Lofty

I’ve been going to this salon for years and Taylor takes AMAZING care of my hair & highlights. I don’t like the look of most highlights but Taylor makes them look natural and very easy to maintain. She always gives me a perfect haircut!
The rest of the staff is always very friendly and helpful, quick to offer drinks or ways to make the visit more enjoyable.
This week I tried the Head to Toe 2-​hour treatment with Ania, what a great deal! It included a blissful massage and really nice organic facial. When I left my skin was glowing and I felt completely relaxed and pampered. Ania is very skilled and communicative, she takes a lot of time to get to know you and your specific needs.
The owner, Mona is great and over the years I have seen how much effort she puts into making Lofty a place where you will want to keep coming back to over and over again! I can’t say enough good things about Lofty and the amazing array of services they offer!

GREAT experience. I loved this salon from the second that I walked in. The salon entrance is very inviting and it’s set up like a store. They have snacks laid out and comfortable seating through out the waiting area.
The receptionist was very welcoming and quickly helped me get settled in. My stylist (wish i could remember her name, I swear I have her card somewhere in my purse) was AMAZING! She did an excellent job on the wash, which is the most important and relaxing part of the salon experience for me, where ever I go! She did a wonderful job with the blow-​dry, to the point that I didn’t stop receiving compliments all day.
I will definitely be going back to Lofty (as soon as i find my stylists card) for some color and a cut. :) I believe they have a spa section as well, I didn’t get a chance to really check out their menu and look around because I was on a time crunch but I think I saw an extra area in the back.

So just wanted to update my review. Although I still HIGHLY recommend Lofty for any «normal» cut and color needs and Mona in particular for curly hair, I don’t think I will be returning.
I wanted to experiment with more alternative (crazy) color highlights and they said they could do that. However, I don’t think they were being entirely honest with their experience or what they could do. I understand that most salons don’t get a lot of folks asking for blue or green or purple highlights, but as a stylist, if you feel uncomfortable, especially with a long standing customer, an understanding trusting customer, it’s better to admit that rather than guinea pig it.
I didn’t think much of it the first 2 times, namely because I didn’t know better. Mona cut my hair the first time, as always the amazing cuts she does, that grew out fantastic. The coloring combined with straightening was a debacle. The 2^nd time Taylor cut and colored my hair. The blue was ok, but the «purple» was so dark it may as well have been black. But rather than expressing disappointment she tried to sell me on it and honestly after having to come back once before to have a color correct I didn’t feel like dealing with it again.
The cut looked good the day of, Taylor did the cut, but within weeks it started to grow in shaggy, messy and by 4 weeks I looked like a discarded ragamuffin doll. I feel like she doesn’t know how to work with thick hair. It was the same problem I used to experience as a kid growing up.
I have since tried a new salon and now really see the huge difference between someone really gifted at more unusual/​alternative colors between their consult to cut, and 6+ weeks later still get compliments on my hair, the advanced depth of color (with Taylor the blue was a light teal by 4 weeks, my color now is the same with just a bit of ombré ligtening about 3″ near my roots which just adds to the effect) and the cut still is fantastic and I look like I just left the salon that day every time I style it.
I do recommend Mona, hands down for cut, hands down for curly hair. I have seen them do lovely work on regular color and corrective color. But don’t expect anything if you want anything more alternative.

Shalene waxed my brows and was quick and did a great job — also full of tips on skincare etc.- Very friendly vibe and plan on meeting again for a free skin consult!

I love Taylor’s curly haircuts! She really knows how to make your hair more manageable and the salon is very welcoming and chic. Price is not bad either.

