Nepean's trusted choice for precision cuts, expert colour, balayage, keratin treatments, and more. Located in the ByWard Market, just 20 minutes from Merivale Road.
Voted Top 3 Hair Salons in Ottawa 2025 • 4.6/5 Stars from 760+ Reviews • Serving Nepean Since 2004
If you live in Nepean and you've been searching for a salon that actually delivers on what it promises, Salon Rouge is worth the short drive downtown. We're located at 222 Dalhousie Street in Ottawa's ByWard Market, and we've been serving clients from across the city since 2004. A good portion of our regulars come from Nepean, including the Merivale corridor, Centrepointe, Baseline and Woodroffe, and Bells Corners.
We understand why you might be looking for something closer to home first. Nepean has plenty of options along Merivale Road and around the Baseline-Woodroffe intersection. But our clients from your area consistently tell us the same thing: once they found Salon Rouge, they stopped looking elsewhere. The quality of the work, the experience of the team, and the attention to detail during every appointment set us apart from what's available in the suburbs.
The drive is straightforward. Hop on the Queensway (Highway 417), head east, and you're at our door in about 20 to 25 minutes. If you're coming from Bells Corners or the western end of Nepean, it might take a couple of minutes longer, but the route is simple and direct. Many of our Nepean clients tell us they use the drive time to decompress before their appointment, and then enjoy walking around the ByWard Market afterward.
Salon Rouge was founded by Amir, a master stylist with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He built this salon on a straightforward idea: provide outstanding hair services in a welcoming environment where clients feel heard. That philosophy hasn't changed in the 20+ years since we opened our doors, and it's the reason clients drive from Nepean, Kanata, Barrhaven, and Orleans to see us.
Whether you need a precise haircut, a full colour correction, balayage that looks natural and grows out beautifully, or a keratin treatment to manage Ottawa's humidity, our team has the training and experience to get it right. We don't rush. We listen. And we make sure you leave feeling confident about your hair.
| Monday | 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Tip for Nepean clients: Our Wednesday and Thursday evening hours (until 8 PM) are popular with suburban commuters who want to stop in on their way home from work downtown.
Address: 222 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 7C8
Neighbourhood: ByWard Market District
Phone: (613) 241-1110
Email: info@salonrouge.ca
Distance from Nepean: Approximately 15-18 km depending on your starting point
Typical Drive Time: 20-25 minutes via the Queensway (Highway 417)
We don't take it for granted that clients from Nepean drive past dozens of other salons to get to us. That loyalty is earned, and we work hard to keep earning it at every appointment. Here's what we hear most often from our Nepean regulars about why they chose Salon Rouge and why they keep coming back.
One of the biggest frustrations with switching salons is inconsistency. You find someone who does a great job once, and the next time it's a completely different result. At Salon Rouge, our team has been together for years. Danielle has been with us since 2006. Jane joined in 2015. Parisa has over seven years of experience. When you book with a stylist here, you're building a long-term relationship with someone who genuinely knows your hair, your preferences, and what works for your lifestyle.
Our Nepean clients especially value this because many of them tried multiple salons in their area before finding us. They got tired of explaining their hair history every time, tired of stylists who didn't listen, and tired of leaving disappointed. At Salon Rouge, your stylist keeps detailed notes about your hair, your past services, and your goals. Every appointment picks up right where the last one left off.
Colour is one of those services where the difference between a good salon and a great one becomes obvious quickly. Bad colour fades weird, grows out in harsh lines, and damages your hair over time. Great colour looks natural, lasts well, and actually improves the overall health and appearance of your hair. Our team specializes in colour work that falls into the second category.
Amir is a Schwarzkopf Best Colourist award winner, and his approach to colour has shaped the entire team's philosophy. We use professional-grade products, take the time to do thorough consultations before any colour service, and we never rush through application. Whether you want a subtle dimensional change, a bold fashion colour, or you need corrective colour to fix damage from another salon, our team has the skill set to deliver.
Many of our Nepean clients initially came to us specifically for colour correction. They'd had bad experiences elsewhere and needed someone who could fix the damage without making it worse. Corrective colour is one of Amir's specialties, and it requires a level of technical knowledge and patience that not every stylist has.
At Salon Rouge, we don't start cutting or colouring until we've had a proper conversation about what you want. This sounds basic, but it's surprisingly rare. Many clients from Nepean tell us that at their previous salon, the stylist would start working before they'd even finished explaining what they were looking for.
