Cristophe

Francesca is amazing! I’ve been seeing her for over a year now and every time I get my haircut she does exactly what I want. She’s a great listener and makes fantastic suggestions to give me a hairstyle that suits my personality and lifestyle. She’s a pleasure to talk to and makes the experience of going to the hair salon a fun and relaxing one. She also did my hair for my wedding this past fall and it was gorgeous. I have super straight and fine hair and she was able to give me a wavy vintage hairdo that I absolutely loved. She is a truly gifted hair stylist. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a great cut/​hair style and a pleasant salon experience.

As soon as I moved from NYC to DC I went on for a search for the lifeline– hairstylist, brow specialist and doctors. I tried many salons in hope to find someone who would treat my beautiful but thick wavy South Asian hair with respect but with no luck. My biggest disappointment is when a hairstylist starts off fine but halfway through gets frustrated with all the volume and gives up by the end. I found Cristophe salon through Gilt. While booking my appointment I explained my requirements to Cynthia and she booked me with Stephan. He was extremely professional, talented, understood my request for a low maintenance, low frizz, shoulder length hairstyle, offered his suggestions and the end result was better than I expected. The cut was perfect and he didn’t rush through the blow dry. He even offered hair styling tips and products without being pushy. Btw this was more than a year ago and he still rocks!
I also love the atmosphere of the salon. Everyone is super cool, funny and seems to enjoy what they do. They do it for passion than to sustain a living. I plan to stick with them till the time I am around.

Azi is the absolute BEST! She really has a true talent for shaping brows and she takes my appointment very seriously. I have been to some of the most famous eyebrow specialists in DC and have not found one as great as Azi!

I came here for a haircut back in March. Asked for layers and basically came one layer of hair an inch shorter then the rest of the hair. Layering is not cutting one row into hair. Basics people.

First let me say this review is mainly for Francesca. I have been her client for over a year now and would never see anyone else. She is my hair goddess. When she told me she switched salons I was actually happy for her. The other salon wasn’t great with color selections and the other workers weren’t the greatest. But since visiting her at Cristophe, I can tell she is not only happier, but she has better ability to do more. Plus, the shampoo lady has magic hands and their conditioning treatment is out of this world.
My only complaint is their website doesn’t have a price list, so you have to estimate how much things will costs. But then again Francesca is a doll with making sure you know the costs up front so you can decide what needs to be done and can wait.

This review is for the cut I got with Francesca (formerly of Voila)…I’ve been getting my hair done by her for the past 2.5 years and she’s only gotten better!!! She always delivers and can be as creative or specific as you want. Definitely ask for her! PS tip is cash only so make sure you visit an ATM before your next visit.

I bought a Gilt City deal for a haircut at Cristophe, and wasn’t disappointed. Stephan did a great job listening to what I wanted. He made me feel comfortable the whole time, letting me know exactly what he was doing. I recently had a traumatic experience at another salon (chopping off WAY more than I asked, uneven, weird layers) so I was wary of trying a new place. So glad I came here — Stephan fixed my hair and now it looks great!

I can only speak to the atmosphere and Francesca’s work, but so far so great!
I followed Francesca here from her previous salon — while Christophe’s prices are higher than the other salon, the service and amenities don’t compare. I look forward to taking advantage of some of the other services at the salon but I can’t yet review them.
I can tell Francesca is happier here and Christophe is more full service and has a better color line — I noticed the difference the most recent time I got colored. Francesca will do exactly what you ask for, but also has great ideas if you give her carte blanche — she has great vision and is fun to chat with. Also, she’ll do periodic «touch ups» in between haircuts for a low fee.
The atmosphere and staff are fantastic and it seems like a team based approach where everyone is committed to learning and helping each other out.

Katy gave me the best color I’ve ever had! She’s an artist. Blonde isn’t easy to get right and she totally nailed it. I walked out very happy with the exact color I wanted. I also got an amazing blow dry from Francesca!

