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Grettacole
Rating Details »
Category: Day Spas
Neighborhood: Back Bay10 Huntington Ave
(between Blagden St & Dartmouth St)
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 266-6166
- Nearest Transit:
-
Prudential (Green)
Back Bay (Orange)
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
Sponsored Result
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"My girlfriend brought me here for a couples massage a while ago (actually a year ago tomorrow, come to think of it), and I avoided writing…" read more »
41 reviews for Grettacole
For Chuck (colorist) and Jessica (stylist) who make a fabulous team.
I was referred to them by a girl at work when I told her I was fed up with my overly dyed blonde hair. I had been going to Dell'aria salons in the Cambridgeside Galleria (because let's face it, I'm broke and I couldn't afford to go anywhere else) and I ended up bleached blonde. Chuck took my color down to a more natural, dirty blonde all while respecting my hangover and nursing it with tea and funny jokes. The color came out AMAZING and completely natural looking which helped when my roots grew in. Jessica cut my long layers into a more manageable, face framing look which I absolutely love. She was super friendly and easy to talk to.
This was also my first visit to a "fancy" salon and I was worried I would feel uncomfortable or not up to par with my 23 year old recent-college-grad salary. I didn't get this impression and I felt totally comfortable there. I didn't see/feel any pretentiousness at all.
Even though it cost $150 more than Dell'aria, I would NEVER go back there!! I just made my 2nd appointment with Chuck and Jessica for 2 weeks down the road. GO TO THEM!
It's really not all that and a bag of chips but then again, all I got was an eyebrow waxing...nice atmosphere, good range of luxe products (peter thomas roth, trish mcevoy, bumble and bumble), friendly staff...but $25 for eyebrow waxing? That's a little steep. Lucky for me it was my birthday and I had been meaning to check out this Grettacole place
I got Mary to do my waxing; she was very nice and was sensitive to my eczema (she did her best to not aggravate my already sensitive skin). My eyebrows look really good! (Arched, but not looking like I'm constantly surprised)
It was a good experience, but only gets 3 stars for its expensive pricing
I use Grettacole for my haircuts, waxing and pedi/mani's. I always get great service even though it can be a little pricey. I love Jessica for haircuts (she's great on curly hair) and Chuck does my color (he's awesome as well).
I use Meredith for my waxing (eyebrows and bikini). She is professional and pleasure to deal with.
I always get a great manicure/pedicure no matter who does it. I have had three different woman. Always good work. It's worth the extra money.
I have been using them now for about four years and never looked back.
Just went there last night to have my brows waxed and she waxed one higher than the other! Her name was Mary. DO NOT trust your brows to her!
Shaighla is the best colorist and the first stylist that actually listened to what I WANT vs. doing whatever they wanted...great products too. Kerastase brand is a little extra $ but totally worth it b/c my hair always looks great and shiny!
I did a lot of research before I moved here so I could find a good ethetician. I usually get extracting facials every month to keep my skin clear and I've been going to the same person forever. I saw a lot of good reviews about this salon and decided to try it out.
I got Katerina as my esthetician and she was amazing! All of the face scrubs smelt so good and she a very lovely massage to each arm. Most importantly she was great at extractions, She hit so many spots and was far less painful than even the person I used to go to. As an added bonus I was hardly red when I left.
Needless to say I booked a wax with her for next week.
The five stars should really be for my stylist, Shaighla, not Grettacole itself. Fortunately for them, I'm a pretty generous person and I'm feeling fine with Grettacole getting some collateral praise.
Everyone at the salon is uber-friendly. When I'm there it always seems to turn into a group gab fest (sharing the stories from the nights before while trying to keep our voices low enough so the 90 year old who comes in twice a week to have her hair turned into a helmet can't hear us). In my experience, that kind of general ebullience is pretty rare in a hair salon, and here it feels genuine.
But, re: Shaighla, I only need one sentence: I have been going to her for 2 years for my cut/color, and every time I go home to New York to see my mom, she comments on how fantastic it looks.
Aaaand scene.
I went for a manicure and the woman tore my fingers to pieces.
I am permanently off manicures.
I never liked them anyway, but now it's forever.
The haircut I got here once was also atrocious.
In the end it's the closest place with Bumble & Bumble so I'm at their mercy.
