Dylan Brooke’s Salon

I would pass on them. They’re like the beauty school dropouts. Elias is beyond rude and spastic. Jennifer is spastic and messed up my hair… This place downgrades avedas name, truthfully. And I loooove aveda!

I felt I needed to write a review about our recent experience with Dylan Brooke’s Salon. My sister chose the salon for her wedding hair and make up, because it was an Aveda salon and she loves Aveda products. We made four appts at the same time for up-​dos and make up because we were on a strict schedule. We walk in ON THE WEDDING DAY and are told «There are no bridal party appointments on the schedule.» Then are also told the the make up artist called in and they can’t do our hair OR our make up. We panicked! Before we lost our minds, Mandi, who was styling someone’s hair reassures us that it’ll get figured out and not to worry, that our hair would be fixed. The man, who I believe was the owner left something to be desired when it came to problem solving and basic customer service. But Mandi was an angel sent from heaven! She did an amazing job on mine and my sister’s hair and made my sister feel and look like a princess on her wedding day. They also gave us unlimited access to their make up station so we still left with hair and make up done. I can’t say that I would recommend to make group appointments there, but GO SEE MANDI! She’s fantastic! She reassured us that it would be figured out and between Mandi and the owner, they did four up-​dos in 90 minutes. We left right on time and we were all smiling!

OMG… I normally do not write reviews but this deserves it! I went in to do my hair color thinking this is an Aveda concept salon so they have to be awesome! But boy was I wrong! Biggest mistake ever! My hair is totally ruined! After seating in a chair for five almost six hours my hair still looks like crap! I went in to go brown for the fall because I had highlights and some roots! So after speaking with the stylist we decided on a hair color and picked out a pretty brown with lighter tone and everything felt great! Until I sat under the dryer and my hair went sour! So the roots caught blonde/​brass color while the rest of my hair looked okay closer to the brown we agreed on. Well at first while rinsing my hair her next client shows up and she mentions he such a great tipper I don’t want him to be waiting. Really? She then notices my hair is wrong! Blows dry and then thinks I am okay with it! My first thought is are you kidding me! I look like a skunk. So she tries to fix it and I sit again after rinsing and blow drying still looks different colors and spots! So here we go ago! So more processing color… And at this point I was sitting already for 4 hours! Seriously! So I get blow dry and she feels bad so she gives me a free cut! Thanks cut was nice! But still doesn’t fix my hair! So after the third try she blow dries and it looks normal but not what I asked for! Thank god for my sister calling because she felt so bad for telling me about the place I didn’t get charged! They actually thought I would have paid! And during this whole time the owner who should have maybe asked if he could help her fix it doesn’t say a word! I am pretty sure they know I am upset! And would have been better to help her the first time! I even asked the other lady working what she thought of my hair and said it looks nice after I pointed out the roots she says oh you should talk to Brooke about it! Seriously! Duh… I am basically begging for someone to help her! Brooke was a very sweet lady I loved her personality but not the work she did on my hair! After one wash and waiting 48 – 72 hours to wash my hair it looks horrible! So scared to wash it! Now I am going to have to go sit at another salon to get it fixed!

Been here several times now and was very pleased both time with the service, haircuts and prices; I’ve never had a problem with the prices quoted, or the services provided. Last time I called on a Friday afternoon and they sere able to squeeze me in the same day — no attitude or fuzz:-). I arrived on time and Brad was ready to go. He spent some time with me for the consult, and really took the time to understand the look I was going for (drastic change — chopped off most of my hair). Brad is a talented stylist, and took the time to figure out the right style for me — and I appreciate the fact that he offered suggestions on product but didn’t try to push them on me.
This place is always clean, the stylists are friendly, and they can service the whole family.

I used to see Jennifer (no longer there) at this Salon until about a year ago, but still buy Aveda products their because it’s so close to home. The owner was never nice or friendly to customers while I was there, and I noticed she acted the same towards her employees. Jennifer was awesome and is the best colorist I know and she has since moved on — good for her (message me and I’ll give you her contact info.) Anyway, long story short, the customer service there is bad, their product selection is dwindling and the place needs a really good deep cleaning and face lift. Not relaxing at all.

