Alter EGO Salon

Located in Downtown Raleigh, NC

Custom Hair Transformations in Raleigh, NC

Alter EGO Salon is our original location, serving NC since 2008

Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, Alter EGO Salon is where creativity, expertise, and transformation come together in a high-end urban loft setting. Since opening in 2008, we have built a reputation for exceptional hair artistry, advanced color techniques, precision cuts, and custom styling for all hair types and textures.

Whether you’re looking for a bold color change, a fresh new cut, or expert extensions, our talented team is dedicated to bringing your vision to life. With a focus on personalized service, diversity, and continuous education, Alter EGO Salon offers a one-of-a-kind experience that ensures every guest leaves feeling empowered and confident.

Book your appointment today and discover the luxury of expert hair care in downtown Raleigh.

Award-Winning Salon Services in Raleigh, NC

Our Signature Services

Hair Color & Blonding

Haircuts

Curly Hair Services

Keratin Smoothing

Hair Styling

Hair Treatments

Hair Extensions

Certified Google Reviews

Carrie Wells

I am so thrilled that I found Abby Brees at AlterEGO salon! I am the happiest with my hair I’ve ever been… and I’m in my mid-50s. She is great at figuring out exactly what her client wants and then making it happen. She has been doing my cuts, color, AND keratin treatments for a year now. Abby is also great at styling at the end of the visit so I always walk out feeling my best. Finally, Abby is delightful to talk with. She’s lots of fun and so warm and friendly. Thank you Abby!

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Kelly Long

I used to be the "I'll never pay more than $20 for a haircut" type and Alter Ego changed that for me. Super knowledgeable and professional staff who know their stuff yet are super laid back and conversational. Attention to detail, they'll do whatever they can to ensure you leave happy, and with great hair coaching tips.

I even finally convinced my boyfriend who has long hair to give them a try (most $20 shops either don't know men's long hair or treat it like a lady's cut) and Alter Ego went above and beyond to accommodate him and did a phenomenal job! He's very happy with the maintenance they did to improve the health of his hair but keep the length.

I'll never go anywhere else - and when I moved over an hour away, I tried but no such luck.

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Tasha V Vargas Soto

I had an amazing experience with the stylist Liv, she really took the time to understand what I wanted with my curly hair, my curls have never looked better. The salon itself has really relaxing vibe and everyone was friendly. Highly recommend to anyone with curly hair.

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Sara S

Gabby did an amazing job of listening to what I wanted even though my inspiration came from a mix of different styles and pictures. I’m so happy with the cut and color and that Alter Ego was able to accommodate me into their busy schedule! Gabby is so sweet and very talented 🙂

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Alayne McKnight

I have been going to Alter Ego for years now and I have always enjoyed their customer service and the end product- beautiful hair! First, their online booking system is easy and painless. I appreciate their follow up messages to ensure I made the correct appointment. Their location is easy to get to and I always feel special riding the elevator up to their rustic loft. I am always met with happy and attentive faces at the front desk. I have never had to wait more than 10 minutes for my appointment. Abby Yelverton has given me a curly hair cut and style for a couple of years now and obviously, I’ll keep going back! Not only is she very talented and detail oriented, but she is also personable and so sweet! I usually get nervous about keeping a conversation going during hair appointments, but she makes it so easy. She also listens to my needs in terms of styling and maintenance. The cost of the services are very reasonable for the experience, location, and service. Alter Ego is an inclusive environment and I have seen diverse populace utilizing their service.

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Redding Thomas

I discovered Leah a year and an half ago(curl specialist). It was my first time getting my haircut from a curl specialist and it was the best decision I made. I love my curly hair(I have 3c/4a type coils), but I felt like it didn’t shape my face, and the density was distributed uneven. In my experience no one has been able to work with my hair or understand what I wanted, so I normally never let anyone touch it. I explained to her what my vision was for what I wanted my hair to look like and she understood completely, and have made all the right choices since the four times I’ve seen her. She helped chop my hair down to restart my hair journey and has maintained and shaped it exactly how I wanted for the past year as it’s grown out. I am so satisfied that I finally reached the hair goal I’ve wanted, with her help completely. I strongly recommend her and she’s actually one of the coolest people I’ve met. Really easy to set up appointments, and the salon itself has a fantastic atmosphere.

