Soleil 21 Salon Spa

UPDATE: the salon didn’t respond favorably to my feedback accusing me of demanding services ahead of my appointment time and requesting a discount on the services. My appointment was at 7, I arrived 5 minutes early and took a seat in the waiting area where I sat until 7:10PM, and then asked if anyone was planning to see me. Finally, after the tech misshaped my nails in the way I didn’t ask her to at all and I pointed to that, she offered me the discount, I didn’t demand it. I ended up tipping her anyways. I’m appalled at the lack of customer service at this salon and the salon accusing the customer for a poor review.

So, I’d like to update my review based on the two pedicures that I’ve received here. The first pedicure I had was the spa pedicure, which is $ 40 — a pretty good deal, in my opinion. The technician did a great job, and even offered me a beverage. Unfortunately, when I got home, I found the paint job to be uneven and bumpy. There were parts of my toenails near the tips that weren’t painted at all. Then, two days later, two of my toenails’ paint chipped! I did a fair share of walking, but that generally doesn’t happen. For $ 40, though, I figured I’d go back and give it another shot. Three weeks later, I booked another spa pedicure. My tech from the previous pedicure wasn’t available, so I booked the pedicure with a different tech. This experience was fairly unpleasant. First of all, she didn’t offer me anything to drink, which was completely fine, but I wanted to mention it. Conversation was kept to a minimum, as a matter of fact, I could barely hear her when she was trying to show me the new colors. Again — not a deal breaker. She then proceeded to give me the wrong (cheaper) pedicure, which I didn’t realize until the very end. I noticed that she didn’t use a mask on me, but at that point, it was too late. She actually hurt me while pushing back my cuticles. I said very nicely that it hurt, but she replied: oh, it tickles! So I said, no it actually hurt. That didn’t register with her and was incredibly uncomfortable. She also spent about 10 seconds sloughing the rough skin off each heel. I’m not exaggerating here. My heels are pretty bad, and I felt them still very rough in the cab on the way home. The tech HAD to have noticed this! Again, the paint job wasn’t up to par. It was uneven and splotchy, and two days later chipped! I was only charged for the cheaper pedicure, however, so I got what I paid for. Unfortunately, there are too many other places in DC that charge close to the same price. I don’t think I’ll be back. I was very happy with my hair and my eyebrows from previous visits, but I definitely won’t be back for pedicures.

Unfortunately the new nail techs are sub-​par. I was there for over 2 hours for a regular manicure and pedicure. On top of that, the polish was so thick my nails smudged and chipped immediately.

I went to Soleil 21 on Fri ¹⁰⁄₁₉ for the first time and I’ll be going back! I wanted a gel manicure (my 1^st one) and decided to try this place due to all the good reviews on Unilocal.When I walked in, I was a little nervous but was quickly greeted & taken to the back of the salon (where they do nails). My tech, Sally, was very pleasant & offered me wine but I declined. Sally suggested a really nice fall shade for my nails and did my nails & eyebrows in about 45 min. I was very pleased. I can tell that the techs can get chatty but as another reviewer said, I’m sure they’ll respect your wishes if you ask them for a little quiet. I liked the ambiance & cleanliness of the salon and will definitely go back. Only odd thing I noticed is that instead of me giving my tech a tip directly, I was asked to put it in a small envelope and leave it at the front desk. Next time, I’ll give it to her directly.

Called last minute on Saturday for an eye brow wax appointment and they were able to fit me in no problem. Kim did the waxing and I was very happy with the outcome. The service didn’t take long but she still did a thorough job with sculpting both the top and bottom of my brows and followed up with tweeting at the end. I’d definitely return for future brow waxing and it also seems like they have good reviews for their hairstylists as well.

Such high expectations treating myself to a pedicure on Labor Day. The salon looks nice and relaxing and private. BUT it was one of, or possibly, the worst pedicure I’ve ever had. Beyond painful, left me with an open wound and bleeding! And I could do a better paint job myself. The massage chairs didn’t work. I get pedicures to relieve stress. This one did the opposite! So disappointed because I live so close.

