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James Joseph Studio
Rating Details »
Category: Hair Salons [Edit]
Neighborhood: Back Bay168 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-6600
- Nearest Transit:
-
Copley (Green)
Back Bay (Orange)
- Hours:
Mon. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tue-Wed. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
74 reviews for James Joseph Studio
I've written reviews for JJS and Ellen Mackin before, but only in reference to cuts she'd given me. I decided to really show my allegiance to Ellen by allowing her to color my hair for my wedding. I hadn't had my color done professionally since, I kid you not, high school, which is almost 10 years ago. I had held back getting color done because I have this phobia of walking out of a salon looking like a hair show victim. You know what I'm talking about..... Plus this was for my wedding, which is plenty reason to be phobic and stick with what you know. Not to mention I have a now-husband who likes things as they are...change is bad, especially when it comes to hair. Despite these intense pressures I submitted to Ellen and so glad I did!
Ellen has always done wonders to my hair, so this phobia in relation to her was completely unfounded. In a prior appointment with her, Ellen told me to do some homework and look through magazines for color pictures I liked. She specified to look through fashion or rag mags, NOT hair magazines, because those styles and colors are completely whack (Yes! Yes they ARE!). I came to my color appointment armed with tear-outs from In Style of a variety of red-browns. I was most drawn, shamefully, to a picture of Ashley Simpson Wentz and her new Melrose Place red, but really feared walking out of JJS looking like I'd just dipped my hair in KoolAid.
When I revealed my hair color picks to Ellen, she shrieked with approval at the colors I'd chosen, the Ashley Simpson photo in particular. She immediately reassured me that a color like that would be amazing with my skin tone and insisted that it was not too red, and that she would never KoolAid me. She mixed the color and applied it with care while we gossiped and talked wedding stuff. She asked if my mom, who'd gotten her hair colored with Ellen right before my appointment, liked her hair and I said she loved it (because she does!). One thing I absolutely appreciate about Ellen is that she wants people to be honest and straight with her in regards to their hair and how they feel about the work she's done. I find it refreshing. I've heard horror stories of people's stylists freaking out on them for not loving everything they do. I DO love everything Ellen does, but I know I could tell her if I didn't.
Well, my hair turned out GORGEOUS. It was perfect, even better than what I was hoping for. My man loved it, which was really my biggest concern for our wedding day, that he would love looking at me and be proud to call me his wifey (any other day I would have told him to screw himself if he didn't like it!). I don't know why I ever doubted Elen's coloring skills, but she made is vastly clear that she is a woman of all trades. LOVE her!
p.s. My current profile pic, the one where I look I'm getting married, cuz I was, is the work of Ellen. And my hot mama is to my right in the pic, who also got her hair colored with Ellen. I got so many compliments the day of my wedding, and people, complete strangers, continue to tell me how perfect my cut and color are for me. THAT is fantastic!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/9/2009
Ellen Macken. She is a short hair wizard. She is fabulous, she is lovely, she always does the right… Read more »
When I moved to Boston, I knew it was going to be tough to find a good haircut. Well--not tough, but tough if you're pockets aren't that deep. I came across James Joseph Studio (not James Joseph Salon, that's always confusing) through the Best of Boston "Best Haircut Under $50" about a year ago and I haven't been to anyone else since.
The staff there are always very nice, but Shannon McCarthy is especially recommendable. She's extremely good and always happy to talk about exactly what you want and how you want it anywhere during the process. They always offer coffee, tea, or water free of charge and make accommodations for bags and coats during the winter.
I once mistakenly made an appointment for a Thursday instead of a Wednesday before a trip out of town, so when I showed up wednesday they said don't worry about it, they'd figure something out. Sure enough Shannon said she could work me in if I could just wait 10 minutes. That's the kind of service that deserves 5 stars. I'd wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone, they are definitely the best haircut I've ever received, and one of the cheaper ones to boot.
The owner has commented on my previous update/review publicly (denigrating my character in the process -- that alone warrants this additional 1-Star update), so I see fit to offer my polite rebuttal in this update.
