I found Van's Hair Stylists while on a day trip to Alexandria. I hadn't planned on having my hair done as part of my day. Still, I had a lunch meeting coming up and no time to schedule an appointment. I passed Van's Hair Stylists and spotted a sign that walk-ins were welcome. I was seriously impressed at how the stylist knew just how to trim and shape my hair to it's best advantage. It really looked nice. I haven't felt that way leaving a salon in a very long time. Polite, confident, and VERY capable. I am happy to recommend Van's Hair Stylists. read more

Absolutely do not go here! It was once a quirky little place where you could get a decent inexpensive cut between cuts. But it's now under new management and the new owner is a butcher, a liar, and the place is filthy. She absolutely destroyed my hair. I walked in for a simple cut and she sat me in the chair and started chopping it off while it was dry. I asked her three times to stop and she wouldn't, telling me that she was just doing what I asked. There were actually holes in the back of my head and the sides were completely uneven and she "thinned it" which made it stick to my head. My daughter went back with me and tried to get my money back, but she said she didn't know how to operate the machine and I'd have to deal with my credit card company. There was no place for her to wash my hair because the sinks were filled with materials like old perm boxes, and I saw a mouse. Seriously, do not go you will regret it read more

What a fun place upbeat place!! These ladies love their job and their customers. I was anxious to try a new stylist due to my fine wavy hair but Mai far exceeded my expectations. She massaged my head during the shampoo and took time to ask what I wanted and learned my hair. Looking forward to my next visit in six weeks. read more

Best place for the money, and excellent friendly service. I go there every month and feel like part of the family.

I visited this hair salon today about 2 hours ago. Because I was on social media and I asked for suggestions and this was one of the suggestions. I also live 2 blocks away. So Thu was the stylist who trimes my beard which is all I wanted. I have searched several others in the area and all I have come across is barbers or stylist who only use clippers and I am not comfortable with that. Too fast & too easy for mistakes and over cuts. So today I am satisfied with the trim and I will be happy to go to Thu again for another trim. Thanks Thu. read more

I have been going to Van's for nearly 25 years. Tu and Mae take great care of you. My son is 20 and it's the only place that he's ever gotten a haircut in his life. read more

I don't usually post reviews, but thought I had to for Van. Mai did a wonderful job on my haircut and even though there were people waiting, she took her time and made sure it was perfect and the price was amazing too. Will definitely be back and highly recommend this place. read more

I recommend Mai. She does a great job w hair for both men and women; has a great personality - funny and attentive (even remembers your family/friends she's only 'met' through stories!). Best prices around, hands down read more

Went there for a cheap cut and must I say that they did amazing wonders to my hair. Me and the hair stylist made great conversation and I am always going there for a haircut. read more

This is my first time at the salon and I saw Mai. I have thin fine hair and I got highlights done. I love the results and she was super nice. The salon is very simple but Mai has been working there for 25 years. I would recommend her if you are on a budget for your highlights and want a good job done. read more

This barbershop was recommended by a manager at a top Old Town restaurant. Tho was a excellent stylist for me (thin hair and beard). Tho trimmed all of my hair: top, sideburns, ears, back of neck, and neck. Formerly my complete haircut and trim was done before Covid in downtown DC. This haircut by Tho was the best haircut and trim ever! read more

Van's is amazing. This little hole-in-the-wall salon located right off King Street on Washington is the only place I will get my hair cut in the area. She's raised her prices a bit over the years, but comes in now at an incredibly reasonable $28 for wash, cut and dry. She's quick, always treats her customers like kings, and - I don't know how - but she always, always remembers you. She has been treating me like a regular since the second time I came in and remembers how I used to wear my hair, even though I only come in a few times a year! Cuts for men are something like $12. I also see kids in there all the time. She does other kinds of treatments, too, but I don't mess with any of that stuff so I can't comment. I never make an appointment - not even sure if she takes them - but even if it's busy, the stylists move people quickly. Plus, I always get a good cut (from Van herself - ok whoops, turns out the main lady's name is Lily - Van has long left the business) and so does my husband (normally from one of her associates). Highly recommend! read more

Good place for a haircut, my style is hide and tide with a fade. Been coming here for many years. Initially there were some miscommunications as what I like and dislike. However, it improved through the 2nd visit and now she know's what I like. From that point, never had any issues as the hair cutting lady has given me many haircut. For the price, i'm happy. In my opinion better than hair cuttery. Negative 1 star for modernization, as this place could use some updates. Other than that, this has been a good place for me to get haircuts. read more

This was my first time here. I asked for a simple "straight" haircut. No layers, nothing fancy. Just... straight. The lady cutting my hair was nice but I don't think she knew what she was doing. My picture speaks for itself. I don't feel comfortable going back to have them fix it. read more

Van Hair Stylist - Not sure how this happened. I wasn't sitting cross legged and I had my head held in the position she put it in. - Hair Salons Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I moved here over a year ago, visiting no less that six barbers and stylists before settling on Van's place in Alexandria. It's important to note I live in Adams Morgan, and make the half-hour trip out by metro almost every month now. That said, I'm a Caucasian male. I'm positive there are better places for African American males elsewhere. In a word, style and value. For guys, they're great. They get the volume and lines right, use scissors instead of clippers, get the taper nice and clean. It's a woman and minority owned practice. In my opinion there's no better alternative. And for guys with wavy hair, stop fucking around with clipper cuts and work with what you got. Males in my office from VA go here, and recommended it to me. They're super sweet and polite, they remember you from visit to visit, and know just what to do each time -- maybe with a polite reminder once in a while. Skip Diego and Puglisi, skip Bang and Aveda, etc. Give them a shot! read more

