Toka Salon

I am providing an update for 2014; I have been to Toka 4 more times now since my original review in July 2013 and I still think these guys are 5 stars. I have never ever had a better colorist than Necip (great blonde highlights and lowlights). And I have never had a better hair cut than from Stephon (probably misspelling his name — sorry!) — my fine thin hair is tricky for most stylists but not for him, falls nicely everytime with no problem. The front desk staff is also top notch. This place is a gem — worth every penny.

A true hidden gem as for salons in DC goes. I live a few blocks away from this location and was super hesitant about going due to the poor reviews. I’m so unbelievably glad I went anyway! Necip is hands down the best color stylist! I’ve been getting my hair dyed for years but Necip gets it right each and every time. He’s a man of a few words but if you tell him what you want or show him a picture, I promise he’ll get the job done. Hair coloring can be a tedious and tome consuming ordeal but he’s quite efficient! Partial Highlights — $ 135 Full Highlights — $ 175

Necip is the best! He knows exactly what I want without saying a word. For those of you who are always busy and your time is valuable — Necip does an amazing cut and color in a short amount of time. I’m always happy when I walk out of Toka!

I love going to Michael for my hair– He is the master– Very talented, and creative. I’ve been going to him for years, following him, anywhere he goes– If you go to Toka, try him– You won’t regret it.

I should have read the other reviews before I subjected myself to this place! I was a walk-​in yesterday afternoon; not a problem because there were no customers (first clue). DJ was assigned to me and I explained in great detail how I wanted my hair cut. I honestly don’t know why I bothered because DJ did exactly what I did NOT want! She cut my hair WAY TOO SHORT, the exact opposite of what I asked her to do. I even told her in the middle of the cut that she was cutting too much but she ignored me by saying «this way is better». I don’t care if DJ thought it was better! It is NOT WHAT I ASKED FOR!!! I was clearly upset from that point on and at the end not only told DJ I didn’t like it but the cashier as well. Did they try to attempt service recovery by discounting my haircut, NO! I was charged $ 90– for a terrible, too short, uneven haircut that I made very clear was a terrible cut. This place is over-​priced and a bad risk!

I’m rewriting my review based on a new experience. I had a bloomspot coupon and decided to use it for both the pedi/​mani and the brazilian wax.
The pedi/​mani was great, she did a good job and was quick and painless. The brazilian wax job was eh. She used soft wax, which for brazilians, its preferred that one uses hard wax. It was not the most painful, but there are other places who do a bit more to lessen the discomfort (like using hard wax or using a numbing spray).
When I got home, I too, like the previous poster, realized that it was not a clean job and that alot of the hair (particularly in places that make it a brazilian) was not removed.
I emailed them that night asking their policy on clean-​ups for when a significant amount of hair hasn’t been removed. Luckily they called me the next morning and scheduled me for a clean up.
I give three stars because the mani and pedi were good, and because of the great customer service for a dissatisfied client. Because I had to go in a second time, I would not recommend this place if you’re going strictly for a brazilian waxing. While I am pleased that they were able to get me back in for a clean-​up, I prefer to have it done thoroughly the first time

Yesterday, I saw Sylvia for a brazilian bikini wax at the Penn Quarter location. I’d purchased a coupon from Bloomspot (like Groupon or LivingSocial) for a brazilian wax for $ 35 (regular price is $ 75), so I thought I’d try a new place. I’ve had multiple brazilians, and countless regular bikini waxes, so I thought I knew what I was in for. Nope.
First, the good:
1) Sylvia was very nice and put me at ease.
2) This may have been the fastest brazilian wax I’ve ever had. Took no more than 15 minutes.
3) The receptionist was very nice, and I appreciated the reminder call the day before my appointment.
4) Sylvia was waiting for me at the start of my appointment — no waiting.
The ok:
1) I prefer it when the aestheticians leave the room while you shimmy out of your drawers, but it’s not that big of a deal to me if they stay. Sometimes it’s difficult to get in and out of the treatment room without exposing its interior to passersby, so I get it, but it might bother some people.
2) She used only the hot wax with strips, not the purple/​blue hardening wax. I asked about this, and she says the purple/​blue kind takes too long to harden.
The bad:
1) It was the MOST PAINFUL wax I’ve ever had in my life. That includes the first one. It also includes the waxes that were ill-​timed and made more painful by hormonal cycles. I’ve never before had to cry uncle, but I almost had to ask her to stop before she finished. Most. Painful. Ever.
2) There were lots of follicles that were bleeding by the end.
3) Something I didn’t notice in my haste to have it over with, but did notice later in the day: there are a SIGNIFICANT number of hairs that were not pulled out, but simply broken off close to the skin. Bad, bad, bad. This is especially true in the «brazilian only» areas. Spiky and itchy. I might as well have shaved. Ultimately, this made me more upset that the pain, because the pain was all for naught.
To sum up, I will not be returning to Toka for any other waxing services. On the bright side, this experience did give me the push I needed to research laser hair removal and make my first appointment for that! If I do go back to waxing, I’ll see Nora Piroglu at Corte on U street.

