How would you describe yourself? Are you confident, on-trend, driven? Are you witty, laid-back, creative? A lot of times, your great qualities remain hidden until people get the chance to know you. That’s why first impressions make an enormous impact. That’s why hair helps sculpt your identity. Your hair is a reflection of you!

We build relationships with our clients by taking the time to get to know you, your taste, and your personality.

At Vakkar, we know that appearance helps spark confidence, and you can’t gain confidence unless you trust your stylist. We build relationships with our clients by taking the time to get to know you, your taste, and your personality. We will work closely with you to gain your respect and trust, and from there, we’ll create a look that is purely YOU.

From the moment you walk in Vakkar, you’ll feel like you belong in our welcoming environment. The upbeat music, the enthusiastic stylists, and the overall vibe here make you feel comfortable. We’re attentive to what you want to achieve with your new hairstyle, and we’re also here to offer up our professional opinions. That’s why we’re the experts!

As a Davines® exclusive salon, we proudly offer the latest in both technology and technique. What makes us stand alone, however, is pure talent. This is something that tools and technology doesn’t provide. This is raw and natural – there’s nothing to hold us back.We are confident in our abilities to help you achieve a look that’s beautiful, remarkable, and most importantly, a true reflection of yourself. At Vakkar, we believe no one has a bad day when they have good hair!

Meet the Team

David Johnston

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Working behind the chair for over a decade, David Johnston is a master stylist, and his cutting, coloring, and styling are the inspiration behind Vakkár. His design is based on classic shape. If the look you desire is natural, realistic, and soft with great movement, David has refined his techniques to create these styles. David’s focus is on professional and modern mainstream hair. Those who want a bit more edge, he is always willing to deliver.

With formal training under Youbi Lee, a leading St. Louis stylist, David is an expert in pivot point and principle base cutting. David’s advanced cutting, coloring and editorial styling techniques result from professional training with Vidal Sassoon, Bumble and Bumble, Redken, Sebastian, L’Oreal Professional, Fermici, and Matrix. David’s diverse background fosters his unique style and dynamic approach. David Johnston is the Creative director for Vakkár.

Gary Palmer

STYLIST

Gary began his career at Westham College of Fashion in London, England. He went on to work at Daniel Galvin-a world renowned color salon-located in London’s West End. He moved to the United States in 1985 and opened his own salon in 1992, managing 20 employees. He continued his education and attended Sassoon and Toni & Guy Academies on a regular basis. In 1999, he returned to London, where he managed Faltricks, a group of three internationally known salons. In 2002, he returned to the United States, where he continued his career as a stylist and educator for L’Oreal Professionnel. Gary is a first-class educator, able to teach expert color, hair-cutting and dressing techniques.

Lauren Nicastro

STYLIST

Lauren graduated from the Kenneth Shuler academy in South Carolina. While working on her cosmetology certification she earned certificates in Redken Principle’s of cutting, coloring, and American Crew men’s cutting. Graduating in 2018 she studied under the creative director David Johnston to become a member of the Vakkar Salon stylist team. Her achievements are Davines certified, Perfectress certified, Blonde specialist, and Curly hair guru.

WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING

ExcellentVakkar Salon4.9 Based on 55 reviews from review us on ★★★★★ Lauren and I have been working for a few years to get some length in my hair. Her advice has been so valuable. Today she did a trim and shapeup of the layers...my hair is really healthy and has grown like crazy since we've been working on it. She's also been doing hi lights ..and they look great too. Lauren is the best.Debi LynDebi Lyn ★★★★★ Exceptional salon with exceptional people! Melanie is my girl! I’ve known her for over 10 years and she has joined the team!Matt MercerMatt Mercer ★★★★★ David is fantastic! The entire crew including Gary, Noel and Claudia were all very welcoming and the experience was wonderful. The cut and color are beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Highly recommend this salon - treat yourself to top notch talent and off the chain service.K KrajcovicK Krajcovic ★★★★★ David is a great stylist...highly recommend this place!Brigette Bailey-RydenBrigette Bailey-Ryden ★★★★★ I absolutely loved my experience at Vakkar Salon. I moved from Florida and was looking for a new stylist/colorist. I'm not an easy girl to please when it comes to my hair. After researching and reading reviews I decided to give Vakkar Salon a try. Boy! did I hit the jackpot! David is extremely talented! He was insightful, understanding and patient when discussing where my hair has been and what direction we would be going for the haircut and color. He really took his time to familiarize himself with my hair and explained everything while he was working on my hair. I left this Salon extremely happy. Everyone at the salon were super friendly and made me feel very welcome. If your looking for a top notch, highly professional salon believe me this is the one!!!Connie KellyConnie Kelly ★★★★★ The BEST salon in St. Louis! Lauren is incredibly talented.. color, cut, conditioning, understanding and explaining texture of hair. She is a true professional. The Davines product line they use is absolutely amazing and helped my hair get healthy and shiny.M. RumpingM. Rumping ★★★★★ I am so pleased with the knowledge and experience of the stylists at Vakkar Salon. David cut and styled my hair in a way so that it looks naturally designed every day with great versatility. He educated me on how to style my hair daily and what products to use and how to use them. This is the best and most professional cut I have ever had. I love my hair now!Annie BAnnie B ★★★★★ Friendly and very knowledgeable. You can't go wrong with anyone there.Lisa RaymondLisa Raymond ★★★★★ I’ve been going to David for over 5 years after a lot of searching for the right salon. The quality and attention to detail is unmatched in St. Louis. I love that it only takes me five minutes to style my hair now since he cuts the hair to lay perfectly.Lynette PLynette P ★★★★★ Claudia is everything I look for in a hairdresser. I moved to St Louis in the last couple of years and haven’t found anyone who could color and cut my hair properly. Claudia immediately recognizedthat my last color and cut needed to grow out first before she could correct my hair. . She did an outstanding consult then and was very open to all my feedback. My search is finally over. Also, everyone in the shop was friendly and nice!NBDNBD ★★★★★ K LoK Lo ★★★★★ I had a wonderful experience with David at Vakkar. I have curly hair, and he cut it so I could wear it straight as well. He managed the near miraculous task of cutting my bangs in a way that I can style them at home to look almost as good as they did when I left the shop. He was incredibly thorough, and I felt he really listened to what I wanted and the level of daily styling I was willing to do for my hair, which is not much. If I air dry it curly or blow dry it straight, it looks great!Cathy TowlCathy Towl ★★★★★ Kristen BryantKristen Bryant ★★★★★ I have posted before but will again - David and his team are the best in town. Perfect color and precision cut. Highly recommend. Comparable to Vidal Sassoon.Laura FrerichsLaura Frerichs ★★★★★ Consistent high quality service. Color work is fantastic, and transitions to gray completely supported. I always feel my hair looks its best when I leave the salon.Amy FriedmanAmy Friedman ★★★★★ Talented staff, friendly environment and intimate setting. I will never go anywhere else!Julie AlversonJulie Alverson ★★★★★ Great experience as a new client. Highly recommend.K MomK Mom ★★★★★ Incredible service and outstanding haircutTitanium FitnessTitanium Fitness ★★★★★ Linda NealLinda Neal ★★★★★ John Austin (Becky)John Austin (Becky) ★★★★★ The best hair salon in St. Louis they’re very professional, kind and hard working they saw me last second when no one else would definitely check them out my hair has never looked better!!Mm VegaMm Vega ★★★★★ Excellent salon! Quality, kind, clean, welcoming, and amazing knowledge. Everyone in the salon is fantastic and you should only be so lucky to get your hair done here. It’s truly the best . I wouldn’t go anywhere elseElana HackerElana Hacker ★★★★★ Unreal and experiencedVeronica KirnVeronica Kirn ★★★★★ Kelly ZhouKelly Zhou ★★★★★ Omar QuadriOmar Quadri ★★★★★ Great staff. Great haircut from Gary.Langston FamilyLangston Family ★★★★★ Great experience at Vakkar Salon! Lauren was so gentle and personable. She was meticulous with her work and did a fantastic job with my keratin treatment!MernaMerna ★★★★★ Stephanie RossStephanie Ross ★★★★★ OMG!!! I LOVE MY HAIRCUT!!Tanya KranzuschTanya Kranzusch ★★★☆☆ phyllis Piggphyllis Pigg ★★★★★ I moved here from San Diego in 2020 and didn't think I'd find a colorist in St. Louis who could compare to my stylist back home.I'm naturally dark