I am a young man, and tend to cut my own hair quite well. Sometimes when I want it more styled and don't mind dropping a little cash for someone else to do the deed. I have also dropped a lot of money 100+ for cut and color and nice saloons, as well as spending about 15 here for a cut. The first time I got it cut, it was perfect. The next time was a bit blah as well as a few subsequent visits. There are 3 or 4 woman their and 1 is better than the rest. Usually woman with long hair however will end up getting the better stylists I imagine. Overall, for the price, a man who wants a buzz or short cut, its hard to screw that up so I recommend this place for such cuts. read more

Great hair cut . I recommend Mai who is very skilled and congenial. The prices are great.

Best haircut in Alexandria! The shop is clean has a convenient location, and professional stylists. Truly a great place!

Went here once. Great location, really friendly stylists, did a really good job on my hair. There always seem to be lots of people waiting to get their hair done, but they're pretty efficient. It isn't fancy or anything, but at $20 for a haircut and style, who cares?!! I'll go get myself something nice with the money I save! read more

I started working in old town a year and a half ago and have been going here since day 1. It's a nice little whole in the wall that caters to both men and women. I have had 3 different ladies cut my hair and they all do an excellent job. I have seen women come in and get their hair done as well. They seem to know mostly everyone that comes through. Highly recommended. read more

I wish I would have found this place a long time ago. I usually goto really fancy salon's and pay a fortune for just and average haircut. Since I have a baby it is hard to schedule an appointment. I needed something that accepted walk ins and I just needed a quick cut to cut off my dead ends. I accidentally ran into this place and I am so glad I walked in. I am very picky when it comes to getting layers and this is the best haircut I have ever received! Super cheap cut and The hairstylist's are so sweet. read more

This place sucks if you get the wrong stylist. Men generally have better luck, my brother went to the skinny stylist with long straight hair. What a good deal for 12 bucks! The woman I went to barely wet my hair before cutting it (misted it when I asked) and insisted that it's evenly straight on both sides of my face. It's not. I was not going to convince her and it wasn't worth my time for a $15 hair cut. Must go get it fixed at another place this week. Found a parking ticket when I returned to my car. Van's just wasn't meant for me. read more

I have been going to Van's Hair Salon since 2005 and have been wanting to write a review for the longest time and now I'm done procrastinating. All 3 Ladies who cut hair are very good. Mai pronounced "My" is my stylist she listens and cuts and styles to my requests. They are VERY reasonable with price and the salon has an atmosphere of either sitcoms of Friends OR Cheers very fun and friendly you tend to chit chat with others in the salon, yet professional, and yet If your not in the mood to talk it is fun just to listen. I travel from the District every 7 weeks or so for Mai's cuts and sometimes color also on target and again reasonable. I always get complements from the downtown crowd. I would recommend to try this salon, Also great with kids! read more

Great place-I get my hair cut here all the time. Usually can walk right in but if you need to you can make an appointment. It's can get little rushed at busy times but that's never impacted the service or the cut. read more

If you're a man, or student or mendicant looking for a recession-busting chop-shop ($12) then this is the place is for you. But remember: You get what you pay for. I've been indulging my cheap-skate inclinations here a half-dozen times over the past year. As has been mentioned, the setting is no-frills. I've never had to wait much the times I've visited, no appointment, usually mid-afternoon. The Vietnamese stylists are friendly enough, chatty in a "I-make-you-look-handsome" kind of flattering way that's nice but also puts me off my shearer's guard. The times I've been there the place looked like it could've used a vacuum and once they wiped my face off with a towel full of clippings. Two pluses: 1) Dirt cheap. (Literally) 2) Quick. Four minuses: 1) Language issues. With one in particular, I was never sure she understood my instructions, or that she had a grasp of English units of measure. 2) The over-reliance on electric clippers. You really have to complain about the buzzsaws to get them to use scissors. My thick hair cannot be cut well with clippers. (I've noticed them buzz some women, which I can't believe. Not dykes, either). 3) The use of gel to mask the errors. Every low-end place does this, that's nothing new, but what's odd is that they all use this gel that smells awful, like coconut bubblegum. Skip it. 4) The overall lack of any stylistic awareness. I'd be nice if I could squeeze just a drop of aesthetic sensibility out of the stylists. By that I mean they would look at my features and hair and, using my general directions, would come up with a somewhat pleasing, coherent result, perhaps with subtle variations each visit. This has never happened. This has never come close to happening. As far as I can make out, they seem to be influenced by cubism. Coming out of here, my hair always seems to look like a picasso portrait. NB. Twice I've gone back the next day for corrections. They have been good about that. With my attentive eye and detailed tutelage, they managed to turn the picasso into a van gogh. But at my age and station, it's not worth the time and effort anymore. Resigned to doubling my budget, I think I will look elsewhere. read more

This is the worst hair cut I have ever gotten, and I normally go to Hair Cuttery. She literally cut the bottom layer of the hair in the back of my head about two inches shorter than the hair on top. Thankfully you can't see it when all of my hair is down but I can't believe someone trained to cut hair would/could ever make such a big mistake. I'm going back tomorrow to request my money back. read more