I’m surprised at the negative reviews and have a hard time believing Mona or any of her staff would be rude or intentionally abrupt with their clients as some have suggested. I’ve been going to Mona for about a year now, and as someone who has struggled with trying to ‘control’ my naturally curly hair for years I can tell you Mona is a life saver! Mona understands curly hair, the different types of curly hair, and what will WORK for you and your hair — this may be why some of the reviewers were disappointed if they wanted something done which ultimately wasn’t going to work well for their hair/​curl type. Listen folks, if you have curly hair you want to go to Mona because she is an expert with curly hair — and when you go to an expert you listen to their advice! There have been times when I’ve come to Mona unsure of what I want to do; do I just want a trim or do I want something new, am I ready to play with the length, etc. I openly share these musing with Mona and she’ll assess my hair and make a recommendation — and I have NEVER been disappointed. I’ve never made a spa appointment but the rest of Mona’s team is always very friendly, welcoming, and helpful. They also always greet you with the offer of tea, water, etc, which is very thoughtful.
Oh and another thing I love about Mona and her team? This is the first salon (of many) that I’ve ever been to that doesn’t try to up-​sell products and services to me. You know the drill, ladies, you love your hair stylist so when he/​she suggests this great new product you find yourself spending as much on products as you do the service, right? This does not happen at Lofty. The entry/​waiting room area is a lovely boutique with clothing, jewelry, and accessories but there is never any pressure to buy, guests are welcome to browse and ask for assistance if needed. The only product Mona’s ever suggested is a leave-​in conditioner/​styling gel which has been a lifesaver for me (another poster mentioned it made her hair sticky, you just have to play around with how much works for you). She’s the only stylist who has ever told me ‘I don’t care what shampoo you use but instead of a normal conditioner please consider using this product instead’ … and I’ve been following that advice for the past year with my hair looking healthier than ever.
If you have curly hair you have to go see Mona. Listen to her, Ladies, you will not be sorry you did.

I just found this beautiful salon last weekend by accident. I had an appt. in Vienna at a different salon and I came from Maryland, once I saw the salon I had the appointment with my alarms went off, it was misleading and I knew I would never trust this place with my hair. I looked up other salons and saw excellent reviews for «Lofty» which was very close to the area I was. I immediately felt special and relaxed when I walked it. The atmosphere is very calming and classy. One of the stylist, Taylor squeezed me and did a great job. It was a hidden gem for me and I am going back tomorrow for another appointment. I was impressed with Taylor who did a good job with my hair an even more impressed with their spa packages and treatments. I suggest if you are looking for a spa day, go to Lofty! Paula from Maryland

Mona truly is a curlyologist, just as she has trademarked the name. For decades I wore my hair up. If I dared to wear it down, it was a big pyramid/​bell shape mess. Once I found Mona at Lofty Salon… two words: life changing. Now I wear my curls down almost every day. It’s low maintenance and I only have it cut about 4 – 5 times a year! If you have curls, there’s no better place for a great cut.

If you have curly hair, I recommend you RUN to Lofty and book an appointment with Mona and never look back.
Like many curly ladies, I have «fought» my curly hair for years, however, thanks to Mona, I have a newly renewed love for my curls and have learned to love and embrace and no longer fight them.
A few years ago, I found myself with hair that was absolutely FRIED from too much chemical straightening treatments– from where I had lost my battle to tame my hair. I was absolutely fed up! After much Googling, I found my godsend Mona. She truly knows curly hair, something I found many stylists say but their work does not back up. Mona definitely know what she is talking about!
She has helped me to cut out all of the fried mess that was my former hair and has styled mine in a way that it is now looking better than ever. I get so many compliments daily and I have learned to embrace my curls, not fight them.
Thank you Mona! You’ve made a lifelong customer out of me!

Lofty is great! My sister and I got facials not too long ago (can’t remember the names of our techs as I should have reviewed soon after!!) and it was very pleasant and relaxing! Also, both of our skin stayed clear for a good 2+ months afterwards. The tech recommended their foundation makeup which I have continuously bought and even made my mom buy — it lasts all day and is very natural.
I just recently on Monday went in for my hair. I called on Saturday and made an appt. for Tuesday to do the «body wave» perm — looking to change up these flat/​lifeless locks! The staff at the reception desk are very friendly and welcoming. I didn’t have to wait long for my appt. in fact she took me back earlier than expected. I then met Sue who would be doing my hair. (I like that they have you fill out a form to indicate a little bit of info about yourself as well as what you’re looking for). Sue was fantastic. Very personable and talented. You can tell she loves what she does. She took one look at my hair and immediately recommended we do some damage control before we attempt the Body wave. I appreciated her honesty. She did fantastic highlights and a conditioning treatment instead and we are planning to attempt the body wave at a later time once my hair has some time to get healthy.
The boutique Lofty has when you initially walk in offers some really cool (pricey) jewelry. I have bought 2 rings so far.
The staff here have been nothing but friendly/​welcoming/​helpful each time I have come. I love the relaxing atmosphere — perfect for some pampering!
Definitely recommend Lofty !

Mona and the ladies at Lofty are the absolute best! I have been going here for over a year and regret the fact that I have to leave this great salon as I move to Austin, TX. Mona has been cutting my very fine hair and for the first time in years it looks and feels as it should. Not everyone can give a woman with fine hair a good cut and style but Mona has it down pat. I highly recommend her to anyone who has fine hair. Carmen does great color and Anya does a great deep tissue massage. I will sorely miss Lofty Salon.

