Hair Centre SalonSpa (Pell City)

You cannot place a price on how they make you feel. There are a few times in my life where I have felt pretty. But today, I felt beautiful. The Hollises and company really made me shine and it was better than I dared to dream it could be. They took someone who didn't know who she could be and gave her wings.

My color is so rich and dynamic and my cut just makes me feel really vibrant. The staff come from all walks of life and nationalities and are so down to earth. I find it so interesting to talk to them and see the world through their eyes.

I was so impressed with the father, Jimmy Hollis, that he remembered me from so very long ago when I had moved away. And it was just a ridiculous amount of riches in the small touches offered complimentary from a hand massage, to a back rub, to tea or whatever your poison and alas, I forgot to dive into the cake. I ask you, how exciting a place must be to distract moi' from nibbling fresh cake. LOL!Anyways, not to dissuade anyone from a commute to Birmingham. But, if you find yourself in St. Clair or surrounding counties, this place is a gift and I have truly found a home there.

Well done Hair Centre Salonspa and all my love and gratitude to the staff. I cannot stop smiling and looking at myself with awe and wonder.

Thank you for that.

Kathleen Smith

Sanctuary stylist Richard Blair (Homewood)

Lots of praise for Sanctuary's newest addition - Richard Blair! Check out these testimonials...

My appointment was last Saturday and it was WONDERFUL! Richard was marvelous--great conversation, great personality, I completely felt comfortable with him and trusted him with my "do"! He added some color to my sad, natural brown I was sportin'. I feel much more professional, stylish and ready for the summer! Oh, btw, Richard wanted to make sure everyone knows he's not one of those "froo-froo stylists" just because he's from NY. :) He was very down to earth and personable. I will definitely be returning to him for my next visit to the salon. Taylor P.

I went last week and Richard was great! He was the first person to ever actually give me a really great cut. I have very thin fine hair and normally everyone just cuts my hair in a plain "bob". I will definitely be going back. The Sanctuary is very relaxing and up scale but with a staff that is friendly! I would highly recommend it to anyone and already have to my friends. Susan M.

I went and saw Richard a few weeks ago - he was fabulous and so is Sanctuary! He updated my 'do exactly how I wanted it, and I plan on going back to see him in a few weeks. The staff seemed very friendly and the salon has a wonderfully hip, but laid back, atmosphere - very comfortable! Rose K.

I got a cut and highlights, and Richard did a fab job. The atmosphere is great at Sanctuary, they serve juice and water, which is nice. I would love to have a glass of wine while waiting and getting my hair cut/highlighted, though. It is just a nice feeling being pampered and relaxing! Thank you very much! I am a beautiful young woman again! Brandy G.

I just wanted to send a HUGE thank you for introducing me to Richard at Sanctuary. I bounded in two weeks ago with my gift certificate in hand and had a wonderful experience! The salon itself, as you know, is beautiful and everyone was very friendly. I met Richard and he immediately consulted with me on what we were to do with my short locks. The was definitely work to be done to correct the problem I had going on in the back of my hair from having the "Locks of Love" pony tail cut off! I even let him color my naturally blonde (though dull from winter) locks for the first time in my life and it was fabulous! Jennifer S.

Richard was amazing. When I had gotten to Sanctuary, he was waiting on me and came and sat down beside me to talk. I had an idea about what I wanted but then he sat and started flipping through a magazine and we found the look. I got a haircut like Courtney Cox's, tapered edge look. He was VERY thorough and did both wet and dry cutting. I would recommend him to anyone! He shared some very neat styling tips with me too! I already have two upcoming appointments with him. Thanks for giving me this opportunity. I am very pleased with my cut and my new stylist. Laura S.

SO NICE I WENT TWICE. My stylist, Richard Blair, and the other Sanctuary staff make a salon visit very pleasant. Two weeks after my haircut, I went back for more services and plan to schedule the next visit soon. Tania A.