Our consultations cover your hair's current condition, your daily routine, how much maintenance you're willing to do at home, and the realistic results we can achieve. We'll be honest with you. If what you're asking for won't work with your hair type or would require more maintenance than you want, we'll tell you and offer alternatives. This saves you from disappointment and protects the health of your hair.
Living in Ottawa means dealing with some of the most extreme weather swings in the country. Nepean summers bring humidity that causes frizz and makes blowouts fall flat within hours. Winters bring dry indoor heating that makes hair brittle and static-prone. Our stylists understand how Ottawa's climate affects different hair types and textures, and we factor that into every service recommendation.
We offer treatments specifically designed to help your hair handle Ottawa's conditions. Our keratin treatments starting at $300 are excellent for managing summer humidity. Hair botox treatments starting at $425 restore moisture and strength during the harsh winter months. We also recommend specific at-home care routines based on the season, so your hair looks great between appointments.
We hear it all the time: "I wish you were closer to Nepean." We understand the sentiment. But our Nepean clients also tell us they've tried to find something comparable in their own neighbourhood and couldn't. The combination of experienced stylists, a welcoming atmosphere, honest consultations, and consistently excellent results is what keeps them making the 20-minute drive.
Plus, many of our Nepean regulars have turned the trip into something they look forward to. They'll grab a coffee in the ByWard Market before their appointment, or walk around the neighbourhood shops afterward. It becomes a little outing rather than just a salon visit, and that's a nice change from the strip-mall salon experience that's common along Merivale Road.
There are a lot of salons between Nepean and downtown Ottawa. So what specifically makes Salon Rouge stand out? Here's what sets us apart from the options you'll find along Merivale, near Algonquin College, or in the Baseline-Woodroffe area.
Amir didn't just open a salon. He built a career over three decades, mastering every aspect of hair care from precision cutting to advanced colour theory to corrective work. He's a Schwarzkopf Best Colourist award recipient, which is one of the most respected recognitions in the professional hair industry. His technical skill is matched by his ability to teach and mentor, which means every stylist on our team has been trained to his standards.
When you sit in Amir's chair, you're working with someone who has literally seen and fixed every hair situation imaginable. Colour disasters from box dye at home? He's corrected hundreds of them. Hair that's been over-processed by another salon? He knows exactly how to restore it without causing more damage. Clients who have no idea what they want and just need guidance? He's exceptional at reading what will work for your face shape, skin tone, and lifestyle.
Every stylist at Salon Rouge has advanced colour training. This isn't a salon where colour is an afterthought or where one person "does colour" and everyone else just cuts. Our entire team understands colour theory, formulation, and application at a professional level. That means no matter who you book with, you're getting colour work from someone who really knows what they're doing.
We stay current with techniques and products through ongoing education. The hair industry changes constantly, and what worked five years ago might not be the best approach today. Our team regularly attends workshops and training sessions to make sure we're using the most current methods and the best products available.
We've already mentioned our consultation process, but it deserves its own section because it genuinely sets us apart. A proper consultation isn't just asking "what do you want today?" It's a conversation about your hair's history, its current health, your lifestyle, and your goals. We look at reference photos together, discuss realistic outcomes, and make sure you understand exactly what the service will involve before we begin.
For new clients from Nepean, we recommend booking a few extra minutes for your first visit so we can do a thorough assessment. This is especially important for colour services, chemical treatments, or if you're coming to us because you need corrective work from another salon. Taking that extra time at the beginning means better results and no surprises.
This might seem like a small thing, but it matters more than you'd think. A lot of the hair advice and product recommendations you see online come from stylists in California or New York where the climate is completely different from Ottawa's. Our team lives and works here. We know what Ottawa humidity does to a balayage in July. We know how dry indoor heating affects keratin-treated hair in January. We know which products actually perform well in our climate and which ones are just marketing.
Every recommendation we make is filtered through the reality of living in this city. When we suggest a treatment or a product, it's because we've seen it work for Ottawa hair in Ottawa weather, not because we read about it in a trend report from a different climate.
Our location in the ByWard Market isn't just a nice backdrop. It's a practical advantage for our Nepean clients. The market area has plenty of parking options, great restaurants for a pre- or post-appointment meal, unique shops to browse, and an overall atmosphere that makes your salon visit feel like more than just an errand. Compare that to getting your hair done in a strip mall parking lot, and the difference in experience is significant.
We've made it as easy as possible for Nepean residents to find us. Here are the most common routes our clients take, plus parking and transit information.