I’m pretty surprised at the negative reviews here, at least at the number of them. Some are about some plastic surgery business that has nothing to do with Lofty — I have been going to Lofty for almost a year and have never seen any Bitar office there, so if it was ever there then it’s gone now. She does have a very nice clothing boutique attached to the salon.
A lot of the reviews are about customer service, and I can see how some people could be rubbed the wrong way — Mona is not snobby, but she’s slightly arrogant and a little bit bossy (sort of like, you don’t know what you want, Mona knows what you want…). Perhaps she’s also a little bit blunt. However, she’s usually right. If you can handle being given a great haircut even if it’s not exactly per your orders, or being refused a hairstyle that she really doesn’t think will work with your hair, then you’ll be happy with Lofty. She cut my hair pretty short and it wasn’t what I had in mind at the time, but I got used to it and started to really like it. The hair falls easily into place and it looks good for a long time after she cuts it. I get a lot of compliments on my hair, and before I went to Lofty I hadn’t had any compliments in a long time.
It is definitely better to schedule an appointment at a slow time of day. Mona is the only hairdresser I have seen there, and if she’s really busy then you may get a lot of your styling handed over to an assistant, which I don’t really like. I also have to say that I don’t love the styling in general — I always go home and fix it and I feel like I do it better. I have not tried any color services, but one of my friends has — have to say, I didn’t love the color Mona did, especially for the price. But my friend’s cut was very good.
I would recommend not being put off by anything negative here — if you have curly hair and want a great haircut, you can get it here. I have been to every «curly hair» stylist in NoVa, and some are as good as Mona, but none are better.

A milestone birthday makes it imperative to indulge in all of your guilty pleasures, and for me that’s some good olé’ pampering. After a friend recommended Lofty, I decided to make the plunge and book both a Swedish massage and hair appointment. AMAZING!!! After a year of taking care of my own hair (embarrassed to admit), and never finding any time for myself, I wanted to treat myself to some much needed TLC. I arrived at Lofty to find tentative staff who checked me in on time and made me feel very welcome. I met with my massage therapist, Ania, who discussed areas of importance to me. The massage area upstairs was so tranquil and serene. The room was clean, peaceful and décor so inviting. Ania made sure I was comfortable, relaxed, and afterwards — hydrated! She was GREAT! After my massage I met with Taylor, who is very youthful and trendy stylist. I love women with SPARK. I discussed with her all my hair dilemmas as I wanted a new hairstyle that made me youthful, but one that wouldn’t be too dramatic (at least yet). She corrected my color from a very brassy yellow to a warm and glowing blonde. I got a long inverted bob that myself and husband just LOVE (Yay!). After my massage and hair, I decided to treat myself to a few face products (getting older comes with some extra lines and puffiness). Lofty sells organic face creams and makeup that were just perfect for my sensitive skin. I’m SO glad I indulged, I’ve been using them for a few days now and my face feels cleaner and tighter than before. THANK YOU Lofty team, for making this milestone birthday one to remember!!! See you again soon!!!

