Cortex® Salon

Cortex has been helping clients since 1989. Its studio, called Cortex Hair Studio, sits in Virginia-Highlands, and the salon describes the space as warm and inviting.

The salon says its aim is to support each client's well-being and quiet confidence, and to strengthen the community around it. It balances current trends with looks chosen to suit each person and the way they live day to day. The stylists see hairdressing as a craft rather than just a job, and the salon stresses that the stylists' hands and judgment do the work, not the tools alone. It describes its stylists as artists whose work is always on display.

Reserving it requires a credit card number and a $100 deposit, and clients need to give 72 hours' notice to cancel or the deposit is forfeited. For other services, the salon asks for 24 hours' notice to change or cancel. Cancellations or reschedules inside 24 hours are charged at 50% of the reserved service, and a no-show who did not phone to cancel is charged the full cost. A card number is taken at booking to hold appointments. Clients who cancel or miss appointments repeatedly must settle these fees before another appointment can be booked. Arriving 15 minutes late may mean the appointment is moved. The salon takes Visa, Mastercard, Discover, debit cards, cash and personal checks. Tips are optional and paid separately from card charges and checks.

Cortex sells its own line of Signature shampoo and conditioner, along with styling and specialty products. Gift cards come in amounts from $25 to $175 and can be used toward products or services. They are valid for one year from the purchase date. Gift certificates do not include gratuities.

The salon balances current trends with looks suited to each client's everyday life and treats hairdressing as a craft.

The studio is described as warm and inviting.