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Maria Tartaglia

Liv does such a great job with my curly hair 💗 Highly recommend her if you're a curly who typically struggles to find a knowledgeable stylist that can handle your hair. I have mixed hair with different curl patterns all on the same head, but she does miracles!

Both her and Ashlynn taught me easy ways to maintain my curls on my own as well to keep me from looking crazy till my next cut 🥰 Ashlynn also gives the best hair wash massage💆‍♀️ It's like a mini spa moment haha. As a new mom, I'm soooo grateful for them 💖

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charlie frazier

this place is just awesome !! haircuts usually make me incredibly nervous; i stumble over words, chair-conversations horrify me, and especially with covid all those anxious feelings were magnified - but this place was so so comfortable and kind. kyle gave me the shag of my dreams and was such a cool, upbeat dude. really really recommend him + alter ego in general, they know how to make haircuts /not/ a scary experience and for that i’m very grateful. never loved my haircut like this before !! 🙂

edit for two/three years later (i think??): still go here and still have awesome experiences! kyle does my wife's hair too now, and i feel like the level of trust to leave both my hair and my spouse's hair in alter ego's hands is testament enough haha. thanks y'all, you guys are awesome!

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Jessica Heyrman

Where to begin? This is my first curly cut after 4 years of growing out my curls. I went in with low expectations bc I've had "curly cuts" before and someone will blow dry straight and curl it. Kenzie really listened to my ramblings and somehow how understood the exact vibes I'm trying to go for while ALSO fixing my sweet barber husbands hack job. She was absolutely radiant and so precise. When I tell you I actually cried when she had me flip my hair wet to scrunch in product. Never before. Life changing. I cried. Got laid. Will be coming back forever. Screaming crying throwing up. Thank you 🥹

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Shannon Hardy

Abby Claire supports my unwillingness to put a lot of time into my hair. She gives amazing cuts. Excellent advice and created a very simple plan. She is a lovely human. She is a natural beauty that inspires our teenager. Alter ego has a fantastic vibe and everyone there has great energy and is helpful.

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Stephanie Gilmore

Violet has been my stylist for over two years now and I wouldn’t see anyone else! I am constantly asked “who does your hair”? My color is always exactly as I envisioned and the cut is amazing. Violet takes the time to teach me the techniques on how to style my hair and create just the right style on my own. It is always a great experience and results are amazing.

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Kenneth Evans

We really liked the environment. The salon is organized and clean. I took my daughter to one of their curly hair specialists, Bree. She did her hair exactly like she wanted. She’s so happy with her cut. And we appreciate the curly hair maintenance tips. Definitely recommend and plan to visit again.

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N Garcia

Brenda attended to me my last visit and I was disappointed because my hair did not do well with the keratin treatment. Had nothing to do with her, just the product and my expectations.
Today I returned.. told her what I was looking for - a cut to cover up the greys on the sides of my face. She offered her suggestions which I accepted. And also showed me how to let my hair be natural. Totally happy!
Bonus was my teenage son saying “Mom I like it. It’s the modern look and you look younger!” Thank you Brenda 😉

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Krystle Santana

As a person with Afro textured hair, I’ve been thru a lot & I’m very suspicious of salons. But I did my research & took my chances here & Liv exceeded my expectations!

This was my first time in a very long time going to a salon, & even longer since trusting someone to cut my curly hair, and I felt so taken care of. Liv was able to take my current concerns & future goals and materialize them into a beautiful haircut that left me feeling confident in my own skin. She gave me great advice on hair care from home & was not bothered at all by my millions of questions, which is so important to me. I will definitely be back! Thank you Liv!

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Maria Noffsinger

It was an overall great experience. Kenzie is very knowledgeable and made me feel at ease. She listened to my concerns and even had some products that could help! I felt completely seen and heard. I would recommend to anyone looking for a great environment, that's all inclusive, with knowledgeable and kind professionals.

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