Pura Vida Salon

Being new to Dallas, I was terrified to try a new salon. I have very high standards when it comes to hair, therefore I was skeptical to just try any place.
I decided to give Pura Vida a try. It was the very best decision I could have made. For your first visit you actually have a full blown consultation to go over every single detail of your wants, needs, and overall expectation. Whether you are a hair person or not, this consultant (lasting about 30 minutes) makes you feel so special in that your full desires out of the appointment are met.
Owner of the salon, and my stylist: James – simply AMAZING! He is very passionate about hair and it shows thru his work. Whether I decide to try balayage or 20 inch extensions, he’s wonderfully amazing! Seriously wouldn’t trust anyone else with my hair.
After a year and a half of going to Pura Vida, I’m still going strong! Love, love this place! Best salon of Dallas!

This place is one of the best salons I’ve ever been to in Dallas. Very delayed review, but I came in for a cut/​color after New Year’s and everything I told Lacy that I wanted, she delivered and more!
I have curly, long, thin hair and I have a natural anxiety when it comes to getting a haircut. I felt very welcome when I visited the salon and will definitely be going back!
The only thing I would say is that the store is hard to find since it is located upstairs on top of a restaurant, otherwise, it’s perfect!

This place as well as the people working here are amazing! They are so friendly and really listen to what you are trying to achieve as well as making great recommendations for your hair. I’ve been here twice this year for a haircut and both times I have been very happy. The first time I came here they fixed an awful haircut I had received at a different salon. I don’t get color put In my hair so this review is for haircut and trims only!

Lacy was the absolute best. I am completely satisfied with my hair and I recommend EVERYONE to come here. The atmosphere is just so friendly and I just love it.

Can’t say enough good things about this salon! Kaley did a fantastic job on my color and cut. Everyone was so nice. She really took her time to not just style my hair but to also make sure that I would be able to style it myself. She was super patient in listening to what I wanted and any issues that I had with my hair in the past.

After two years of growing out my (fine, limp) hair, it was definitely time for a change. I started grade school with James and «knew him when,» so I was really excited to see what he’d do with my locks.
I had a photo of a long bob pulled up on my iPhone for reference, but let James and Kaley take the reins and run with things. Kaley was very interested in getting to know me and listened intently to what I wanted, what worked and what didn’t when it came to styling my hair. I ended up with an adorable graduated bob from James, complete with gorgeous honey highlights via Kaley. The Kevin. Murphy products they use to cleanse, condition and style were new to me, but are now a favorite, as the fragrance is out of this world.
Even if I hadn’t known James on a personal level, I’d still give Pura Vida 5 stars. Can’t wait to return for a trim & gloss!

It has taken me awhile to write this review, but I never write them so that is something in and of itself. I booked an appt here because of the name. But I have now become a loyal customer. I needed to get my hair trimmed and colored. Scheduled an appt with Rachel. When the snow storm happened in Dallas, the owner himself called me the next morning to check on me and see if I needed to reschedule. I kept the appt and made my way there. I love the location, it’s homey. I explained what I wanted to Rachel and she was very nice about it all. James, the owner, even came over and started chatting. I felt welcomed. The color turned out great! I absolutely love it and will be going back

I feel compelled to write a review for this salon. It is by far the best salon experience I have ever had. I would classify myself as a «low maintenance» hair person. Wash and wear. I have no idea how to style my hair. For my 40 years it’s just kind of worked for me! Well, as my naturally blonde hair kept getting darker and darker over the last few years, I decided that I needed to break down and get it highlighted. I looked on Unilocal and found Pura Vida. I am so glad that I found this place! I got an appointment with Rachel who listened to my concerns and understood my anxiety over coloring for the first time. She was awesome and made my hair look incredible – cut and color! She helped me understand how to care for it and style it. I might need another lesson or two :), but I am so happy with the outcome. One last thing, everyone who works here are down-​to-​earth; no pretense at all! (I don’t do pretentious.) Highly recommend!

