Savage Beauty Salon

I look like an angel.
I think color is both a science and a gift. I took a chance with Jo. I had been warned my entire life by every hairdresser that I was not to fool with dying my almost black hair. I remember seeing pictures of my mother when she tried it… total nightmare orange. I went to a consultation with Jo. I watched her take an hour doing measurements and matching tones to my face. I knew she was not fooling around. This biotch was a scientist and she was making time for me in her precious lab. Then she turned me into a little blonde angel. I now have this halo of beautiful blonde locks framing my face. Totally crazy.

First, a spoiler: Jo is a magician wrapped in a rockstar mind-​melded to an artist. You want her to do your hair.
Here is my story: about 3 months ago I had just moved to NOLA from Portland, OR and arrived with massive hair issues. I had been changing my hair from box black dye (the worst most difficult to remove) to blonde and pink and one of the colorists I had in Portland destroyed my hair pretty badly such that it seemed like doll-​hair instead of actual hair. You know — frayed beyond recognition, plastic feeling, frizzy and kinky. Ugly to touch and ugly to look at.
While i KNEW it was ugly both in look and feel, I was still unsure about cutting it all off which she very gently recommended. Instead of that, what we did was what I asked for — she re-​bleached me but not on the damaged hair (she’d only do my roots and not pull it through) and then recolored my pink — exactly what I asked for only the right way (I’d really wanted to bleach all of it out, but she wouldn’t ruin any more of my hair). In the end it came out really great and I loved it — it was almost like hair again after she was done and I looked and felt fantastic.
Fast forward 2 months. I hadn’t done a thing to my hair since that first visit, but was SICK to death of the pink and started dreaming of other colors. I’d had it for about 8 months and was just over it. In addition, I had a conference to go to and looked unkempt at best since I hadn’t done anything with my hair in 2+ months since my last visit and had long exposed roots. Jo took pity on me and fit me in and though I walked in with crazy dramatic photos of Tilda Swinton and her amazing platinum fauxhawk and shaved head — she was not daunted.
Yes — at this point I wanted to shave off the damaged hair (down to my scalp) and leave the top longish and bleach the heck out of it. Jo thought it sounded good and would look cool and she went for it.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am to Jo for her expertice and artistry — I haven’t looked or felt this great since I started changing from black to blonde over a year ago. I am now 100% platinum blonde with wholly healthy hair and an amazing cut. I don’t think I would have done something this dramatic without really trusting Jo to listen to what I wanted even if she didn’t think it was the best thing I could do for my looks (i.e. she didnt insist on cutting off all my hair when i didnt want to originally).
She made it clear what I SHOULD do in her professional opinion, but went along with my desires anyway when I got cold feet. It made me feel confident that a) she knew what she was talking about b) she wasn’t going to pull punches about what would look best and be best for my hair and c) i could trust her.
Anyway — if you are looking for someone who will listen to what you want, has the knowledge to know what would be best for your hair and look, and has the skill to be able to give it to you, Jo is your person.
Thanks Jo!!!

A place where your stylist knows exactly what you want and need, while you listen to Beck and Sleater-​Kinney, and with precious canine company too!
Jo, has mad skills! Love her.

When Jo does my hair I trust her enough to tell her to just make it look good and I’ve always been stoked with the results. She’s a mind reader and a master of her craft! Her salon is incredibly relaxed and homey, and I really like the vibe there when she cuts my hair. Couldn’t recommend her more!

Jo Starnes, at Savage Beauty, has been cutting my hair for 8 years now. I always walk away feeling lighter and my hair looks gorgeous. She always knows what I want and keeps my hair healthy and looking great. I’ve also had a pedicure or two and she gives you the full treatment!

Just got home from my first cut and color from miss jo and the first thing my boyfriend said, with a big smile was, «you look younger!» I kid you not! Very good job Jo! Thank you for holding my hand through my second ever attempt at color. Plus a great blow dry which I always turn down due to past attempts at managing my wavy hair… Glad I said yes.
The salon is small, intimate, easy. Come early and peruse the shop (Bön castor run by miss Amy) for fun … Pet belle, the sweet pup who knows how to close doors… Laugh with Jo who truly can’t be more personable and warm. A lovely evening and a very natural look for me, which is exactly what I wanted.