I LOVE this salon so much that I'm dreading the possibility of moving away from Boston when I graduate in 2 years. I go to Meredith for my waxing (gotta keep these brows in check) and Jessica for my hair. And I'm not going to lie... whenever I leave the salon I'm looking and feeling preeeeeetty good (plus I get a TON of compliments which is a sweet bonus after spending more than I would have at the local super cuts). Seriously, I never thought of myself as one of those girls with great hair... but Jessica has opened my eyes to how awesome my hair actually is (without even trying!!). And whether you're going in for your bikini or brows, Meredith is the BEST esthetician I've ever been to.... which is a bold statement since I've been getting my brows done since the days when the Real McCoy and Spice Girls were cool. :)
I've only been here for eyebrow waxing, so this 5 stars is for Meredith at the Back Bay location. I came here after a terrible experience elsewhere...
After a trip to the local mall back home for an eyebrow waxing, my sister and I left with pencil thin eyebrows. This included small patches missing from the middle of the brow. My sister was almost missing an entire brow. I thought we were doomed.
Gave it a few months to grow out and then made an appointment at Grettacole. Meredith is a brow-saver. The appointment started on time. She took a few minutes to ask what we wanted (thanks), took her time to meticulously wax, pluck, trim. I have very sensitive skin and it didn't turn red a bit. The brow shape was very flattering, and let me tell you this was no small feat. I even got compliments on them (which might seem odd). Meredith even gave me detailed instructions on where to pluck in the coming months to fully salvage the brows.
It's a bit pricey ($30 with tip), but I go ever couple of months for upkeep and it's well worth the $10 extra in my mind.
So a little over a month ago a friend and I decided we were going to do a spa thing and lunch as a little happy birthday to us treat. I had researched a few area spas but was still undecided. Then I found out about spa week. Its this amazing thing that happens a couple times a year in various cities around the country. Certain treatments are available for only $50. I decided then and there to purchase a ticket to Relaxation Land. This is decidedly the best $50 I have spent to date. Ok, maybe not the best but certainly top 10!
This was my first massage and I was a little unsure going in. A pleasant small woman greeted me and brought me back to a warm quiet room with some soft music playing. I could smell lavender in the room, but it was not by any means overpowering. Cintia was the perfect match for me. She made me feel totally comfortable as I laid there. She worked the tension right out of me. Now I should mention that I am a bit of a chatter box. We wound up talking the whole time. I see that someone else wrote this about her as well. I feel that we had such a conversation because I allowed and welcomed it. It also helped make me feel at ease. I couldn't believe it when the 45 mins was up!
All that being said, I do feel that the man and woman who initially greeted me could have been, well, friendly. There were 2 others in the small space at that time also and they were pleasant and acknowledged my presence which was nice.
I'll definitely be back and can't wait for spa week next time it comes around. A tip: book early for spa week because while I called a few weeks in advance, they only had one slot left for the day I wanted.
ADDITION: I revisited Ellen at Grettacole after almost two years and am soooo glad I did. She still kicks hair ass. I walked in, told her to whatever she wanted to my head, and I walked out with a hotttttt asymetrical short cut that I never would have chosen for myself, but it's awesome. I get compliments on the street almost every day. Ellen is bank!
ORIGINAL REVIEW: This review should have come a long time ago, but I suppose late is better than never. And I pray to god my girl is still there because I have been dreamer of her ever since!
My first and only experience at Gretta Cole was a cut I had in August of 2006. I was working at Anthropologie at the time and one day some random woman came into our store and starting chatting some of us up about coming to get our hair did at Gretta. SERIOUS networking action going on. That random woman's name is Ellen Mackin, and she is an angel. I had been in the practice of cutting my own hair (it looked good, really) but I just wanted an update, so I made myself an appointment.
The day came for my cut with Ellen and I was horribly sick, but I went anyway because I figured I would feel a little better after being pampered a little bit. I got there and Ellen, wearing a plain white t-shirt, rock n' roll black jeans and some fierce heels, greeted me with warmth and enthusiasm, and apologized for a slight wait. She sat me down in her chair, we talked briefly about my hair needs, desires, tendencies and lifestyle (who knew hair had a "lifestyle"?). I told her I had been cutting my own hair for the past two years, to which I usually get an upturned nose at other salons, but Ellen was like "Oh my God, you're a freaking rockstar!" Immediately I felt at ease working with her.
