Topaz Salon

Editorial Review by Chip Rankin

by Contributor at Citysearch

Patrons relax amidst the warm red and brown decor at this full-service hair, nail and makeup salon in South Austin.

10/19/09

Rahel at Topaz, love it!!

by A101 at Citysearch

So i have seen rahel a few times i have followed her from her old salon to Topaz. I absolutely love the move and change to Topaz. I still get the great same service but in a more unique, fun, and relaxed environment. I trust her with my color and haircuts because she has never let me down. Not only do i love the job she does but she has really become a friend to me. I always look forward to my appointments because i love how i always look and having a glass of wine during my visit is a great perk. Everyone should give her chance because she will truly deliver!!

• Pros: great location and service, with wine and beer
• Cons: none

08/14/09

Vicki is awesome!

by Maryjay77 at Citysearch

I moved here from Califorina recently and needed to find a stylist. I went to other salons in the area and just got a trim because I was never really impressed until I went to Topaz and found Vicki. She really listened to me when I told her what I wanted for my hair cut. She didnt mess up my bangs either! She gave me great advice for taking care of my hair too. She made me feel relaxed enough that I trusted her with doing some highlights. I've gotten so many complements, from my niece who's 12 to other women in line at Target! I love my Hair and I'm so glad I found Vicki.

• Pros: Easy to find and park, receptionists were helpful
• Cons: Can't think of any

07/15/09

Great Salon all around!!

by rubyribuzz at Citysearch

Lorraine at Topaz is FANTASTIC! I am fairly new to Austin and it is typically hard for me to find a hair salon that understands my frizzy, extremely curly, and at the time I went into Topaz, half curly/half chemically straightened hair. I have now been to Topaz a few times and each time I get my crazy curly hair blown out perfectly straight, with body, and Lorraine performs a masterpiece each time that my husband has even commented as to how great it looks. Also, the cut always comes out just right and my color still holds it luster almost 2 months in. Highly recommend Lorraine and this wonderful salon:)

• Pros: Cut, Color, and Flat Iron

05/31/09

Amy T. is the last stylist you will need to look for...EVER!

by AF2554 at Citysearch

I first went to Amy T. for corrective coloring. I called the salon I first found her at & they scheduled me an appointment with her. I'm so glad they did because she was able to fix my hair & it came out way better than I expected. I have tried so many other salons & they always color my hair a green tone plus they never cut my hair the way I want. I have blonde hair so it's hard for me to find someone that can color my hair without messing it up. Amy colors & cuts my hair perfect every time. She's not only a great stylist, she also has an awesome personality. She makes you feel comfortable & at ease from the moment you meet her. She takes her time to listen & work on your hair, which shows how much she cares about her profession, her clients & that definitely makes a great stylist!

• Pros: Spacious setting unlike all the other overcrowded salons
• Cons: No cons

03/16/09

Amy Taras at Topaz Salon

by TiffanyY at Citysearch

Amy Taras was the fourth stylist I tried when moving to Austin--it's hard to find someone who understands how to cut curly hair, let alone color it. Amy's hair IS curly, so I felt comfortable that she knew her stuff as soon as I met her. Her cuts are great--not only great-looking right out the door, but up to several months later. She asks what you want, but she also has opinions, if you want to hear them--and they're always good ones, though she never tries to pressure you out of your comfort zone. When I decided to try coloring, Amy made sure I was happy with the highlights, bringing me back in to fine-tune the first process at no additional charge. Curly hair can be hard to highlight--it's easy to overprocess and frizz it, and if the highlights aren't put on right for your curl, they look unnatural. Amy is uncanny at being able to color what seems like each individual curl. I've never had so many compliments on my hair--or a hairdresser I trust more.

