The Rare Bird — Attraction in Alexandria

I had an amazing experience at The Rare Bird with Sam. I came in ready for a big change, 12 inches off to donate, and wasn’t quite sure what style to go for next. Sam took the time to chat with me, offered her expert opinion, and made me feel totally confident in the decision.

Sam styled my thick, slightly wavy hair into a long bob that suits me perfectly. The cut feels fresh, light, and incredibly easy to manage. It was exactly what I didn’t know I needed! I've received so many compliments, and a few people even said the style looked so natural on me, they didn’t realize I’d made such a big change. Sam worked with such ease and precision; it’s clear she truly understands her craft and takes the time to listen and tailor each cut to her client’s needs.

Beyond her skills, Sam is just a wonderful human. She's friendly, warm, quirky in the best way, and genuinely empathetic. The whole experience felt more like catching up with a good friend than just getting a haircut.

The Rare Bird is a warm and inviting space, thoughtfully designed by Sam with carefully curated furniture and decor. You can feel the intention behind every detail. Her new salon is not only beautiful, but also a reflection of her dedication and the courage it takes to keep growing professionally.

I highly recommend booking with Sam if you’re looking for an uplifting and personalized salon experience. She’s in high demand, so if you can’t get an appointment with her, you’ll still be in great hands. She has hand-picked a growing team of incredibly talented stylists who all share The Rare Bird’s commitment to exceptional...

There are little to none that compare to Sam. I have been getting my haircut by Sam for around seven years (give or take a few). Throughout the years, I have come to realize that there are good hairstylist and great hairstylist. Uniquely, Sam is a phenomenal hairstylist. She has the perfect mix of technical perfection, communicating and fine tuning a vision, and overall creating a haircut specifically for you. In some instances a haircut can feel forced and not tailored to the individual, but not with Sam. She’ll take your wants and needs and then create a cut that embodies that but also honors your face shape, hair texture, upkeep needs, dying, vibe, comfort level, and anything thing else you communicate to her (pro tip: communication is key for a great haircut).

The Rare Bird itself has a warm and cozy eclectic feel. There are plants and paintings that give ease to any anxiety one may have. Sam has truly put her special touch into the decor of the space and her uniqueness and taste truly shine through. There is also coffee (with plant- based milk option) and water to make the experience more cozy and luxurious. No need to worry, there is also a bathroom!

In short, I would recommend Sam’s services and the Rare Bird to ANYONE! She goes above and beyond always. Her warmness and genuine care shines through in...

I don't even remember how long I've been seeing Samantha for my hair (many, many years) - I just know I had before Samantha hair, and after. Before Samantha, I never knew I could have long, easy, beautiful hair. The way she does my hair, I spend 10 minutes on it and it will easily last me two days. She always knows how to translate what I'm looking for into what will look great on me and be easy for me to manage. I also thought I hated having color in my hair, but she introduced me to balayage and it's been everything. I no longer live super convenient to Alexandria but I don't care. I would fly across the country for Samantha to keep doing my hair. I'm excited that she has now opened her own salon; the environment that she's created is one where I can relax and be myself for just a bit of my week. I always look forward to my visit and leave feeling better than...