West End Salon

We have recently relocated to Austin and found this charming little salon. Everyone is always to nice and attentive. I referred my boyfriend to Ray after getting a hair cut and he comes faithfully every two weeks. He always does an amazing job. There’s plenty of street parking, wine and beer ;)

I’ve been seeing Rachel for years. She always knows exactly what to do. She also provides great conversation and is truly honest about what looks good and what doesn’t.
The salon itself is also great! It’s an old house so there are the usual quirks that go with it but the general feel of the place is very professional. Everyone I’ve seen that works there seems to be in the «zone». Of course Rachel Mcdaniel takes the cake! I’d follow her wherever she leads…

I just moved to Austin and figured that a «salon» one block off of 6^th street should give pretty decent cuts. I told the «stylist» the same thing I’ve told every barber for the last year: that I was trying to grow out the layers in my just past shoulder length hair so that it’d be all one length. Well, I can safety say it is now all one length. In a mom lob. A couple inches above my shoulders. This haircut is dated– almost ten years dated. It is not what I asked for and each time I catch a glimpse of it in the mirror it makes me even more furious. 75 bucks so I can have a Fall full of updos– oh, except it’s too short. Just what every professional woman wants: nubby pony tails every day for two months.
I hope this place is forced out of the area due to rising rents and made to relocate in an area better suited to their unique «skill set». Say, some where in the deep suburbs like Dripping Springs or Buda.
Update: After showing my «hairstyle» to various friends this weekend and receiving such sparkling feedback as «yah, that’s bad» or «wow. *actual cringe* Errr new haircut?», I just booked an appointment for extensions at a different salon. Which, if you’ve never gotten extensions– and I haven’t– is pretty expensive. But I think the cost is a lot less than the credibility points I’ll lose at work for looking so unprofessional, or the erosion to my self esteem when I think «you look terrible» each morning while getting ready.
I’m going to reiterate, in case this review is not poignant enough: avoid this salon.

They don’t seem know current styles here. A friend went for a haircut, was specific about what she wanted (she wants to grow her hair out) and he cut off months of growth.
I went for a cut at the same time (hard to mess up a man’s cut, right? The cut was ok, but I dunno how it was worth the money I spent. I don’t have that much hair! I was unimpressed by the run down look of the lobby, the ancient magazines and the general dirtiness of the place. This salon is probably best for older clients (50+) as that’s primarily who I saw in there.

The salon is in a charming little house on West Avenue in the West End! It has a great little waiting room where you can shop for products — dangerous!
Amber Terry cut my hair — and I thought she and the haircut she gave me were amazing! I would definitely go back!
Only con? They get booked up — so make sure you make an appointment early!

This review is for Amy Sanford-​Kennedy:
I moved from Austin last fall, there are many things that I am missing and one of them is for sure Amy’s great work. While I am super picky and careful with my hair, I came across Amy completely randomly in 2010 (trying to hide from a really hot afternoon, walking on Guadalupe on a super hot August day :-)). I just moved to the area and I really needed a haircut, so I thought I will give it a try. I was super happy with Amy and continued to follow her when she moved (see my first review for Amy). My hair never looked better and Amy was just the greatest person to talk to too. She is super talented and very careful with coloring, with the haircut, how she treats you. So amazing at every level. When I moved she even sent me the color mix she used to use so that I don’t have to experiment and risk anything. How great is that? I really wish I could fly to Austin just to get my hair done :). Hope this info helps, and Amy, if you are seeing this message, hope to see you one day soon. This is a long overdue review, big apologies! (Regarding the Salon, I loved it too, super friendly, conveniently located, never had issues with parking, an excellent place to relax and hang out.)

I’ve been going to Ray at west end salon for about 2 years now. I’ve never had a more consistent hair cut. Being concerned with the fight against thinning hair, Ray always finds a way to make me look like I have more hair than I do ;)
I’ve also heard great things from the ladies about his cuts & colors. I brought my wife to him and she absolutely loves him — her words were «He has Angel hands».
Give Ray a try, you will not be disappointed.

My stylist was Johanna, she was great! I went in for bangs and I was nervous since I had never had bangs done before. She was super patient in listening to me and she even showed me pictures of other hairstyles and we picked one that worked for my face frame, she was really sweet! After many bad hair experiences in the past I was relieved to have found a great hairstylist! I’ll definitely be going back to see her!

I get my hair highlighted by Johanna and, while it is not the least expensive it’s ever been done for, it is UNDOUBTEDLY the best. She takes her time, adds in as many different colors as I want (to give it depth) and is so bubbly and cute. I really love how it turns out!

This review is for
Amber. She came highly recommended by a friend whose hair I love. My last haircut was a disaster and I’ve been trying to grow it out.
Amber did a great job. She gave me just what I asked for.
She is a sincerely nice person and a pleasure to hang out with for an hour. I will definitely be back again. I always get the same thing, though. I would trust her to ask her for new ideas and let her be creative with a new style for me!

