Nova Salon

Julia has moved on from Nova, and now I see Holly! Love her, and got a great haircut from her. What I love about Nova is each time I get a haircut, it’s better than the last time… I keep thinking «no, THIS is my best haircut ever» after each appointment. Also, Holly was awesome and taught me some really useful styling techniques that I have incorporated into my daily routine.

A few months ago, my longtime stylist had to quit the hair business to care for her son, and a friend suggested Stephanie Mattina at Nova. I made an appointment and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
I was pretty happy with my hair and former stylist of 11 or so years, I had minor frustrations — but breaking up is hard to do. You know how it is, so what a bonus that I didn’t have to do it! I was really excited to get a fresh viewpoint and Stephanie exceeded my expectations. She asked the right questions, and really listened to what I like/don’t like, my lifestyle, etc., and identified the sources of my frustrations. The end result was likely the best hair cut and color of my life (no more foils!). Stephanie was immediately my new stylist, and I’ve been back 3 or 4 times. I leave happier every time. She’s also introduced me to products that have radically changed my styling process and saved me time. We all want that, don’t we?
As for the rest of Nova, I’m also thrilled with it! You can tell that everyone is at the top of their game, but not snooty about it. It’s very relaxing and clean. Lots of natural light, and it’s in a bustling and safe neighborhood in Maplewood with lots of locally owned shops and restaurants within walking distance.
I’m thrilled.

Julia is awesome, and a true artist honestly. This is the best haircut I’ve ever had in my life. She gave me the Swiss-​army knife of haircuts too– I’ve sat in front of the mirror trying to style it in a way that is unflattering, and it can’t be done. Ever hear a stylist say «I’m a beautician, not a magician»? Julia is a magician.

I got my hair cut and colored by Julia today and couldn’t be happier. She was so attentive and took a lot of time at the beginning to talk about what I wanted and to capture my vision. She kept me updated throughout the coloring and cut so I felt in the loop and at the end had no surprises… just a huge smile on my face because my hair has seriously never looked better. I hadn’t had my hair done in over 7 months so it was in desperate need of TLC and Julia was just what I needed. She is also very friendly and the salon is gorgeous, clean and inviting. All around it was a stellar experience. Very fair price as well. I’m visiting St. Louis and I actually loved my experience so much I’m super bummed that I won’t be able to come here on a regular basis.

I have only had a basic trim done to my hair my entire life, today after a week of research online I decided to come to Nova for a completely different look. I initially didn’t know what I wanted, I just had the idea of getting a shoulder length cut.. I spent many nights on Pinterest looking at hair styles. I was nervous at first but Holly was super sweet and gave me her opinion on how to cut my hair. It all sounded fabulous as she explained everything and the end product is a hundred times better than I could ever imagine! So, thank you Holly! I will definitely be a returning customer!

I try to make appointment with Ellen for 6 days. Four days before the appointment, they called me cancel it because Ellen no longer work there. Thanks for letting me know that early.

Ellen from VVegaz is here!!! Finally got an appt in with her after not being able to do it easily for the last 2 years. If you’re looking for a good haircut, or a new style, book with Ellen. She’s friendly, funny, down to earth but more importantly, she’ll give you a great look! Book her now before she gets too busy! :)

I’ve been going there for almost a year, getting my hair cut my Stephanie, and now there is no other person I would trust with my hair. Yes, a guy could go and get his $ 8.99 haircut from whatever chain but I’ve had enough hack jobs that it’s just not worth it to me anymore. I’m a goddamn adult! I can’t keep walking around, looking like mom just cut my hair in the kitchen! So now I go to Stephanie at Nova and walk out looking like a million bucks, and I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

I came in today as a hair model, and the service I received was absolutely fabulous. Let me start off by saying that when I arrived, my hair was greasy at the roots and very dry at the ends, I have a fine texture of hair and I had not received a cut in a long time.
After explaining what I wanted, we were able to figure out what kind of movement and layers would work well with my hair texture. I walked out with a short bob with blended bangs that complements my natural wavy texture. Holly was my stylist, and she was warm and friendly and very enthusiastic. I love going to a business where it’s clear that the professionals enjoy their work.
As far as the salon goes, there is a ton of natural light and the space is very open and modern looking. I felt very fresh walking into Nova. I’ll definitely return for another cut and maybe even a color service. I felt that I was in good hands, and I feel a lot more sophisticated with such an expertly cut style. I can’t imagine going anywhere else for hair!

I had the best experience I have ever had at a salon with Julia from Nova. I was in town for a couple months to heal from an illness. Because of this illness I was experiencing hair loss and overall did not feel great about my appearance. I met with Julia, who has beautiful curly hair, and she made feel at ease right away. She toned down my color and gave life back to my waves. I left on a high. I can not thank her enough for how she made me look and feel. I am looking forward to my next visit back to St. Louis to see my family and get my haircut!

