The Clip Joint Salon

Laura Cox is a great stylist at the Clip Joint (downtown location), and I went to her for years before my office moved and the salon wasn't as convenient anymore.  She is totally friendly in a down-to-earth way, and my hair always looked great after I left the salon.  She also did facial waxing for me, sometimes as a walk-in client if she wasn't otherwise busy, and I think she did a really nice job on my eyebrows (and I'm a little picky about them).When I was growing my hair out, I didn't really know how to create simple updos, and Laura would often show me how to do something like a bun or a chignon in lieu of a regular styling or a blowout after the haircut.  She had great patience with me and I felt like I learned important life lessons that have served me well since.The Clip Joint is a nice place and their location is really convenient in downtown Columbia, near the campuses.  I think they offer some spa services.  They have a really wonderful program where you can bring in partially used hair and beauty products and they will donate them to the local women's domestic violence shelter.  I know I am always finding myself with too much product that I tried a few times and didn't like, and I love the idea of being able to pass it on to other women who might find them useful or distracting at a difficult time.  It would be great if other salons offered this program as well!