Circe An Aveda Lifestyle Salon

I'm shocked at some of the recent negative reviews posted. Since a number of those provide no actual names it makes me question whether it might be a local competitor rather than an unhappy customer. I would encourage those reading recent reviews to read beyond them.\r \r I've been a Circe customer for over 10 years. I have my hair styled and colored every 6 weeks with an occasional massage, eyebrow treatment or other service scheduled. I've never had a bad experience. The staff has always been pleasant, courteous and efficient. Even during recent renovations under crowded conditions for the staff, I've never had a short response or discourteous encounter. An ownership change went seamlessly.\r \r I've had 3 different stylists over the years. Every one of them has been exceptional. They are obviously well trained and encouraged to keep up with the latest techniques and trends. I've also noticed turnover in staff seems very low in an industry that I suspect struggles with staff changes more

After reading the reviews regarding the customer service issues with Circe, specifically the interactions with the salon owner and management, I am not surprised. In full disclosure, I have not had any service performed at the salon, however, I have had MANY, MANY interactions with the management staff and owners in other areas and have experienced the same poor treatment mentioned in other reviews posted here. \r \r I have experienced one member of the management staff in particular to be EXTREMELY rude and obnoxious, even to the point of being "bitchy". It appears as if she is trying to prove to the owners how tough she can be. But after dealing with the owners as well, they all exhibit the same type of condescending, dismissive attitude and general rudeness. \r \r \r Something to think about BEFORE you spend A LOT of money, are not satisfied and try to get the situation rectified. more

I first started going to this salon about 10 years ago when my then-boyfriend (now husband) gave me a gift certificate for a massage there. I lived in Old Town at the time and frequented Circe a few times a year after that for various services: highlights, facials, pedicures, etc. My favorite was a prenatal massage I received when I was pregnant. I was always happy with the service I received and looked at going there as a special treat since it is on the pricey side for a suburban salon.\r \r As my husband is in the Army, we ended up leaving the area about 7 years ago. We moved back to NoVa last summer and as a birthday gift my husband gave me a gift certificate to Circe for $195. It was a bit logistically difficult to use the GC since we no longer lived close-by but I did my best. Twice, a girlfriend and I tried to schedule concurrent pedicures but Circe was not able to do accomodate us as they only had one person who did pedicures. I did end up using part of the GC in the winter for a more

Long story short: been going to Circe for almost 10 years. Husband gave me a gift card for $195 last August. I got a facial ($100) in the late winter and had $95 left to spend. I went in last Saturday to buy products with the balance and was told the gift card had expired the day before. more

Bad bad experience here. I went in for a trim, and the stylist ended up putting way too many layers in my hair (which I did not ask for). Due to the fact that I get the top of my hair highlighted, but not the hair underneath, she had given me a one inch strip of dark hair along the bottom. She said "oh it looks very rock and roll" (which is so not me) and then said "no one looks at the back of your head anyway". I was very upset and asked to speak to a manager. I was told she would be there shortly. She left me waiting for half an hour, then walked in and stood there chatting with the girls from the front desk for another 15 minutes. When she finally approached me she was completely rude and condescending to me. When I showed her what happened to my hair, she told me that she didn't know what my hair looked like before I arrived. So now I have to take pictures of my hair before I receive any type of salon service? Ridiculous. She told me that a senior stylist would fix my hair (there w more

Bad bad experience here. I went in for a trim, and the stylist ended up putting way too many layers in my hair (which I did not ask for). Due to the fact that I get the top of my hair highlighted, but not the hair underneath, she had given me a one inch strip of dark hair along the bottom. She said "oh it looks very rock and roll" (which is so not me) and then said "no one looks at the back of your head anyway". I was very upset and asked to speak to a manager. I was told she would be there shortly. She left me waiting for half an hour, then walked in and stood there chatting with the girls from the front desk for another 15 minutes. When she finally approached me she was completely rude and condescending to me. When I showed her what happened to my hair, she told me that she didn't know what my hair looked like before I arrived. So now I have to take pictures of my hair before I receive any type of salon service? Ridiculous. She told me that a senior stylist would fix my hair (there went another 2 inches of my hair), which she then charged me for. Turns out this lady is the owner. I understand that mistakes will happen and it's upsetting, but it's how those mistakes are handled by the management that make all of the difference in the world. This woman was unbelievably and obnoxiously rude to me. I'd say she needs many lessons in manners and customer service. more

I will echo those who have had terrible customer service and salon service in general. But I know where the staff learned it - from their new boss. She is THE most unprofessional (and I use the term professional loosely) and shortsighted business owner I've ever encountered. The haircut I received was choppy, uneven, and not what I asked for. I, too, had to go get a "fix" after the service. I called to speak with management the following day and was put in touch with Ms. Vlasak, the new owner. She was unsympathetic, uncaring, and basically informed me that I "was wasting [her] time and any accommodation would be unfair to Circe." Really? Had she accommodated me (I was asking for a small refund on the VERY expensive haircut), she would have had a customer for life. I guess because I am not a housewife of DC, she doesn't need my business. Or that of any of my numerous friends. After asking around I have discovered a LOT of folks have stopped going to Circe given its high price more