My review is for Robin (Hughes) Primeau, one of my most favorite stylists. Ever!
Before moving to Houston, which is the only way I would’ve stopped seeing her regularly, I saw Robin for over 5 years. I have referred a number of friends to her, which we all know is a big deal when talking a girl’s hair. Two of my referrals now see Robin exclusively and swear by her.
Robin is a reliable professional that is willing to help her clients try new things, while also honest about what she thinks is achievable for each person. This is in my opinion is an invaluable attribute for someone that can have such an impact on your appearance.
Robin’s services, pricing and even on-​line scheduling are available here:

Do it now and thank me later!

Amy Sanford is great. I’ve been going to her for awhile and I always get compliments on my hair. Two friends are now going to her because of me. She does good color too. I wish they had more parking spaces though.

I’ve been going to Laura for about a year and my hair has never looked better nor felt softer. She has managed to keep me as blonde as I like w/​o drying it or damaging it. Plus I like to keep my hair really long. She educates me about products but is never pushy about sales. Her prices are totally reasonable.
I’ve referred friends to her and they have had great success as well. On top of a great stylist/​colorist, she’s funny & friendly to boot.

I have been going to West End Salon since they opened. They place is very nice and clean is convenient if you’re downtown. I mainly use Ray and he does a great job but when he has been busy or unavailable I have used almost all of the other stylists at least once and I have never had a bad haircut. There is always easy to find street parking but if you don’t want to pay for street parking they have a few spots where you can park for free if you ask your stylist.
I just get a normal men’s haircut but my hair is hard to cut properly. Ray has always done an amazing job. I highly recommend him.

Amber is a great stylist. She listens to you and gives you good advice. My hair was a bit damaged she gave me good recommendation on what type of products I should avoid and which ones to use. Also, rather than cutting all off she managed to do it in stages leaving my hair looking healthy. I love how my hair looks.

I’ve been raving about the talent and wonderful personality of stylist Amber Silver Terry since her days at the now-​defunct Hairy Situations, so I’ve read with a big smile all of the 5-​star posts of West End that include her name in them.
I once stated that I would follow Amber to Amarillo should she ever be sentenced to living there; thankfully, I only had to get a little closer to downtown to enjoy the ambiance of this wonderful place while sipping on a complimentary beverage, getting «Ambered,» as I like to put it. Very easy to find parking, and the little house has been remodeled into a lovely, lively space. I always feel very much at ease there, even when my hair is wrapped in foils and I have to balance my glasses cartoonishly on the tip of my nose whilst reading a fashion mag, perched underneath a dryer.
Great move, Amber! See ya later this week.

After hearing oodles of praise for Ms. Amber Terry at West End Salon I decided to schedule an appointment with her.
West End Salon is very «cute.» They went out of their way to convert this older house into a charming salon.
The ladies who work there are all very friendly and Amber was great. I think it was the first haircut ever that when I asked for «a number 3 on the sides» she replied that she doesn’t use clippers. She scissor cut my sides and it turned out great!
I like how she also offers a free bang/​sideburn trim after your haircut. Instead of having to go in for a full haircut every 3 – 4 weeks I can get an extra week or two out of each haircut with the touch up.
Being able to setup your appointment online also makes it much easier to schedule and you don’t have to worry about mistakes over-​booking.

The ladies (Laura & Amber especially) at West End Salon are the best! I’ve literally never had a good updo… until now. Laura did a magnificent job on my wedding hair trial (if I do say so myself) and Amber does a consistently wonderful job on my fiancée’s very unruly ‘do. (He now has his own fancy shampoo :))
The ambiance here is also cute and quaint yet sharp and hip.
Plus, I was surprised by the affordability — I’ve paid way too much for my prom-​esque looks in the past so WE Salon gets a resounding 5 stars in my book!

A big fan of the adorable Amber at West End Salon!
I have had a crush on my stylist for years now (and I happen to love the way he cuts my hair) but the man cannot settle down. I needed someone nearby, and someone I could trust. As it turns out Amber does the hair of a number of folks at my gym, which is how I got the recommendation — and she is just blocks away, hurrah!
I think it’s difficult to make my mousy thin hair look remotely interesting but Amber came up with a new twist, and I just love it. She listened to me and provided feedback, and offered a professional opinion — I felt very involved with the decision-​making which is important to me.
I went back the other day for a (free!) bang trim, and look forward to another visit. The salon is in a cute house — it has old charm while being very bright and clean. Complimentary beverages are always a plus, and it’s super easy to schedule online.
Warning — watch where you park, pay attention to signage, etc. I don’t really get the parking situation there so each time I’ve parked out front and just paid for parking. I think they have a couple free spaces — might be worth stopping in or calling to inquire about it.

Amber has been my stylist for years… she is great and her new location at West End is very nice. West End is very trendy, super clean, and parking is relatively easy.
Amber is awesome! Even if she cut hair in an ally, I’m pretty sure I’d follow her!