I visited the salon because it’s a very close to home Aveda salon and their website had them listed as a Locks of Love participant. I had decided to donate my hair after having let it grow out and color my hair as some grays have recently started making an appearance. I don’t know if all LoL salons handle donations in the same way but basically she just cut it, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to me; for me to mail off at a later time. After the haircut my hair was very short, not even to nape of neck and yet I was charged $ 30 more for additional hair dye. She said she had to use the whole tube rather than just half (never been told that before). I have never been charged for additional color, not even when my hair length was between shoulder blades and waist. To clarify color was not applied until after the cut; so it was on the very short length of hair that was left on my head. She didn’t even tell me she was going to charge me an extra $ 30 until it was all said and done. I let her know I was not happy about the hidden/​surprise cost and she offered to leave a note on the account and discount $ 10 on a future visit. I kindly let her know that would not be necessary as I would not be returning. What should have cost me $ 120 ended up costing me $ 150 and in addition had to add tip and yes I still gave her 20% because I was happy w/​the short hair cut (didn’t know what to expect since I don’t do short hair but it turned out well); however I was not happy with sneaky/​surprise additional charge at the end. I would recommend going to Jose Luis or one of the other Aveda salons that give you the full treatment when you go, the mini facial, hand massage; same prices but better services, have never been surprised by charges there; worth the drive. My visit was in March of 2012, guess you can say I still think about it; guess she and/​or the salon really needed the extra $ 30. Good luck to them; hopefully they will be more honest when doing business with new clients.

After a couple of years growing out my hair, I decided to have it cut in a style again. I choose to try Dylan Brooks Salon mainly for two reasons: (1) it’s a reputable Aveda Salon and (2) it’s happens to be in my neighborhood. Being a bit nervous, I initially decided to first try it out with a trim only. That was easy. One month later I made another appointment w/​Kendra to have it styled. I brought in a photograph of myself with a hair cut I had 8 years earlier that I had really liked –it was easy, low maintenance and fun. I explained to her what I was looking for and talked with her about my hair, knowing it’s not the easiest to cut. My hair is very thick with natural wave and a little course — but a good head of hair overall. I asked Kendra if she felt confident that she could cut my type of hair in the style I wanted and explained that if she didn’t feel comfortable doing so that it was okay with me, too. She seemed to think she could do it.
As Kendra was cutting my hair she had my back turned to the mirror the entire time. Not a good sign. Even though we talked about a low maintenance cut and style, she finished the visit off with a flat iron. I don’t own a flat iron and certainly was not planning on having to style my hair that way.
The next day I washed my hair (that’s when the truth of the cut is always told), and I realized the top layer was a couple inches longer on one side than on the other. A couple inches! And, the side in which it was shorter was very uneven. In my husbands words «It looked as if the top layer was a lopsided bowl cut — that frizzed»! The bottom layer was uneven as well but not near as dramatic as the top. There seemed to be two main layers only, one on the top and one on the bottom which are roughly 4 – 5 inches a part. And the hair didn’t blend anywhere on my entire head — just looked scrappy.
A couple days later, I went back to the salon to show Kindra the problem and see what she could do. Because she hadn’t any suggestions on how to fix the problem other than to cut the longer side like the shorter uneven, choppy side, I decided it best to decline and not take a chance on screwing it up more than it already was. At that point I expressed that I would feel most comfortable getting a refund for the $ 45 hair cut. She agreed and walked me to the front desk. The receptionist then told me that she couldn’t return my money and that the Manager, Sherry Cardwell, couldn’t speak with me at that time. (she was somewhere in the back). So, I took a business card and called Sherry the following day. I was again declined on the return of my money. However, she did offer to have someone else in the salon cut my hair. At this point I had little confidence in the establishment and again didn’t want to take a chance on the little hair I had left.
Six weeks have passed and every day I look at myself in the mirror and am reminded of the worst hair cut I have ever had. And of the Owner/​Manager, Sherry Cardwell, who refused to give me my money back. You know it’s a really bad cut when your friends kindly question (w/​o trying to hurt your feelings) «what happened to your hair?» Or, when you try to fix a style with barrettes, a hair band, or a baseball cap and it still looks like crap. Really, it even looks bad in a baseball cap.
So for now, I have a good 6 – 8 months before my hair will be grown out enough to try another stylist. In the meantime, everyday I either have to fuss with my hair to calm the frizz and try to create some kinda style that makes it look presentable or if i have little time, simply put on a cap.
In all honesty, I truly think Super Cuts could have done a better job for $ 13.00. Possibly even my husband. Well, maybe not — but close. Bottom line, @ Dylan Salon there’s a NO RETURN POLICY — bad hair cut — shit out of luck and you get to pay for it every day.

