Bristles Hair Design & Day Spa

In this salon the atmosphere is not so friendly. I’d been going for a couple of years because it was close to home and the stylists ok. I’ve tried several and they are all capable. This is why I give them two stars, instead of one. Their prices are high.
The lobby is very tiny and faces the front desk people who always seem very busy-​almost snobbish. No one offers you water or anything and they have a mess of old magazines everywhere.
The most recent experience finally led me to look elsewhere for services.
I got my appointment time mixed up and pulled into Bristles parking lot 15 minutes after my appointment –for eyebrows mind you… The staff told me unfortunately my appointment had to be rescheduled because the next customer started in half hour and a full hour was needed for my appointment. I couldn’t believe they could not run 15 minutes late for eyebrows! What a laugh. I courteously declined rescheduling. Not even a doctor turns away a patient over 15 minutes. I’ve waited 15 minutes for them in the past and could not believe this… I politely declined rescheduling and went to a salon who saw me right away and charged 50% less than they do for eyebrows. Again, feeling the condescension from some of the staff at Bristles. If they could strive to be more customer service oriented, they would be a better value…

I got married in Cville in early May and chose Bristles based on a couple of reviews and decent pricing for updos. Before coming in for my appointment, I didn’t mention that it was for my wedding because I didn’t want to get charged the more-​expensive «bridal» price (businesses, why do you do this? Just because you hear the word «bride» or «wedding» doesn’t mean the exact same service should be more expensive!!)). Anyways, I didn’t mention it because an updo is an updo and it shouldn’t matter if it’s for my wedding or not. That being said, I was very laidback about my wedding and didn’t need a «practice» run or anything for my hair and didn’t want anything really fancy or complicated. I didn’t even know who was doing it until I arrived at Bristles. But, I could not have asked for a better stylist or a better updo. Tabitha did the most incredible job based on a couple of pics I showed her and I could not have been happier with it. It was truly beautiful and even better than what I imagined. And it stayed in place the entire day! Thank you, Tabitha and Bristles, for making me look fabulous on my big day! Highly recommend for any bride!

I gave Bristles two times to impress me. The stylist was good but the office staff were not very professional. The first time I came, the stylist was about 40 minutes behind schedule. When I checked out and asked to purchase the product the stylist recommended, they didn’t have any in stock. My next appointment had to be rescheduled during a time when I didn’t have much flexibility. I agreed on a new day and time. When I showed up for the appointment, the desk person gave me a nasty look and told me I was 30 minutes late. Evidently the person who had rescheduled, had written it into their book wrong. Again the stylist was running late and there was a potential conflict with another client who was supposedly booked at the same time I was! It turned out that the other person didn’t show, so I got my cut and color, but I didn’t get out of the salon until very late in the evening. I would give the stylist 4 stars but the rest of the operation gets a 2, so the average is 3.

Came in here for a simple blow out and style for a fancy pants party. Vanessa did a great job curling my hair, and she was a good sport about redoing a braid numerous times after my SIL and I screwed it up in the parking lot.
Noteworthy that this was done on a Saturday early afternoon, and I did not wash my hair until Monday and I still had a nice loose curl going. (yeah, I’m lazy and gross, so what?).
Everyone was friendly, and I would agree that this place is on the pricey side, but I would rather over pay and know I am not going to look like an idiot, or worse have my hair damaged or cut poorly by a novice.

I booked an appointment here to get my hair and makeup done for my wedding day. In addition, the wedding party also got hair/​makeup/​nails done. Everyone looked great– and I’d use this salon again. The couple of weeks before the coordinator was out of town, so the appointments were a little messed up, but everything got fixed the 2 days before– so it all worked out. My hair and makeup was done by Melvanda– also the trail hair– and she was wonderful. Very understanding when I wanted to make some changes, and listened to me per what I liked (light on make up, etc). She was really sweet and talkative and made the start of my wedding day wonderful. I don’t live in Charlottesville, so it was great to set everything up via email/​phone and to all work smoothly. The salon was really kind to let us use a room for friends stopping buy with some breakfast items– and a great way for everyone to mingle. I would definitely use them again, especially if I was in the area!

going through hair salons… Bristles in Charlottesville is awesome. the best hair stylist I ever had is Draga. I was always happy with everything she was doing with my hair and I am very very picky. and suspicious. Draga is wonderful. she is very passionate about what she does. And she knows her job for 100 000% BTW she has a very busy schedule. its better to make an appointment in advance. one month… ahh forgot to say. its not expensive!

My wife and I have been going here for two years, and we’re both really satisfied. Maya knows her stuff, and is very nice, and customers for other people seem happy too.

Ripoff, painful, lots of hair left… Got a Brazilian wax and it was well over $ 15 than what you can find elsewhere for much better value. You don’t even get all your hair removed since you keep your underwear on, which leaves everything in it’s way. Also, more painful than any wax I’ve ever had– inappropriate application of the wax led to multiple and unsuccessful pulling and yanking of hair that didn’t work until the 4^th or 5^th try. Thankfully, Sally Beauty Supply is right around the corner. I went there immediately after my appt to get an at home kit and spent 30 minutes trying to remove the rest of the hair that was left behind. Overall I spent $ 75 between the total and tip. Waste of time, pain and money :(

I gave it three chances. The three colors were fine, but each of the three haircuts left me in tears. If you want to avoid tears, go to Moxie.