Madeline Wade

Always an amazing, personalized cut. Now I have also done a few blowouts. Couldn’t be happier with the results ! Madeleine makes the entire experience from start to finish enjoyable, btwn the entertaining conversations, the iPad ‘toy’ for her clients to play with, her fresh roses, sparkling water (and in NYE, champagne)! She uses only the best products, provides great services, and its always fun!

{Note: Remember to also check the «Non Recommended Unilocal Reviews» below all of these reviews as they also include more feedback on services}
Friday was my first hair appointment with Madeline and today is Monday. I usually try to give my hair jobs a few days before writing reviews to see if its not just the professional styling :-)
HAIR CUT: This was mostly a touch-​up to make sure my hair looked healthy. She did make some adjustments in thickness in one area which I 100% agreed on. The most remarkable aspect of this was that Madeline had me stand for some of the cutting to really make sure she was cutting it to my face, posture and movement. The cut looks incredibly natural and effortless.
BALAYAGE HIGHLIGHTS: My first time with Balayage and it looks stunning. I have been coloring my hair since I was 13 and this was the longest I had my natural hair grown out (about four months worth) since I was 13. The balayage job she did and placement of the highlights makes my hair look incredibly «California Surfer Girl» and low maintenance. I know that I will not need to rush back to the salon after 5 weeks because of how balayage works and that each week as it grows out more it will continue to look stunning.
SALON ATMOSPHERE: Madeline’s salon is a one-​person salon with its own waiting room downstairs, the salon chair and wash room up half a level, and another lounge room and bathroom up another half level. It was incredibly relaxing to be the only customer and pretty much own the place while you are there. She explained to me how people come and bring their kids and how I could even bring my dog if I wanted to.
SCHEDULING: Scheduling is super EASY. It is by appointment only but because she is a one-​person salon she can completely accommodate people by either driving to them on site, having people show up at 7:30am or doing later night appointments. For me I was pretty standard and she had availability within the next three days which is great for someone like me who does things more last-​minute.
SERVICE: Madeline did everything to make sure my hair fit my lifestyle (which she knows because she bumps into me all the time straight out of bed as I walk my dog by her salon). I had mentioned I was undecided about two color options and also whether I wanted to cut my hair or not. She sent me TEXT MESSAGES with pictures of things I might want to consider prior to the appointment. During the appointment, I had several beverage options and of course plenty of magazines to look at. She did something else that I had never seen before as well which was make me stand up and actually cut some of my hair while standing. I found this incredibly reassuring … and it paid off!
OVERALL IMPRESSION OF CUT AND COLOR: I love it and even more… I still love it with bed-​head when I walk my dog in the morning! The color makes me feel like a celebrity and the cut just looks so natural and effortless on me that it I *still* feel like a celebrity rolling out of bed! After washing it the first couple times, I can definitely say she gave me the perfect cut to compliment my «low-​maintenance» needs — it just falls into place perfectly every time. I will definitely be going back to Madeline Wade and can’t believe I didn’t see her earlier!!!

I haven’t had a great hair cut in a long time… until now. Went out on a limb and tried Madeline after a friend had beautiful highlights done by her. So glad I did! I was a little worried as she cut some short layers in my long hair… but they WORK and my hair looks great! Best haircut I’ve had in years! the highlights are very nice too and balyage is such a treat after doing foil highlights for so long, takes a fraction of the time! Very happy with my experience!

I’m still coming to Madeline after all these years, and now bring my girls too. She always does an amazing job cutting our hair, and doing balayage for me. My highlights always look natural and sun-​kissed. I get compliments on my hair for months afterwards, and my girls love their hair too.

Madeline Wade is a true professional who really knows how to cut hair AND listen to your needs and requests!
I had won a free haircut at a raffle and LOVED the cut she gave me. She spent considerable amount of time on my hair and did not rush me or give me the impression she was not giving it her all, even though it was free. I so liked the haircut and Madeline that I went back to pay for my next cut and plan to use her as my regular stylist.
I highly recommend Madeline Wade if you want a fabulous cut that will be easy to maintain and look great for a long time!

I found Madeline Wade through Unilocal after moving to DC, and being bitterly disappointed with cuts at two other salons. And I’m glad I did. She cuts and colors my hair and I’m always very happy with the results. I like her approach of thinking what works for you, not just copying what you’ve always had. She’s also a ‘real person’ — not an identikit salon small talker. I appreciate that a lot as I don’t always want to make chit chat — though we do have great conversations too. Her one-​person salon is a nice change from the hustle and bustle of some places I’ve been where you feel you’re on a conveyor belt. If you want a good haircut, and are open to new ideas, I would definitely recommend Madeline.