I’ve been to Toka twice and had completely different experiences. My first time was with Marc based on some of the reviews here. He was fabulous and I loved my hair! When I called to make my next appointment I was told he no longer worked there. They made an appointment for me with another stylist, Necip. When I sat down in his chair, the only thing he said to me was, «you are here for highlights?» and I said yes. Then he pulled out the bowl of color that he had already mixed and proceeded to start highlighting my hair. There was no conversation about what I liked/​wanted, etc. Specifically, the last time my highlights were in two different shades which I really liked. What if I had wanted darker highlights or something? Then when my hair was being washed the woman painted something (no clue what because there was no discussion of what would be done to my hair) on the roots of my hair. I walked out with monochromatic, yellow hued (which is not fabulous with my pink face) barbie hair. I will not be going back! I just wish I knew where Marc had gone!

Referred to this spa by my hotel, it had great reviews and I was expecting a blissful experience.
It appears that the good reviews were for the hair stylists and unfortunately for me, I went there for a manicure and the manicurist was sub-​par.
The stool/​chair I sat in was not comfortable off to the side of the spa and I choose a dark colour. Perhaps that was my pitfall as shaky hands and inaccurate polish application is so visable with dark colours — in the end, I had to ask the manicurist to clean repeatedly and to fill in spots that were entirely missed. She was pleasant enough but I was also the last appointment so maybe she wanted to go home and didn’t try too hard. Not going back to this place.

I can’t speak on the hair cuts, but I regularly see Linda for AMAZING facials at the Georgetown location. I’ve gone to her since her days at another salon and she is awesome! As one of my girlfriend’s says, her hands «are like butta.» Aside from that, she is very sweet and I have recommended her to a number of my friends.

Fantastic Service, Fantastic Stylists, Fantastic Experience!
I have been a loyal client of Toka Salon since September of 2005 when we moved into the 601 Pennsylvania building. Since finding my stylist Necip (pronounced «Ned-​jeep») I will not let anyone else touch my hair (except my husband!) The color and cut and style he has helped me with are amazing — he really makes my hair gorgeous! I am a blonde that has VERY long hair and I jealously guard my locks. I only trust Necip with my hair. He knows how to do blonde hair PERFECTLY. Each visit is a double process with cut, color, deep conditioning and blow-​out and I always leave looking like a million dollars. Conceited. Not a bit, if you sit in Necip’s salon chair, you will leave looking beautiful too.
Teresa and Nuri Yurt have created a very upscale salon experience with the finest stylists. I have lived around the world including London and in Japan, and this salon surpasses all of my expectations for what a fine upscale salon /​spa should be.
I have had the full range of services at Toka salon — hair color, highlights, cut, manicure/​pedicure, waxing and facial treatments. Over the years I have attended many special events at Toka and have become very familiar with all of the staff.
Yes, Toka is expensive. But the level of service! The prices are WORTH IT. I do not go anywhere else except Toka and I don’t intend to. I am the type of woman that will only accept the best — this is THE place in D.C. — do yourself a favor and book an appointment.

I went to this place for about 18 months. While the service itself (color and highlights) was good, my stylist was socially challenged (who can’t make simple conversation?) and the services themselves were too expensive (over $ 200 for a haircut and partial highlights, really?) Everytime I went, the place was dead and the underemployed stylists sat around laughing at inside jokes. Not professional. Manners anyone? A friend recommended Blondie’s and I haven’t looked back!

I have been going to Toka salon for a little over a year now for cut, colour and highlights. Lauren B is the best there is. She is great with recommendations, always accomodating to my schedule and a true pleasure. The salon staff, and owner, Theresa, are all pros and incredibly pleasant and personable. The salon location is perfect. Service at the salon is always very personal and top notch.

If you are ever unsure of what’s the right cut for you, go to Lauren B. @ Toka.. . she’s fantastic! I’ve been going to Lauren for over a year and not once have I walked out of Toka less than extremely happy with my hair. Most recently Lauren had the pleasure of chopping my hair off (over 11inches!) as I was donating to Locks of Love. She’s very honest about the best style that will fit you and always has great sugestions. I look forward to continuing this great relationship, it’s not easy to find the perfect stylist!

I got my hair cut here about a year ago, so perhaps the person that I had has since moved on. I brought in a picture, told her what I wanted, and off she went… an hour later I came out looking like a broom, after paying 80 dollars (before tip!!) for the privilege. Ugh! It looked okay because of all the product she put in it, but once I got home and really took a good look at it, I started to cry because it just looked horrible — nothing at all like the picture I had brought. The next day I went to another salon, got a «fix» at almost half the price, and finally had a haircut I could live with.
I would not go back — way too overpriced, and even though hair will grow back, it’s too valuable to waste on a stylist who won’t listen to what you want.

Great salon. Great service.
I’ve been in DC 15 years… and have bounced around from place to place trying to find a good colorist in a salon I don’t dread going to. Toka is it.
On the color — I’m very picky. I color my hair a dark copper red, and when it’s not done well, the color is not as rich, and fades more quickly (Aveda color at the Aveda Salon in Georgetown was the worst). At Toka they use Loreal products (mine is from the Majirel line) — and it gives the best results for my color. Mark is superb at color — and he designed the formula for the color I use now — which never fails to attract compliments.
The salon is attractive, but not pretentious, and very peaceful. During my last appointment a customer brought his very well-​behaved dog. All the staff and customers were charmed (rather than snooty as I would expect in many other DC salons). If you are tired of pretentious salons with mediocre service and high prices — give them up, and go to Toka. You won’t be sorry.