She went at my hair with large arm gestures, lots of body movement and a lot of playfulness. This sounds ridiculous, but I was like "this woman LOVES what she does!" She explained everything she was doing, every step of the way and was giving me tips on how to keep up the cut she was giving me. She showed me where she cut into my hair to create more volume and spun me around to show me tricks to get the hair along the nape of my neck to do what I wanted it to do. She was AWESOME.
The cut was $85 (plus $25 tip because I was so enamoured), which was more than I'd ever spent on a cut before, but this was like a total hair experience. She had the other stylists around her giving feedback to my hair pre-cut, complimenting my at-home cut, put their two cents in during the styling, and when I was all done I felt so loved.....everyone was like "oh my god! you look amazing!". I'm sure a good part of it was fluff, but whatever.....I was coughing up phlegm and had a fever, but I walked out of there feeling like a million bucks.
I haven't gone back since the best hair experience of my life because I was really sticker-shocked, but I've had several other professional cuts that were almost as pricey (hello James Joseph Salon) and weren't nearly as good. Really, I've been dreaming of Ellen Mackin for the past year and a half and I really think it's time to go back.
Really.
p.s. check out my photos....there's a headshot of me looking sick/sultry that I took right after my cut with Ellen.
The spa carries Trish McEvoy cosmetics and Jimmy Choos in addition to offering spa treats! How fantastic is that??
I've gotten a facial here before and was very pleased. Extraction was a bit painful, but by pores were clean when I came out that it didn't really matter. It's so hard to find a place in any city that does it right! It's a little snooty and pretentious, but that's to be expected!
I heard the mani/pedi's are great here too, but never got one at this spa.
I have been going to Gretta Cole since April this year and since my move from Miami I had been on a crazy search to find someone who could do an equally amazing job as my previous esthetician. I found her at Gretta Cole. A few people I work with recommended Katerina and I was hooked after my first visit. The whole experience was pleasant. If you have a little redness around the brows after tweezing/ waxing, a makeup artist can touch up and cover the redness, free of charge. Who wants to go back to work or to a dinner date with red eyebrows?
I highly recommend for eyebrow tweezing with Katerina. Brow waxing is also available, I just prefer tweezing.
I try not to judge "packaging".. as in.. I knew this place was more of a salon than a spa.. so walking into what looked like a smallish space didn't throw me off. The attitudes of the workers definitely did.. and obviously, they judged me on my "packaging".
I didn't need everyone in the store to greet me when I walked in, this isn't a musical. But I did however walk past two people who kind of looked at me and decided not to engage. When I got to the counter, there was no greeting either.. it was a quick what-are-you-here-for-what-is-your-name then a handing over of a clipboard. It seemed they were all abuzz with the previous evening's events. I guess I had to be there.
I was early, so I sat in the faux waiting area.. a few chairs placed in a sort of square by some beauty products. It felt kind of like a sauna though with the high beam lights focused directly on the chairs.. er.. my chair. I filled out some light paperwork and yes.. I did put in Yelp as where I had heard about them. After watching a few other patrons enter (I'm an observer if you couldn't tell), they were greeted warmly. Some were regulars.. but I guess some people had "passes". Passes being Jimmy Choo shoes.. or.. bags with emblazoned in gold with designer names. I was wearing your standard black office flats devoid of any personality but suitable for the office (Payless).. and armed with my all purpose messenger bag bearing the name of "Dickies" on a red piece of fabric. AHHH I get it. In some places they have a sign that says.. "no shirt, no shoes, no service".. whereas here.. it should be.. "no designer shoes, no designer bags, no service with a smile". I don't know.. I thought I looked presentable.. but I guess my worn jacket with a slightly visible tear made me "one of those Spa Week people". I mean I was, but I just came from work, so I felt slightly dressed up. I was considering fleeing the coop because of the negative energy but they already had my credit card. Sighh...
Cintia retrieved me from the holding cell.. I mean.. waiting area and we went quickly to her room. She asked me what areas she could focus on and why. I made some Trish jokes about my bent out of shape body and well.. they didn't go over well (awk for the win.. I keep forgetting 'healthcare' people take these comments about broken backs seriously). I'll forgive Cintia for not realizing true comedic talent when she sees it before her because DANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGG she's a good masseuse. She may seem tiny, but when you ask for more pressure she REALLY lays it on like WHOA. She massaged my face, scalp, legs, arms, shoulders, and back with just the right intensity. It wasn't some even dance for her.. two hits on this side and two hits on the other side.. she knew exactly what kind of pressure to use. For example, I always think my right shoulder is more tense because that's where my messenger bag strap rests.. she could sense that and treated that side differently than my left. Cintia even used a warm/hot towel to get the oil off my arms, back, and legs at the end of the session.. but she did it in a way that felt more like a continuation of the massage instead of a standard wipe down.