This is the route most of our Nepean clients prefer, and it's usually the fastest option:
Estimated drive time: 20-25 minutes depending on traffic. Rush hour (7:30-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM) can add 10-15 minutes, so plan accordingly or book during our evening hours on Wednesday and Thursday to avoid the worst of it.
If you prefer to avoid the highway, or if there's construction on the Queensway (which happens frequently in Ottawa), Carling Avenue is a reliable alternative:
Estimated drive time: 25-35 minutes depending on traffic signals and time of day.
If you prefer transit, there are good options from most parts of Nepean:
Rideau Station is the closest O-Train stop to Salon Rouge. When you exit the station, walk north on William Street toward George Street, then turn right to Dalhousie. It's a short, easy walk through the market area.
Parking in the ByWard Market is manageable once you know where to look:
Pro tip from our Nepean regulars: If you have a Wednesday or Thursday evening appointment (we're open until 8 PM), street parking becomes free at 5:30 PM. Book for 6 PM and you won't pay for parking at all.
Here's a detailed look at everything we offer. All prices are starting points and may vary based on hair length, thickness, and the complexity of the service. We'll always confirm pricing during your consultation before we begin any work.
Starting at $15 for basic cuts and going up based on stylist level and complexity. Our haircuts include a consultation, shampoo, cut, and basic styling. We take the time to understand how you wear your hair day to day, so your cut works for your real life, not just the day you leave the salon.
Learn more about our haircut services
Our colour services are where we really shine. From simple root touch-ups to complete colour overhauls, our team handles it all with precision and care.
Learn more about our colour services
Starting at $300. Our keratin treatments are some of our most popular services with Nepean clients, especially heading into Ottawa's humid summer months. The treatment smooths frizz, reduces styling time, and gives your hair a healthy, glossy finish that lasts for months.
Keratin treatments take 2-3 hours depending on hair length and thickness. The results typically last 3-5 months with proper care. We'll walk you through the aftercare process during your appointment.
Learn more about our keratin treatments
Starting at $425. Hair botox is a deep-conditioning treatment that repairs damage, restores moisture, and adds incredible shine without the chemical straightening effect of keratin. It's ideal for hair that's been weakened by colour processing, heat styling, or Ottawa's dry winter air.
This treatment is particularly popular with our clients from Nepean who colour their hair regularly. It helps maintain strength and elasticity between colour appointments.
Learn more about our hair botox treatments
We offer professional hair extension services for clients looking to add length, volume, or both. Our team will assess your natural hair, discuss your goals, and recommend the best extension method for your hair type and lifestyle.
Perms are making a comeback, and our team knows how to create natural-looking waves and curls that don't look or feel like your grandmother's perm. We use modern techniques and products that are gentler on your hair while still delivering lasting results.
Learn more about our perm services
We're proud to offer Olaplex as part of our treatment menu. Olaplex works at the molecular level to repair broken bonds in your hair, making it stronger and more resilient. We can add Olaplex to any colour service for extra protection, or you can book a standalone Olaplex treatment to restore hair that's been damaged by heat, colour, or environmental stress.
One of the things our Nepean clients appreciate most about Salon Rouge is the stability of our team. In an industry where stylists move around constantly, our team has been together for years. That consistency shows in the quality of our work and the strength of the relationships we build with clients.
Amir founded Salon Rouge in 2004 and brings over 30 years of professional experience to every client interaction. He is a Schwarzkopf Best Colourist award recipient and is widely recognized as one of Ottawa's top corrective colour specialists. His technical precision is matched by a genuine warmth and a listening ear. Amir takes on the most complex colour corrections and works with clients who need expert-level care.
If you're coming from Nepean with a colour problem that another salon caused, Amir is the person you want in your corner. He'll assess the situation honestly, explain what's possible, and create a plan to get your hair where you want it to be, even if it takes multiple sessions.
Danielle has been part of the Salon Rouge family since 2006, making her one of our longest-tenured team members. She manages the salon's day-to-day operations while maintaining a full client book. Danielle is known for her consistency, her attention to detail, and her ability to create styles that look polished but still feel natural and easy to maintain at home.
Jane joined Salon Rouge in 2015 and has built a loyal following with her precise cutting technique and her talent for colour. She is fluent in Mandarin, which makes her a popular choice for Ottawa's Chinese-speaking community. Jane's clients appreciate her calm, focused approach and her ability to translate reference photos into real-life results.