I love going to Madeline for several reasons. She is a wonderful stylist and colorist. I have been going to her for a year or so now and my hair has never looked better. I left last week with a sassy new bob which people are stopping me on the street to compliment. But, as importantly I don’t have to call 6 weeks in advance to make an appointment which I then have to break because life gets in the way.
I can always call Madeline and she will find a time to fit me in that works for MY schedule. I have called and asked if I can stop by on the way to the airport, during my son’s basketball game or after I drop the kids off at school before before I go to work and Madeline finds a way to fit me in. Madeline makes my life more manageable (and beautiful) which for a busy working mother is very valuable to me. Tracy Taylor

After moving back to the D.C. area a few years ago from Los Angeles, I have been desperately searching for a new colorist and stylist. I have tried a half-​dozen places and being consistently disappointed, I would often wait for a return visit to L.A. to get my hair done. That’s all changed now that I’ve found Madeline Wade!
SO happy to have found her!

What a treat having Madeline in my life. I heard about her from a neighbor and it took 10 months before I decided to make an appointment. I suffered from the same look for 20 years. She worked with me – I’m quite resistant. Since May there has been an amazing transformation and I give her 100% credit. I love my hair and I’m still in a «growing out process» which is a total pain.
A wonderful hide-​out for full indulgence, you will be so pleased. I recommend her without any reservation; I am so thankful!

I’ve just arrived home after another fantastic appointment with Madeline, who took me from a long, drab, mumsy ‘do to a chic, shiny shorthairdontcare pixie. As usual, Madeline’s work is flawless and I’m kicking myself for not running to her salon sooner. The woman is spectacular!

I absolutely LOVE every experience I’ve had with the lovely Madeline Wade.
1) Her work is incredible. I have dirty blonde hair that I never highlighted because I never trusted anyone to give me celeb-​status hair — until Madeline. I was referred by a friend and I was extremely nervous but she gave me EXACTLY what I was looking for — very natural, very blonde hair and a great cut that still kept my locks long aka perfection. People still think my color is natural thanks to Madeline! I will never go anywhere else.
2) The experience is extremely personal. I love that I can sit down relax, with some magazines, an ipad, a perrier, and her ADORABLE pup, Harley.
3) SHE is awesome, hilarious, and HONEST.
For anyone that is thinking twice — trust me, I am very protective over my hair but I wouldn’t put them in anyone else’s hands! #TeamMadeline

I completely agree with Angela G.‘s review, below:
«Madeline – who exhibited a forceful, defensive, and prickly personality at various points throughout my visit – will likely bulldoze over your requests (as she did mine) push forward with her vision, and essentially ignore your concerns, possibly leaving you with a poor haircut that could have been avoided had she actually listened.»
This was exactly what happened to me. She completely shut me down and rushed me when I explained my hair texture, tried to show her pictures, explain the kind of haircut I wanted. I was aggressive and persisted in taking time before she took scissors to my hair, but assured me she knew what she was doing and proceeded to give me the worst haircut I’ve ever had (though, I have admittedly been lucky in the hair department). SHE DID NOT LISTEN. I actually didn’t immediately know what an awful haircut it was… I really wanted to like it, and trust her. It took a couple days for me to realize that no matter how I styled it, my hair looked really bad. Thus, I wore it up A LOT.
It would’ve been a great haircut for someone with thin hair looking for volume. I am not one of those people. Instead, she razored my hair and gave me tons of uneven, choppy layers, making it completely unruly, frizzy, and unmanageable. Also, anytime I tried to wear my hair straight (I have semi-​wavy hair), the haircut gave me a mushroom look (very, very thick on top, very very thin on the bottom — not a good look). I felt like this haircut ruined my years of hard work growing out my long hair. I also put in a lot of time and effort to keep my hair looking healthy and the haircut took away that «shiny, healthy» look I had going for me pre-​haircut and replaced it with frizz. This all could have been avoided if she took the time to listen, was customer oriented and not in such a rush.

Absolutely love Madeline. She always has the perfect vision for your hair, afterall, what you want may not actually look good based on your face shape and everything else. SO her knowledge of what will work best for you is infused with your goals for the hairstyle. Love the phyto products and absolutely love the fact that I’m the only one there getting my hair done.
I’m always skeptical trying out new salons because I have curly mixed girl hair. However, now I am convinced Madeline can work with any kind of hair. She was even nice enough to help me find a new salon when I move to CHicago this summer. I’ll miss her dearly!

I visited Madeline’s studio this weekend for a haircut and balayage. Having had my hair done for years at Jacques Dessange both in Chevy Chase and Tysons, I can tell you that Madeline’s work is highly professional. After the initial consultation about my expectations, she went straight to work and was finished in half the time of typical apointments at other salons with better results. Although she was booked solid for the Inaugaration weekend, she made me feel as though I was her only client while I was there. So glad I found Madeline and can’t wait for my next appointment.