I felt lighter when I stood up. There was a certain zen moment that if you asked me any question I would have said yes.. Yes you may borrow $100.. Yes you look fantastic in that unitard onesie with feet.. Yes I'm in love with.. well maybe I wouldn't have told you that. ;)
When I had regained my composure and went to pay the bill, Cintia came up to me with a cup of water and instructed me to keep hydrated that evening. The woman at the counter perked up.. maybe something juicy had happened.. I guess I had to be there. She didn't remember my name or info despite Cintia speaking with me in front of her.. but whatever. My back was on Cloud Nine.. higher than Cloud Nine.. Cloud 9 million.. hmmmmmmm...
A few tips for your visit...
Show up on time. When they say 45 minute massage.. the 45 minutes starts when the massage therapist comes to retrieve you and ends when you leave. So I'm thinking you pay for maybe 30-35 minutes of actual massage time?
And dress up nice.. maybe they'll treat you better.
3 stars for Cintia's massage.. SO close to my number one favorite massage in Boston.. no stars for everything else. To be honest? I don't think I'll be going back. I just don't like supporting places like Grettacole. If you do go though.. get Cintia and you WON'T be disappointed. I don't advertise for other businesses within my reviews.. so for nicer massage places.. PM me or just sort through my reviews and figure it out for yourself. :)
OHHH and I completely forgot.. when I rescheduled my appointment (to pay day.. haha).. the woman was SCREAMING at someone. I should have known then.. but the other receptionists were very sweet when they scheduled me initially.
Katerina at Grettacole Copley, my one and only. I've been seeing her for a good nearly 3 years and she is the only one who does my eyebrows (perfect everytime) and its not bad at $22 and she also does my facials, which is by far her specialty, and its a splurge at $100 plus but soooo worth it. She's amazing. Gentle, nice and really keeps me looking good!
The GC staff is also so helpful. It definitely seems Grettacole is well liked for all of their services!
I've received the best mani/pedi at Grettacole. Believe me, I've been to many spa and salons before, and Grettacole has them all beat. I usually go to see Claudia and she's a very nice and friendly. My manis always last for almost two weeks, and my pedi lasts for more than a month! The parrafin pedi is so relaxing. Nothing better than warm wax. They also massage your hands and feet.
It's always pretty busy when I go there, so def. make an appointment. It can be pretty pricey (one of the many reasons I haven't been there in awhile) but it's worth it.
I was just there helping my mom get to an appointment and she had to introduce me to everyone and then I got a haircut. They did an amazing job and everyone was very pleasant it is a little pricey but worth every penny!
Katerina is a master eyebrow artist! I have extremely sensitive skin and get a nasty rash from waxing and threading, I go to Katerina and she only plucks them with a tweezer. She is always extremely pleasant and takes her time when sculpting your brows. I highly recommend her to anyone...
Since its spa week I made an appointment with Cintia Bailey at the Grettacole day spa. I really want an overnight Spa trip...oh, someday. Anways, back to Grettacole. I walked in and checked in, didn't have to fill out any forms. I sat down on one of their Ghost slip covered chairs and within minutes was called in for my massage. I had a 45 minute lavender appointment with Cintia Bailey, she is uber pleasant a fellow Brazilian! She didn't chatter away and only engaged in conversation when I made a comment about something...so of course we talked the whole time. I'm a talker :) Cintia focused on my neck and arms like I asked and the head/facial massage was amazing. It was a nice relaxing massage and I would recommend Cintia anyday...everyday. When I went to pay no one tried to sell me any products - fast and friendly.
I've got a problem with Grettacole, but maybe it's just that Grettacole has a problem with me. They took me for a last minute wax appointment, for which I was SO grateful. I arrived, didn;t have to waste time doing awkward chitchat with receptionists or patrons and was quickly swept into a (way too warm) little back room. Very 'no-nonsense,' the girl got right to work and proceeded to cause me more pain than I have ever felt in my life. Like, it drew blood. In no small amounts. I'm still uncomfortable now, almost 4 days later. I couldn't deal, cried (yep, I'm mature) and had to leave midway through the process. I was not charged, and the staff obviously pitied me. Yet, despite that horrific experience I still want to go back. Not for hair removal, but for other stuff. Unfortunately, the pitying looks I received might deter me from returning!
