Last Tangle In Washington Salon — Local services in Washington

I really wanted to give this place 5 stars but DARN. DOUBLE DARN, I can't. I was in dire straits because I was at my regular salon, waiting for my turn when I got word that my stylist cancelled due to an unfortunate personal/life event. So, through the magic of Google (lol) I found Last Tangle. HAD I KNOWN WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, I WOULD HAVE WAITED FOR MY OWN STYLIST.I called them and explained what happened and they were happy to accommodate me at the last minute.When I got there, I got my stylist, Heather(?), very sweet until the styling commenced. Backstory- I have natural, African-American hair.My hair is not coarse, it's very soft but very thick, curly/wavy.Lots of hair...like it's WIDE. LOL I'd explained to her that I hadn't set foot in a salon in about a year.I also told her that I am VERY self aware (i.e. I know I shouldn't have waited that long for a trim, but I'm here now so let's do this).I asked for a shampoo, blowout, trim and style.So, she puts me in the bowl to shampoo me and takes out this paddle brush and the torture begins.I'm sure in her mind this was "detangling", but to me, it was torture.I detangle my own hair on a regular basis and my regular stylist (WHICH I SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR, did I mention I should have waited for him) has as well and it NEVER hurts. Again, my hair IS very curly AND very thick but it is also VERY soft. There was no reason for her to treat my head this way; just mindlessly stroking harshly with a paddle brush over and over, rather than putting it into sections. She came highly recommended by the receptionist when I called, so I didn't say anything (WHICH I SHOULD HAVE), I just allowed her to proceed thinking "it's almost over, it's ok".Next she says that she needs to do a special "steam treatment" that she learned in "beauty school". UGH. Since she said it was necessary, I let her. I'd never had this treatment before but I figured she's the professional, so let's do it. After she takes me out of the steamer, she brings be to her station and begins the blowdry. Remember, I told her that I knew I was in need of a trim, BADLY...like TOTALLY aware. I guess she forgot what I said because after she blow dried me, she proceeded to "hair shame" me for a good 10 minutes. I mean, just standing there talking about how damaged it was and how much she'd have to cut (which only ended up being like an inch, totally dramatic, this lady) and she began to talk to other stylists about it LIKE I WASN'T EVEN THERE. I got frustrated and said "look, if you can't do anything with my hair, I will put it up in a ponytail, pay you for everything you've done so far and walk right out this door..." When I said that, she finally decided to get to work. I'm not used to this. I'm used to a PROFESSIONAL. A PROFESSIONAL (ok, I'll just put his name out there because he's awesome - like CORNELIUS FROM BANG SALON METROPOLE) would NEVER shame me for my hair. A PROFESSIONAL would just assess the damage, let me know what needs to be done and then GET TO WORK. This is the whole reason I've been loyal to Cornelius, because he NEVER treats me this way. He just takes care of whatever the situation is and I walk out looking great, end of story. But not this lady. She had to make a big, embarrassing production about it.

So, she does the cut and the style and it's good. Not spectacular (a little old school. She said "Do you want a bob" and I specifically told her "no", yet that's what she gave me. It was a nice bob, but that's not what I asked for. I asked for layers. She should have just said she didn't know how to cut layers.), but she did a good job. Sp I was cool at first, considering it was last minute and she was new to my hair. I calmed down...UNTIL I GOT THE BILL. $150!!!!!! FOR WHAT????? I was annoyed! Bang salon is WAY nicer, WAY more upscale and I've only been charged like $75! I gave her a $15 tip on top of the RIDICULOUS charge, because that's how I roll BUT THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED. It's not like I got color or something. Another case of price gauging for Af-Am...

If you’re considering getting extensions here—do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

I’m incredibly disappointed with both the quality of the service and the complete lack of accountability. I came in requesting a balayage with a rooted blend and shoulder length extensions. While the color service wasn’t terrible, it was not what I asked for and the extensions are a disaster.

When selecting the extension color, I picked a swatch that appeared more ashy and cool-toned. However, when I arrived, the hair looked much more yellow. I pointed this out, and the stylist dismissed it, saying the swatch had changed color from sitting in the sun. She showed me other extensions in stock but ultimately wasn’t what I was looking for either. Despite this, I was assured it would blend with my natural hair. I was also told they don’t and won’t color match or tone the extensions—something I’ve never encountered at a professional salon.

The install itself is by far the worst I’ve had in over five years of wearing extensions. The wefts are incredibly bulky and placed in a way that makes it impossible to wear my hair in a ponytail or bun without them visibly sticking out from the sides of my head. Not only that, but the install was painfully tight—I was told that’s normal for a “new install,” but any experienced extension wearer knows they should never hurt.

The extensions were not washed before being installed, and my hair wasn’t even styled when I left the salon. I paid nearly $2,000 for a subpar service and unwearable hair.

When I called to express my concerns the next day and request any sort of refund, the owner refused. He offered to fix it, but at that point I had lost all trust in the salon—especially after being made to feel like this level of service was acceptable.

I rarely leave reviews, but I don’t want anyone else to waste their money or experience the same disappointment. This was an expensive and frustrating mistake I hope others can avoid.

I’ve attached my inspo picture (I knew it wasn’t going to be as white/ashy blonde) and...

If you didn’t know it was there, you’d walk right past it, which can be a bonus for those who might not want to be seen going in for beauty treatments. Above ground, the entrance to my favorite DC salon is just a door and awning squeezed between Rumors restaurant and a bank branch, between L and M streets on 19th.

In business for many years, The Tangle offers all manner of hair and spa treatments, including massage, facials, nails, and waxing. I’ve always been satisfied with my haircuts and manicures. Robert once did my sister’s hair, and she loved it. The staff has been there for years, and all have happy clientele whenever I see them. The site is clean, with two restrooms for public use, a large reception area, and stylish décor.

I’ve been a customer of this salon for 10 years (since 1998). While searching for a salon that specifically “treats” curly hair, I found two listed in the “Best Salons” annual issue of Washingtonian Magazine: The Last Tangle was one, and since it was around the corner from my job at the time, I thought I'd try it.

Location: The Last Tangle is nestled between a bank and a convenient car park (average of $7 parking for an average haircut – about 1 hour). The glass doors are almost hidden, and you immediately walk down a stairwell into the newly decorated salon. The shop has been recently modernized and remodeled, and now has two cutting areas, a coloring area/washing area, nail spa, and rooms for private treatments. I find it a relaxing, fun place to spend some time pampering myself.

Walk-able from the Hilton Embassy Row, on other side of Dupont Circle. Metro Accessible via Farragut North, Dupont Circle south. Convenient parking on street or in two parking garages...