Meet Darlene
Precision hair artist, hair color specialist, skincare, make-up consultant, and sole proprietor of South Hill Salon, Darlene Pitts-Russell has provided hair service in Lexington, Kentucky, since 1981. She owned and operated Premiere Hair Design on Main Street for 11 years, and with the demand for additional floor space, Darlene moved her business to South Broadway, changing the name to South Hill Salon to reflect the South Hill Historic District. After 12 highly successful years at this downtown location, the salon was later moved to its easy-to-find current address with convenient parking at the Clays Mill Plaza Salon Suites.
''Client satisfaction is my top priority. I always strive to give my clients more than they pay for. Along with AVEDA, my goal is 'Value Added' in all I do. I aim to communicate efficiently and effectively with my clients, satisfying their desires and delivering the most up-to-date and professional consultation and service. Come see me today!'' --Darlene
What Clients Are Saying
I've been going to this salon for years. Darlene, who is also the owner takes the time to get to know you and what your likes and dislikes are. If you are looking for someone who specializes in hair color and stylish cuts, then this is the salon for you. I love the Aveda products and the helpful tips. I would not hesitate to recommend her.
--Michelle, Lancaster, Kentucky
I visit Lexington often to visit family and get my hair done. : ) My hair is turning grey and I'm just not quite ready for that yet. Darlene Pitts at South Hill Salon does such a great job giving me my natural color back. Besides the great coloring, she also gives a good cut. It feels like my hair matches me! I highly recommend Darlene!
--Lindley, Mannheim, Germany
After more than 30 years of trying to find someone who knew what to do with curly, fine but thick hair, I found Darlene. She listened to my concerns and issues of having unmanageable, unpredictable hair and proceeded to make carefully considered recommendations which were more than adequately explained.
Her level of skill was impressive and I left her place with a cut and hairstyle that I could do on my own and be happy with. I normally go home and have to redo my hair after I've been to a stylist, but after she finished, I was looking for places to go with my hair looking better than it has in years.
I highly recommend this knowledgeable, skillful, respectful and personable hair stylist!
--DF, Lexington, Kentucky
My sister recently encouraged me to visit her friend Darlene at South Hill Salon, and I am so delighted that I did! As a first-time client, Darlene booked my appointment very quickly, squeezing me in around her busy schedule. She must have heard the desperation in my voice because over the last several months, I had noticed unpleasant changes in my hair, and I needed the help of a professional stylist and color technician. Darlene is very friendly on the phone and in person—when I arrived she was waiting for me at the door with a warm welcome. I greatly appreciated how she took considerable time with me and never seemed rushed.
Darlene is very professional and knowledgeable about hair and her products, and she instantly gained my confidence. I had brought several photographs of haircuts that I really liked, and after analyzing my facial structure and preferences, Darlene offered me valuable feedback on which cut would best complement me. She understood completely how I never want to appear dated, but rather current and comfortable with my hairstyle. I absolutely love the products she used on my hair. I had considerable buildup which she removed leaving me with much softer and shinier hair.
In addition to all of this, I particularly enjoyed the intimate salon room as it is relaxing to be in a private area when discussing personal hair issues. In a nutshell, I am positively overjoyed with the results and I love my hair! I would highly recommend Darlene to my friends, although my cut and style speaks for itself. Growing older gracefully requires expert attention, and I am so happy I discovered Darlene and South Hill Salon!
--Sandy, Winchester, Kentucky
At long last I found Darlene Pitts at South Hill Salon in Lexington, Kentucky, the only stylist in the two states I’ve lived in who was willing to help me transition from dark brown hair dye to my natural color. I’m 63 years old, and my hair is nearly all white with some salt & pepper. For years I have wanted to stop the color because, when I looked in the mirror, all I saw was - hair color. But I’m still working and didn’t feel I could just “let it go”. Every stylist I went to refused to work with me to go natural. They didn’t care to try to understand what I needed and felt. Their focus was that I should try to look “younger.” I didn’t want to look younger; I wanted to look fabulous for who I am now.
Darlene listened, heard, and understood.
Darlene's suggestion to add light, non-blonde highlights to the top and sides was spot-on to break up that dreaded horizontal line that happens between the silver roots new growth and the dark brown dyed hair shaft and ends. She created a “blending” of the new growth into the dyed hair, that I could live with in the grow-out process. Now, at six months in, with about 4 inches of grow-out, I’m thrilled. My hair will be gorgeous.
Now, when I look in the mirror, I see - myself. Going into the future, Darlene and I will work together to coordinate the hair cuts and products to keep my frizzy, naturally-curly hair under control. After all the dye is gone and my hair is shining silver salt & pepper, will I continue to blow-dry it sleek or will Darlene cut it curly? She and I will decide together when the time comes, about six months from now!
If you have dreamed of stopping the hair dye madness, if you want a professional who will help you in your journey to become truer to yourself, Darlene is the master stylist who will help you on that journey to make your dream come true.
--Carol, Lexington, Kentucky
As the mother of the groom, I wanted a glamorous hair style to fit this once-in-a-lifetime, momentous occasion. I had my beautiful champagne colored dress, my bone-colored pumps, nude hose, diamond studded jewelry....but the absolute focal point would be my face and hair. Unfortunately, the weather that day was cold, rainy, and windy--a recipe for hairdo disaster! I secretly wondered how Darlene would create a style that would 'perform' for at least eight hours. But she did it! (And my hair wasn't plastered, sticky, or stiff!) I knew I had witnessed a miracle! I cannot tell you how many compliments I received over my sweepingly elegant up-do. Family and friends were uproarously delighted by my appearance. I felt positively beautiful. I just knew my son would be so proud of his mama! Thank you, Darlene, for going the extra mile to make my hair style so attractive and classy as well as practically manageable all at the same time! I truly felt like a queen!
--Victoria, Midway, Kentucky
I travel extensively for work.... I picked South Hill Salon because it was close to my hotel and was opened in the time frame I needed. Darlene Pitts is cheerful and friendly, came in early to meet my schedule, and is amazingly fast. In just over an hour, she colored, cut, and styled my hair. With only a few descriptions from me, she created EXACTLY the hairstyle I wanted. I will definitely be returning to South Hill Salon whenever I'm in Lexington!
--Carol, Republic, Montana
I happened to walk by South Hill Salon today and poked my head in to see if they had room for a walk in. Evidently, this is generally an appointment-only sort of place, but they were able to fit me in for a trim between appointments.... The owner, Darlene, was friendly and helpful, suggested some ideas for shaping my cut. It turned out really great. I was happy enough to make a follow-up appointment for some color, and my husband was raving about my cut when I came home. So, at any rate, if you're looking for an independently owned salon with friendly and competent staff, this would be a good place to check out. As a side note, seems to be an AVEDA shop in terms of what they use on their hair and have for sale.
--Stella, Lexington, Kentucky