Gosh I'm tragic.
First of all, I need to say that, while I've been to both Grettacole locations (Back Bay, Atrium Mall), I am going to focus on my experience at the Atrium Mall.
8/11/05 (3 days b/f I get married). I went to get my hair color back. I made a stupid mistake that resulted in "leopard spots" as my stylist, Dimitri, called it.
Dimitri and the front desk staff fixed his schedule so he could spend the rest of the afternoon with me. He brought my color back to its original lovely shade meanwhile being the emotional support I needed at that moment.
What a wonderful man! And at the end he managed to knock off $100 from the staggering bill!
I will always suggest people go to both Grettacoles. I used to get my hair cut regularly at the other location, and it was wonderful to have a stylist who actually KNEW HOW TO CUT CURLY HAIR!
Renee cuts my hair and she rules, both personally and professionally. It's pricier than I'd like, but if you make appointments 3 in advance you get 10% off, and that helps.
I couldn't tell you squat about anything else at Grettacole, massages or anything. I'm sure they're lovely. I just happened to follow Renee there when she left Mialisa in Watertown.
Also, the Atrium Mall clientele? Weird. It's all rich soccer moms driving shiny SUVs and dragging around their designer children.
I go to GC in Boston . I see Katarina for my eyebrows, she is amazing. I've been all over Boston seeking the perfect brow and Katarina come through everytime. She is also very nice and easy to talk to.
They also do Mani's/pedi's. I saw Nita. I highly recommend treating yourself to one of her Pedi's!!! They have Lippmann Collection and Esse nail polish.
Last, if you're driving you can valet park at The Weston Hotel, then get your ticket stamped at GC. So easy and convenient, and you don't have to walk through the mall with flipflops or red eyebrow's.
Great services and one of the best blow-dries in Boston. Whenever I have an event in Back Bay that requires I look half-way decent I try and squeeze in an appointment. Inevitably I leave thinking "oh right ...THAT'S the way my hair is supposed to look."
Nice Trish McEvoy selection as well. If you schedule a makeup application, the cost of the services can be used for product at the end of the session. Don't forget to tip though...be cool.
I went to Grettacole at the Atrium. I had never been before, but I subscribe to Glamour and every other month they include coupons for your area--guess where I got a coupon to? Yep =) 50 percent off ALL SERVICES. Amazing, right? So I called first thing and made an appointment.
They're on the first floor, and it looks like a classy makeup store from the outside. The front room hides the room behind it, where they do hair. Kelly was my stylist, and she did an *excellent* job on both the color and the cut. She toned down my brassy-looking blonde highlights from another stylist after alternating blonde highlights with a red lowlight--a beautiful combination with my natural hair color.
The cut I walked in with was overgrown, because it's my goal to have longer hair. The problem? The last stylist had "layered" my hair into a step at the back--it looked funny. I didn't know why until she pointed out what my last stylist had done wrong. Of course, she fixed it. Now my hair is beautiful from the front AND the back! :)
There's a door connecting the hair-styling room to the spa part, which is darker, quieter, and has many little rooms for massages and nails, waxing, etc. Walking through all of it to get to the bathroom is like walking in a semi-circular maze!
To be honest, I wasn't completely impressed with the hair styling section of the place--the lighting was a little harsh, although they did add track lighting to offset the florescents.
The atmosphere was pretty relaxed once you get behind the "sales wall" a nd front area (as I call it). You only remember what you're paying for when you go to pay the bill!
What I had done would normally have cost $180 for the highlights, cut, and blow dry. Pricey? You bet. But I do LOVE my hair.
Kelly works there full-time, along with Dmitri and one other person (blanking on the name). They bring in stylists from other Grettacole's on Saturdays.
So, it'll be a special thing, but I think I will go back. She said all the locations have different feels. Kelly is cool though, and does a good job. You know how some stylists talk your ear off with small talk? She doesn't do that. It's more a natural flow of conversation. She'll chat, and if you want to read a magazine and just tune everything out, she'll let you do that, too. I do both :)
I'm giving four stars, because for the price, I think the decor should be a little more than it is--at least at this location. But the services--the cutting and highlighting--top rate :)
I got a massage with Cintia a couple week ago....i was hoping for an amazing mind blowing massage....instead i got an ok massage....i'm sure she is good like other yelpers describe but i think i been spoiled by the lady who gave me an amazing massage during my facials last yr at different spa....unfortunately she no longer work at that place.....
