EXPECT NOTHING LESS THAN STELLAR! Impeccable service, reasonable prices and inviting studio! The quest for my hair stylist soulmate ended within 5 minutes of meeting Alina Ackerman in 2008. She instantly struck me as savvy and professional, able to restore my frizzy brassy blonde hair to beauty and give me the sexy, low-fuss and much darker style I envisioned (I wanted to try brunette), and she nailed it!! Then, and every visit since. She's a master of non-damaging custom color formulations & cutting techniques, and Awaken Style studio is the gem of San Marco... always mellow, cozy, indulgent atmosphere with a European vibe. Also want to share-- that she values client education on hair health and at-home styling. Her DIY tutorials have given me the skills to make every day a salon hair day! After 12 years, I can confidently say there is NO OTHER stylist or studio for me. read more

I'm so happy I found ACF and specifically Alina. She does fabulous work. Alina is the first person to work on my hair that I actually trust with my curls. Reasonably priced without trading off on quality. This salon JUST opened a few weeks ago, and I'm excited to see what services and specials they incorporate into the salon next. From speaking with Alina, there are great things in the works. The shop is located across from the Riverside Publix, and just a few doors down from Al's Pizza. The address is Margaret street but the shop faces Oak Street). read more

Alina is an amazing artist! Meeting her was a breath of fresh air! My look needed a major overhaul ( I hoped to transform my naturally blonde hair into a brunette bob, which is not easily accomplished), but she was undaunted by the challenge. I left with a greater sense of confidence- thanks to my new do and thanks the she spent time educating me on color formulas that wouldn't damage my hair. I appreciated that she didn't need a labored explanation or photos to give her an idea of what I wanted- she just knew! For such a young professional to intuit my needs and execute my vision flawlessly, I was instantly impressed and knew I would be her lifelong client. I loved that she kept a map my highlighting pattern and a CUSTOM "Color Mixture" card (this was invaluable for my surrogate stylists to reference while I was living in away from Jax for college). -- After 6 mo., my hair was unbelievably healthier & more radiant than EVER! And the results last- I don't have to have to go in for touch-ups all the time. I've gone weeks or even months in between highlights without having dark roots. And all of this was achieved at very reasonable prices! She's got the special lighting and dryer for optimal coloring, and it's a relaxing atmosphere. I enjoy the comfortable living room and complimentary beverages while I wait for my color to process. I give my highest recommendation to Alina and her salon (the only true European style salon around). She won't let you leave with anything less than perfection! read more

Alina is so wonderful she considers you,not just another head of hair even her wash chairs are better than average, they always hurt my back Not hers and the treatment you get is very restoring to you mind and hair! I just love the whole place and Bethany is the best i now have eyebrows i dont have to put on everyday! and they look natural read more

I rarely write reviews, but I had such a dreadful experience at ACF Hair Studio that I feel compelled to share my experience for anyone that may be considering coming here. First off, ACF claims to be one of Jacksonville's "high-end" salons, however I recieved subpar service, in addition to color service that had to be corrected at another salon and an average haircut, at best. My first step through the door at ACF, I was not greeted for at least 2-3 minutes. When I was finally acknowledged by Alina, the owner, whom I had an appointment with, she informed me that she was running behind schedule, but would be with me as soon as she could. 15 minutes later, when she had finished with her client, she proceeded to check her client out, answer the phone to confirm an appointment, then finally acknowledged me to let me know she needed just "a few more minutes" to clean her station. After she finished cleaning her station, she told me to go to the bathroom to put a smock on. Upon realizing there were no smocks in the bathroom, I peeked my head out to ask her where they were, however she did not respond and when I went out to find her, I saw her outside on her cell phone smoking a cigarette. Therefore I waited unattended in the salon until she finished her cigarette. All in all, I ended up waiting around 30 minutes until my service began, without so much as an apology. In summary: For the price I paid, I was appalled with the lack of service I recieved, the general disregard for my time and the lackluster haircut I recieved. read more

I'm not usually the type to write reviews but after years of going to Alina to get my hair treated and cut and in light of what I can only assume is a grossly exaggerated experience by yet another raving mad yelp reviewer I've decided it's time. Alina is basically a mad scientist when it comes to cutting hair, SERIOUSLY, this woman knows how to give you a haircut that works for YOU and YOUR hair type no matter the length, thickness, or texture. I have moderately thick, long hair that's just on the cusp of curly but often veers into crazy frizzy wavy land that in the past has needed constant trimming to maintain a healthy look (mostly due to poor skill of past hairstylists) but Alina cuts it so perfectly that I can go extended periods of time without a haircut and it still looks good (completely unstyled and air dried, I might add) because of how precise her cutting is. Not only is she incredibly talented but unlike many hairstylists in the industry she's incredibly down to earth and sincere. Since opening Awaken Style her salon has become more and more cozy and less sterile than any salon I've ever been to, making it a much more relaxing experience than I've had anywhere else. There's a reason I've gone to her for so long and it's because she has never failed to deliver beyond my expectations and I have always regretted every time I've let someone else touch my tresses even if in an emergency. Thanks to her instead of finding my curls painfully unmanageable and frustrating as I had before I've been able to love them because of how healthy and well maintained she helps me keep them. Truthfully, I could go on about how much I love going to Awaken Style for all my hair styling needs but I feel I've surmised the most important parts. If you're looking for a quality haircut and style and you like an environment that celebrates you for you and not for who the media is trying to tell you to become, this is the place for you. read more

Alina, the owner of ACF Hair Studio, is the ultimate hair care professional!!! Her artistry with cut and color techniques is truly amazing!!! She has a true passion for her profession and is always continuing her own education, as well as educating other professionals. Complete client satisfaction is her goal, and I love that she makes sure her clients can maintain their hairstyles. Her studio has a warm and friendly atmosphere, and it's always fun to have your hair styled by Alina! I've never been disappointed, and since she's been styling my hair I've received many compliments, especially on how natural the color looks. read more