Pia & Steve

About 8 months ago, my friend referred me to Pia and Steves. I decided to give it a try, and got a nice highlight and cut from Holly. About a month ago, I desperately needed a cut and color, but Holly was out of town. I skeptically made an appointment with Garrett--and I'm glad I did! Garrett gave me a great cut and color. I was nervous about my new look but very very happy with the end result. The cut is great--I had very long, stringy hair, and he transformed it to a medium-length layered style that is just what I was looking for. Be warned, though, make sure to clear your schedule first! He takes a long time, but he is very precise and it is well worth the wait. more

We just moved here from the Washington, DC area (with a short break in Utah) and needed a good salon. I've tried a few that came recommended, but was never happy with the color, or the cut, or both. Then I found Pia and Steve on this site. Based on great reviews, I took myself and my two teenage daughters there. We had a lot of complicated stuff to do. I requested Shannon because my hair is red and hard to color correctly. All three of us have very thick, wavy-to-curly hair, and needed cuts/highlights or cut/color. Two of us needed eyebrow waxing. That's a lot for a salon to arrange all at once. Shannon came so highly recommended on his coloring skills that I had really high expectations. He met them! My hair was a bit too orange on the first day, he said that a couple of shampoos would take the orange away and leave the intended color behind. He was right. It's as close to my natural red color as anyone has ever gotten, but he managed to cover all the grays. Even better, he gave me a perfect haircut! All I had to do was explain a few things I wanted the haircut to do for my face, since I'm getting older and very long hair makes you look older. He ""got me"" right away and gave me the most flattering cut I've ever had. Takes almost no time to do myself, and he taught me how to curl my hair using a flat iron!! Didn't know that could be done. Lots of people have said I look a lot slimmer or a lot younger, just based on the haircut alone. I'm happy with the color, although I'd have liked a more subtle, highlighted red with a bit of blonde in it. Next time, I'll ask for that specifically. Shannon is fun and skilled.Doesn't ask many questions--just gets to work. My teenagers were even happier. They've never had color done, and they are both brunettes. They wanted highlights, so Holly and Beth each took one of them and did a really good job. One daughter has black/brown, thick, curly, long hair. Beth took all the color down to a slightly softer brown, then put in honey-blond highlights. The cut is outstanding, perfect for flatironing or for letting the natural curl pop out. My daughter is still a little unsure about the highlights, because she wanted them to start at the scalp rather than a few inches down, but otherwise she's happy. The second teenager has dark brown hair with natural red undertones. Her hair is more fragile, less curly, and very long. Holly gave her a gorgeous cut that frames her face, then worked in honey-red highlights. Not many...just enough. She looks terrific. Both girls got lots of compliments. Last, Holly did our brows. Colored & waxed mine; my daughter's are very thick, black, and unshaped, so Holly shaped & waxed them. She did a great job with my daughter's, making her big hazel eyes look huge and bright. Mine look good now, but I think the wax was too hot, and it left blisters that puffed & then bruised and scaled/peeled afterward. The color was good and the arch is really nice, so I forgave the hot wax. The peeling went away in 4 days. Pia & Steve's is modern, hip, comfortable, but not pretentious. Feels/looks like a New York loft, but without the huge prices. I spent plenty there, but it was well worth it. We have found our South Carolina salon! Another bonus: they trim your bangs for free every six weeks or so & will work you in if you stop by. They consider this maintenance--part of the service you've paid for. Nice touch! Finally, no pushing of hair products by any stylists. All 3 of us are really pleased, esp. with Shannon and Holly. Pros: Best Salon I've Found In S.C.; Fun, Friendly Staff Cons: Hard to Find; Some Tiny Mistakes more

I have been going to Pia and Steve's for years, my mom has been going for even longer than I have. I get a cut and color from Shannon and my mom gets a cut a color from Pia. We are both always SO pleased with our hair cuts. Shannon has also fixed my hair for prom twice and I LOVED it! He is great with color and a master of styling! more

I recently moved to the area and scheduled an appointment for a cut based on the positive reviews on this website. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. My hair is long, layered, and thick, and I just wanted my layers reinforced (no major change). My hair also tends to be dry, to the point that I wash it only every 3-4 days based on advice from several other stylists (I've moved 4 times in the past 5 years). The one thing every stylist worth their salt has told me is that I should never get my hair razored. It will frizz more than it already wants to and is a big no-no for coarse, dry hair like mine. Because I've never had it done that way, I didn't recongize that was what Shannon was doing when he started. It was too late once I realized it, and those other knowledgable stylists were dead on the money. My hair is much more frizzy and looks very unhealthy now. I am just waiting for it to grow out a bit more so that I can go somewhere else and get a cut with a pair of good, sharp scissors. Also, Shannon put so much product in my hair that it looked greasy. I have NEVER had a single stylist manage that since my hair is so dry. It really looked awful. Perhaps he is the guru with color, but he doesn't know how to cut or style thick, frizz-prone hair. Pros: cute salon Cons: mediocre haircut more