Having never been I was excited to visit Circe. My friends had given me a gift certificate. What a disappointment!! The haircut was choppy, just as others have said. They are overpriced and I think full of themselves given the Housewives fame. I will never go back. Neither will my friends. more

I recently treated myself to a spa day at Circe, with mixed results. The front desk staff were amazing, and fed my parking meter faithfully even though it was miserable outside. My massage was blissful, the pedicure was OK, and the body polish was absolutely horrid. The woman who did the body polish wore latex gloves (which slipped sometimes) and a mask, which felt impersonal and clinical. She was clumsy, sometimes hitting my face as she rubbed my back. She rubbed in the exfoliant so hard that it burned, and five days later I still have a rash. It was cold outside, but she misted me with cold water during the treatment and I ended up chilled to the bone. I couldn't get out of that room fast enough. I had a catered lunch from COSI, which was fine but the space to eat was cramped. I finished the day with a pedicure. The pedicure set-up is not ideal. They use a bowl of water instead of running water, so the water gets cold during the treatment, and the chairs kind of put you at a funny an more

I have been coming to Circe for almost 3 years now. This place draws me in because of the great services they provide and the great customer service they give. It is not your typical upscale salon with a team full of snobs.....this salon is diverse so you don't see the same boring things each time you visit. Kait does my hair and Sharlia does my facials and waxings. If you haven't been to Circe yet....you should book now! more

I sent my husband to get his haircut to this place under the impression that this was the best aveda in the washington area based the the reviews. My poor husband came home and I was shocked.... he had chunks of hair missing and a strange fringe at the bottom of his neck. I mean come on. My husband is too sweet to complain and even tipped the stylist who butchered him. I am going to get the electric razor and shave it all off. He's going to be bald for an awards ceremony in his honor! We might go buy a wig or toupee. more

ok I did my color at home and really messed it up..called circe becuz i read about them and they r the best with color...i now love my color and I especially like how I was treated from Angie at the desk and my colorist,,Maria---got fit in for a cut too...loved it even though it was a trim she really took time to do it. more

I read about Circe in Oprah Mag and decided hey- if Oprah rates is top I'm going to give it a shout out! Luxury spa they are not but urban retreat THE BEST great massage and I loved the hair color I received..subtle and the stylist spent a lot of time talking to me first! five starts from this urban-ite more

HORRIBLE RESULTS. I will never ever return to this salon. Crappy hair color and second rate hair cut. the color looked like I used shoe polish to dab onto my hair more

I had a wonderful massage at Circe! It was relaxing and energizing. The massage therapist was excellent. I got to choose a scent for the massage (I chose the citrusy bergamot), and had a delicious tea afterwards. I ended up buying the tea - it has peppermint and licorice root, which seems to help keep my sensitive skin calmed. Love the spa, the people, & the products! more

The fabulous staff at Circe put their talents to work and provide experiences that will have you walking on air each time you visit them. The atmosphere is both professional and relaxing. I entered Circe’s door in 2005 and couldn’t be happier with all the services I have experienced. When I wanted to change my hairstyle in 2008, everyone in the shop was so excited. Afterall, a stylist dream come true, a new cut on an established client. Next we added coloring to top off the new look. Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful experience! And the comments from co-workers and friends lasted for months. Circe’s talents don’t stop there – this is the place for routines in relaxation and beauty. Massages, pedicures, microdermabrasion and facials are part of my routine and Circe tops the charts with experienced staff for these special areas. Highly recommend giving yourself a treat and you will get hooked on Circe too. more

Called last minute for a haircut and not only did I get the BEST haircut with a New Talent ( Jamie) but I was delighted with a massage for half price---just because I was new and the Circe staff wanted me to try out their spa! Now that's great customer service and I will be back--the massage was fantastic! (melissa) more

This spa was reccommended by a friend so I tried it out. She raved about how nice it was, but when I got there, I thought I had entered the wrong spa. It really didn't live up to my expectations. I waited in a dingy hallway for my facialist to come get me, that was really awkward. While I was having my facial, I could hear a lot of background noise which didn't make for a good experience overall. The price was way to high for such an unsatisfactory spa experience. I wouldn't reccommend this place to my friends. Actually, I'll urge them to go elsewhere. more

I recently moved to the area, and I was in dire need for a haircut, and my friends said I should go see Juan or Angela to do my hair. When I called to book the appointment, I was told that Juan no longer worked there, and angela was booked. The sweet gal on the phone told me I could book with a " new talent " and that they would do just as good of a job. So I thought I would give it a go. So, I visited circe with high expectations, and I was very disappointed!!! I had a cut from a "new talent", and clearly, that is an understatement... My cut was maybe a step above the haircuttery, but I paid ALOT more. I told the hairdresser what I wanted, and I got the complete opposite! clearly the person who does the hair for the photos on your web page does not work there... I thought I would be getting a " A carefully chosen professional who completed (an) advanced training program". I will say that she was very nice and attentive, but I wasn't paying for nice. I simply wanted a good haircut. I more

I recently took my mother to Circe for a mother daughter Spa day. We had a wonderful time, very relaxing and the staff was very attentive to our every need. We enjoyed the whole day which included massages, facials and body wraps... I would recommend a Cicre Spa Day to anyone who visits Alexandria. more