1) I carefully choose the words in my Yelp reviews, striving for clarity and precision in communicating my feelings and thoughts, because I take a certain degree of pride in these reviews. So, let us first deal with a matter of definitions and semantics.
"Demonstrably stupid[ ]" was not, as this owner comments, a "personal attack." "Demonstrably stupid[ ]" means demonstrating stupidity. Perhaps this "intelligent, talented, and meticulous" hairdresser scored highly on her SATs. Perhaps she is vastly well read in philosophy, poetry, science, and other great literary works. Perhaps she will someday invent a perpetual motion machine that creates peace in the Middle East. Perhaps she regularly wins friendly debates with her close friend, Marilyn vos Savant. I do not know this woman personally beyond the time I sat in her barber's chair, and accept that her boss likely knows her far better than I do, so I am more than willing to stipulate to those facts.
When, however, the hairdresser in question completely fails to follow the simple directions of shaping the hair on the back of one's head into the symmetrical parabola that is, what is known in the industry, as a "taper" (i.e., curving it evenly, as you see with many men's cuts) -- even after carefully crafted instructions as to how to accomplish the task -- then said hairdresser (despite incidences of her putatively otherwise high intelligence) has *demonstrated* a woeful lack of understanding of a basic geometric concept with which an average eight-year-old would have little to no trouble -- i.e., she has "demonstra[ted] stupid[ity]."
2) The owner's comment -- "I would call it ungentlemanly. I would rather call it something else" -- IS, however, a personal attack.
3) The owner defends his business and the hairdresser in question by seeming to imply, on the basis of my other reviews, that I have impossibly high standards. This employs, at once, multiple logical fallacies (for which I --- Forgive me! -- forget the fancy Latin terms).
(So first of all, let's picture what happened. The owner apparently got so pissed off with my review that he sat on his computer for who knows how long and scoured my other Yelp reviews (can you say "stalker-ish?" Yikes! Do you really want to give your credit card information to this guy?) to find some shreds of "evidence" that he could use in his comment to discredit me.)
Yes, I have reviewed a number of other haircuts -- in BOSTON. I haven't as of yet seen fit to review the better haircuts I have received in New Hampshire, Maine, and Florida simply because I don't OFTEN comment on out-of-state businesses (I do sometimes, particularly when I feel strongly about such a business or have had an especially memorable experience there, but not very often).
Additionally, as I have mentioned in at least one other haircut review, I was very pleased with my former Boston stylist (who I followed to two other hair salons until she moved to New York City). I saw this particular woman long before I had started Yelping, and she has since moved to a different city, so it would be very silly to review the salons in Boston where she used to -- but no longer does -- work. If, however, you are in New York City and locate a hairdresser with almost -- but not quite -- entirely too many piercings, named Erica Pucci, then you may rest assured that I stand by her work as 4- to 5-Star Quality.
Additionally, my "high standards" were once met even by this business itself. In the original 3-Star review the owner mentions, I comment overall favorably on the haircut, marking the business down solely on the bases of 1) their weird hair mist hurting my eyes for over two weeks and 2) their prices. Indeed, had I been charged less money and not been practically Maced by their hair mist stuff, I would have given this business at least 4 Stars in that old review.
4) The owner now argues that because of my original, more positive review, his business is above average in my eyes. That's like when a restaurant brags about its "Zagat's Best of Boston" review from 1989.
I updated my review to 1 Star because 1) the hairdresser to give me the good, "3-Star-Review" haircut I liked there no longer works there and 2) the new hairdresser I saw did an unsatisfactory job. The old, 3-Star Review may now be considered null -- voided by the Updates, remaining undeleted merely for posterity.
5) "We...strive to be exceptional..." You failed.
By the way, carefully researching an unsatisfied customer so as to better craft a personal attack is NOT "exceptional" customer service.
6) The haircut still stinks.
If you're not embarrassed to charge your Newbury Street prices, I'm not embarrassed to criticize your service.