• Pros: GREAT with curly hair!
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

02/13/09

Vicki at Topaz- best cut I've ever had.

by DDM2 at Citysearch

I'm a nightmare to deal with when it comes to my hair. I hardly ever know what I want, and even when I do I never know how to explain it to my stylist. Somehow Vicki at Topaz figured it all out and gave me the best cut I've ever had. I came in with some vague ideas what I wanted to look like. Vicki listened, asked some questions, gave me some suggestions, and then worked her magic. I've never received so many compliments on my hair as I have since I've been going to Vicki. She is fun as hell to talk to too.

I've since referred a friend in desperate need of something new to Vicki for highlights and a cut, and Vicki made her look 100 times better.

01/07/09

nightmare experience, horrible bussiness practices

by jessamine24 at Citysearch

Topaz is horrible. The stylist, Christal, dyed my naturally blond hair dark reddish brown when I asked her to even out my color that had grown out from a summer of using sun-in. I was horrified by how dark she made my hair, it was completely the opposite of what I described. She offered to fix it but actually made it worse. My hair looked like a birds nest and wouldn't even get curly anymore like it usually does. When I complained to the manager Donna, I was told that the salon "independently contracts it stylists" and they were not able to refund me. She did offer to have me come back a THIRD time to fix my hair, but after two bad jobs I didn't trust them anymore (I did go somewhere else and paid out the rear to have it fixed). Donna had Chrystal call me and we argued without getting anywhere. Chrystal claimed that she couldn't refund me since she lost time and money trying to fix my hair. I told her that wasn't my problem since she messed it up in the first place. She kept repeating her lame argument even though mine made so much more sense, and we could not agree on any resolution. I talked to Donna again and she insisted that there was nothing to be done, even denying me a gift certificate to the salon or some free products as reparations. Now I may be mistaken, but when a salon hires a stylist, shouldn't they take responsibility for when the stylist screws up?? Or can anyone walk into Topaz from off the street and cut/color hair? Shame on Topaz for hiring someone who does not know how to color hair, and not wanting to take responsibility or make any kind of amends. I truly hope they change their horrible business practices and exercise more discretion when they hire stylists. If you go to this salon and get bad results, do not expect anyone to care or do anything to help your situation. You will just have to deal with it.

• Pros: parking
• Cons: customer sercvice, skill

12/08/08

Chrystal West-Prefessional Stylist,Creative, Efficient & Personable

by LisHopkins at Citysearch

I have been going to see Chrystal for years! She goes out of her way to find the products that are most colorfully suited and is a genius with hair cuts. I have used lots of stylists but Chrystal is the best by far! She is fun, professional, an expert at what she does, trustworthy, creative, inventive and just the best! I receive compliment all the time on the color and style of my hair. I always plan a date or party around my hair appointment because when I leave......I know I look good!!!! You too can look good.......just call Chrystal West at Topaz Salon!

• Pros: Atmosphere, Parking, and Conveniently located next to starbucks (which I love)

12/05/08

Creative and Insightful

by WhitBlaze78 at Citysearch

I am biracial and have curly coarse hair. I have been a continous client of Matt who is now with Topaz salon. Matt is your complete stylist!!! I had short curly hair and ever since Matt has been managing my hair it is now long, straight, healthy with a color that he keeps vibrant and striking! I recommend people from different ethnic backgrounds to see Matt!! Most stylist are only able to handle a certain texture of hair. Matt is a talent and true stylist who can and will work with you and any idea you have....his ideas are better and fit you than your own. If you want the latest trend see Matt at TOPAZ SALON!!!

• Pros: Ambience, parking
• Cons: none

11/14/08

Amy Taras - the perfect cut, color, and style every time!

by Amy6 at Citysearch

I recently visited Topaz Salon for the first time having followed Amy Taras from her previous salon. The salon is gorgeous, easily accessible, has lots of parking, and the staff is friendly, helpful and professional. I can't say enough about Amy. She is a highly skilled, professional sylist, and I am always 100% satified with my results. It's hard to find a good sylist. Amy is one you can count on!

• Pros: Service, parking, atmosphere, on time appointment, helpful with product choices and orders