Walk into some salons and you get a lukewarm coffee and a magazine from 2019. Walk into Martino Cartier Salon Washington Twp and you’re basically stepping into a high-octane mix of a Hollywood set, a high-end boutique, and—oddly enough—a sanctuary.
It's located at 124 Salina Rd in Sewell, right in the heart of Washington Township. This isn't just some local spot where you go for a quick trim because you’re bored on a Tuesday. It’s a 50-station powerhouse. Honestly, the scale of it is kind of wild when you see it in person. Big glass windows, sleek statues, and a vibe that feels expensive but somehow doesn’t make you feel like you aren't "cool enough" to be there.
Most people know Martino Cartier from his time on Bravo TV or seeing his face on HSN. He’s the guy who was the International Artistic Director for Keratin Complex and Global Artistic Director for Hotheads. He’s got the "celebrity stylist" tag, but if you spend ten minutes in the Washington Twp location, you realize the brand is built on something much heavier than just hairspray and highlights.
The Reality of the Martino Cartier Salon Washington Twp Experience
Let’s be real. When a place gets this much hype, you expect it to be a bit of a factory. You figure you’ll be ushered in and out like a widget on an assembly line.
But it’s different.
The staff—people like Erica, Patty, and Gianna—have been there for years. We're talking decades of experience. Patty alone has 40 years in the game. That’s not a typo. You don't stay in one spot that long if the culture is toxic or the service is mid.
They do the standard stuff, obviously.
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- Ladies' cuts (starting around $60, though it's $125 if you want Martino himself)
- Men's styling (about $40 and up)
- Full-on Balayage and corrective color
- Keratin treatments and Brazilian Blowouts
But what’s actually interesting is the "below the scalp" philosophy. Martino says it all the time: his job is to make people beautiful above and below the scalp. It sounds like a marketing line until you see the wig consultations happening in the back.
Why the Wigs and Wishes Program Matters
This is the part that usually catches people off guard. Martino Cartier Salon Washington Twp serves as the headquarters for Wigs & Wishes, a non-profit that provides free, high-quality wigs to women battling cancer.
They do over 25,000 wigs a year. For free.
I’ve seen reviews from women who walked in feeling like they’d lost their identity to chemo and walked out feeling like themselves again. One client, Lisa B., mentioned how her five-year-old son told her, "You look like mommy again," after her fitting. That’s the kind of stuff that makes the "celebrity" part of this salon feel like a side note.
The salon also has this "Zoo Hoo" petting zoo on the grounds. Yeah, a petting zoo. It’s a private spot for kids with cancer to just be kids, away from the hospital smells and the "how are you feeling?" questions. It’s weird, it’s unique, and it’s completely Martino.
What to Actually Expect When You Book
If you’re planning to head to the Washington Township location, don't just show up. They aren't big on walk-ins for a reason—they stay booked.
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- The Vibe: It’s loud. It’s energetic. If you want a quiet, Zen-like spa where people whisper and play pan flute music, this probably isn't your vibe. It’s more like a party where everyone happens to be getting their hair done.
- The Price: It’s competitive for Jersey. You aren't paying Manhattan prices, but you aren't at a strip-mall Great Clips either. You’re paying for the fact that these stylists are trained by guys who work at the Golden Globes.
- The Options: They have a massive "Design Team." You can choose your stylist based on their specialty. Chrissy is the one you want if you’re looking for that lived-in, beachy blonde look. Gianna is the go-to for hair painting.
One thing people get wrong is thinking Martino is never there. He’s a busy guy—HSN appearances, global education tours, charity galas—but he still takes appointments in Sewell. You just have to be patient with the calendar.
Dealing with the "Tabatha" History
Look, we can't talk about this place without mentioning the 2011 episode of Tabatha’s Salon Takeover. It’s still on YouTube. It’s still in the Google search results.
In that episode, the salon looked chaotic. Tabatha Coffey basically tore the place apart for being unprofessional.
But here’s the thing: that was fifteen years ago.
Most businesses that get "taken over" on reality TV go under within twelve months. Martino Cartier Salon Washington Twp didn't just survive; it expanded into a 50-station monster that anchors the South Jersey beauty scene. It’s a rare case of someone taking the televised "reality check" and actually using it to build an empire.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
If you're going to make the trip to Sewell, here is how to not mess it up.
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First off, check the hours. They’re closed on Mondays. Tuesdays through Thursdays they stay open until 8:00 PM, which is great if you work a 9-to-5. Friday they close a bit earlier at 6:00 PM, and Saturday is a sprint from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Parking is easy. They have a dedicated lot. You aren't going to be circling the block in Washington Twp like you would in Philly or Cherry Hill.
Consultations are key. Especially if you’re doing something big like extensions or corrective color. Don't just book a "cut and color" and hope for the best. Talk to them. They use their own line of tools and products (Martino by Martino Cartier), and they’ll show you how to use them so you don't look like a disaster the morning after your appointment.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to see if the hype is real, here is exactly what to do:
- Visit the official site to look at the stylist bios. Each one has a different "flavor." Don't just pick the first available name; find the person who specializes in your specific hair texture or goal.
- Book via the Meevo portal. It’s the easiest way to see real-time availability without playing phone tag with the front desk.
- Check out the Wigs & Wishes site if you’re looking to donate hair. They have very specific requirements (usually 12 inches or more, no bleach), and it’s better to know that before you sit in the chair.
- Follow their Instagram. They post "before and afters" constantly. It’s the best way to see the current skill level of the design team rather than relying on a review from three years ago.
The Martino Cartier Salon Washington Twp isn't just a place to get a haircut. It's a massive, philanthropic, loud, high-energy Jersey institution. Whether you're there for a $40 men's cut or a life-changing wig fitting, you're going to get an experience that most other salons simply can't replicate.