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/8/2009
After a few years (when I rated this place 3 Stars), I returned here to get my hair cut again --… Read more »
Comment from William G. of
James Joseph Studio
6/23/2009
It is unfortunate when a reviewer resorts to such personal…
More »
I will never step foot in James Joseph again. I went there for the second time and my experience, again, was horrendous. I walked in and was immediately given an attitude by the women working at the front desk. The woman with a blue streak in her hair. She looked as if she were smelling something god awful.
My haircut wasn't so bad but my overall experience was very uncomfortable and unforgiving.
This was by far my best hair experience in Boston (and the cheapest). Evan did an amazing job dealing with my hair-donation jitters (I decided to donate 13 inches to Wigs for Kids!) and gave me a super-flattering short-medium length angled bob that curled just under my chin. He took the time to make sure the cut was perfect and told me not to hesitate to come back in for a touch up in a few days if I decided that I didn't love it. I'm a wash-and-wear kind of girl, and everyone's been complimenting the new do'. The whole experience was fantastic customer service from the girl at the front door, the shampoo girl, to the amazing cut by Evan. Will definitely be returning for the trim in 6-8 weeks. Just make sure to bring cash for the tip, they only take cards for the base service fees.
JJ Studio doesn't deserve 5 stars. They deserve MORE.
I've been a Danny girl since the past couple of years, and he has been extraordinarily amazing. I cannot begin to tell you all the things he has done to my hair (pink, red, auburn, copper, brown, blond, platinum blond, etc.) -- I practically spend the whole day at the Studio each time I'm here. And I ALWAYS get compliments for not just days, but for WEEKS after my visits. He is absolutely amazing, and the service here is just out of this world.
I remember being new to Boston and walking on Newbury st. looking at the umpteen amounts of salons and realizing how absolutely out of my reach they were. As I live in this area, all I could think was "Alright, I need to look for a more reasonable price range near my place."
And then, I walked by this place. They advertised this, a year ago, as the best place to get a haircut under $40. On Newbury? Seriously? Somebody playing a joke on me? Oh no...not at all. So naturally, I thought it was too good to be true. So what do I do? Of course...I Yelp it.
And I found phenomenal reviews. So I decided to go give it a try and called in and was given my very first appointment with Kashmir. Oh-My-God. I absolutely adore her and I'm almost scared to have anyone else touch my hair now. She is phenomenal. When I started with her she charged 40-45, but a year later since she's been promoted, she charges $55. Which is still very reasonable for the shampoo-cut-blow dry they offer. Especially with the kind of services that I have gotten. I've never waited there long. I always get a reminder call a couple of days before my appointment. When I'm waiting I always get asked whether I want anything to drink. And that's just the frills.
The actual services are great. In the past year I've had about 3-4 different kinds of cuts and each of them have been great. Every single time I get compliments and I love working with Kashmir because she listens and then builds on that as well. Plus I love seeing her hair color change every time I'm there. She has a chunk of hair that she constantly keeps changing to color of and she pulls it off phenomenally. Always fun to have a hairdresser that does different things on herself/himself and makes it look good. I trust her completely.
I go around recommending this place to everyone. It's amazing and I love Kashmir. Go here if you're looking for a reasonable place on Newbury with great salon services. Ask for Kashmir, but really I'd say almost everyone in this establishment is great!
Abridged version:
Go see Ashley she is fantastic.
Extended Version:
I am generally not a high maintenance hair person, and I really don't like the *salon experience* as it usually involves having products pushed on me and dealing with pretentious receptionists and stylists and being lectured about how I don't do this or that to my hair...
HOWEVER. I have been reformed by having Ashley as my stylist for the past year. She is smart and nice and very detail oriented regarding what I ask for. I have great conversations with her, don't feel like just another head being processed, and she always does a fantastic job on my hair.
I am leaving Boston and wondering if it's worth a Bolt Bus ride every month to keep having Ashley cut my hair. She is the best stylist I have ever had, and good stylists are really hard to find.
I will never ever go anywhere else in the city, for as long as my ass resides here. Well, and Kashmir is still there.