A recent DC transplant from Los Angeles who had the same stylist for 30 (yes 30!!) years, I initially approached Stephan at Christophe via my Gilt City voucher with great trepidation. Instead of the «I know what you need and what works best for your face» attitude, Stephan took the time to really listen about my history, lifestyle, and looked at a few photos of the style I was going for. I went from totally nervous to relaxed, feeling I was in good (literally) hands. The cut was great.
Thrilled that I had a new stylist in DC, my next non Gilt inspired visit to Stephan was equally wonderful. I decided that I wanted to go from a relatively short cut to a drastic pixie. After making sure that I was confident in my decision, and excited at the opportunity to give me a totally new look, Stephan jumped right in and off came the hair! Again, we kept up an ongoing dialog as he cut, rather than his imposing his interpretation of a pixie, and voila, I left feeling younger, sexier and free!
Bottom line, I absolutely recommend Stephan for a continued look or a totally new look. He’s incredibly talented, actually listens to you yet still tactfully adds his expert input, is totally easygoing, creative, smart and gorgeous (a benefit, ladies)! The salon is also relaxed and attitude free.

I bought a $ 65 Gilt City deal for haircut and blow dry ($ 120 value) to try Christophe.
I won’t name names here because it seems that he does great work on other Unilocalers (non-​Asian that I observe)…let me say that he was very nice and understood that I wanted lift, didn’t like to blow dry or use product, and therefore needed layers.
But, I experienced the situation of feeling like I’ve gotten an amazing cut when I walk out of the salon only to realize that it’s not that great the next day when I wash my hair.
The layers were done very unevenly and visibly (unlike what I mentioned to him that my Japanese stylist in NYC was excellent at with being very particular about doing the layers evenly with how she cuts). I told him that I went to NYC for her because I had so many bad haircuts in the DC area… I mentioned that the issue was probably because I had very thick and slightly wavy Asian hair so layers are more difficult to do without creating chunks.
I definitely have nice lift, but my head of hair is kind of a mess. And now I will have to roll/​curl iron/​style my hair so the layered chunks aren’t visible… So many random layered chunks of hair that aren’t even, which is what happens if you don’t part in the middle…
I tipped $ 25, but I am disappointed with the results.

I would give 4 stars for the hair highlighting — Katy is awesome and Maricel is also great. Both are great colorists and sweet women.
BUUUUT the salon has started charging for blowouts even when you are getting color or a cut. I know other places in DC do this (Immortal Beloved for example) but this seems unnecessary when customers are already paying a premium at this salon. To me this is bad customer service, as most high end salons in other cities do not actually do this (esp. NYC — you would only be charged for a blowout at a nice salon if you are paying for a discounted service or doing a training night). They asked if I wanted my hair dryed (um, yes — it’s 10 degrees outside) and I was charged $ 50 just to have my hair dryed after a normal color service. Apparently its usually $ 60 for drying your hair. This is way too high for a blowout (even places like drybar and dreamdry which specialize in gorgeous blowouts only charge $ 35). And the blowout itself was so so. There was still frizziness throughout and the technician just said that was a result of his ‘process’ and didn’t make an effort to smooth it out. I’ve had better at comprable salons, and just don’t think the quality of what they are offering merits the price or charging it as an add-​on to customers. Or offer a basic no-​frills blow dry for customers coming in for color/​cut and charge extra for more complicated or time consuming styles. Part of the allure and charm of getting your hair done is coming out looking like a million bucks — since when is it appropriate to have your customers leave with sopping wet hair?
They need to advertise how high the price is – and the fact that drying your hair is no longer included with basic services — and lower the price or better yet just dry their customers’ hair like a normal salon without charging an insane fee. Bottom line is that the salon is nice and you can get good color, but be prepared to pay for hidden extras if you don’t want to leave the salon with sopping wet hair. Compared to the level of service you get in other places and high cost of services here, I’m not sure the prices here are worth it.