Parisa brings over seven years of professional experience to the Salon Rouge team. She has a gift for balayage and dimensional colour work, creating looks that are beautifully blended and grow out gracefully. Parisa is a great choice for Nepean clients who want low-maintenance colour that still looks polished and intentional.
Anny is originally from Brazil and brings her expertise in working with curly and textured hair to our team. She understands the unique needs of curly hair, including cutting techniques that enhance natural curl patterns rather than fighting against them. If you're from Nepean and you have curly hair that most stylists don't know how to handle, Anny is your person.
Jordan is often the first voice you hear when you call Salon Rouge. As our client coordinator, Jordan handles scheduling, answers your questions, and makes sure your visit runs smoothly from start to finish. Need to adjust your appointment time? Have a question about what to expect for a specific service? Jordan has the answers.
Fayja helps manage the front of house at Salon Rouge, ensuring that every client's experience is seamless. From greeting you when you arrive to coordinating follow-up appointments, Fayja keeps everything running on schedule. She's also a great resource for new clients who need guidance on which stylist might be the best fit for their needs.
Walking into Salon Rouge for the first time, you'll notice that it feels different from the average salon. We're not a loud, chaotic space with TVs blaring and stylists shouting over the noise. We're also not a stiff, pretentious boutique where you feel like you need to dress up just to get a haircut. We've found a middle ground that's professional, welcoming, and relaxed.
When you arrive for your first appointment, Jordan or Fayja will greet you and get you settled. If you're a few minutes early (which we recommend for new clients), you'll have time to look through style books or reference images with your stylist before your service begins.
Your stylist will start with a consultation. For haircuts, this usually takes about 5-10 minutes. For colour services, plan for 10-15 minutes, especially if you're making a significant change or need corrective work. We'll discuss your hair history, your daily routine, your goals, and any concerns you have. We'll also be upfront about pricing before we start, so there are no surprises at checkout.
Once we've agreed on a plan, your stylist gets to work. The pace is focused but not rushed. We believe that great hair takes time, and we'd rather do it right than do it fast. During colour processing, you're welcome to relax with a beverage, scroll through your phone, or just enjoy the quiet. We won't talk your ear off if you'd rather have some peace, but we're happy to chat if you're in a social mood.
We don't just finish your hair and send you on your way. Before you leave, your stylist will show you the finished result from all angles, give you styling tips for recreating the look at home, and recommend any products that would benefit your hair. We'll also discuss when you should come back for your next appointment to maintain the best results.
We keep detailed notes on every service, so your next visit picks up right where this one left off. This is especially valuable for colour clients, because we can replicate your formula exactly or adjust it based on how your hair responded.
Our Nepean clients often say that the overall experience is what keeps them coming back. Yes, the technical skill matters. But the combination of feeling genuinely welcome, being listened to, and leaving with hair that looks and feels amazing is what makes the 20-minute drive worth it every time. Several of our long-time Nepean clients have been with us for 10+ years and have never considered going back to a salon closer to home.
Don't just take our word for it. Here's what clients from the Nepean area have shared about their experience at Salon Rouge.
"I live near Merivale and Baseline and I've tried at least four salons in my neighbourhood over the years. None of them even come close to Salon Rouge. The drive is nothing compared to the quality difference. Amir fixed a terrible colour job from another salon and my hair has never looked better."
- Sarah M., Centrepointe
"I started going to Salon Rouge about five years ago when I was living downtown, and I kept going even after we moved to Bells Corners. The Queensway makes it so easy. I'm in and out in under three hours including the drive, and I always love the results. Danielle is incredible with highlights."
- Michelle T., Bells Corners
"I was nervous about trying a new salon after moving to Nepean from Toronto. A friend recommended Salon Rouge and I'm so glad she did. Parisa does my balayage and it's consistently the best I've ever had, including what I was paying double for in Toronto. Worth every minute of the drive."
- Priya K., Woodroffe/Baseline Area
"My daughter and I both go to Salon Rouge and we drive from near the Nepean Sportsplex. She's in university at Algonquin and I work from home, so we make it a mother-daughter outing. Jane is wonderful with both of us, patient and precise. The consultation she does before every colour appointment gives me so much confidence in the result."
- Linda P., Nepean (near Sportsplex)
"I have very curly hair and I spent years going to salons in Nepean where the stylists clearly didn't know what to do with it. I'd always leave with a frizzy triangle on my head. Anny at Salon Rouge actually understands curly hair. She cuts it dry, she knows how to shape it, and for the first time in my life I actually love my curls. I will drive from Nepean forever for this."
