Estilo Valdez Salon

Update 2014: the owners sold the salon and are now partners with Mel Morgan at Salon Vela where you can now currently find Angela working her magic!

after being here in Austin for almost 2 years, finally, I mean, finally I found my salon & hairstylist of choice. The minute I came in to Estilo Valdez, I felt so welcomed. Everybody was just helpful and friendly. Hayley did my cut & color and was just so delightful all throughout making sure my experience was awesome, that I was happy with the end result and that I get all my questions answered. She was thorough, methodical and I learned so much how to take care and style my hair.
The hand massage was blissful too! I really can’t wait to come again. All, I know there’s just too many Austin Salons out there but try them and you’ll see the difference!

Laura is a great hairstylist who specializes in both Wedding hair styles and curly hair. She not only listens and achieves what you want in a style, she has a great understanding of different hair styles and textures and is able to make you look great.
This is the first time when I walk out of the salon, I know I can go out and get lots of compliments.
I would highly recommend Laura.

I heard stories of how ugly this salon is to clients and potential clients, however reading online reviews I decided to try for myself. I called and Simon answered and hung up when I stated I would like to make an appointment. I waited a few minutes assuming it must have been an accident. Called back again, Simon answered and again I asked to make an appointment and he hung up again. Turns out everything negative I’ve heard about this salon is true.

Edit: This review was for the salon under its previous owners. Ron is no longer there, and neither is Mel who is the only stylist in Austin i’ll let cut my hair. I don’t have any experience with the «new» salong.
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Getting curly hair cut can be something of a nightmare. Nobody seems to have any idea what to do with all those out-​of-​control ringlets. Most stylists get bug-​eyed when they see me coming – their face goes white with terror and they shake nervously while commenting on how «interesting» my hair is. It’s the same story every time.
Then I met Ron. And I stopped going to those scaredy-​cat know-​nothings.
Ron took one look at my mass of curls and said nonchalantly, like he did this every day, «We’ll dry cut it. That way we’ll be sure not to take off too much and we’ll know exactly the shape we’re creating.»
Anybody who knows anything about cutting curly hair knows that the words «dry cut» are magical. And yet most stylists are scared of those words. Not Ron.
Ron sat me in his chair and asked me what I love about my hair. He listened to my answer, played with my hair, got to know its quirks. Then he set about cutting it. Dry.
The cut took a while – about an hour and half, if not longer. But it was worth it. He gave me a beautiful cut – the right length, and the shape complimented my face shape. While he worked, he told me how to care for my curly hair – and he knows what he’s talking about. He’s a curly, too. He understands how curls work, and why they behave the way they do. And he told me, «Curls aren’t that hard to work with once you get to know them. Curly-​haired people can be more difficult!»
I’m sure that’s true.
So, my curly-​haired friends, if you’re tired of looking like a poodle and tired of stylists treating your hair with kid gloves, or worse, man-​handling your hair without care, go see Ron. You’ll be very glad you did.
Tip: Don’t bring your kids. The salon is a child-​free zone.
Also: If you want an appointment with Ron, expect to wait up to 6 weeks. Yeah, seriously. But again – worth it.
EDIT: After over a year of visiting Ron with no crazy surprises, I’m happy to update my review from 4 starts to 5.

Valdez is brilliant and so are his stylists. They have rescued me over the last year from the dire mistakes of a cosmetology college that shall remain unnamed, who, when I went in for foil highlights, dyed all of my hair orange. Through the TLC of the awesome Melinda, in combination with Valdez himself, my hair is on it’s way to recovery. Melinda mixed the perfectly warm dark blonde shade to match my natural color to work in low lights and fixed the botched cut, too.
The salon is small and quiet, and the stylists are friendly and knowledgeable. They also offer free refreshments and hand massages while you sit under the dryer. Love them! Give them a try, and ask for Melinda. She’s the best!