Lovely place, but BEWARE the BRUTAL CANCELLATION POLICY! The term CANCELLATION "FEE" is extremely MIS-LEADING!!
Great staff, and services, I love it. My ONLY COMPLAINT is the draconian cancellation fee - which is NOT A FEE at all, BUT A FULL PRICED CHARGE for the services - and the unsympathetic application of this policy! This "fee" is, unfortunately, not explained when you sign up for a service, so I'm explaining it here.
I signed up for a $115 facial the day before, but on the morning of the appointment I became terribly sick. Hours before my appointment I phoned to say I couldn't come in due to illness (I was contagious with what turned out to be flu), and was told I would be charged the "FEE". I'd been to other salons where a cancellation fee was charged, and understand that it is needed to discourage no-shows, but at Grettacole, it really was not a "fee" because ***I was charged $115 THE FULL PRICE for the service***. When I received my credit card bill, I thought it must be a mistake. I called the salon asked for a some kind of reimbursement (partial). Even though I did not think the full price should be charged to me (especially if they rescheduled my appointment for another client), I did argue that my cancellation was way out of my control - illness - and that it was done partially in consideration of NOT exposing others to my flu. I was told there were simply NO EXCEPTIONS. I can understand that the salon must combat cancellations, but this seemed to me to be a really flawed and unsympathetic policy -- one that I wish the owners of the salon will rethink and revise (hopefully after seeing this review???).
My own strategy to avoid another charge is to schedule my appointments on the same day I call in, when I know I am not sick, and no longer ahead of time. Unfortunately this really restricts my appointments, and the number of times I can even come in, as the salon schedule fills up fast. (again, not a rational profit policy, it seems to me, in the long run if this is the only way to book an appointment!)
I like the salon otherwise, and the service other than in this aspect is wonderful.
I scheduled a sports massage for saturday afternoon at Grettacole and was greeted promptly by Rob. He led me back to a small, dim room with a candle burning and soft meditative music playing. The massage was lovely, the atmosphere was fairly quiet - though i could hear the comings and goings of others in the hall. The price was expensive but comparative to everything else I researched. Really, I don't know how bostonians can afford to do anything nice for themselves. But this treat is worth the expense. If only Rob could follow me around getting knots out of my shoulders, I would really have it made.
For the best bikini wax in town, see Meredith at Grettacole. Sensitive skin, bumpy aftereffects, ingrown hairs - she knows how to take care of them all!
A make-up artist at Sephora told me to go to Grettacole for the best facials in town. She was right. After a steam treatment, three masks, and extraction work, I got a long facial massage while my hands sat in warm mits with lotions, making them extremely soft afterwards. Really relaxed professional staff....if you want a facial or want to relax I would highly recommend going to Grettacole.
Katerina at Grettacole is the absolute best at eyebrow shaping and facials. I have been going to her for a few years, and she is nothing short of fantastic. Facials are expensive, around $125, but it's worth it. Eyebrow's are $20 and she always does a perfect job. Stephanie at the front desk is a doll, not prententious or uptight, they are a great salon. They have locations in the Atrium Mall as well as Wellesley I believe.
Oh Grettacole. This is the first "real" salon I ever went to. I was a loyal customer here for about three years. My first stylist was fantastic and not expensive and I always walked out feeling like a million bucks. Then she went on maternity leave. In the interim I saw a girl who totally destroyed my hair- my highlights were yellow! She attempted to fix it but it only made it worse. A few days later I went back and met with one of their corrective color specialists, Jeffrey. Not only did he get my color back to where it was supposed to be he cleaned up the awful cut that the interim stylist had give me. (I really don't think she listened to a word I said or looked at any one of the 15 pictures I brought with me....) From then on I saw Jeffrey, who was fantastic. However, because he is so good he comes with a high price tag....which I just couldn't justify after awhile.
Grettacole has solid hairdressers and gives a fantastic pedicure. A little pricey at $75, but a worthy splurge.
