AVA Salon & Spa

I loved Andre! I barely noticed I was getting a Brazilian! Does anyone know where Andre is working now???

I initially ended up at AVA because of their pricing and great reviews. I’ve been back many time since and have always had a good experience. Walking into AVA is like walking into an episode of Queer Eye. Everyone is fabulous.
My original stylist left and so I switched to Dexter. Dexter does amazing cuts but I never quite liked the way he colored my hair. I’m platinum and not afraid of bleach. He always preferred to choose to use hair dye over bleach, which I know is better for my hair, but I generally ended up with very obvious lines in the color. The second time he did my hair I ended up with three different color lines, he called it «ombré» and moved on. Not quite what I had asked for (okay, not at all), but because it was in style I let it slide.
After about six months the color difference got out of hand and I went back to AVA. This time I opted for Trisha. As a fellow blondie, I knew she would not be afraid to dye my hair back to all platinum. I was correct. She did a fabulous cut and color.
Sadly, Trisha recently left AVA and I’m fairly certain I will follow her to her next salon. There weren’t any other stylists at AVA I wanted to try and I really like the way Trisha styles my hair.
We had a good run AVA, but it’s time to move on.

I hadn’t had my hair cut in over a year, and I have VERY long hair. When I called, I asked Tabitha if they could squeeze me in the afternoon at the last minute, and Déjà was able to take me right away. She did a fantastic job and my hair looks great. I will be coming back here for more regular haircuts from now on!

Took a chance on AVA Salon & Spa after purchasing a Groupon.
Upon arrival, you receive a glass of wine… and I thought to myself «could this get better?»
Answer? It did. I got a full-​on haircut from Deja (chopped off 5 – 6 inches) and it is one of the best cuts I’ve ever had. My hair is very temperamental but her skill level was able to tame it.
I would – and have recommended – Deja and AVA Salon & Spa to all my friends in the area.

I desperately needed a pampering after a business trip and discovered Ava through a groupon. I was easily able to set up an appointment for a cut and style with Lamont the same day. i walked in and had the pleasure of having my hair washed by India while I sipped on their complimentary mimosas and ate strawberries. After blowdrying, Lamont hooked my weave up! Not only did he readjust it, but he added the long layers I’d asked for and styled it in loose curls. The entire process was professional and painless-​not to mention the staff is a riot! No one tried to push products or services I didn’t ask for, there was no long wait, and I was consulted before anything was done to my hair. I will definitely be back!

André did today for me The wax, half leg, Brazilian, underarm, lip and brow, review? LOVE IT! I’m very picky I love how he did my brow and he was very clean and nice. Will come back! :)

This is a nice place, but it seems a little pricey for my taste. I’ll still bring the wife here and have a look because ultimately its your decision.

I had a manicure at Ava salon from Andre who was fabulous. He provides several other services as well and based on the number of customers who came in while I was having my nails done — it seems Andre and Ava have a good following. I did not have my hair done but it looks like a great place to do so.

I had never been to Ava before but just moved to the neighborhood and thought I’d give it a try. Never again. Despite there being only one other customer there I waited for 40 minutes before I eventually left without getting a haircut. There was about a 6:1 staff to customer ratio and my stylist was clearly not helping another customer, so I have no idea why I was waiting for so long. When I told the receptionist I was leaving he didn’t seem surprised or to care, so maybe I’m not the first to have this experience.

I got a wax here a few months ago and wish I hadn’t. The staff was supercilious and the aesthetician didn’t use gloves for a Brazilian wax, which was unbelievably unsanitary for everyone involved. I won’t be going back.

I am sad that I have to write this review. I have been seeing William for over two years now. I love him and this review should not reflect upon him. This is a review of the salon as a whole. The last two times I have tried to make appointments for a haircut I have had to call for several days before someone answered the phone. I don’t know what the deal is. I don’t know if they are so busy they can’t answer the phone or what. If their hours have changed or something they should state that on their voicemail message. I love my stylist, but I’m not going to chase down the salon to get an appointment.

I chose AVA for three reasons: 1) the reviews are good, 2) the prices are more in line with what I’m comfortable with, and 3) it’s an easy walk from my house. Your first haircut at AVA is 40% off, so mine ended up being $ 40 before tip. NOTE: I didn’t ask to get my hair styled, because I would have been fine leaving with wet hair after a shampoo and cut, but they seem to assume that you want it blow-​dried too. Next time I’ll specify, because there’s a $ 25 difference!
It was very easy to make an appointment at AVA and the receptionist was very friendly. I waited a few minutes because I got there early, but the shampoo guy took me back pretty quickly. He was also incredibly friendly and told me all about his new house. He then took me over to my stylist, who talked me through everything I wanted and then did a very thorough cut (making sure everything was even, etc.). He was very easy to get along with, and he seemed well-​qualified given that he used to teach at a cosmetology school. Overall, he gave me the cut that I asked for and was pleasant throughout.
As he started styling my hair, he explained the different products he used and why he was using them, and showed me how to blow-​dry it to get the same effect that he was going for. Unfortunately, because it was raining outside and I was hungry (it was 7PM), I left before he finished styling, but he seemed very disappointed that I didn’t want to wait to see what it would look like.
The atmosphere at AVA is very relaxed and they offer you something to drink as soon as you walk in. I didn’t take them up on the offer, but apparently wine is an option. I particularly liked the tipping system, because you don’t have to worry about tipping the shampoo guy or the stylist in person — they have envelopes at the front desk where you can put their tip.

