Toka Salon & Day Spa, DC

I’ve been going to Toka salon for almost 10 years now. I always go to see Gazi for my haircut, and recently some ombré. He’s always done such an amazing job with my hair. I like my haircuts to really do something for me but also stay easy to manage. He somehow manages to do both. He is a very nice guy and even if you’re sometimes unsure where’s he going, you’ll love the haircut. He also does an amazing blow dry!

I went in here the other day to get a specific Phyto product. While I cannot speak for the services, I can say that the front desk staff was rude and unhelpful. The two ladies at the front desk barely acknowledged my presence and when they finally did they were not knowledgable about the products. For me, it was a terrible first impression and I would not return for services based on this experience. Needless to say, I will be sticking to Sephora for my Phyto product needs.

There is a huge difference between an ordinary haircut and great haircut — it’s the same noticeable difference between an off-​the-​rack suit and a custom tailored suit.
Without a doubt, when I’m in Washington, DC, I’m sure to stop into Toka Salon in Georgetown for a great haircut. I’ve been a customer of Toka for years. The haircuts I receive are consistently outstanding, the staff are warm and friendly, and I’m always handled expediently, which is important to me because I’m usually on a tight schedule.
Nuri is my usual go-​to person, but when he isn’t there I’ve never been anything less than fully pleased by his team. I’ve referred several male and female friends to Toka over the years. Their experiences have always mirrored mine.

I had a great experience at this salon. I am a young professional who has been living in the city for close to two years. Since I have been living here I have been searching for a salon in DC that I truly enjoyed going to that was worth my time and money. I am happy to say that I will definitely be returning here. I had a wonderful hair cut by Nuri and I was extremely impressed with the time and effort he put into my hair. I also had my eyebrows done and I was very pleased with how they looked as well.

After a most disastrous razor-​cut experience, I had just about lost faith with salons in the DMV. I used to travel back to my home state salon to see my stylist cringe when arrived in tears trying to get her to fix what I had just paid to have ‘done’ here. I thought I was doomed to a life of traveling in order to get a proper haircut as it was impossible to find someone who understood the asymmetrical styles that I look great wearing.
The styling gods must have smiled on me the day I read about Nuri and Toka Salon in a magazine. Taking a chance to see if he had an opening, I lucked out. He took the time to listen and thoroughly evaluate my situation. Over time we worked to resuscitate my look and now together we create and cultivate the styles that I love. I have found that Nuri likes to step out of the ‘traditional look’ box when he has a client who wants to do something different and unique.
There are many great stylists at the salon, so the good work doesn’t stop with Nuri. The salon team also includes a fabulous masseuse and awesome esthetician who do wonders to soothe and rejuvenate. There is a large selection of products for everyone to find something they may need, as well as a nail and cosmetic services. Nuri’s brother is an awesome colorist. My Loreal professional color and highlights always look naturally amazing and smell nice too.
On a recent trip home, my former stylist gave Nuri and the Toka Salon team kudos for their work. That sentiment is echoed almost daily when I get compliments on my look while I’m out and about. I love how I look and couldn’t be happier with our now five-​year long relationship.
Thanks everyone for helping me look my best!

I made an appointment with one of their experienced colorists Michael yet he wanted his 20 year old assistant to highlight my hair because he was running late. I had to repeatedly tell him I did not want his asst coloring my hair. In the end he did my color but it was not the color I asked for. I will not be returning.
They charge you extra for a blowdry which I find ludicrous, why would I walk out the salon with wet hair? That’s just a scam to make you spend more money. Every salon I go to a blowdry is included with the cost of a haircut or color.
They won’t put tips on the credit card yet don’t tell you this when you make the appointment.