blonde and have gotten balayage for years, which is really hard to have done well, in my opinion. You find someone and you stick to them, y'all blondes out there know what I mean?! I was genuinely booking my trips to see my friends back in San Diego...AND MY STYLIST.I found Vakkar because they sell Davines products - my favorite! I got to talking with the front desk person, then with one of the stylists, David, and everyone was beyond kind and helpful. I continued to pick up my shampoo and conditioner at Vakkar for months, always greeted by smiles and warm chats, even though I'd never booked a service there.I ended up talking to David Johnston about my color, and how I was worried about trying anyone new. He sounded confident in his ability to get my hair exactly where I wanted, and gave me up front pricing. I decided to risk it.David Johnston is hands-down one of the most talented colorists I've been to. I'm no longer flying to San Diego to go to my old stylist. Cut, color, genuinely positive and kind human connection is here in St. Louis for me now at Vakkar.Blondes, go NO WHERE ELSE! My standards are high for foliage/balayage and cut. David Johnston went beyond.I need to add a photo, but I'm just bad at taking photos so I'll get back to it.Gina MathisGina Mathis ★★★★★ A Neat boutique salon with skilled professionals and a owner who really knows his coloring techniques. David is great with styling and haircut as well. Prices are nominal and booking appointments can be done online. Good website as well.VidyaVidya ★☆☆☆☆ Becareful some stylists here do what they want not what you want. I think her name was Cynthia that did my hair It will cost me damage and 100s of dollars to undo what she did.SMART ASSSMART ASS ★★★★★ Mayra GuzmanMayra Guzman ★★★★★ Love this place ❤. If your looking for a new place to go this is it. Sarah Jean is awesome she makes sure your happy all the way thro the service, professional and beautiful. And David is awesome hes on the floor making sure everyone is doing ok and checks in on you. The atmosphere is amazing warming and welcoming. Hands down the best place to go too.S ES E ★★★★★ Thank you, thank you, thank you David and your staff for creating my desperately new style. I absolutely love the new look. David really took his time to get to know me and my expectations. My hair situation is difficult and David's talents created a perfect solution.Janet PrayJanet Pray ★★★★★ David Johnston is masterful as a colorist in latest techniques and the team is first in class in professionalism. Highly recommend.RebeccaRebecca ★★★★★ robbie wrightrobbie wright ★★★★★ David NDavid N ★★★★★ Everyone made you feel welcome beautiful salon very professional highly recommend.Chris GoodChris Good ★★★★★ Fantastic salon that goes well beyond the extra mile to accommodate every request. I have sensetive skin, and they know exactly what products to use to avoid irritation. I use only their product lines and love the way my hair feels. Cutting and styling techniques are exceptional, too! And, the environment is gorgeous. The experience couldn't be better. Have been going there since they opened.Claire DickersonClaire Dickerson ★★★★★ I have nothing to say other than "THIS IS THE BEST PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR HAIR CUT, EVER". The entire staff are the nicest people. The owner David is always there to ensure you walk out of the door feeling and looking your best. But the entire team, Lauren, Claudia, Gary and David are all there to truly help you with your hair needs. And please believe me, I walk in there with no idea what I want, (short, long, idk I don't care) but I leave happier than ever because they work as a team to make sure everyone looks their best. I HIGHLY recommend this place. You will not be disappointed.Logan JenningsLogan Jennings ★★★★★ Claudia is AMAZING!!! i recently got my hair colored lighter & the results were insane! She is an absolute expert with color & took time to really think about what she was going to use on my hair. She freshened up my balayage & eliminated so much brass. I left feeling like a different person! She is so considerate & truly cares about the health and quality of your hair. She is so talented in every area of hair & i HIGHLY recommend going to her at Vakkar. You won’t regret it!!! ❤️gabrielle hassellgabrielle hassell ★★★★★ I’ve been going to Vikkar for the past few years and my hair has never looked so good (thank you Gary). Everyone there is an expert at color, cut and style. They take the time to make sure that the results are going to be to your liking and consult with you each time you walk in. The atmosphere is open and friendly. A great hair experience!Cindy VodaCindy Voda ★★★★★ TiffanyTiffany ★★★★★ J HJ H ★★★★★ I was a walk-in for David toward the end of his tenure at Youbi in 2003 when I was sick of inconsistent cuts at big chain places. He actually listened to what I wanted out of my hairstyle even when I wasn’t even sure myself! He expertly talked me out of “the #3 clipper” to create a much more professional look! I have followed him ever since. So proud of his success at Vakkar & still drive 2 hours for cuts since we moved to IL! His entire team provides consistent quality, service, & friendship! Highly recommended!Cory HessCory Hess ★★★★★ David is family and I fully support him.Andrzej Johnston (Andy)Andrzej Johnston (Andy) ★★★★★ I had a very nice and enjoyable visit today. With Kit she made me feel very comfortable and happy with everything that she was doing with my hair. I will not hesitate to return nor recommend to anyone.Angela FabianAngela Fabian ★★★★★ Shawn McPikeShawn McPikejs_loader

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