Awesome awesomeness. Kashmir just did a fantastic job. I put my hair in her hands, and she did not disappoint. 6 inches later, I'm a much happier and lighter woman. She was so friendly and most importantly, knew how to cut hair.
The salon itself is **clean**, small but very well-kept. The salon assistant kept sweeping as Kashmir was cutting my hair. They offer you beverages after you have been shampooed (alcoholic, caffeinated, carbonated, whatever). Prices are totally reasonable, as in plain cheap, considering the location and professionalism of the staff.
And did I mention I look fabulous?
What's not to love?
I went here on the basis that it received Best of Boston 2008 and it seemed pretty hip, usually a sign for me that the stylists are young and informed of the current styles and techniques. I went to Nicole for a one-process color, something darker. She was helpful, friendly, knowledgeable. And she offered me something to drink, which was great. She sped up the color processing time by putting my head under a steamer so it only took 15 minutes! The color came out beautifully and she offered to save the formula in the computer system so I can come back to her and she'll know exactly what I need! Yay! I was happy enough with my experience here to consider returning for a haircut. Two downsides-they charge an extra $12 for a blow-dry so you may want to just walk home wet. And you have to leave a credit card number to make an appointment and if you cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment, they charge 50% of the scheduled service to your card. Which I suppose is a security measure against flaky people.
I was looking for a new hair dresser and someone recommended this place to me. I saw Jen who was a pleasure. Loved my hair cut and she really paid attention to detail. I'm a believer that a hair dresser is the pro and knows what to do that will fit my face. Even though I had never met her, I put my hair in her hands and it was fabulous. My highlight was awesome and everyone I know keeps commenting on it.
One thing that was kind of unfortunate is that when I called and asked the secretary how much the cut/highlight would be he told me one price. Then when I went to pay after my hair cut, he charged me $25 more than the original price. But, I'm not one to complain and I really liked my hair cut. If it happens again, I'll have to say something. But, be aware of possible price changes if you're tight on money or bringing cash.
Shelli-Rose... you are simply the best!!
I am one of those, "I have this picture... now make me look that way," people and Miss Shelli, she delivered!! The layering... perfect, the length... perfect, the conversation... perfect, the styling, product, and drying method tips... spot on.
Having been to several Newbury St hair salons, I have no problem saying that James Joseph is my pick of the litter by far. Besides having my hands down fav stylist ever, the salon itself is very relaxing and down to earth. The team working in this store are all very friendly and professional.
Nothing to complain about...
Nothing but love.
Go and see for yourself...
Great salon! I've been 3 times now, and have always seen Kashmir, who's terrific. The first two times I went there I just got a trim, as I was growing my hair out to donate. A year or so after my 2nd appointment I returned for my donation cut.
Kashmir remembered me right away, which I was very impressed by. I had brought a picture of a girl who looked nothing like me and had fabulous hair, to show her what I'd like to look like. Needless to say by the end of the cut I didn't look like the girl in the photo, but I think I had way better hair than she did!
I absolutely adored my cut and go so many compliments on it! It's been over 6 months now, and I plan on marking an appointment to go back soon for a re-chic-ing.
Also of note: I arrived about 20 minutes early for my first-ever appoint at James Joseph Studio and upon assessment of my "haven't cut it in three years," hair they gave me a free deep conditioning treatment, since we had some extra time and I apparently desperately needed it! Gotta love those guys!
Awesome, cheap haircut. I found Alex via Craigslist, and went in to get my first professional haircut/color in about 6 months. The cut came out great, and it's really flexible and easy to do at home, something I always worry about. I can just blowdry it mindlessly and skip out of the house, no need for a ton of specific products or particular blow dry techniques.
The color also came out AWESOME, it's exactly what I wanted. I've never had such a meticulous foil job on my short head of hair, and it came out perfect.
Not only was the job done on my hair awesome, Alex was also very friendly and helpful. She was conversational without being overbearing, and offered some good advice about hair upkeep. And she recommended a nice, affordable color-safe shampoo instead of trying to sell me something ridiculously pricey, and admitted that it was fine to just get shampoo and not worry as much about conditioner.