I went in for my first visit with hair halfway down my back. I told Steve to do what he thought was best and ended up with the best cut and color I have ever had. My hair in now chin length with more body then I've ever had. He used three different shades with my highlights and it looks great. I've never received so many complements on a new hair do. If you are looking for a new stylist/colorist. you should definitely give Steve a call. You won't be disappointed. Pros: Very professional and friendly atmosphere. Cons: I didn't find him sooner! more

Having been abandoned by my stylist of three years, I was naturally apprehensive about trying someone new. My first experience with Shannon at Pia and Steve's was such a pleasant, professional treat!! Not only did he give a wonderful shampoo and cut, he styled my hair exactly as I wanted it, even better!! I agree with the other reviews -- Shannon is the BEST!! Feel so lucky to have found this salon and the extremely talented Shannon!! Pros: Very Customer service oriented & professional more

I had my first appointment with Shannon this week. I have unruly hair. Not only did Shannon update the color, he cut it in a great style. I arrived with my curly unmanagable hair, then left the salon with sleek, shiny, and smooth hair. The best part though, is before I left, he listed all the products he used and gave it to me. During the appointment he discussed the products he was using, and HOW to use them, and proper hair care. He also recommended a product to use when I am going to go wildwoman curly. All my friends loved it. I highly recommend Shannon. He is fantastic. \r \r Pros: Great Service more

I have been a client of several supposed ""high end"" Columbia salons, but Pia and Steve is the only one that actually warrants that title. The salon is modern looking and there is plenty of space for everyone. Clients are immediatley offered something to drink, a service that is completely absent from other salons I've been to in Columbia.\r \r That being said, the gem of the entire place is Shannon. I went to Shannon based on the reccomendation of several friends and I was NOT disappointed. Not only does he do the best color in town and a super fun and flirty cut (or ""diva"" as he describes it) but he is a blast to hang out with for a few hours. Shannon took my hair from ""blah"" to ""fabulous"" by adding beautiful red undertones and a giving me a cut that actually gave me body and volume.\r \r Recently Shannon did my hair for my wedding. Not only did my entire wedding party have a great time at the salon that day, but I have received millions of compliments on my hair, some un-solicited from my photographer's blog. My wedding photographer commented she had never seen hair so ""smooth"" and easy to photograph. I am so thankful I had Shannon!\r \r Lastly, as to Beth the other stylist reviewed...while she's never done my hair I can personally attest that she does try hard to please...she spent hours doing my sister-in-law's hair (who is extremely difficult to please) and finally got it the way she wanted it...and she looked great! Pros: Everything Cons: Nothing more

If I had a nickel for every time someones asks about my hair color, beautiful hair, where can they go...I'd be rich! No - this red didn't come out of a box ....and my secret weapon is a talented colorist named Shannon! I have been going to him for a few years...and he has seen me through several styles...all which I have loved. My hair is fine...so a challenge, but his great cuts always make my hair look very full... Dye, highlight, cut in confidence without that horrible angst in the chair here! Pros: Located in Vista Cons: If you want helmet hair ...don't go here ;-) more

I have been going to this salon for about 31/2 years and Shannon is my stylist. If I could use one word to describe him and his work it woud be Fantastic!! He is the best. I have several compliments on my cut and color. I recommend all go to him!!! Pros: very nice and professional staff more

I just wanted to say that I had the best experience at this Salon. In all my experiences of traveling around the globe, and lord knows I have been to one too many bad hair stylists, this has been by far the best place I have ever been to. Back home in Canada I see a professional hair stylist who has done hair for the stars and people on television, and I walk out of there every time looking like a star myself. However, after visiting Shannon at Pia & Steve's I think my hair stylist back home has got some big shoes to fill now! He went above and beyond my expectations and I was thrilled. I felt like a million bucks. He was professional and did more than I asked for which is phenomenal in my books. If I had all the money in the world he would be my Ken Paves and I would be his Jessica Simpson. He is that good. \r \r As for the salon, it's not much to look at on the outside and inside, but thats the beauty behind it. Never judge a book by its cover! \r \r Great place. But Shannon makes it. Pros: Shannon Cons: The location more