Des Moines’s Top 10 Beauty Salons & Beauty Professionals

The Profile

Salon Spa W sits in Des Moines’ East Village and operates a full-service hair and spa menu that spans precision haircuts, balayage, color correction, Olaplex bond repair and VoMor extensions. Their color team, stylists and spa professionals work from an editorially influenced approach while delivering services meant to wear well beyond the appointment.

Salon Spa W offers a complete spa program with facials, medical-grade LED treatments, lash extensions, waxing, massage and a dedicated nail salon, and they retail Aveda and Ultraceuticals products. The salon also lists Keratin smoothing, thermal straightening and professional hair treatments on its menu, making it a one-stop for hair, skin and bridal preparations.

Salon Spa W is noted in its materials for national recognition and for client-focused hospitality, including complimentary make-up touch ups and on-site bridal planning by a guest relations team. The salon’s location, two blocks west of the Iowa State Capitol, supports wedding-party and event bookings while reinforcing why local clients cite it for both everyday services and special occasions.

Why It Made the List and Why It’s Our Top Pick

Salon Spa W tops the list because its combination of nationally recognised salon awards, an extensive in-house spa and a specialist bridal team creates unmatched breadth in Des Moines. The business couples runway-informed color and correction expertise with on-site bridal planning and a well-stocked retail selection, delivering reliably editorial results alongside comprehensive event services.

Good to Know

Salon Spa W is at 400 East Locust, Suite 2, two blocks west of the Capitol; or use their online booking and app. Gift cards are available, and bridal parties should request a consultation with the guest relations team to plan on-site services well ahead of event dates.

The Profile

J. Michaels Salon promotes hand-tied and other extension techniques alongside a polished menu of haircut, color and lash-and-brow services. The salon presents itself as a full-service destination that balances salon professionalism with approachable client care and the team highlights technical services such as hand-tied extensions as a distinct offering for length and density.

J. Michaels Salon runs a first-time guest promotion and keeps a strong client-service focus, with career pages and an emphasis on a professional team environment. The business lists lash, brow and hand-tied extensions as part of its core services and operates from a visible Ingersoll Avenue location that supports local walk-in awareness and regular appointments.

Why It Made the List

J. Michaels Salon stands out for its specific focus on hand-tied extensions delivered within a consistent, professional salon environment. That technical emphasis, paired with complementary brow and lash services, gives guests looking for long-hair enhancements a route to expert application and follow-up care inside a single Des Moines location.

Good to Know

J. Michaels Salon lists (515) 288-0541; new clients can receive a $20 first-visit discount by completing the online new-guest form prior to their appointment, so complete the pre-visit paperwork to secure the offer and your preferred stylist.

The Profile

dsm salon runs a client matchmaking survey that pairs guests with stylists best suited to their technical goals and personality, which helps eliminate guesswork when booking a new stylist. New guests are encouraged to take the salon’s survey ahead of their first appointment so booking aligns with color, cut and extension specialists.

The team at dsm salon also advertises bridal services, professional extensions and a collaborative consultation process; the site lists the owner as Kasey and describes staff as welcoming and personable. The salon is at 849 42nd St in Des Moines, posts weekday and weekend hours on its contact page and offers phone booking at (515) 279-1002.

Why It Made the List

dsm salon’s matchmaking process is a practical advantage for nervous or first-time clients because it connects them with stylists whose technical strengths and communication style match the guest’s needs. That measured pairing helps appointments start with clearer expectations, speeds trust-building and supports better outcomes for color, extensions and bridal work.

Good to Know

Located at 849 42nd St, dsm salon lists phone contact the salon; check the salon’s published hours for weekday and weekend variations and complete the matchmaking survey before booking to receive a stylist recommendation that matches your service type and desired appointment length.

