Ernesto’s Hairstyling For Men & Women

Great price and friendly staff. I come out happy with a great haircut every time. Highly recommend.

I’ve been going to Ernesto for 2 years. You can walk in anytime and rarely have to wait more than 5 – 10 minutes. His price is very reasonable — $ 19 before tip. I tried a couple other places, but he always delivers a very clean and even classic layered/​fade haircut. I’m sure every business will disappoint someone eventually, but I’ve always been pleased. If you have a good idea of what you what ahead of time, then this is your place.

Friendly staff and great haircut all the time

actually should be zero stars. i get a high and tight on the sides and back. should be pretty simple for a barber but not this guy. he didn’t fade the cut. now the hair on the sides of my head look like a cragged mountain range. when i told him the cut was bad he looked at me in disbelief. i asked him why he didn’t fade the sides and back and he said he did. this guy is either a horrible, horrible barber or just lazy. save your money because you’ll need to pay for two haircuts if you go to this guy. one for him and one for the other barber to clean up his mess.

I’ve been going to the same barber for 5 years, but the distance became a problem. I went to Ernesto today and plan on returning.
Ernesto is a good barber. He charged me $ 18 for an excellent hair cut.
It’s a clean, quiet and no-​frills shop and you won’t have to worry about seeing a different barber every time, which can get old fast.

After reading the few other reviews, I visited about two weeks ago while I happened to be in the Van Ness area, needing a haircut. I checked the other reviews on Unilocal and, being sensitive to costs for haircuts in the DC area, decided I would pop in and give this place a shot.
It was about 4.45pm on a Saturday afternoon and I found that the shop closes at 5pm on Saturdays. I asked the man if I could still get a haircut and he nodded yes, even though there were two people ahead of me. I took a seat and quickly noted that there was a sign that said ‘CASH ONLY’. I told the man that I would be right back as I had no cash on me. He again nodded and I went next door to the Giant grocery store to get money from a (PNC) ATM. (Note: there was no cash machine located in the place when I visited in early December 2010.)
I returned ten minuted later or so and noticed that I now only had one other customer ahead of me. I took a seat and waited for my turn, which came rather quickly.
The employee (I’m guessing Ernesto from the other reviews) knew exactly what he was doing. He asked me what I was looking for; I gave a very general description and he set to work. Fifteen minutes later, I had a great looking haircut and was (and am) satisfied with the cut.
I went to pay and was surprised to find that the haircut was a really, really good deal at $ 18 (before tip). I have not been able to find a cheaper haircut in the DC area for this amount; in fact, usually EVERY place I’ve been to charges more for a job less well done. I was very happy with everything, plan to return and encourage others to as well.
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For general notes: As others have pointed out, this is a bare-​bones establishment; if you are looking for decorations, shampoo displays, and things to remind you that you’re in a salon/​barber shop, you will be sorely disappointed. I was going for a haircut, not to look at the wall decorations, and actually found it refreshing not be bombarded with glamor shots and promos for shampoos that will do everything but vacuum your floor. However, it is clean place– the only exception is that around the barber chair there may be cut hair, depending on how busy it is. Cash is the only form of payment accepted. ‘Ernesto’ did not talk very much to me (or the other customers) at all; if you are looking for a chatty Cathy, he is probably not your guy. It is very convenient to the Van Ness Metro station; find the Giant and it’s very close nearby. As Ernesto was the only employee there and I only got a haircut, I cannot verify or vouch for the other services or employees.

Ah ernestos… when I think of barbershops of from back in day… I feel this is the vibe you’d have. A mom and pop type shop where you get a basic haircut for basic money… but eons ahead in quality compared to a hair cuttery or supercuts and without none of the frills of a grooming lounge.
All in all its a good place for a quick haircut (I believe they have something for women too) for a reasonable price… however as the cash machine from the 1960s remind you, it’s only cash only so leave your credit card at home.

I’ve been going to this salon since I moved to DC for college (about 5 years ago). While it’s not a high-​quality salon, it’s a great price, clean and a great haircut. Adriana does my hair and I highly recommend seeing her. She’s very friendly, easy to work with and knows exactly what works best for my hair. I recently returned from living abroad in Spain, where I had a horrible haircut and was freaking out. Adriana was able to fix it more than I even imagined was possible! Highly recommended for an affordable and quality haircut.

This place is next to the CVS by the Van Ness metro stop and you might miss it unless you’re looking for it. Ernesto’s is pretty bare bones — there aren’t many decorations and they only take cash. But what they lack in ambiance, they make up for in friendliness. I believe this is a family-​run place, and as soon as you walk in you are greeted with a smile. I went here for an eyebrow waxing and the woman who did it was very careful and did a great job. It was only $ 12, too. They also offer manicures and pedicures. They have haircuts, but I feel like they cater more towards men. I’ve been trying to get my friend to give them a shot because he needs a new barber. Don’t go here looking for high-​end salon quality services, but instead if you need a quick pedicure or pluck.