I have had my hair colored by Chuck at Gretta Cole twice. The first time I went in he did an amazing job. Even though he did an amazing job, I was told I "must" go see a co-worker's colorist. I tried that out and it was vastly disappointing in comparison, so I cursed myself from straying and went back to him. Well, either there was miscommunication, or he felt more like doing his own thing, I don't know, but when I got home and started combing through my color I was really disappointed. I had asked to be a darker blonde with highlights and instead I was straight up brunette. It wasn't what I wanted at all. I went back the next day to talk to him about it and he was very, very nice and understanding. He re-worked the color to what I wanted at no extra charge. Had I not dropped $170 on the color (including tip), I probably wouldn't have gone back in, but when you are paying that much money for something you want to be happy with it. I'm glad he was so kind and professional about rectifying the situation. Even though I had to go back in to get it fixed, his attitude was great and the end result was perfect, so I will definitely be back (and more specific!) in the future.
this would have been 5 stars if not for my unfortunate experience at the wellesley location.
Huntington Ave locations: one of the best manicures ever. they last over a week and my fingers always look better than perfect. i can't remember the manicurist's name but she was an Indian woman who was very, very sweet.
Wellesley locations: unfortunately, i can't say the same as above for the manicures i've gotten at the GC location in Wellesley. the first time i went i got an exceptional manicure but i had to wait almost 20 minutes past my scheduled time. the second time i went the manicure was sooooo bad (and again had to wait 20 minutes and there were 2 kids running around skreaking like banshees the whole time). not one of my 10 nails were the same shape. i told her SQUARE nails, but she took that to mean as though i just wanted her to square them off, A.K.A. just clean them up. then i asked for a french and she literally glopped the white polish on my nails.i've done a better job giving myself a french at home. whn i asked her to go back and fix the white, she glared at me and ruined it even more. then she got up and left before i was dry....didn't help me with my bag/keys/coat and didnt even wait for a tip. i guess she knew she wouldn't be getting one.
My man just got me a manicure and a massage here for my birthday (at the location on Huntington). The massage was great, but what I really loved was the manicure. Granted I'm no manicure pro but mine was FLAWLESS. The woman who did it (I think her name was Kat?) was friendly (but not overly or fakely so), did a Perfect job, was quick, and seemed to love her job (nothing worse than trying to enjoy yourself when someone is hating helping you.) She also sent me to the makeup women for a little touch up (the make up woman was great as well). The salon is a little chaotic overall (a lot packed into a small space) but I would definitely return.
Nice place for haircuts and dyes. Pricy and very upscale. I have had my best higlights job here 'cuase they used a special zigzag weaving technique that looked very natural and it was great for when it grew out! Best of Boston for facials but have never really tried 'cause everything here is gosh darn expensive!! The head stylist here is extremely cute and nice. If I could afford it , I would come here more often. OH but, you can volunteer as a trainee subject for a dye or cut etc and it's FREE!!! not bad 'cause the head stylist consults with you first.
we arrived at grettacole for our one hour massage, and to our dismay, we encountered a facility that resembled a bustling hair salon rather than a calming day spa. it is 90 degrees outside, and instead of greeting us with water, bathrobes and slippers, they greeted us with a form to fill out. it felt a litlte like waiting at a doctor's office while filling in our emergency contacts and my apprehensive friend asked me if we were 'about to die.' i told her she was silly and we waited in the green chairs that formed the seating area by the entrance off of the westin copley hotel.
i realized that when i made the appointments, they never asked me if i preferred male or female masseuses, but to my relief, two black garbed female masseuses ushered us into the spa area. what constituted the spa area was really a narrow corridor with a few treatment rooms off of it. it was dark, with the muzak playing. the common space was a bench that sat outside of the single restroom. when my masseuse led me into the room and talked with me about what pressure to apply, why i was there and where i wanted the most attention placed, i was a little bothered that i had no opportunity to use the bathroom or have some water. she accommodated me...and when she got started with the massage, it was phenomenal. not only did she hit all the right places, and concentrated on my upper back as i requested, she also concentrated on a scalp massage and the face as well, which i have never experienced. i would recommend cintia bailey as a masseuse, but the environment certainly required more 'transitional spaces,' such as a place to relax after the services were performed, and not relegate their clients to the westin hotel seating area instead.
I went here a few weeks ago to get my hair cut and highlighted. The cut was amazing, the color not so much. Since it's SO expensive I called back to ask if they could fix it. They were amazingly nice about it and gave me exactly the color I was looking for and a blow dry for no extra charge. It was expensive and required two trips, but now my hair has never looked better.