The Profile

Ashley's Beauty Salon positions itself as a luxury destination in Des Moines offering both a women’s luxury lounge and a dedicated men’s grooming lounge, with a focus on precision cuts, styling packages and professional makeup. The salon emphasises a serene, elegant environment intended to make appointments feel pampering while maintaining expert technical standards.

Ashley's Beauty Salon lists a broad menu that includes precision haircuts for all ages, comprehensive grooming for men and professional makeup and hairstyling services. The team highlights experience and ongoing training, and the salon’s materials name specific stylists and promote a modern, chic interior designed for clients who want a refined atmosphere during services.

Why It Made the List

Ashley's Beauty Salon merits attention for pairing a refined salon atmosphere with a formally presented men’s grooming lounge and comprehensive women’s services, allowing couples and mixed groups to access complementary treatments. That deliberate separation of grooming spaces supports a focused service flow and an elevated guest experience for different client needs.

Good to Know

Ashley's Beauty Salon is listed at 501 E Army Post Road; request specific stylists such as Erin West or Angie S when booking if you have a preference, and note the salon promotes both men’s grooming and women’s luxury packages for paired appointments.

The Profile

LUXE BEAUTY LOUNGE presents itself as a head‑to‑toe salon and spa with a strong emphasis on facial treatments and lash services, pairing nail, hair and eyelash menus with skin-focused protocols. The lounge highlights technician competence, a friendly front-of-house and a location designed to be convenient for local clients seeking affordable professional care.

LUXE BEAUTY LOUNGE details a wide facial menu that includes HydraFacial, microneedling, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning and specialized LED and galvanic treatments. Pricing and procedure notes on the site describe specific protocols such as topical anesthetic use for microneedling and immediate post-treatment expectations, signalling a clinic-style approach to advanced skincare within a salon setting.

Why It Made the List

LUXE BEAUTY LOUNGE is notable for its breadth of medically influenced facial services offered alongside conventional salon treatments, which makes it a practical choice for clients wanting advanced skin procedures like microneedling or Hydrafacial together with lash, brow and nail care in one visit.

Good to Know

LUXE BEAUTY LOUNGE is at 219 E Grand Ave #108 with; hours list Monday through Saturday and shorter Sunday hours, and microneedling is described as involving a topical anesthetic, so allow extra time for consultation and aftercare planning.

The Profile

Aveda Institute Des Moines operates as an accredited cosmetology and spa institution offering cosmetology, esthetics, manicurist and massage therapy programs alongside salon and spa services available to the public. The Institute markets itself as Iowa’s award‑winning campus focused on eco-friendly education, professional development and hands-on practical training that feeds into its student salon schedule.

Aveda Institute Des Moines lays out a detailed 1550‑hour cosmetology program running roughly 44 weeks, with practical experience complementing classroom theory across hair, scalp, color, skin care and nail services. The site also promotes memberships that save on color, blowouts, facials, nails and waxing, and the campus posts standard business hours and a local Mills Civic Parkway address for bookings.

Why It Made the List

Aveda Institute Des Moines is distinct because it pairs publicly bookable salon and spa services with a structured education program, giving guests practical-priced access to supervised student work while simultaneously supporting the school’s hands-on curriculum; that trade-off is attractive to clients who prioritise training environments and comprehensive technical coverage.

Good to Know

Aveda Institute Des Moines is located at 6905 Mills Civic Parkway, Suite 120, and lists (515) 224-5244; many services are performed as part of student clinics, so expect longer appointment times and follow the school’s booking instructions when scheduling.

The Profile

Marc Stephens Salon is a downtown Des Moines salon that emphasizes hair cutting, Aveda product use, and long-term stylist relationships. Owner Mark returned to a single central location, and the business lists a strong local history and ongoing education as part of its identity. The salon’s materials emphasize cutting craftsmanship and stylist development across the team.

Marc Stephens Salon highlights services such as haircuts, foiling, and bridal styling, positioning itself as a salon that supports both routine maintenance and event-focused work. The salon posts a clear street address on Locust Street and maintains weekday and Saturday hours that suit downtown clients and bridal parties seeking on-site or appointment-based preparations.