Men’s haircut review only. I am very satisfied! I had my hair cut by Doan (pronounced Dawn). I am really picky about my haircuts and have been disappointed many times at other places, but Doan did a great job, and I left very happy. The price was very fair ($ 35). Soleil 21 is a salon and nail spa combo, but as a guy I didn’t think the place was «too girly» and I was comfortable there. Very clean as well! My only suggestion would be to give the very sweet shampoo girl some extra training because the water was freezing and she didn’t really lather my hair at all, but a totally minor issue. Overall I was very satisfied and will be back!

I’ve been here three times in a month and a half. Once for an eyebrow wax, a hair cut and now highlights. Mona has been my stylist each time. I was drawn to her after the brow service because she didn’t talk my ear off but asked the right questions to make sure I got what I wanted.
My haircut experience was fantastic. She gave me a very styled blowdry that lasted for two days which was amazing. I’ve bought several products here-​both morrocan oil and some others here.
Super happy and will continue to come here as long as I live in the area.

Doan is the only person I’ll let touch my hair these days. My hair is thick, coarse, and hard to work with — Doan has transformed it! I always leave happy, with healthy-​looking, sleek, perfectly-​styled hair (though TBH this could be in part the result of my waiting too long between haircuts).
In all seriousness, I’ve been seeing Doan for over 2 years and don’t see myself leaving anytime soon. No matter how long I wait to come back for a trim, she always remembers me and asks me questions about my life, work, and family. She encourages me to try new styles when I’m itching for a change, and «roots» for me to keep trying when I’m sick of the grow-​out process and just want to chop it off again. She knows me, knows my hair, and has earned my loyalty.
Practical tips: make an appointment (walk-​ins technically allowed, but don’t count on availability); cash tips preferred but credit card tips preferable.

I have very difficult hair — long, thick, coarse. It has always given me trouble and I have rarely found anyone who can cut it well. Doan gets it! My hair looks gorgeous when I leave there — to the point where people stop me on the street to ask about it. And better yet, it looks great and holds its shape for at least 8 weeks, although I always wait too long between cuts.
Here’s the best part about the whole experience though: She is always friendly and she always remembers your name. I skipped 5 months one time and when I walked through the door with no appointment, she greeted me by name and asked how I’d been. None of the snooty crap that you get at some of the other places. I feel at home here and she’s really good!
Another good feature is that it’s directly across from the Marine Barracks, so if you’re driving after work, there’s usually a lot of empty parking spots (because there are no stores on the opposite side of the street, so it’s not as busy) or it’s just a block from a public parking lot. Very convenient!
And I love that if you get a few services together (like a cut and a pedi), you get a discount.
Very reasonable prices. Very friendly staff. Very convenient.

The lady only spends 20 mins on your hair. No layers, no style. Just keeps asking you «how long do you want me to cut off? »

Went to Soleil 21 for the first time this weekend for a haircut. When I made the appointment, I asked specifically for someone who knows how to cut fine, thin hair. Generally, especially with a new stylist, I like to talk about what my goals are (I’m a very wash-​and-​go girl, so I need a style that doesn’t require a lot of effort), and about my hair (stick straight, very fine).
My stylist, Mona, did not ask me any of these questions, and didn’t seem to understand what I was asking for. I specifically asked for a straight cut with no layers toward the back of my head– just a little bit of framing near my face. Her cutting technique, which may work for curly or other types of hair, involves cutting up into the hair — not a straight line across. My hair looks TERRIBLE. At one point I stopped her, because she was clearly adding more layers/​texture, and she swore she wasn’t– and then another stylist came over and yelled at me, telling me that «maybe you should let her finish before your criticize». (or… how about not letting her finish mauling my hair?)
I absolutely HATE my haircut. Will be finding another salon to try to fix the damage. To add insult to injury, my haircut took about 5 min longer than a guy who was in at the same time– yet they charge $ 35 for a men’s cut and charged me $ 65 for having long hair. If you’re going to charge me nearly twice as much, I’d expect twice the time. And maybe a wash that doesn’t feel like someone is attacking my scalp.