I bought a Gilt City Voucher, which made a haircut only 65 dollars. Stephan was great and seemed to really understand what I wanted. I wanted to cut my long bob into a chic-​er asymmetrical bob, and that is exactly what I got! The shape is lovely, and it isn’t one of those haircuts that only looks good after they blow out your hair in the salon; I can style it fine myself. Would definitely go back.

This review is for customer service and brow waxing.
Let me preface by saying, that I am old DC.
I mean DC before 14^th Street, before the Obamas, before Whole Foods when we all shopped at the Soviet Safeway. I mean DC when it was known as «Hollywood for ugly people» and we all just embraced that. I still wear sensible shoes to walk to work. I don’t wear couture. My definition of «makeup» is tinted moisturizer.
All this is relevant because I’ve was a wee bit nervous about going to Cristophe– I’ve had experience at other DC salons (upscale and less so) where I feel immediately self-​conscious and unwelcome because I’m not a Glamazon and I obviously don’t spend too much time styling my hair (or frankly, myself).
Something amazing happened when I went to Christophe (in my polyester Ann Taylor loft dress, wet, unhighlighted hair, intentionally overgrown brows and green corduroy Tom’s). They made me feel welcome, gorgeous and appreciated.
Because Carla, the aesthetician was running a bit late and I was a bit early and because I was a new client, the front desk offered me a complimentary shampoo and style. At first, I declined, but they insisted. Not in a «Your wet hair looks limp and sad» way– and it did, but in a «you’ll have some time to relax, we value your business, and want to make a good impression» kind of way. Delivery is everything.
I enjoyed an unexpectedly delicious scalp massage and shampoo followed by a blow out by Michael. I was so impressed with Michael (personality, listening skills, and styling) that I’m going to go back for a haircut with him. I explained to him that much of my hair fell out after a serious illness and he was very empathetic, encouraging about the regrowth, and had good ideas for how to make it look fuller in the interim. A $ 60 investment by Cristophe Salon on a free blowout will yield to at least double that with a return client. This people, is how to win customer loyalty.
Next Carla took care of my brows– I explained that I’d was picky about my eyebrows and had let them grow waaaaayyyy out after lackluster waxing and threading experiences. I sat upright so she could get a good look at my face. She trimmed. She waxed. She tweezed. She took her time, spoke to me in her native Italian, and was generally lovely. She didn’t try to sell me on a facial or a lip wax– she just did an *impeccable* job with the task at hand. I really wish I’d taken before/​after. The transformation was just amazing.
No doubt: this place is expensive. It’s also not the most luxurious spa/​surrounding I’d been to. But you know what? I’m going back. It’s been a long time that I’ve been impressed at the general un-​prententiousness of a salon and it’s people. I’ll report back on that haircut.

There is no one better at creating the perfect beach blonde than Katy. She takes time and paints on each highlight to ensure that everything blends together and looks natural.
For over ten years in DC, when I want my hair to be perfect — I head to Katy for color and Benjamin for cut. In addition to being talented, they are LOVELY people/​parents/​business owners.
And, I feel FANTASTIC when I leave.

Guy’s perspective. Obviously a more upscale, spa-​like place with a lot of options– but I got a great haircut at a good price from Michael. (And mine was a mess!)

I stumbled upon Cristophe fairly haphazardly but I am so happy I did! I had a phenomenal experience.
As a recent transplant to the DC area I had been hesitant and put off a cut for far too long so by the time I made it to Michael’s chair my hair was in was in desperate need for a new look. Michael took the time to sit down with me and talk about what I wanted before he brought out the scissors which made me feel so much more comfortable. I’ve had long hair for long time but I went to the salon with the decision to do something completely different and Micheal delivered my idea even better than I imagined. I now have an A line bob that is insanely easy to style myself and the layers keep body in my fairly fine and straight hair.
The rest of the staff was so accommodating and friendly. I have definitely found my new salon in DC!