***SAVAGE***BEAUTY***THE***VIP***SALON***
This magical quirky salon -(at the back of a gift shop) — has one chair, one. sink and one pedicure chair… And… The wonderful talented Joe the hairdresser and pedicurist of Savage Beauty”, is running this cute space by herself.
Joe’s experience in hair is brilliant. (On recommendation) I made an appointment for a haircut, color and blow dry and the result was perfect. The color product is based on coconut oil and made my hair shine, the cut and blow dry was just effortless and cool as I love it!!!
Joe is a very sparkly interesting person who has also a lot of knowledge about beauty products, in fact she is making her own, which I so wanted to purchase because am traveling I couldn’t as the bottles exceeded the travel size limit. So I chose smaller packages from «Acure» which included cleansing wipes, serum and a face mask product, presented in a beautiful box, with the holiday offer it was a really great purchase.
Joe is a talented hairdresser, pedicurist, make up artist and produces her on beauty products. She loves what she does and I am SSSOOOO RECOMMENDING JOE!!!
If I would live in New Orleans Joe would be my hairdresser & pedicurist and Savage Beauty products my line of skin care!!!

Best. Haircuts. Ever.

Jo has a killer pedicure chair and gives an amazing pedi/​foot/​leg massage! Her salon space is super comfy and homey. And she is one of the best women in the whole world. Highly recommended!

All my stylish musician buddies were going here to get their haircut, so I gave it a go. Haven’t considered going anywhere else since. I get laid within 24hrs of leaving here just about every time.

I can’t say enough wonderful things about Jo Starnes and her lovely salon, Savage Beauty. I have been getting my hair cut and colored from Jo for at least nine years now, and I always love the initial cut as well as how the cut grows out, the sign of a great haircut! Jo’s color technique is also excellent, I always end up with exactly what I want, Jo knows! Even better now she has a super fancy salon style pedicure chair, sheer bliss in a truly relaxing environment. Jo also sells her own handmade soaps, bath salts and body scrubs in addition to an amazing commercial line of skin care and hair care. There really is no need to go anywhere else for your beauty needs. Savage Beauty has it all!

More bangs for your buck in the Bywater! Jo Starnes is pure magic and delight. Her service is impeccable and the prices are affordable. Savage beauty not only offers hair cuts and color, but now has one of those super-​duper deluxe pedicure stations, that are generally found in places that reek of acrylic nails (not a problem here). I love her spot because she offers such personal and sincere service. There is no way you will leave without being 100% satisfied. If you are looking for a place where you can relax and not have to listen to salon gossip or feel rushed in your service, then this is the place for you. I have trusted Jo to do my hair for many occasions including business trips, fancy dinner dates and even for my father’s funeral. I have always felt that she respects my desires and is more concerned with the best interest of my hair, nails and skin than up selling a product. If you want to coiffed with class, head on over to Savage Beauty.
Bonus points for being a stones throw from Bacchanal. Champagne with my appointment, why not?

I am guilty of getting my ‘girl card’ revoked on a monthly basis and Jo is a godsend to make me look more civilized.
I work 6 days/​week and have a tendency to forget to get my hair cut & colored which is a concern as I am currently a bleach blonde (FYI — do it if you feel it, no one ever notices that you’re not wearing makeup or earrings most of the time). Jo’s location and hours have been a savior and she gives cuts that grow out perfectly. Her color skills are amazing and people marvel that my hair is in such good shape considering the amount of bleach needed to make me look good.
Super affordable, super skilled and the location can’t be beat. Especially if you are service industry (and who in this town isn’t?) she’s got the goods.

Amazing experience! Amazing haircut! She takes the time to really understand what is going on with your hair, and has created a wonderful open, accepting environment. What more could you want?

I’ve been going to Savage Beauty for over 2 years now. I have always been extremely satisfied and excited by how my hair and nails have turned out. From blonde, to brunette to even alternative colors like teal and lavender, Jo has helped me achieve the look I want in a friendly and professional atmosphere. She also carries amazing all natural hair and skin products as well that literally transformed my skin from a blotchy acne ridden mess to clear and glowy! I will def never go anywhere else for a cut color or mani!