Why It Made the List

Marc Stephens Salon is recognized locally for consistent cutting expertise and a commitment to stylist education and client continuity, which keeps results reliably tailored to repeat clients. The long tenure of ownership and steady downtown presence make it a dependable option for residents seeking experienced hands for both everyday cuts and special-event hair.

Good to Know

Marc Stephens Salon lists Suite 101 and (515) 274-4545; the salon posts weekday evening hours and shorter Saturday hours, so book ahead for weekend bridal or special-event styling.

The Profile

Serenity Couture Salon & Spa brands itself as a luxury salon and spa offering personalized, high-end beauty and wellness services; the team emphasises curated treatments, premium product lines and a tailored guest experience. The salon calls out Aveda and Ultraceuticals as key product partners and markets a refined menu of artisanal color, facials and therapeutic massage.

Serenity Couture publishes a West Des Moines address at The Atlas Building and notes a long local history and significant team training, describing itself as award‑winning and education-focused. The salon’s materials stress individualized treatment plans, premium retail and an elevated in‑salon environment designed for clients seeking both restorative spa work and precision salon services.

Why It Made the List

Serenity Couture’s defining strength is the integration of luxury salon artistry with a purposefully curated spa program and premium Aveda/Ultraceuticals products, which allows clients to combine advanced skincare and high-end color services in one appointment with attention to both technical and wellness outcomes.

Good to Know

Serenity Couture is located at The Atlas Building, 7001 Westown Parkway, Suite 120, West Des Moines, and lists 515-309-6782; the salon promotes contact via text for questions and provides curated pre-booking guidance for advanced treatments and bridal services.

The Profile

Elevencherry Salon operates as a collective space for independent stylists, each with distinct specialisms from curly hair to vivid color and balayage, and the roster includes stylists with decades of experience. The salon’s copy highlights individual artist profiles and personality-driven booking so clients can choose a practitioner whose aesthetic and technical approach align with their hair goals.

Elevencherry also runs an on-site Atelier, a teaching salon where emerging stylists work in collaboration with senior artists; the Atelier offers more immediate availability and lower prices, with the expectation of longer appointment times and hands-on training dialogue during the visit, which suits clients prioritising affordability or supporting rising talent.

Why It Made the List

Elevencherry’s strength lies in its breadth of independent stylists and a visible pathway for emerging talent via the Atelier, which together provide a wide stylist choice set for clients seeking anything from seamless balayage to experimental, fashion-forward color with an experienced owner available for supervision.

Good to Know

Elevencherry’s Atelier services typically require longer appointment windows and may include additional shop‑side discussion; the salon promotes text booking and lists certain stylists by name, so specify your stylist preference or choose the Atelier for immediate, cost-effective availability.

The Profile

Elu Salon and Barber operates inside the Des Lux Hotel and presents itself as a hybrid salon and barber shop offering classic and contemporary cuts, beard trims, dreadlock maintenance and photo‑ready styling. The menu explicitly lists barber and salon services with timed sessions and set prices for routine upkeep and special treatments.

Elu’s founder, Joshua Alan, brings industry experience as an Aveda educator and an editorial background with work cited at events such as New York Fashion Week and Aveda Congress and the salon highlights that pedigree in its public materials. The business offers memberships and package-style entries such as a weekly style membership alongside single-visit barber and color options.

Why It Made the List

Elu Salon and Barber’s notable edge is its combined barber and salon model located within a hotel setting, anchored by a founder with national editorial experience and Aveda education work. That blend serves guests seeking both meticulous barbering and salon-level color or styling in a single, centrally located venue.

Good to Know

Elu Salon and Barber provides contact via 612-470-4050; the site lists concrete service prices and a members-only weekly style option priced per session, so review their menu before booking for the most appropriate appointment length.