Great experience, great service and great people! My review loses one star because (as many have already pointed out) it’s on the expensive side.
I was willing to shell out the money because I have not colored my hair in almost a decade and was not willing to gamble with a place that was cheaper but had so-​so ratings.
Katie did my highlights and Ha did my haircut. Both were extremely nice and really listened to me as well as gave wonderful suggestions.
I really appreciated how they told me exactly what they were planning on doing it before starting and also appreciated how meticulous they were.
While I was skeptical about changing up my hair (I’ve basically had the same hairstyle for years), I’m thankful that I had both Katie and Ha working on it!

Let me just start by saying that I am damn picky when it comes to my brows. Azi, brow GURU, made my brows look 110% better in absolutely no time. Why? Because she is an artist.
I was nervous. I tried not to expect too much. She blew me away. Carefully grooming each brow while explaining to me what she was doing and why, as well as offering tips (no more pencil, only powder to help with growth — who knew??) Azi transformed my brows from average status to Goddess status. I will be back. There really is no one else you should be going to either.
P. S. She tweezes only, which surprised me, but it works amazingly well and allows for outstanding precision.
I also got my color done by Alexander, who is equally talented. I showed him a picture of what I wanted et viola! Exactly what I asked for. He is kind and humble, which I appreciate.
I am a now a faithful Christophe client. I can’t wait to see what my haircut from Alexander will look like (although I’m totally boring — long layers).

I’d reached the point with my shoulder-​length hair — after a month of wearing it up in pony tails because I could not be arsed to put in any more effort than that — where I was ready to shave my entire head. I was sick of every strand of hair and ready for a full overhaul. I had been seeing the same hairstylist in New York for almost five years and she had never given me a bad cut, but the last few times I visited and threw out the idea of going super-​short and faux-​hawky, she talked me out of it.
This time, however, I would not be swayed. Instead of going Brittany Spears on myself, I called a couple of salons near my office and was able to book an appointment at Cristophe with Benjamin with fifteen minutes notice.
After getting my hair washed, I sat in Benjamin’s chair while he combed my hair and studied its properties. He asked me if I had «any requests» and I told him that I had no clear picture of what I wanted in my haircut, but I used the words «short,» «choppy,» and «faux-​hawk.» I also added that I will only spend five minutes on my hair every morning and that whatever cut he gave me should be wash-​and-​go-​ready. He asked me the shortest length I’d ever had my hair and I told him I’d gone as high as the bottom of my ear, but that I’d be willing to go higher. Benjamin said he knew what to do, and made an observation about how he would adapt the haircut a bit given that my hair is very fine.
I embraced blind trust and just let the haircut unfold without interrupting. (I realize this is a supremely risky thing to do, especially when you don’t know the stylist or his skill level and none of the Unilocal reviews you read for the salon mentioned short haircuts, but given that I was ready to shave my head a few hours before I figured at worst I’d end up with a funny story and a new hat collection.) Benjamin was meticulous with his cuts and seemed to be constantly assessing and reassessing the shape of my hair. I realize this sounds melodramatic and I don’t mean it that way, but it was sort of like watching a sculptor chip away at a marble block. There were points where the haircut looked misshapen and I doubted anything beautiful could result, but Benjamin clearly had a vision the whole time and as he snipped away at more strands, suddenly a beautiful sculpture/​cut emerged.
The new cut is AMAZING. It’s professional AND faux-​hawkable. I feel like Benjamin took the nature of my face into account because the cut works well with my features. EVEN BETTER, is it literally takes MAYBE five minutes to style and it looks AWESOME when it’s done, and there’s enough complexity to the cut that I can muss it around in a bunch of different ways to get completely different looks. I am not a skilled stylist whatsoever; it looks great because the shape of the cut is such that it requires basically no work. The first day I did it myself, I think I ran a bit of paste through it, turned on my blowdryer for fifteen seconds, gave up, and went to work and it looked great. Today, I washed it, slept on it, woke up with a faux-​hawk, went with it, and it looks great today too.
This is clearly the hair I was meant to have forever. I’ll be back for regular trims because I don’t want anyone else to mess up this work of art.