- Rachel D., Centrepointe
"The whole team at Salon Rouge is professional and welcoming without being over the top. As a guy who gets his hair cut there, I never feel out of place. The vibe is relaxed, the cuts are sharp, and the price is fair. I come from the Greenbank Road area in Nepean and it's a straight shot down the 417. Couldn't be easier."
- James W., Greenbank Road Area
Salon Rouge is located at 222 Dalhousie Street in Ottawa's ByWard Market, approximately 15-18 kilometres from most Nepean neighbourhoods. The drive typically takes 20-25 minutes via the Queensway (Highway 417). From Bells Corners or the western edge of Nepean, it may take a few minutes longer.
Yes. There is metered street parking on Dalhousie Street and surrounding streets (free after 5:30 PM on weekdays and all day Sunday). The ByWard Market Parking Garage at 70 Clarence Street is a 2-minute walk away and is the most reliable option if street parking is full. Several other surface lots and NCC parking areas are also within easy walking distance.
We strongly recommend booking an appointment in advance, especially for colour services, keratin treatments, or appointments with specific stylists. We occasionally have same-day availability for haircuts, but this isn't guaranteed. You can book online through our scheduling system or call us at (613) 241-1110.
Haircuts start at $15 and vary based on the stylist, hair length, and complexity of the cut. During your consultation, we'll confirm the exact price before we start. You can also view our complete pricing on our service menu page.
Balayage starts at $150 and varies based on hair length, thickness, and the amount of lightening required. If you're going from very dark hair to a significantly lighter shade, it may require multiple sessions, and we'll discuss this openly during your consultation. We always provide a price estimate before beginning any work.
Keratin treatments (starting at $300) primarily focus on smoothing and controlling frizz. They create a protective coating around each hair strand that reduces frizz, adds shine, and cuts down on styling time. Hair botox (starting at $425) is more of a deep repair and conditioning treatment. It fills in gaps in damaged hair fibres, restores moisture, and strengthens hair without the straightening effect. Your stylist can recommend which treatment is better suited to your hair's specific needs during your consultation.
Absolutely. Corrective colour is one of our specialties, and it's one of the most common reasons new clients from Nepean find us. Amir in particular has extensive experience with colour corrections. The process usually requires a thorough consultation to assess the current state of your hair and a plan that may involve one or multiple sessions depending on the severity of the issue. We'll always be honest about what's achievable and how long it will take.
Yes. Jane is fluent in Mandarin, and Anny speaks Portuguese. We also have team members who speak Farsi. We want every client to feel comfortable communicating their hair goals, and being able to do so in your first language makes a real difference.
The easiest route is to connect to the O-Train Confederation Line (Line 1) and ride it to Rideau Station. From Rideau Station, it's about a 5-minute walk north to our salon. If you're near Baseline Station, you can board the Confederation Line directly. From other parts of Nepean, buses connect to various O-Train stations. Check the OC Transpo trip planner for the best route from your specific location.
We use professional-grade products from brands like Schwarzkopf, Olaplex, and other salon-exclusive lines. We also retail many of these products so you can maintain your results at home. Your stylist will recommend specific products based on your hair type and the services you receive, and there's never any pressure to buy.
This depends on the type of colour service. All-over colour and root touch-ups typically need refreshing every 4-6 weeks. Balayage and highlights can last 8-12 weeks or longer, which is one reason balayage is so popular with our Nepean clients who prefer less frequent salon visits. Your stylist will recommend a maintenance schedule based on your specific colour and your hair's growth patterns.
Yes. We have many male clients from across Ottawa, including Nepean. Our team is skilled at all types of men's cuts, from classic business styles to modern textured looks. You'll get the same thorough consultation and precision work that we provide for every client, regardless of gender.
Salon Rouge proudly serves clients from every corner of Nepean and the surrounding Ottawa area. No matter where you're coming from, you're welcome at our ByWard Market location.
If you're in Nepean and wondering whether Salon Rouge is worth the trip, the short answer is yes. Hundreds of your neighbours have already made us their go-to salon, and we'd love to welcome you too.
Book your appointment at Salon Rouge today. Whether you need a precision cut, expert colour, balayage, keratin treatment, or hair botox, our experienced team is ready to take care of you.
Nepean residents: the drive is easy, the parking is simple, and the results speak for themselves.
Salon Rouge | 222 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 7C8
(613) 241-1110 | info@salonrouge.ca
Voted Top 3 Hair Salons in Ottawa 2025 | 4.6/5 Stars from 760+ Reviews