Atlanta’s hair salon market is one of the most sophisticated in the Southeast, shaped by the city’s blend of fashion-forward professionals, a thriving entertainment industry, and a deeply rooted beauty culture across Atlanta’s diverse demographic communities. The city has historically been at the forefront of Black hair care with a rich tradition of skilled stylists and salon entrepreneurs, while simultaneously hosting nationally recognized luxury salons in Buckhead that attract clients from across the region and beyond. Atlanta’s salon industry produces and attracts talent at the highest level, with several Atlanta-based salon owners and stylists recognized nationally as educators, platform artists, and industry innovators. The metro area’s strong film and television production sector also drives demand for professional hair services that extend beyond regular salon clients to on-set and event-based styling work.
When choosing a hair salon in Atlanta, verified reviews from verifiable sources and photos of actual client work are the most reliable pre-visit indicators of service quality. Ask prospective stylists about their specific training and continuing education history, as the best Atlanta stylists invest heavily in advanced technique education beyond their foundational training. Consultation before service booking is standard practice at quality salons and should be taken seriously, as proper consultation prevents mismatched expectations particularly for color services. Georgia requires cosmetologists to hold a state license from the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology, and salons should maintain current facility licenses visibly posted within the space.
Top Hair Salon Companies in Atlanta
1. Jamison Shaw Hairdressers
Founded: 1966
Leadership: Candy Shaw (Owner; named industry Educator of the Year)
Address: 3330 Piedmont Road NE, Suite 10, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 262-3777
Website: https://www.jamisonshaw.com
Hours: Monday-Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Wednesday-Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Friday-Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Services:
- French haircutting technique
- Balayage and highlighting
- Hair color
- Keratin and smoothing treatments
- Luxury styling
About: Jamison Shaw Hairdressers was founded in 1966 by World Champion Hairdresser Jamison Shaw and has been family-owned and operated for nearly 60 years, now led by his daughter Candy Shaw. The salon’s internationally recognized specialty is the French Haircutting Technique, developed in Paris to use hair as a frame for the face according to individual head shape. Candy Shaw was named the hair industry’s Educator of the Year and has developed the Sunlights Professional and la Coupe curricula used by stylists internationally. The 5,000 square-foot Buckhead salon is considered the pinnacle of Atlanta’s luxury salon scene.
2. Van Michael Salon
Founded: 1984
Leadership: Van and Michael Council (Founders)
Address: 39 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 (Buckhead flagship)
Phone: (404) 237-4664 (Buckhead flagship)
Website: https://www.vanmichael.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Buckhead flagship)
Service Area: Multiple Atlanta locations including Virginia Highland (675 N Highland Ave NE), Midtown (929 Peachtree St NE), Sandy Springs (220 Sandy Springs Cir); also Miami and Tokyo
Services:
- Precision haircuts
- Hair color and highlights
- Keratin treatments
- Extensions
- Aveda concept products
- Men’s services (Van Michael Men at The Battery Atlanta)
About: Van Michael Salon was founded in 1984 by brothers Van and Michael Council with a seven-chair Buckhead location and has grown into one of the most successful salon operations in the world, now serving over 2,000 clients per day across multiple locations. All Van Michael Salons operate as full-service Aveda concept salons featuring stylists recruited from top programs internationally. The flagship Buckhead location on West Paces Ferry Road has operated for over four decades and maintains its position as Atlanta’s preeminent multi-chair luxury salon. The Van Michael Men concept at The Battery Atlanta extends the brand into dedicated men’s grooming services.
3. Melrose and McQueen Salon
Address: 341 Elizabeth Street NE, Suite E, Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: (404) 909-5245
Website: https://www.melroseandmcqueen.com
Hours: Monday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Services:
- Haircuts and styling
- Color and highlights
- Balayage
- Treatments
- Extensions
About: Melrose and McQueen Salon is located in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood and has built a strong reputation for highly skilled stylists and a consistently welcoming, modern atmosphere. The salon’s Elizabeth Street location places it within one of Atlanta’s most vibrant Intown neighborhoods adjacent to the BeltLine corridor. The team’s collective expertise covers precision cuts, complex color work, and client-specific styling approaches that have earned the salon prominent placement on Atlanta best-of lists. The salon also operates a Savannah location, reflecting a regional reputation that extends beyond Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I find a hair stylist in Atlanta who specializes in my hair type?
A: Start by looking at portfolio photos on Instagram or the salon’s website, filtering specifically for work on hair types similar to yours. Many Atlanta salons list their stylists with individual specializations on their websites, which helps identify practitioners with relevant expertise. For natural hair, texture, or color-sensitive hair types, booking a consultation before your first service appointment allows you to assess the stylist’s knowledge and communication style without committing to a full service. Reading recent reviews from clients with comparable hair type and goals is more useful than reading overall star ratings.
Q: How much does a haircut and color service cost at Atlanta salons?
A: At Atlanta’s luxury salons like Van Michael and Jamison Shaw, women’s haircuts range from $75 to $150 and up depending on stylist seniority. Full color services start around $100 and can reach $300 or more for complex balayage and highlighting work. Mid-range full-service salons typically price haircuts from $45 to $80 and color from $80 to $200. Gratuity of 15 to 20 percent is standard practice at Atlanta salons and should be factored into total cost expectations. Prices for natural hair styling and protective styles vary widely based on service complexity and technique.
Q: What should I expect at my first appointment with a new Atlanta stylist?
A: At quality Atlanta salons, your appointment should begin with a thorough consultation during which the stylist asks about your goals, hair history, current condition, and maintenance habits before any service begins. Bring reference photos if you have specific style goals, as these communicate expectations more precisely than verbal descriptions alone. Be honest about your styling routine at home, as this affects what services and cuts are realistic to maintain. If the stylist skips consultation and moves directly to cutting or coloring, that is a red flag indicating the service may not be customized to your specific needs.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s hair salon market offers world-class options ranging from family-owned legacy establishments to modern neighborhood studios with specialized expertise. Jamison Shaw Hairdressers brings nearly 60 years of luxury salon tradition and internationally recognized French cutting expertise to Buckhead. Van Michael Salon’s four-decade Atlanta history, Aveda-certified approach, and multi-location network make it the metro area’s most established full-service salon brand. Melrose and McQueen delivers highly skilled, personalized hair services in the vibrant Inman Park neighborhood with extended hours that accommodate diverse client schedules. Contact each salon to schedule a consultation and secure your appointment with the stylist who best matches your goals.