I have gone through hair stylist after hair stylist. I would get a good cut, then a so-​so haircut and maybe a bad haircut. WOW! Madeline is not only consistent in giving great haircuts but her styling/​blow out is superior to anyone else in DC. She is a pro who honed her skills in Paris and is now a jewel in her salon in Georgetown. I have found her to be professionally adept and a delight as a person. You will not be disappointed if you go to her.

These are all amazing reviews – I wish my experience had been as stellar! My advice, however, to anyone interested in visiting Ms. Wade’s one-​woman salon is to go for the phyto deep conditioning treatment and blowout, and be crystal clear and extremely firm about your expectations if you decide to book a haircut. Otherwise, Madeline – who exhibited a forceful, defensive, and prickly personality at various points throughout my visit – will likely bulldoze over your requests (as she did mine) push forward with her vision, and essentially ignore your concerns, possibly leaving you with a poor haircut that could have been avoided had she actually listened. In my case, after basically telling me to shut up and let her do her work, Madeline gave me a cut that left my long hair both stringy and choppy, and I left feeling bullied. A later haircut at my beloved Nival Salon confirmed the stringy/​choppy factor, as my stylist post-​cut discussed his layering technique, noting my hair prior was blocky/​choppy, and had longer layers – in his exact words – «that were kind of stringy.» BAM. I knew it even as she was doing it!
Also, the «tight ship» another reviewer mentioned was nowhere in sight; I waited over 20 minutes for her to finish with another client, and the haircut was rushed. During the conditioning treatment I was left sitting for 10+ minutes alone after the dryer had gone off, as she was downstairs doing something else. Finally, the blowout was average – almost no brush work.
Did I walk out of the salon in tears? Not at all. But the cut was average to below average, the service was poor, and frankly I felt like Madeline was a little scary and kind of a loose cannon.

Madeline is amazing. I won’t repeat what the other reviewers have said (they are all correct, by the way), but I’ll offer my two cents:
I have a pretty oily scalp and it’s always been somewhat of a problem. Before visiting Madeline I conceded to just washing my hair every morning, especially if I had somewhere to go that evening. Now, I as I understand, it’s not too great to be washing your hair daily, not to mention, time consuming. Madeline recommended a Phyto shampoo that I’ve been using for the last six months, in addition to giving me a lovely hair cut. Problem solved!
I’ve been back to see her recently and picked up another bottle of the stuff. Another great hair cut! She is indeed a perfectionist; a rare find, if you will. Thanks Madeline!

I first went to Madeline nearly 10 years ago, and was thrilled when she opened up her own salon! Not only is the space very welcoming (it’s like you walk through a secret door with a garden space before you even enter the one-​person salon), but she consistently does a beautiful job with my hair. The cuts are fantastic: she cuts beautiful layers into my fine hair, and they grow out well. Madeline finds the right balance between your preferences and her opinion. We recently tried a longer layer look, but when she saw what it looked like when I don’t blow dry (which is often!), she cut in a lot more layers so that the cut can flatter even with my low-​maintenance approach. It’s a look similar to a style from when my hair was shorter but adapted to the longer length I currently have, and incorporates elements from pictures I showed her. I love it. There’s a reason I’ve been such a long-​standing client!

It took me a long time to find the right hair dresser for me when I moved to DC from NYC. Madeline understands exactly how to find the right balance between professional and sexy-​looking hair. As a result, I always get compliments on my hair from both men and women.
I love that when I go to get my hair cut, it’s just me, her, and her dog, Harley. There’s no waiting around or apologies from some random assistant about my stylist running late. Nope — Madeline runs a tight ship and sometimes she will call to tell me she’s running early so I should feel free to come when I’m ready. I love that! And I love that I can get my hair cut on a Sunday!
Overall, it’s a great experience getting your hair done by Madeline. Her methods are a little unconventional, but that’s what makes her better than the rest. You’ll be hooked after the first time!

Had a wonderful experience at Madeline Wade, which is a small appointment only stylist studio. I won a free «Total Look Package,» from an event I went to which included a hair cut, color, styling, and makeup.
The studio is hidden in a quaint little spot in Georgetown and from the moment I walked in I knew it was going to be a good time since it was just me, Madeline and her dog (the sweetest boxer) the whole time.
I absolutely love my hair cut and the style she gave me to go out with friends that evening was so fun (I usually just flat iron my hair, but this style was full of body and movement.) She uses airbrushing for the makeup application which gives a great natural finish.
Overall it was a great experience and to me something that would be much needed if I have another special event. I definitely will consider going back to have my hair cut though!
*Now if only Madeline would pass along her secret lasagna recipe we talked about: o)