I’m bummed that the appointment I made yesterday didn’t get written down. I took my time to make it down to SE only to realize they didn’t write it down. I have been with Andre for over a year and he moved locations And I followed. It’s frustrating that my 1^st experience with a new spa that the phone jockey doesn’t write me down. Not sure if I will ever try again. Miss you Andre. Guess it’s time to explore other options.

To respond to Soleil 21’s response: There was no missed call on my phone, and no voicemail message. There is still no response to the email I sent. Apparently Soleil 21 only responds to poor Unilocal reviews.

This place is everything you want in a neighborhood salon: friendly and casual, yet professional, with quality services. Highly recommend.

Andre is the first European male nail tech I’ve ever seen among 5 states of receiving pedicures. Even though he was working on my sister-in-law’s feet and not mine, he was so incredibly friendly and conversational that we both enjoyed the pedicure experience even more just because of him! We both highly recommend him!

I just had my first visit here and it was great! I followed my esthetician, Andre’ (formerly w/​Ava Salon and Spa) here. As usual, he gave me a spectacular bikini/​Brazilian and underarm wax. He really has a magic touch and for 6 yrs I’ve only trusted him to wax my most sensitive areas.
I was so impressed with the staff here that I got a manicure too. All of the staff was super friendly and the salon was very clean. Highly recommend!

I wish I had looked at the Unilocal reviews before embarking on getting a manicure today! Per my earlier review — I went to A-​List, next door to Soleil, and had a less than satisfactory experience. As I was huffing and puffing about not having gotten the manicure I needed, I noticed a salon right next door — Soleil. Went in, spoke to the manager, he got me seated almost immediately with Kim, who gave me a manicure the way a manicure should be given. Super friendly, professional, and did a great job. It’s unfortunate that it took a bad experience today to accidentally come across this place, but glad I did — I’ll definitely be going back.

I had a great experience at Soleil 21 today. I was a walk-​in. Even though I was able to get a slot as a walk-​in right then and there, the salon was still busy, with people in the back getting other spa services, and the salon part of the shop was still busy.
I had grown my hair out long in order to donate, and the salon put me in Von’s capable hands. I told him that I was making a donation of my hair, and that I wanted to do a short cut while still making my husband happy and not going too short. He gave me a cute bob with a sharp line from front to back, and he preserved a great deal of length for the hair I wanted to donate. He was also so fun to talk with, and it was clear from the way he was handling my hair and talking at the same time that he was comfortable doing something different and edgy comfortably.
The only reason why I didn’t give it the full 5 stars is that it would’ve been even better if the price — $ 55 for my long hair — were lower. I’m probably being unrealistic about price, since I’m cheap, but I know one can easily drop $ 100 for a half-​inch trim, but I’m spoiled from getting rock-​star haircuts in New York for only $ 35.
I didn’t get any of the free eats or drinks, but that’s okay. I loved the look and feel of the salon, the festive, bright atmosphere, and the energetic vibe of the stylists.
As a mom, I’m also excited about the kid-​friendly setup they have for kids cuts. They’ve got two race car seats for kids, and they’ll be my first stop when next I have to get cuts for my 2 ½ year-​old and my 11-​month-​old.

I don’t know where all of these 5 star reviews are coming from because this place is DIRTY FILTHY GROSS. My coworker recommended it to me and its close to my house, so I decided to give it a go, but honestly, there were little hairs everywhere, dirt, grime. It’s disgusting! For a 70+ dollar haircut, I expect at the very least a sanitary salon.
Doan cut my hair and spent maybe 20 minutes on it. I have thick, long hair so 20 minutes just doesn’t do the job. Sure enough, after another lady blow dried it, there were uneven pieces and the bangs looked awful. Doan snipped snipped the uneven strands, but otherwise, her work was hasty.
Skip Soleil — there are better salons in Capitol Hill for the same or better price!