James has made a believer out of me.
I’m the simple type… Spend a total of 3 minutes blow drying, no product, sometimes run out of the house dripping wet. My hair has to be in a ponytail all day every day, so needless to say, it gets neglected.
But …James and his crew have helped me rejuvenate and revive my hair, and now I get compliments everywhere I go. They have cut it better, and taught me how to take care of it, and how to make it look good in a ponytail. They even have classes that teach you how to style your hair!
My highlights have always been bland, and they have suggested a few things — low lights, toner, etc. that make it look much better — more depth, shinier… AWESOME!
I’ve been to a number of salons all over Dallas in the last 10 years, and I won’t go anywhere else now.
Edit — I typed the above review in 07/​13, and I can say over a year later, I still feel the same. I absolutely love the friendly, relaxing atmosphere, and professionalism. Every time I go in, they ask for feedback on how my cut and color has been so they can adjust accordingly. James makes adjustments for each season (brighter in the summer, more low-​lights in the fall), and stays on top of my needs.
I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

My hair is pretty dry, long and thick. And, not matter how much I oiled, it dried again after shampoo and blow dry.
I needed to see someone who understands the anatomy of hair and also the range of products available in the markets. I am so glad that I met James, the doctor for hair, who knew what my hair wanted!
Even after a week of my visit to this salon and three shampoo days, my hair look healthy and lustrous. I am glad I stumbled on the previous reviews here which made me pick this salon, and James in particular.
I strongly recommend Pura Vida!

James is amazing! Today was my first time at the salon and my hair looks fantastic! Whitley is great!

I can’t say enough great things about Pura Vida. James and his team have mastered the art of customer service and deliver a phenomenal product. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be treated like family. James spent the first 30 minutes of my first appointment getting to know me and really listening and hearing what I hoped to achieve with my hairstyle, and my style in general. In follow-​up appointments, he refers back to his notes to make sure my haircut is everything I wanted it to be. On top of a fabulous cut and an all-​around fabulous experience, James teaches me how to do something new with my hair every time.

James is a master! A true artist with hair… Tip: Book your appointment (well) in advance.

Everyone has bad hair days, right? I don’t. Really, I don’t.
Since Kinome has been doing my color and cut, my hair always looks great. Not good, great.
I am now a month into my cut and color and people stop me (even strangers!) and tell me how great my hair looks. Strangers! The color is absolutely gorgeous and the cut is perfect.
Kinome has taken the time to get to know me and my lifestyle and has created a haircut that works for me. I spend 5 minutes each morning on my blow dry and work some product in (Kevin Murphy Powder Puff is my lifesaver! Thanks, Kinome!) and I am good all day.
I am not making any of this up. This place is magic. Kinome is a hair magician.

Love coming here. The staff is amazing and wouldn’t change hairdressers no matter what.

I almost don’t want to review since it will let the secret out.
I’ve known James since I was knee high to a grasshopper. 10 years later and he is now the only man I trust cutting my hair, and please note that I don’t even live in Dallas anymore.
I continually get asked who cut my hair since it just looks that good. Sorry Denver, I have to outsource this hair cut. I quit asking for a cut that I think will work she he knows my hair better than I do. James is the master of being able to give me an awesome cut that I can handle (trust me, i am not talented when it comes to doing my hair) even on those early mornings when I have to get into work before the sun comes up. The cuts also last through 6 months of my refusal to get a hair cut in Denver. So not only are the cuts easy to handle but they last? That my friends is talent.

Have you ever seen those people who have incredibly perfect hair, every single day? Perfect color, flattering cut, no crazy ends?
I’m proud to say that I’m one of those people.
But, trust me when I tell you that I wasn’t always. In fact, I was the girl that never went to the same hair person more than once, and they were all thankful that I didn’t take their card or tell my friends.
Then I met Kinome McGrane. She’s seriously the most wonderful person I’ve ever met — AND she’s a ridiculously talented hair guru.
First time I was in her chair, I offered suggestions for what I wanted. She looked at me and said «uhm, that’s nice… but I’m going to do what will actually look good.»
It was love at first snip.
5+ years later, and she’s landed herself in James DeFrange’s swanky yet understated Uptown Salon. She’s finally found a hairhome with people who are really skilled and customer service that is second to none.
Wish your hair-​person would teach you the secrets of blow-​drying, round-​brushing, curling, flat-​ironing, or general coiffing, so you can replicate the look? They do that. And they appreciate your asking, because you’re their advertisement!
Hate those places that push product on you? Don’t you wish they’d let you make up your own mind, or — even — tell you that they’re using something schmancy, but that you won’t get the same effect at home because you’re not that good? I know my wallet and self-​esteem appreciate that kind of honesty!
Give them a call. Ask for Kinome (obviously, my favorite!). If there’s a wait, she’s worth it (and I’m probably there!). When you go, be prepared to have an a-​MANE-​zing experience!
Note: typical Uptown parking — so be sure you leave some time for spot-​poaching. AND, while you’re there, ask James to rap for you — he’s got mad skillz!

Been doing business with James Defrange since 2005. I will follow him anywhere. I love seeing the friendly familiar faces of the other stylists that care as much about me as James does. I have the best color and cut of my life and when people stop me in the street to ask about my hair it thrills me to point the way to Pura Vida!

