Our Town: Washington D.C.

Stationed in the center of political power, these three salons veto bad hair days for the city’s diverse residents. ­✂ —Desiree Cole

Drybar

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With signature elements like 12 custom Italian styling chairs, tufted fabric walls, a marble bartending counter, built-in iPhone charging stations and flat-screen TVs that play chick-flicks, Drybar is a great escape for women. The 1,670-square-foot salon opened its Georgetown location in 2012, and boasts Drybar's traditional clean, white interior with pops of yellow. After opening many successful locations, founder and chief stylist Alli Webb says Drybar launched its own line of styling products and tools last year, which are formulated to create a variety of blowout styles. “We believe in doing one thing really well, and for us, that’s blowouts,” says Webb, who puts a ton of time and energy into consistently training stylists on blow-dry techniques.

In Stock: Drybar

Michael Anthony Salon

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Nestled behind the U.S. Congress building sits Michael Anthony Salon, a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon that has cultivated a loyal clientele since its opening in 2009, ranging from the U.S. House and Senate members to various nonprofit professionals to stay-at-home parents who live on the Hill. The cozy salon is located on the second floor of a townhouse that overlooks the Eastern Market neighborhood, and is flooded with light and decorated with exposed brick. Coloring and highlighting reign supreme here, and the team of nine has won numerous awards including Washington City Paper's Best Hair Salon in 2013 and 2014. Beyond being an award-winning business, Michael Anthony Salon's client experience is also worthy of note. “We’re known for the incredible head massages our assistants do at the shampoo bowl with every wash,” says owner Mickey Bolek.

 In Stock: AG, Paul Mitchell

Immortal Beloved

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Located in one of the liveliest neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., 8,000-square-foot Immortal Beloved holds 24 cutting stations, 18 color chairs, 10 shampoo bowls, four blow-dry areas and six chairs for education purposes. The functional workspace for stylists and colorists boasts a comfortable balance between handmade furniture and unfinished surfaces, says owner Kelly Gorsuch. The salon opened in 2009, and its stylists are trained to create signature looks that use dry-cutting and painting techniques. “We created an atmosphere where clients know they can trust anyone who touches their hair in our salon,” says Gorsuch. What’s more, Immortal Beloved is the sister salon of Barber of Hell’s Bottom, a popular D.C. barbershop.

In Stock: Oribe, R+Co, Redken, Wella

 

photography: Courtesy of Drybar; Kevin Caroll i(mmortal beloved); Amir Lowery (michael anthonysalon)