeling daunted by a style challenge. Once you have gone over cut and style expectations, it is up to you to decide how much or how little conversation you feel like having. Want a quiet hour of zen and hot tea? No pressure, no problem. Have a big date/​event/​life moment coming up and feel like spilling? Alex will gladly hold up his end of the conversation.
He takes appointments by text and payment by credit card. The parking lot is attached to the building, and you’ll probably see him as you pull up.

Alex has been cutting and coloring my wavy curly hair for over 10 years now. It’s really hard to find someone who can work with the natural movement of my curls — I wouldn’t go anywhere else! In fact, I’ve followed him now to his third salon! He’s gone with me from avant garde to professional cuts, from hot red to highlights to subdued auburn. Now I have a killer white Bonnie Raitt streak in front and I get so many compliments! Alex is a super cheerful, zen kind of guy, and he gives you a great shoulder rub while you’re getting your hair washed too. :-) Haircuts are probably one of my favorite things in the world, thanks to Alex.

I found Alex through a co-​worker of mine who was listening to me go on and on about how I’m never «wowed» by my haircuts. I have really straight hair and I’m stubborn in that I believe a great haircut should be all the styling I need. I needed a precision haircut and I was getting just run of the mill stuff. My co-​worker PROMISED that Alex was my solution.
So, I booked, and BY JOVE… ALEX IS THE REAL DEAL!
Long story short… I’m now a regular client of Alex’s and every single time I whirl around in that chair to see the finished cut I’m SO SO WOWED and happy. I know it is just hair and it’s not like I have anything complicated going on with it… but it makes such a huge difference in my life. My daily routine is so easy, my confidence and ability to just not worry about it… it’s amazing.
I’m certain that Alex could handle any type of hair presented to him, but I especially recommend him for straight hair having people. Believe it or not… it’s so difficult to cut and he does an amazing job.
Also, I love the way he sets up his schedule. He’s available to do EARLY morning haircuts (I once had a 7am haircut before work). And the salon is centrally located so it’s super easy to park, find, run in and out near my office.
OH and I am almost forgetting one of the best parts. Each haircut comes with a really good neck and scalp massage. NICE bonus!
Super recommend him!