Neal Parker Salon in Abilene, TX

I'm finally getting around to reviewing my fave places in town, and I had to leave a rave review of Neal-Parker Salon. I am simply SHOCKED to see the negative review from Jan. 7th. I couldn't wait to share my excitement about the salon's new massage therapist, but now I want to set the record straight about Karli. The Karli described by "Crystal O." is the polar opposite of the Karli Parker who has been doing my hair for years now. Maybe Crystal is more accustomed to the salons with self-employed haircutters all lined up at rented spaces. NPSalon is a much more personal experience. You come to know Karli and Neal as friends, and it's the kind of atmosphere most anyone would just love. I couldn't believe someone would complain about her service or the environment, quite possibly the very best features of the salon. It's more than just service-providers utilizing kindness as a means of maintaining customers. Whenever I go in for another appointment, I can't help but feel special each and every time. My Little Story: My husband and I PCS'd to Dyess 5 years ago, and I tried in vain to find a stylist when we got here. I saw 3 different stylists to whom I was referred by friends. I don't go back to someone if I don't like my hair, and after those 3 attempts--2 damaged my hair & 1 overzealous product-pusher--I decided to just time my trips back home to FL to get my hair done there. Then, like light in the darkness, I found Karli! (I don't even remember how I originally found her...I think on Facebook.) It took a lot for me to go sit in her chair after having my hair damaged so thoroughly by other people in Abilene, but my full-time school schedule meant that trips to FL were no longer an option for me. When Karli first started doing my hair, I felt bad for her; after all, she wasn't lucky enough to work with my thick and healthy hair of years gone by. She didn't hesitate, though. After the first visit I was downright AMAZED at how big a difference she had made. Going into that first visit, I couldn't have imagined that my hair could be helped that much in just one visit to ANYone. Over the ensuing 3 years, Karli has given my brown hair more depth and vibrance than I think it may have ever had. I can't begin to tell you how many people compliment me on my color & cut. I recently visited my family back in FL (in Jupiter, notorious for its wealth and famous residents-the salons, like everything else, are high end there). After years of not seeing each other, the first thing my aunts said after hugs were all variations of "your hair is so gorgeous!" We'll be PCS'ing out of Abilene soon and I've already told her "I've done it before and I'm going to do it again--I'll be coming back to Abilene just to have my hair done!" & YES! They have a massage therapist in-house now, too!! **a note: I hope "Crystal O." isn't just a competing stylist in town, that would be sad. Abilene isn't big enough to have 1 yelp review change the word-of-mouth referrals when women gush about their hair. & I know, anytime I reply to questions of who does my hair, the people who see Karli get instantly excited to share how much they love her and the people who don't already see her immediately ask for her #.**

Hands down the best haircut I have ever gotten. Even though I need to find the time to get in for a trim, I still get compliments on a daily basis. Can't wait to get in for that trim and COLOR - so excited to try their color techniques.

The reviews are true. The most unbelievable salon ever... The salon doesn't even feel like a salon, more like a place to hang out and talk. Neal and Karli are not only the best hair stylist in Abilene, with their amazing sense of fashion and trends,but they are the best people i know. Their skills in coloring and cutting are unprecedented, and their passion for what they do shows.

Neal has been doing my hair since 2007 and I have never let anyone else touch my hair. I even turned my mom and sister on to him, because he always makes my hair look AMAZING! Karli does an amazing job as well and I definitely recommend them to everyone that asks me about my hair. I totally love them and make the drive to Abilene just to get my hair done by them.