*** This review is based soley on my waxing experience***
I visited the salon on September 5^th and was waxed, as usual, my Andre.
The receptionist, I believe his name is Deon, was cordial and welcoming. Andre made the experience as painless as possible and he offered good conversation. The salon is clean and it smells good.
*I’ve tried to go to other places to get a Brazilian but none have done as good a job or made me as comfortable as Andre. Last year, I went to a place in Falls Church (I can’t remember the name) and I felt like I was being secretly filmed for a porno. After every strip, the lady would either moan or whisper «Mmmm nice»…very weird. I’ve also visited a place that left my poor nethers in shambles… very painful*
Anyhow, I would recommend this place for a wax. They offer other services like skincare (facials), mani/​pedis and hair care though I’ve never visited the salon for any of those reasons.

Ok, I waited a month to post this review because I was hoping my hair would grow out to something that was acceptable.
That didn’t happen.
I went for a cut and color with Renah. The color is great (although too dark; I wanted highlights but she talked me out of it. I don’t mind the color, but it is too dark for me). The cut, however…
It’s pretty bad. I have curly hair, and I’ve cut my hair myself (trims) and it never looked as bad as it does now. I told her to keep the layers LONG. She didn’t. I have what looks like a shelf on the left side of my head. Maybe it’d look better if the other side had a shelf, too. Nope. The other side is a totally different hairstyle. Honestly, it’s awful. I was really hoping the cut would grow out, but I still have to pull the left side of my hair up so it doesn’t look ridiculous. And I told her to keep it long, which she did, but the longest layer is about 5 inches longer than the next layer. I could’ve done a better job, sorry to say. And she said she KNEW CURLS. I warn you…
I can’t go back. Even tho the color was good, I can’t give this place another chance.

I’ve now been in DC for a year and a half and have FINALLY found a stylist that I would consider returning to a second time. I made an appointment for a half head of highlights with Sultana and she really did a high quality job. By spreading the highlights around my head she stretched a half head to look like a full head of highlights, taking care to blend them into where my color had grown out on my crown and in the back. Yes! She also suggested a glaze, which did a nice job toneing down my blond which had become way to bright during my last salon experience.
I’m sticking with the 4 star for 2 reasons, 1) because the fresh highlights that received the glaze were a slightly different color than the old highlights that got the glaze, even though I’m probably the only one that noticed and 2) because it really urks me when a salon charges for a blowdry after you drop over a $ 100 on a service.

AVA is the only salon I’ve been to more than once in DC. William is my man. He makes sure you are comfortable with your cut, and works with you to make any changes you want. I also have thick «Asian hair,» which I don’t think everyone can deal with.
Tips are cash in envelopes, I think. They aren’t open on Sun. or Mon.

The salon was pretty, and the staff was very helpful, getting me tea and giving me a wonderful shampoo/​head massage.
The girl who gave me the cut was pretty young and I think struggled with making my short cut look feminine. It was a good price for what I got but I think I’m interested in something a tiny bit more professional.

I’m still going to Max at AVA, and I’m still getting the highest quality cut, color, and customer service. Max is so much fun and so skilled. I adore AVA and everyone there. I really can’t recommend this salon highly enough.
To address the review from DM, I have to say that the deep conditioning treatment is free. Also, the staff has never, ever been anything but amiable while I’ve been in the salon.

This Salon is tucked away above the hustle of Pennsylvania Ave SE. You ascend the stairs to nice reception area. I was checked in quickly and offered water while I waited. it’s much nicer than I expected. It’s coed and I saw lots of males paying for their service. The have a large range of services and the prices are standard prices at the day spa level.
I’m a fan of Andre. He provided great conversation during the waxing process and he was quick and professional.

Quite a nice place in Capitol Hill — convenient for work (if you’re ever on the Hill) and right by a coffee shop and wine bar. Ambience is great — everyone is very nice, professional, and polite. I was offered coffee which was served quite pretty and was very good.
Andre did my manicure, and he is great — very friendly (the first time I was comfortable enough to talk with my manicurist), helpful, and just an overall relaxing, enjoyable time while I was here. Did a great job with the nails (but was heartbroken at the thought of shortening them… as people usually are, I have excellently long nail beds)
Overall a little more pricey than your usual neighborhood salons, but with service and perks to match. Would come here again if I needed a mani in the area.