While adding a review to my Unilocal account, I was reading over past posts. My favorite, of course, was the one I wrote about Lofty Salon & Wellness Center.
Apparently, it’s a favorite of others. 26 of you found it helpful. I’m glad it helped you. I routinely rely on Unilocal,especially now that I have three small children and going out/​using services/​making purchases is definitely a different experience with the young ones. In other words, Unilocal really does help save us consumers time while aiding us in our money-​related decision making.
So, ha! Isn’t it FUNNY that the owner, Mona, responded to my review?! How on earth did I miss this? Oh, how nice and polite of Mona. Well, heck, I should give her 5 stars. Afterall, she writes «I never, EVER would tell a customer they cannot afford a service. .. I felt it would be unfair to you to have to pay a hundred or so dollars for you just to blowdry your hair.»
PEOPLE, ARE YOU READING HER WORDS?! Are you reading them?! Okay, so let’s get this straight. First — Mona charges more for her services on a Saturday. Now, I know in certain industries, weekend prices are higher. But I can honestly say that — locally — I’ve never seen a salon menu w/​«Saturday Prices». Have you? If I’m wrong, I totally stand corrected. Second — I’m sitting there, in her salon chair, and for some reason my Saturday appointment — that I voluntarily and without coercion scheduled — comes up. Based on Mona’s own words, she must have been thinking, «gee, my Saturday appointments are so expensive. Wouldn’t it be nice of me to *try* say to Corie, ‘Saturday is expensive and there is a high demand for those slots. Um, maybe you want to come in on Thursday or Friday because it’s less expensive and there isn’t a high demand?» How is that any different and better from, «if you can’t afford Saturday, please reschedule because I have a long waiting list?» REALLY, MONA? REALLY? Sorry, my love. your explanation only hurts you and helps me more.
Recycling program with Brocato, the maker of the Hold On gel? According to Mona, Brocato asked her to return her empty Brocato bottles to them. That’s great and I totally believe it. But, readers, do any of us REALLY believe that Brocato asked Mona to require her customers to return their bottles to her so she could return them to Brocato? Nah. It doesn’t make sense. Not at all. Especially if the policy was to NOT sell a customer a new bottle of gel in absence of an empty bottle. If, however, this is true and Brocato does request return bottles from its customer’s customers, how ambitious of Brocato. Wow, I think it’s really great (and, um, believeable?) that they contact their salons and say, «hey, before you sell our product to someone, be sure to collect their old bottles. If they don’t return them, do NOT sell them our product. We do NOT want to make money. GO, EARTH!» Thankfully, when I order this product from Amazon I’m not first required to return my empty bottles.
Re: canceled appointments. You predictably and consistently canceled my last-​appointment-​of-​the-​day appointments because you were on your own? Not because something came up and you needed to leave, which is what your staff would consistently inform me? So, now that you’re not on your own, you would punt my appointment to someone else? So, because you were «on your own», you thought it was okay to continuously schedule a 5PM appointment and cancel it? Time after time after time after time? So, like, you never figured out for yourself that while «on your own» you couldn’t manage 5PM appointments? Like, how long did it take you to smack your forehead and say, «damn! This 5PM thing just ain’t workin’ out! But, hey, front desk, keep schedulin’ for 5PM, k?» And, for the record, I was never gratuitously offered an earlier time slot. It was either, «come in earlier or we will cancel,» which is quite different from, «hey, Mona has an earlier opening. Want to come in earlier? Oh, you can’t? No problem, we’ll still see you at 5!»
Anyway, folks, take away what you wish from this review. As I stated in my first review, my rating and statement re: this salon is based solely on my experience. My preceding reply to Mona is based strictly on my interpretation of her words, written above, and, again, my experience. Back in the day, I liked how Mona cut my hair — a lot. But I did not like how she treated me.

I have been going to Lofty Salon for a few years now, since 2006 – 7. My hair is very curly and I had horrible experiences with other stylists who had no idea how to cut my curly hair. Mona and her curly-​cut trained stylists have been a godsend. The first time I saw Mona she took the time to talk with me about my hair type (fine, very curly) and gave me a cut that was easy to style, super cute and added body. I always get compliments on my curls. That said, this winter (2012) I was ready for a change so I talked to Mona about doing a Keratin treatment on my hair. Previously she had talked me out of it because of the damage it would do to my fine curls. But with the new, healthy, non-​formaldehyde Keratin treatments offered these days, this time when I asked, she was all for it.
My friend and I, who also wanted a Keratin treatment, made appointments on the same day with Taylor, who has cut and colored my hair the last few times I made appointments. Taylor was awesome. She took her time when applying the Keratin Fusion Control Treatment. She explained the process to me in detail — the treatment would need to sit in my hair around 20 min, followed by a special wash, blow dry and flat iron. I couldn’t wash my hair or even get it wet for 72 hours. She told me not to put it up or back and iron out kinks after waking and throughout the day as needed. My hair looked AMAZING! It was kind of thick and course over those 72 hours, but it smelled fine and looked great. On the third day I went back to Taylor for a wash and blow dry because I had a Christmas party that day and wanted a trim as well. The treatment worked wonders. My hair was so easy to blow dry – no flat iron needed – plus it was shiny, soft, my color popped even though I didn’t color it, and it stayed straight for three additional days until I washed it again. I have blow dried it myself since and can’t believe the difference. I wore it curly once (my curls did not disappear) and it was not frizzy at all, just less curly.
Overall, I highly recommend Lofty Salon for both their curly cuts and Keratin treatments. Mona is kind, thoughtful, knowledgeable and honest about what works and doesn’t with your hair. She listens, but also gives advice based on her professional opinion. She trains her stylists and takes incredible care with her salon (it’s gorgeous, has a spa upstairs and a boutique… the full package).
Taylor is a talented young stylist that I have recommended to my friends for cut, style, color and now Keratin treatments. If you have very curly hair and have never gotten a curly cut, I suggest calling Mona first. She will do a great job talking with you about your curls, advising you on strategies and styles, and then you can easily make follow-​up appointments with other Lofty stylists.
One other thing! Last time I was at Lofty I got an organic facial from the esthetician, Ania. She incorporated a neck, and arm/​hand massage into my facial. It was wonderful. The products smelled delicious, too, and she didn’t pressure me to buy anything.
I think Lofty is moderately priced for its Vienna location, but somewhat pricey compared to less expensive places to live outside the beltway.