To begin my story, and my review… let’s just say I was traumatized.
Incredibly traumatized.
I had moved from DFW to Boston, a year before, and had already lost my hair stylist before that because she moved down to Houston. I didn’t get my hair cut before the move because I figured I could wait and really «DO» the research to find a stylist in Boston. I went to the most uppity place you can imagine, in a loft, with a bald headed man who cuts hair and has been featured on MTV makeovers… pretentious, I know, but I was scared, and the place had great reviews, plus I loved what he did with my friends hair.
… I walked in and immediately felt ugly… I walked out feeling even uglier… AND unstylish… and spent 6 months trying to grow out my hair… he had clipped some kind of wings into them too… have I mentioned I paid a crap ton of money for a bad cut?
It was horrifying.
So, 6 months later I’m going home for Christmas, and end up begging James to cut my hair on Christmas Eve morning, because I love what he did with my friends hair, and I felt I could trust him.
I had met him once before, and he’s done such an amazing job on my girl friends hair. She’s got super curly locks and it always sits right and looks damn good.
I walked in and felt beautiful. I was pampered and damn near petted. Everyone seemed happy to see me, and it wasn’t like I was the ugly girl that managed to get an appointment because I had a large enough credit on my card to pay for it… the wonders of James and Pura Vida.
I was not sorry!!! This is the best experience I’ve ever had in a hair salon!!! I felt beautiful from the inside out… like even my skin and personality were special, not just «great hair»…
It was the best cut I’ve ever had. They taught me how to style it, and it’s been easy to do! They took their time with me and walked me through everything, and just treated me like a loved human being. It’s got to be some kind of philosophy. Kindness like that just doesn’t come from a charge on the credit card.
I haven’t cut my hair since last Christmas when I went to Pura Vida, and it’s grown out incredibly well! It’s looking like some kind of naturally waving shag now, which I just love. I’ll be making my appointment early this year, but I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
Hell, if I have to go home to Dallas once a year for a hair cut, I’d do it for James and Pura Vida!!! They are worth it!!!
PS. Apologize for the rambling review… there’s so much good to say about this amazing salon.
If you’re looking to find someone new, please give this place a try! You will NOT be disappointed!!!

Getting a hair cut, splittin’ your wig, trimmin’ the mane… hair coloring, hiding the gray’s, the ridding of roots… etcetera etcetera etcetera… all VERY serious and important events in all women’s lives. Nothing to joke about… i say this because i have personally experienced the life-​altering, become a hermit for a month, altogether BAD hair cut (and color). It was SO bad, I cut my own hair for 3 years afterword… actually got pretty good at it, too. However, after becoming a true Dallas socialite and downtown dweller, I knew it was time to overcome this fear and seek out the true talent that SURELY was inhabiting the Dallas metroplex.
I must say, although it did take a few trial and errors, ladies (and gents, too) I have found it :) And for all you fellow victims of the SuperCuts disaster, I will gladly pass the tip along.
Pura Vida Salon is located on Travis Street in the Knox/​Henderson area… one of my favorite areas anyway (there’s a MAC store over there… im a MAC nerd… shut up). Go west on knox… left on Travis… its right there above Café Madrid… from the front of that building you only see the door with the logo on it, enter and head upstairs to the cozy hair haven. No need to knock once you get to their door, just walk right in. you’ll be greeted with smiles and salutations as if you have been their regular customer for years. It is small, cozy & welcoming, and decorated to parallel that chic style that is uptown Dallas.
There are 3 hair masters… I recommend all of them. Even though only 2 have done what they do to my ‘do…I’ve personally seen the results of the third’s skills and wouldnt hesitate to let him work his magic on me. The owner, James, is by far the coolest guy ever… and I’m truly impressed with the way he has built this modest empire… he’s knows what he’s doing and how to keep people coming back. I feel like part of the family when I’m there… and have heard the exact same report from all my friends I have sent to them.
EXAMPLE: Black Tie event… was told i was needing to attend days prior… had to get the outift, accessories… AND OF COURSE THE HAIR! It was a Dallas Fashion Association event… so the typical «up-​do» would not suffice… I call in a panic with this emergency… they work it around, and James ends up comingin at 8:30am just to make a masterpiece out of my hair, which led to many compliments and «Who does your hair???“‘s…all with a smile on his face… for that I am forever grateful.
The prices are beyond reasonable, and I have never left there with anything less than an «Oh my God I love you» reaction. All while enjoying a glass of wine or coffee while they do their handy work. So if you are looking to be able to breathe easy and know that you have finally cured your hair horror syndrome… I suggest you give them a shout.