Studio 12 Salon and Spa

Client beware!
I moved to the Heights earlier this year and have been looking for a good stylist since. Based on the prior reviews and the connection to The Petite Retreat, I called Studio 12, made the appointment with Olga (the owner) and was on my way.
My hair was long (passed my bra strap). super thick and for the most part all the same length. I wanted a shoulder length bob with a VERY long stack and some face framing layers. I discussed exactly what I wanted with Olga and even brought in pictures to confirm visually. She guaranteed that she could cut it in the style requested and we got started. After brushing my hair out, she started to buzz a majority of the length with clippers. I should have trusted my gut feeling that things were only going to get worse from there.
After washing my hair, she sectioned it off and started working. My second red flag if you will — She started «thinning» the back of my hair with thinning shears and it was still wet. My hair was coming out in GOBS, seriously by the fistful. Again, I smiled and let her continue working as she said she has been cutting hair for over 25 years.
After an hour and a half and $ 120 later, my hair had no style, the longest layer in the front was right at my chin, with the longest in the back about midway on the skull, uneven and spastic layers EVERYWHERE… Not to mention there were 2 very noticeable bald spots and the stack, well it was just a hot mess.
To avoid confrontation, I paid her and was in tears by the time my feet hit the parking lot. This experience, however, did lead me to my new stylist Jamie Brodham at Shine in the Heights. Jamie cleaned up the mess Olga made and made me presentable that afternoon. I am very thankful for her and her skills! If you are looking for someone awesome, look her up!
As far as Olga. well like I said, Client Beware!

I am that girl who cuts her hair maybe once or twice per year. Well, I live down the street from this place and Steel Magnolias is my favorite movie, so these factors definitely led me to her front door for my first haircut about a year and a half ago. I have been back three times since and will be going this weekend for a fourth. I love how she cuts my hair!!! I even let her give me bangs for the first time since 1998 :) I haven’t had any bad experiences with her and I think she is as sweet as can be.

I was referred by a friend who loves going to Olga but unfortunately my experience wasn’t so great…
I called and spoke with Olga to set an appt a few days beforehand. When I got there, the door was locked and no one was in sight. I waited a bit and called the salon number, which must have forwarded because I got hold of Olga who was quite surprised that we had spoken and I had an appointment. Regardless, she came over and opened up pretty quickly for me.
I asked for a trim to get rid of split ends but keep the length and ended up losing 4 – 6 inches (much more than I anticipated!) It’s a good haircut, it’s just not what we had discussed — much shorter and more layered!
$ 45 is a reasonable price and I like the location/​feel, but I probably won’t be back again. While I was getting my hair cut, she answered the phone to make some more appointments without writing them down — I hope they have better luck than I did!

Olga is the sweetest woman and I wish her well, but she needs to get more help in her shop. She doesn’t have the time to dedicate to every client. She really overprocessed my hair once and I had to get my hair cut off to fix the damage. I understand she has taken on a new stylist, so I hope helps. She really is a wonderful person and I want her to succeed, but I won’t go back.

I went to this salon since the one down the road doesn’t seem to be interested in business enough to ever stay open (David Etc.). I didn’t go in with high expectations, I just wanted some bangs and the last person I went to butchered my hair, so asked if she could maybe even it out without cutting too much off. What I got was an amazing hair cut that I LOVED… and it had been months since I loved my hairstyle. She was super sweet and listened to what I wanted and even asked about my style to match what I was wanting. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a great experience at a salon before!
And who cares if someone is eccentric, how judgmental to post a review about someone’s beliefs and not their actual trade. Maybe if people reviewed her on her skill and not her belief system, she would have more customers… but instead a user who actually wants her to get more customers puts her down because of the way she believes? The point is, the lady can cut some hair and she’s very good at it!
I will definitely be back!

This place sucks.
The only reason I even bothered to stop by for a trim was because of its close proximity to my home. I felt so rushed and walked out unhappy. It felt as if she were more interested in a client who walked in while she was trying to cut my own hair. Her customer service skills need serious help as does her skills in cutting and styling hair. Epic fail.
Don’t bother.

I recently when to see Olga for a haircut. What a pleasant surprise and so close to my house. She is so sweet and can cut hair. I didn’t really know how to explain what I wanted and she cut my hair exactly like I’d pictured. She is very careful not to cut too much hair. Overall, great find in the Heights. Not to mention, the price is very reasonable. I’ll be going back to Studio 12.

What’s the polite word for crazy? Oh yeah, eccentric. Eccentric salon owner, Olga, can cut some hair. And she does it on the cheap. I have been going to Olga and Studio 12 Salon since they opened two years ago and this is the best, cheapest haircut you can get in the neighborhood. I can get it cut and styled for $ 35! She really listens to what you want and has plenty of experience to get it done. I get my eyebrows done there as well for only $ 10.
So why only 3 stars you might be saying? Well, it also has to do with Olga. She crazy. She once told me that everything has a spirit including the patio furniture. When I awkwardly laughed, she said «its true.» looking me in the face. She also has a bit of a weight complex. If you have lost weight she will go on and on about it. If you have gained weight she will not so subtly suggest that you get a spa treatment.
I really need more people to come here because I am always terrified she is going to go out of business. So if you want your hair a particular way and can handle a strange stylist then please help me, help Olga and Studio 12 stay open!