Smitten Boutique Salon was established in 2011 by owners Lisa Dahl and Melanie St.Clair. This was their first venture in bringing beautiful hair, top stylists and a relaxed vibe to Arlington, VA. Smitten was so well received by the neighborhood, that it expanded into a larger location in 2014. We pride ourselves in great customer service, exceptional skill and friendly staff. Clientele will find the best in balayage, color and cutting.
In 2013, Smitten Boutique Salon proudly accepted the ABBIE Award for “Best Salon.” In January of 2015, the owners celebrated the opening of their second venture, a styling studio called Primp by Smitten.
MELANIE | OWNER/ STYLIST
Melanie St.Clair, co-owner of Smitten Boutique Salon and Primp by Smitten has been in the beauty industry for over ten years. With a background in fashion, as a graduate from Marymount University, Melanie excels as a trendsetter in cutting and coloring. She goes above and beyond, getting to know each client’s individual needs and teaches them how to replicate, on a daily basis, her work of art. Her extensive training with Bumble and Bumble, Loreal Professional, and Wella, has enabled her to become an innovator in the high-end world of beauty. In 2012, Melanie was featured in Northern Virginia Magazine as a top stylist. Melanie met her current co-owner Lisa while working at Salon Bleu in McLean, VA. It was in 2011 that Lisa and Melanie decided to create their very own full service salon, Smitten Boutique Salon located in Arlington, VA. As a result of their talent, dedication and hard work this salon proudly accepted the 2013 ABBIE Award for “Best Salon.” In January of 2015, together they celebrated the opening of their second venture, a styling studio called Primp by Smitten. Bumble and Bumble has exclusively partnered with Primp by Smitten to present Clarendon’s first styling studio whose objective is to be the frontrunner in the styling bar movement.
**not taking any new clients at this time**
LISA | OWNER/STYLIST
As co-owner of Smitten Boutique Salon and Primp by Smitten, Lisa’s specialty and strength lies in color. With over ten years in the industry, Lisa is a top balayage colorist. She is certified in L’Oreal balayage, Wella color, and has extensive training with Bumble and Bumble. In 2006 and 2008, Lisa was recognized as a top stylist. In 2012, she was also featured in the Washingtonian Magazine as a top colorist. Prior to becoming an independent stylist in the NOVA/DC area, Lisa met her current co-owner Melanie while working at Salon Bleu in McLean, VA. It was in 2011, that Lisa and Melanie decided to create their very own full service salon, Smitten Boutique Salon located in Arlington, VA. As a result of their talent, dedication and hard work this salon proudly accepted the 2013 ABBIE Award for “Best Salon.” Their ambition did not stop there. In January of 2015, together they celebrated the opening of their second venture, a styling studio called Primp by Smitten. Bumble and Bumble has exclusively partnered with Primp by Smitten to present Clarendon’s first styling studio whose objective is to be the frontrunner in the styling bar movement.
**not taking any new clients at this time**
MICHAEL | SENIOR STYLIST
Michael is an accomplished stylist celebrating 14 years in the industry. He prides himself in helping his clients find their personal panache for that special event, night on the town, or in a daily application. Michael started off his professional career at Glow Salon and Day Spa where he rose quickly through the ranks from assistant, to lead assistant, and finally apprentice. He then moved to Salon Bleu and finished his apprenticeship shortly after his arrival. He is continually furthering his career through national education seminars and training sessions in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City and has had the truly unique and exciting opportunity of training under celebrity stylists, Beth Minardi and Sally Hershberger. As Smitten’s Bumble and bumble Network Educator, Michael is in charge of continually educating the stylists with advanced product knowledge and inspiring and motivating them – always with creativity and passion.
ALISHA | SENIOR STYLIST
Known for her attention to detail, Alisha has a passion for hair that is exemplified in her work as she focuses on clients retaining healthy, beautiful hair. She is Bumble and bumble trained, and worked with owners Melanie and Lisa for several years before joining them at Smitten Boutique Salon. Her excellent work took her to New York City in 2010 where she worked under world renowned celebrity hairstylist Rita Hazan. She returned to Arlington to join Smitten where she continues to expand her advanced color and cutting techniques. Alisha’s work exemplifies careful precision, and she is known by many for her amazing blowouts.
**not taking any new clients at this time**
LYNSEY | SENIOR STYLIST
Having been recognized by Allure magazine as Washington DC’s top stylist in 2012, Lynsey has worked in both local salons as well as her own thriving home-based salon prior to joining the Smitten team. With a passion for all things beauty, Lynsey is known by her clients for her ability to understand their needs and provide a color and style unique to their lifestyle while reflecting current trends. Taking into consideration each client’s individual hair type and lifestyle, she helps them to reach their full potential. For those seeking a bigger change, Lynsey is armed with the ability to create what is not there. As Smitten’s extensions expert, Lynsey is able to transform clients, giving them added length and thickness and a new found confidence. Nothing excites her more than the idea of a makeover!
MEREDITH | SENIOR STYLIST
After graduating from the University of Mary Washington, Meredith began her career by studying with Aveda, where she learned the importance of holistic wellness and the ways in which the beauty industry can contribute to a person’s overall well-being. While a student at the Aveda Institute in Washington, DC, she was the recipient of several awards, including the Professional Beauty Association’s Beacon Award and Aveda’s own Edwin Neill Full Potential Award for haircutting. She then became a stylist at Parlour Salon in the District, where she achieved certifications in the DevaCurl system of curly haircutting and styling, and in the Platinum Seamless hair extension method. She was also mentioned as a notable stylist in the “Great Hair 2012” edition of the Washingtonian Magazine.
Meredith prides herself on forming meaningful, lasting relationships with her clients, and she is constantly inspired by being able to contribute to her clients’ happiness. Although certified in specialized techniques, Meredith is a versatile, well-rounded stylist who specializes in dry-cutting, natural coloring, and low-maintenance styling, all while maintaining focus on the health and integrity of the hair.
ASHLEY | STYLIST
Ashley’s friends and clients have described her as both approachable and artistic. She loves connecting with her clients and she strives to use her easy-going demeanor to make sure they get exactly the look they’re after. While Ashley is a skilled colorist and haircutting professional, she finds the most joy in bringing the two together with her on-trend finishing and styling techniques.
Ashley received her training at Pivot Point International in Chicago and has continued her education becoming a Redken Certified Stylist. While she has over 6 years of experience in the industry, most recently Ashley was a finalist in their nationwide Redken Chromatics Color Contest judged by celebrity stylist Rodney Cutler.
Ashley loves making her clients look and feel beautiful every day. To her, doing hair is not just a career, it’s a fulfilling and rewarding lifestyle.
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LIZ | STYLIST
With eight years of experience in the industry, Liz always strives to provide each of her clients with a uniquely individualized and complimentary look. She specializes in balayage, and has trained with Loreal, Paintbox and Bumble and Bumble. Liz is an experienced blogger who knows her way around Instagram. She is a travel aficionado with a taste for new restaurants, an eye on fashion trends, and a passion for all things beauty.