This past Saturday, I went for a cut and style with Richard at Sanctuary. While I am still adjusting to the cut (shorter than anything I’ve had since 2^nd grade, and I still cannot style it like he did, despite his showing me more than once,) I really liked Richard. He is down to earth and really listens to what you have to say; he will do what is right for you, not just what he likes to do. Because I was the last appointment of the day, he truly spent time with me and tried to show me how to style my hair, (despite my telling him I knew I couldn’t replicate it.) It was definitely an enjoyable experience. Oh, the shampooist was wonderful to, taking into consideration that I have a very tender scalp and neck. Karen W.

It was a great experience! the stuff there was very nice, they offered something to drink, the shampooing was combined with a massage of the head... absolutely great! And the haircut as well is fantastic - i really love it! Richard is really worth the money - of course this time I got it for free, but I'll definitely stay his client... forever!!! Actually, i already send my husband to him last week - with the same result: a great haircut received in a great atmosphere. Nicole H.

Sanctuary stylist Shaun Thomas (Homewood)

We sent a few folks to Shaun at Sanctuary in Homewood and received some nice feedback...

My experience at the Sanctuary with Shaun was wonderful....What a great salon...No doubt I will be returning to him for many years to come...I have already recommended him to everyone I know...I now have a great new stylist....What a relief! Erin S.

The people there were so nice.... the salon was down to earth and it was like a piece of heaven dropped right down here in Alabama. Plush couches and drinks available--earth-colored environment to put you at ease--Shaun was wonderful and made me feel so comfortable about my hair and what I wanted to do with it. At the end--I did not want to leave the chair.... I just wanted him to keep on blowing my hair away... I definitely made an appointment to come back! This place is the PLACE for anyone to get their hair cut or colored--trust me, you will NOT be disappointed! Shannon R.

Sweet and Sassy (Hoover)

Sorry, but we're suckers for cute since having a baby girl. She's still a bit young for a trip to the salon, but we suspect that Sweet & Sassy will be a favorite. If you've been, post a comment and let us know how it went.



Sweet & Sassy (salon . spa . celebrations)
Patton Creek Shopping Center
(205) 682-8868

Hair Impressions - Vestavia Hills (City Center)

Last Wednesday, Amy and I were treated to a tour of Hair Impressions - a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon in the Vestavia Hills City Center. It's only been open a few months (since Nov '06) so we haven't yet gotten any feedback regarding service. If anyone reading this has sat in one of their chairs - let us know about your experience by posting a comment.

The owners definitely put a lot of energy into this salon - my favorite perk...small, flat screen televisions positioned for every hair station.

Orbit Salon, 5 Points - Southside

I've been cut at a number of places over the past few months, but I keep going back to Lisa Cordes at Orbit Salon. And I'm going to recommend this place to all the dudes out there that are too cool (i.e., nervous) about going to a salon, as well as the ladies in their life that wish they'd stop going to Supercuts (sorry, Supercuts, but it just ain't so).

Why will Orbit work for dudes? Number one, it's a bit gritty. No, not gritty like a bus station...I mean gritty as in authentic and unpolished. You will not find bubbling fountains or calming Musak (or any other cliches which dudes fear). Orbit is urban and vibrant - much like Southside. If you feel comfortable in 5 Points, you'll never feel out-of-place in Orbit.

What else? Oh yeah, it's cheap. I know "cheap" isn't the best way to say it, but sorry, $20 for a wash and haircut is just plain cheap! Now I'm sure it costs a bit more to sit with the owner, but a wash and cut with Lisa is only $20. And Lisa is good. I'm fairly prissy about my hair and she has never disappointed. Actually, it's rumored that my exact hair style has its own Hindu god - that's a lot of pressure to put on any one stylist. Lisa has been consistently up to the challenge. Remember to tip.

Here's the contact info:
Orbit Salon
2030 11th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35205
(205) 918-0333

One final note...I am aware of the fact that there are places in Birmingham that will "cut" your hair for $10 or less. And I am further aware that the men who frequent these establishments are quite proud of their discount cuts. Gentlemen, I say this not out of arrogance, but with deep concern for your well being...you're not 12 years old anymore, grow up and get a real haircut.