Paul has been my stylist since I moved to St. Louis 8 years ago. I would never go to anyone else in the city.
He is awesome. He listens to you, understands what you want (although half the time I just tell him to do whatever he wants), and always produces fabulous results.
Love love love Paul!

Julie was able to squeeze me in at the last minute and she was amazing with my color. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, I just knew that I wanted it lighter. She showed me the color before she started and worked with my roots that were showing and my lighter ends to get everything a perfect shade of copper red, she added highlights that actually look natural and not like streaks in my hair. I have curly hair and she cut it perfectly as well. I don’t think I will ever go anywhere else unless I move out of state.

What a fantastic salon! I’m the kind of perfectionist who has a history of coming home from the salon, grabbing my shears, and «fixing» whatever the stylist just did to my hair. Not this time! I was hesitant to cut my hair, as I’m trying to grow it out right now, but it really needed some TLC. Paul did an amazing job of retaining my length while giving my hair a great new shape and new life! The new layers even lengthen the appearance. Magic! I couldn’t be happier with my new cut, it looks awesome now, and I’m confident that the cut will look great even as it continues to grow out.
As I watched Paul work, it was obvious that he was paying attention and analyzing every angle of my hair, and that he put a lot of thought into every cut. It made me feel super confident that he is very serious about his work, and that he sees the cut as more of an artistic process than just a haircut. Ricca and Julia were also wonderful, so friendly and fun to be around, and obviously just as talented and attentive as Paul. It was great to be in an environment where everyone is so passionate about what they do, and it is reflected in their work!

Love this place! Ricca always makes me feel comfortable and gives me an amazing cut every time. She takes extra care and attention to make sure every strand is perfectly trimmed to take on a shape that suits me perfectly. I always get compliments on my hair since I’ve been going to her. I need to send my boyfriend back to Paul for a trim too. He always looks super hot after Paul styles his hair! Go, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

I cannot believe how horrible Paul treated me. During the consultation I asked for light bangs… he cuts dramatic thick bangs that EXCEEDED the medium bangs I was trying to go out. I asked for my ends to be trimmed… he wacks my hair off with clumpy, short layers (which look TERRIBLE on my wavy hair) and gives me short frames around my face. I looked like I was in a bad 80’s movie!
I wasn’t happy with the results but tried to remain polite. He made a comment about how I looked like I wasn’t happy. I explained to him that although I appreciated his work as a stylist, this wasn’t the look I wanted. *****He then said to me «So you actually think you look worse now than you did coming in?”***** As if I looked bad coming in! HOW RUDE!!!
Long story short, Paul didn’t listen to me as a customer and thought he knew best what I wanted. I walked away from the salon with a bad 80’s haircut after being told I had no taste. This was just a little too much to handle.

Best haircut I’ve EVER had. I called in desperate to get a cut after the salon I made an appointment with earlier refused me my appt for being 5 min late (ugh). Ricca eagerly squeezed me in within 15 minutes (whew!). I arrived and Paul asked me what I was looking for and I showed him a photo I had. He gave me the cut in the photo, but made some minor tweaks, with permission, that ended up working out better for me. Paul is amazing at what he does. He took his time and was so focused, I felt like he was really into giving me the look I wanted. And the end result proved it! The salon has a great ambient atmosphere, simple and clean décor. Nova will be cutting my hair from now on.

well, i followed ricca from her previous salon to nova salon when she opened it with paul. i never questioned following her, because after MANY bad hair cut/​color attempts i made when i first moved here 4 years ago, i finally found ricca and decided to never let go… she is amazing. i usually tell her to do whatever she wants, give no preferences or requests and my hair always looks amazing when i leave here. i get compliments on my hair all the time to the point that i have come up with a standard reply giving her name and the salon name. the people that i have referred that end up seeing ricca or paul, become addicted like i am — they are both amazingly talented.
it helps that the space is beautiful!!! it is pure serenity to me! from the clean white design with the big beautiful windows and skylights to the soothing artwork… it is like a little haven! i used to hate going to salons because i get restless, but i look forward to every appointment at nova!

Sadly I can’t give a glowing review like everyone else. I knew when I moved here that it would be rough trying to find a new salon so I guess I shouldn’t be disappointed that my first attempt isn’t the end.
I mean, my hair looks fine. It actually looks exactly the same just a little shorter. The salon itself is nice. The people there seemed nice.
I didn’t have some horrific experience so I’ll give it 4 stars but I just don’t think this is the place for me.

Paul has been doing my hair for 5 yrs and I trust him implicitly! He and Ricca are lovely and skilled. The new salon is fab! I highly recommend it.

I was in St. Louis on business and really needed a hair cut. Following a friend’s recommendation, I went to Nova Salon. Ricca gave me one of the best hair cuts I’ve ever had! The salon ambience is fantastic and the staff is amazing. Thanks again Ricca!