I have never reviewed anything on Unilocal but I had such an awful experience at Toka and I feel that I have to share.
I had a 6pm appointment for a hair cut on a Wednesday. First, they had me sit in a chair for 25 minutes with wet hair. When my stylist finally came over I told him that I wanted my very, very long hair trimmed into long layers and we pointed to a spot below my shoulders for the length. He proceeded to braid my hair and then snipped off the entire ponytail. It must have been 9 inches worth of hair which brought it to shoulder length. I probably should have stopped him there but I was in shock and just thought that I should trust him. He snipped away for another 10 minutes; it probably took a total of 20 minutes for the cut but the result was very short layers all around. Everything was inches above my shoulders. He then had his assistant blow dry my hair while he moved on to his next client who also waited in her chair for ²⁵⁄₃₀ minutes with wet hair.
All I wanted to do was get out of there. Once I left the salon, I cried all the way home. I don’t even know how much it costs because I was too much in shock to ask but they gave me a $ 315 bill for a facial, eyebrow waxing (both were very good with Nadia) and for the haircut. When I got to my car, I tried to put even half of my hair in a ponytail but it didn’t work. The cut is unflattering for me and for my curly hair and I kept thinking that it was all my fault.
I spoke with some people about it and they suggested that I call him. I didn’t know what to even ask since its too short to cut or fix. I called the salon and the lady who answered the phone was completely unapologetic and rude. I started to get more upset so I asked for my money back, which at this point I thought I deserved. She said that she would have the stylist call me back.
I called the salon 3 more times before I got a call back from the stylist. After a week of waiting, he tried me and I missed his call. He said he would try me the next day (which he never did) so I finally tried him again last night and it was not a good conversation.
He said that there was no way he would give me a refund, that he has a great reputation and thousands of clients who all think highly of him, that he spent his time on my hair and listened to what I wanted. He said that he did remember that I wanted my hair to be able to go up in a ponytail and that it does (it doesn’t!) My hair will have to grow 2 months before I can get it into any kind of ponytail and I wear my hair pinned up every single day. He said I should have said something while I was there and that he couldn’t believe that I waited 1 and half weeks to talk to him. (so its my fault that he doesn’t return phone calls I guess). He said that my next hair cut is on him to prove that he can cut hair well. I told him that I would think about it. I thought about it and my answer is no.
This entire episode has been terribly embarrassing for me — from the terrible haircut, to the way I was treated, to the fact that I paid well over $ 100 for it all. Maybe I should have refused to pay from the get go. I probably should have known better than to go to an overpriced, overrated salon. I should have stopped when he didn’t even take the time to look at my pre-​washed hair to understand its length and texture. I should have stopped when they left me in a chair with wet hair for 30 minutes. I should have stopped when he cut my ponytail off and continued to chop. I guess it took me all this to learn my lesson to never go there again but I hope this saves someone else from this experience.

I came here initially with a coupon and a good review in the Washingtonian, but after a few visits have decided it’s really not worth the money. Not to say that I have gotten a bad cut here, but I’ve just not been impressed commensurate with the price. The stylist I saw (who’s not the most expensive one) is $ 100 a cut, plus tip but my cuts have been boring. Looking around the salon, it seems mainly Capitol Hill, lobbyist or tv journalist types, hardly edgy. I would say this place caters mostly to middle-​aged yuppie or professional types.

Kate is an amazing colorist and hair stylist… truly an artist. I have been seeing her since she worked at Watergate Salon (which she was too good for) now almost three years. After frightening experiences at other salons in DC, I won’t go to anyone else. She always gives me a natural look and now I hardly have to say anything for her to know just what I want. She is also a lot of fun to talk to and I can feel very relaxed.
Nadia who I also know from Watergate is great for waxing.
The salon’s staff is very friendly too and attentive. My only request is that they serve cappuccino, something other salons provide. I guess I’m a little spoiled!

Nadia is AWESOME. She’s been waxing my eyebrows for 3 years now and she does the most amazing shape. She really stays true to your real arch and knows what shape/​thinness is best for your face. She is immaculate. I have also had other waxing services, and they were minimally painless. Super sweet and friendly. I highly recommend her!

This is about Beatrice, one of the best nail techs in DC. What a fabulous pedicure. She paid so much time and attention to my feet and toes, they look amazing. After the pedicure she followed it up with the best manicure I have ever had. I am so happy with her I may be hooked for quite sometime.

My «hair girl» just moved to work at this salon. Apparently the main man here cuts the first ladies and daughters hair. When I was there some White House big wig came in to get her hair done. So if you want to get your hair cut, and republican watch at the same time this is the place to go.