Follicle fun.

On Saturday, I did something that I am usually VERY hesitant about—I ventured into a new hair salon.

I’ve been getting my hair cut at Bang on U Street since the traumatic BPI (Bubbles Perm Incident) of 2005. When I decided to get some color added to my ‘do, I went to Bang and had the good fortune of sitting in Steve’s chair. He listened to me, he made me feel comfortable (he’s got a great personality), and he gave me some AMAZING highlights.

Sadly, Steve and Bang were not a good match, so he left. No one knew where he had landed—or, at least, no one was willing to tell me. One afternoon, I noticed a sign on U Street that said something to the effect of “Steve from Bang has gone to Subairi Salon.” Excellent, I thought. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a pen handy, so within moments I had forgotten the name of my hairdresser’s new digs. When I returned to check the sign out again, it was gone.

It was only through my semi-regular perusing of the Craigslist Missed Connections that I found Steve once again. One of his former Bang clients generously posted information about his new place of employment, and I made an appointment immediately. Big thanks to whoever it was, because I had a lovely experience with Steve at Subairi.

From the moment I entered the space, I felt more relaxed than I ever did at Bang. The stylists and the clientele seemed more down-to-earth and quiet, more concerned with being pampered than with seeing and being seen. I gave my long-lost friend a big hug and sat in his chair, at which point I was offered a glass of wine. “We like to ply you with liquor while we’re making you beautiful!” Steve exclaimed. Now that’s my kind of salon! After 90 minutes of beautifying and bantering, I left with a lighter head of hair (both in color and volume), a slight buzz, and a huge smile. I also left with a mission.

A stylist’s success depends a great deal on how many clients they bring in. Since Steve was largely unable to let his Bang clients know about his move, he’s forced to basically start from scratch. That’s where you come in. If you’re looking for a stylist, whether it’s because you’re new to the area or you just want to try someone new, please make an appointment with Steve. He’s absolutely wonderful, especially if you are in the market for highlights—he uses a really cool no-foil technique (he paints the color directly onto the strands) that results in a more natural, less streaky look. He’s also an absolute hoot to chat with, and he really cares about making sure his clients are happy (for example, he told me to live with my cut for a few days and to return—on the house—if I wanted to go a bit shorter).

Right now, you can get a cut and partial highlights from Steve for $100, which is a total steal in this neck of the woods. I promised that I’d do my best to help him out, so be sure to drop my name if you decide to go for it—in the interest of full disclosure, I may get a free service or two if I successfully increase Steve’s client base, but I’d recommend him wholeheartedly even without a beauty-related incentive.

So, there you go—help a great stylist do well in Dupont, and help yourself to some lovely locks. Win-win!