I’m horrible at making appointments. I mean, I just don’t make appointments. I loath appointments. When I want my hair cut, nails done, eyebrows waxed, I want it done now, not three weeks from now.
Further, I’ve lived in Austin for seven years now and still haven’t found The One. You know… the one hairdresser who makes you feel gorgeous, loves to gossip and cuts your hair like a dream. That one. I’ve been bouncing from hairdresser to hairdresser, some better than others.
After reading the reviews for Eli, I decided to call over to Dylan Brooks. Eli no longer works there but Mary was willing to cut my hair immediately. Awesome.
It’s an Aveda Concept Salon, which I typically think of as high end. I hate to say that I was disappointed when I walked into the salon. It’s…depressing. Very depressing. The faux wood nightstands as stations. The bad wall color and the old school furniture. This looks like a salon where the owner has checked out.
That said, Mary did an AMAZING job on my hair. She was very sweet and took the time to consult with me and really determine what I needed and wanted out of a haircut. I’d recommend her in a hot second.
(Now, salon owner, if you want a makeover for your salon on the cheap, give me a holler.)

I have been to this salon before and walked out with a mediocre cut. Having moved from San Antonio, I did not have a clue where to go in town for, well what I believe, to be a pretty simple haircut.
I made an appointment to see Eli, whom I had not met before, but I read a good Unilocal about her.
Upon arrival, I was greeted and able to have my turn right away. The salon is nice enough, clean, and they carry Aveda products *which I never have money for, but I can dream.*
Anywho, I took a few printed photos of similar cuts as an example. Eli was able to take what my input and turn it into just what I wanted. Choppy, razor, short, cute… sounds simple enough, and it was for her.
She informed me of her training @ the Aveda Institute, so I am sure she can cater to many tastes. If you enjoy a chat with your hairstylist, as well as the satisfaction of a sexy new look, go see Eli! :)
⁸⁄₂₉ Update: My boyfriend hates haircuts, so she was very nice about it, and gave him a good cut. As long as he’s happy! So go see her. She rocks.

I moved to Austin in Feb. and I haven’t had my hair even trimmed since then because I was too afraid to try a new stylist! I finally gave in when a friend of mine that lives near me in south austin decided to try out Dylan Brooks’ salon.
I was a little hesitant, but I had checked out the website online and knew I wanted Eli to cut my hair because she looked like she was cute and funky and that’s how I like my hair to turn out! ha… weird reasoning, i know. Well, when I called for an appt. I didn’t even mention who I would like, they gave me an appt time and I took it… just happened to be with Eli!
I had a wonderful experience at this salon. Eli is BEYOND adorable and she makes you feel at home, immediately. She made absolutely sure what I wanted and where I wanted my hair to end up (…if I was letting it grow out. blah blah…) so she knew how to cut it. You could tell she was really listening and considering and when I told her she could do whatever… she told me what she was thinking…
needless to say, I walked out with EXACTLY what I wanted at an affordable price… bonus…she does facials and waxing! booyah! I don’t have to go to two different people anymore!!!
love it!
go see Eli, you won’t be disappointed. …