Mona IS the curl whisperer! I’ve seen her a total of four times (over the past year and a hlaf) and have always been very satisfied. The salon is always clean and the staff friendly and helpful. In the past, I ‘ve never hesistated to «cheat» on other stylists but I’ve never felt the need, nor desire, to cheat on Mona!
I’ve not had any other services in the salon, but look forward to that in the future.

I was a client of a well known facialist in the DC area that works with only the best Organic products. Unfortunately, my old facialist no longer is in business but fortunately I found LOFTY! All I have to say is WOW. I booked a 90 minute Organic Facial with a girl named Nichole. Hands down the most relaxing, pampering facial I have ever had. I love the products she used, they smelled completely amazing and made my skin look radiant. The Spa is beautiful and the room where I had my facial was spaceous and sumptiously decorated. I was welcomed warmly from the front desk lady and offered tea which was a nice touch. My facialist wasnt pushy about products (which is huge for me) but did ask if I would like any recommendations. I walked out very relaxed, with my face feeling and looking greatt. I am so happy I took a friends recommendation on trying a facial here. I will be back.

Mona, the owner of this salon, has been my hair dresser for seven years. In this area, we are lucky with a choice of many good hair professionals, but I was never quite satisfied, until I found Mona. She advertises herself as being the «curly hair expert» and that’s likely the case, but she has been doing an amazing job on my very straight and relatively thin hair. She’s willing to make changes to my style and I’ve (and my husband!) have always liked her suggestions.
Best of all, it’s a pampering experience to have your hair done in her salon. Imagine sitting under the dryer and sipping a glass of wine and sampling some delicious sweets. Of course, cost is important to me too and Mona’s prices are on a par with the other salons around town.

Several months ago I received a rather rude message from a woman on Unilocal named Cassandra K titled «Lofty and Bitar Are DIFFERENT Businesses.»
Her messages were rather strange and chided me for my negative review of Lofty/​Bitar Plastic Surgery Institute. She claimed to be a loyal customer and good friend of the owner who came across my negative review.
I explained to her that I had dealt with Lofty employees in both times I visited Lofty/​Bitar and that if the partnership between Lofty and Bitar was broken then perhaps it was time to part ways.
I suggested to her that a better way to change a negative review would be to tell me that things at Lofty have changed and invite me back to see the changes.
By the end of our back and forth I was beginning to feel a little bullied. A few weeks later Cassandra K said she had spoken to the owner and the owner would like to me to return to see the changes, due to the strange e-​mail exchange I decided not to take her up on the offer.
I hold nothing against the owner or Lofty. If it has changed then all the better for their customers! But these e-​mails were very off putting and rather indicative of my first two experiences there.

I love Lofty. I have been there several times and only had good expereinces. Mona is the owner and curly hair Goddess.
My first visit to Lofty was for my best friend’s wedding which she had each bridesmaid scheduled for hair, makeup and nails. I was skeptical, cause I usually dont let others do my hair and such, but it was for her wedding.
The morning was just for us and Mona was sooo incredibly welcoming. There was a continental breakfast, juice coffee and tea laid out for us. Matthew, one of the massuses, was doing complimentry seated massage. At the close of the morning, Mona served Mimosa’s and gave each lady a little gift.
So I came back for my hair and Mona brought it to life! I was fighting my texture and thickness for 27 years and with her cut, all the fighting was gone and I have learned to embrace my curlies. With her cut, even a bad hair day looks pretty damn good.
Then there is the aforementioned massuse. Matthew is great, talks to you about what you need to help you out that day and whats been going on to get you all tense and tied up. He is like a bartender with great hands!
I visit Lofty pretty regularly for my hair and when I can’t bear it anymore, another massage. I can’t speak for the surgical portion, but the spa has been treating me well.