BEST OF OTTAWA: Salons and Barbers

With 20-years writing about Ottawa life we think we have
a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer.
In this new weekly summer series we’ll share it with you.
From our top picks of hotels, live music venues, local brews,
bands and more, check, share and discuss
#OLMBest every Monday!

Rinaldo Hair

Treat yourself with the lavish service at one of Rinaldo’s four locations (Ottawa Center, Manotick, Carlingwood and Lansdowne). The interior of the salon is clean and modern, all sharp lines and sleek finishes. They offer inventive treatments such as stain glass, Alchemic Silver, defrizzing agave and smoothing cezanne. State-of-the-art tools, high-end products and valet parking add to the luxurious experience.

Deluca Hair

The expert hairstylists at this Westboro salon take the time to listen to individual requests and truly understand exactly what you’re looking for. They are constantly on the lookout for new trends, training and inspiration to hone their skills and provide the best possible experience for their customers.

Stephanotis Hair

Stephanotis Hair is all about self-love, on a mission to make each guest look and feel their best. Stylists are certified in Vidal Sassoon technique, Aveda colour and Color Me by Kevin Murphy; in other words, they really know their stuff. All appointments are kicked off with a complete consultation and scalp massage. They sell vegan Neuma products and always take walk-ins.

Society Salon

Despite the fact that this Sparks Street spot has been open for just over a year, founder Stefania Capovilla has more than 20 years of experience and retains a number of high profile clients. The salon also serves as a blow dry bar, with styles aptly named after various Ottawa neighbourhoods – “the Rockcliffe” or “Centretown sleek” – with add-on options including extensions, braids or an updo.

Beauty + Sussex

Whether you need a full dose of colour, partial highlights or just a root touch up, Beauty + Sussex has got you covered. The downtown salon offers what seems like every service under the sun, from bridal styling to balayage.  If you’re looking for a deal, they offer discounts available on haircuts done by new talent. The staff are approachable and make the overall vibe welcoming and friendly.

Saab Salon

This Bank Street AVEDA salon has been cutting and styling the capital’s finest heads of hair for over 25 years. The official salon/spa of the 2017 Juno Awards receives consistently strong rates of customer satisfaction and top quality reviews. Famous for simultaneously timeless and trendy styles, owner and Artistic Director Frank Saab passes down the importance of quality to all his highly-trained employees. You can also download a $20 new client coupon.

The Loft

One of the most noticeable things about The Loft is that comfort is key. Each and every member of the large team of skilled employees is dedicated to making you feel at home in their Maclaren salon. Everyone is extremely friendly and the atmosphere is casual and laid back. The quality remains consistent, no matter which stylist you see.

Hair Republic Beauty Lounge

Boutique salon Hair Republic Beauty Lounge prizes quality and creativity, using strictly eco-friendly products. They often have a great selection of promotions and always offer a 20% off student discount on most hair services on Tuesdays. Good for the environment and your wallet. Their user-friendly online booking system also makes scheduling easy.

House of Barons

House of Barons has taken it upon themselves to preserve and honour the meticulous fine art of men’s grooming, doing so in new and innovative ways in vintage barber chairs. Their expert barbers offer traditional straight-razor cuts and are happy to educate customers on proper technique. Each of their two locations is designed to emulate and reference their respective individual environments, the Preston Street outpost featuring a mural of Andrea Pirlo.

HairFellas Barbershop

HairFellas is the perfect mix of classic and contemporary. Their specialty service is a hot towel straight razor shave, but you can book an appointment using their app. Their two locations on Wellington and Slater were designed to make everyone feel comfortable. They have an extensive roster of experienced barbers and carry products from top notch brands such as Clubmen, American Crew and Lucky Tiger.