• Cortex Hair Salon

Thanks for the Shout-Outs

Allure MagazineAllure Magazine

The place: Tucked away on a leafy residential street, the expansive salon feels like a friend’s living room (with shelves of hair products).
What we were after: Flattering highlights to complement our tightly wound curls.
What we got : Champagne highlights with a few sandycolored lowlights.
Bottom line: Our new glittering highlights look great whether we wear our hair straight or curly—and they dazzle under the sun just like when we were a kid. $85.

Atlanta MagazineAtlanta Magazine

Best for artistic looks for the young (and bold). This is where the cool crowd goes for happening hair in a relaxed, low-key environment. The focus here is on taking some chances. At least one of the Indigo Girls has been spotted in this decidedly unpretentious spot.

Creative Loafing

Cortex is an upscale salon with a distinctly anti-snooty vibe. Yes, the stylists there are very fashion-forward and fluent in all the latest styles. But they remember one salient point: You are the one that has to live with the haircut. So they work with you to find a cut that suits your lifestyle. And if you’re perfectly content with that same straight-line bob that you’ve had for 10 years, well, they will give you just that. Without attitude. Superior colorists too.

Cortex Hair Studio is amazing. Skip’s awesome! (rating 5 out of 5) Rest assured, the reviews about the unpretentious nature of this salon are true. This salon is entirely laid back and friendly. I formerly had my hair done at Vis a Vis, loved the results but ceased going due to the staggering snootiness of the staff… and clients for that matter. Cortex is far superior. I highly recommend Skip as she is very adept, easy to talk to (no awkward hairstyling silence) and fun. As for the hair, I briefly articulated my desired hair style/color and she completely exceeded my expectations! For those of you with thick, straight hair who want layers that fall naturally, Skip will not disappoint.

Customer Reviews of Cortex

(We love you too!)

“Today Brandy colored and cut my hair. She and Marion discussed my desire to begin to go grey and they worked out a great plan. After 2 1/2 months with out any work on my hair, I felt better and lighter. I always look forward to going to Cortex. Everyone is professional and friendly and the salon is quiet and restful. ”

“I have been going to Cortex for over 15 years and love the warm vibe it has. I moved away from Atlanta for several years but would always stop in for a cut whenever I was in town.  I’m back permanently now and a stranger recently stopped me in the street to say ‘whoever is cutting your hair, has got it EXACTLY RIGHT.’   Thank you Jon!”

“Brandy is amazing, particularly for curly hair.  Best haircuts (plural) I’ve ever had.  She’s able to change it up which can oftentimes be hard for curly hair.  My hair has never looked so great–bouncy and shiny.  I receive compliments all of the time from friends and strangers.”

“I’ve been going to Cortex Hair Studio™ and seeing Rachel for a little over 5 years now. I couldn’t ask for a more easy-going, trustworthy stylist! I never know what I want to do with my hair and she always sends me away feeling great!  It’s a charming little salon in the heart of Virginia Highlands.  The staff is always attentive and you can tell the clientèle have been coming there for years. I also love the fact that they text your appointment confirmation! I would recommend both Cortex and Rachel to anyone with no hesitation!”

“I’ve been a client at Cortex for nearly 30 years. It’s a highly professional salon with a very relaxing and welcoming feel. Its Just really the only salon in town for me. Jon Rembert is my stylist and he is so terrific, he makes suggestions and is frankly always right! I went in today now that the state has allowed reopening of salons due to Covid-19, and I can tell you I had ZERO reservations about doing so! They are following the guidelines to the letter of the law, and I felt completely safe and cared for. As always, a completely terrific experience…”

“My sister, my mother, and I have been clients at Cortex for 10+ years. We love the ambiance, the warm, friendly feeling of owner, Marian, and our stylists, and the “funky” old world feel of the studio. I would and have recommended Cortex and my stylist, Brandy, to many people who compliment me on my hair style. I would not hesitate to recommend the salon to anyone who is looking for an upbeat, warm, friendly environment and stylists who know what they’re doing with hair and styling it.”

“This studio is the BEST! Emily (Newman) Cunningham is an incredible stylist and an amazing person. Its nearly a 40 minute drive for me and its absolutely worth it. I leave her chair happy every single time.”

“Olivia has been doing my color and cutting my sons’ hair for about a year now and it has been great every time! She gives me the most seamless balayage and my sons have never been able to find someone to cut their thick curly hair right. She is the first hair stylist I have found that can cut the right layers into my long hair. I love my style!! If you’re looking for a great hairstylist, definitely go see Olivia!”

“I’ve been a customer at Cortex for almost 20 years and would never go anywhere else. Over the years, I’ve had several different stylists and they’ve all been excellent! From cut to color, the whole experience is great. Rachel always seems to know what my hair needs – I definitely give Cortex and her as many stars as possible!”

“I love the way Emma cuts my hair and I am not easy to please. She is so sweet to talk to and makes me feel really relaxed about trying new things.  We did highlights recently and I was really nervous but they looked beautiful and I’m ready to go back and do it again.  I love Cortex and recommend it to all my friends!”

“I couldn’t recommend Cortex more!  I’m always welcomed warmly, my stylist is always ready for me, and of course, I love the results. You can tell that Marion always thinks of who her clientele but treats all the stylists like family. Its a very unique, neighborhood salon and I have always loved going there.”

” I always have a pleasant experience any time I go in for my appointment. Everyone that I’ve encountered is so kind and always helpful. I’ve been seeing Emily for years and she really is the best! I’m always pleased with my cut every time I leave.”