And bonus points for the apple cinnamon tea! And the offer of free bang trims.
Let me start by saying my 5 stars refelect the studio as a whole but specifically are for my stylist Ashley! I actually like to refer to her as "AMAZING"!!!! This girl does wonders!!!!
I have lived in NY, Chicago and now Boston and have never had a better hair stylist! My first experience with JJS I had originally made an appointment and didnt know any of the stylist yet. The receptionist made me an appointment with Danny, he had to cancel my appointment and they rescheduled me with Ashley, the hair gods came down and blessed my average little head of hair!!! (Now dont get me wrong Danny is adorable and I love him, any girl I see come out of his chair always looks great! Not a hair out of place and always smiling! Great stylist but I have never personally experienced his work)
So anyways I was re-assigned to Ashley and I thank who ever is in control up there because my hair looks soooo damn good now!!! I have what I like to call "Hair A.D.D." I am always in the mood to change it and spice up my look, which usually ends up in disaster because the stylist doesnt know what they are doing. I go from short to long, brown to blonde, highlights to low lights, they got it I do it!
Sitting in Ashley's chair I say I need a change. I want short hair but not to short still want to be able to put it up but want it above my shoulders. She asked me questions and went through her plan of action and I trusted her right away! The way she was talking made me feel secure that she knew what she was doing and would not let me walk out of the salon with a bad hair cut. That day she cut my hair at an angle longer in the front shorter in the back, short bob like...(nothing drastic like victoria beckham) She kept it neat and professional. I do work in corporate america and cannot be running around with crazy hair cuts.
So I go out the next night for happy hour with my girlfriends and co-workers and everyone is just gushing over my hair cut! To make a long story short about 10 of my girls are now getting their hair cut my Ashley and LOVE her!!!
Not only does Ashley Wow me with her amazing hair-cut techniques you have got to see the way she does highlights and color! I have gone from classic sun-kissed highlights to practically chocolate dark brown hair and people just love the way my hair looks! Most importantly I am infatuated with my hair!!!
Honestly I cannot say anything bad about Ashley or James Joseph! If you want to look good go there and ask for Ashley!!!
Best,
Cute blonde bob turned even cuter brunette!!!
Best haircut under $50 is the boast of this place. Does it live up to that?
Well "best' is a strong word. Is it the best haircut I've ever had? Unfortunately that title belongs to Avanti Salon back in the good ole days when they did that Thursday night promotion (which was the only they had a haircut for under $50). Seriously great haircuts. If you want the best, they are it, but you'll pay the price. Anyways, while not "the" best haircut I've ever had, it was certainly well done.
It's a very small studio tucked into the wall on Newbury St. Everyone was nice enough, but the best person was my stylist Wendy. Seriously great. I'm not usually one for chatting (I'm that anti-social client that just wants to sit and read a magazine while you mess with my hair) but Wendy was so easy to talk to that I found myself having a really nice conversation. A REAL conversation. That was really cool. Aside from being nice to talk to, Wendy also did a nice job on my hair. I've got long hair so it's really difficult to give me a truly bad haircut. To me a really good haircut is one that takes some of the volume out of it and makes it look good when I let it dry naturally. Wendy definitely took out some of the fluff and made it look much neater.
Overall I had a nice experience here. Will I be back? Perhaps. Considering that I get my hair cut like every nine months I usually like to change it up and try out new salons. A safe bet however if you absolutely need a Newbury St. salon but honestly Michael's Salon in Coolidge Corner is just as good if you don't want to make the trip all the way into the city.
I got a very nice cut from Angela, but she didn't give me a "smock" and I got hair all over myself! I didn't notice until she started cutting, then I thought I'd just tough it out, but after, when I had to walk back down Newbury St., I wished very much that I had had a "smock."
Seriously I'm going gray at 31? Aw hells no.
After going in for another fabulous cut with Nancy, we chatted a little about color and I gave her a general idea of what I wanted. She fit me in the very next day, it was quick and painless (although smelly) and I look friggin' fantastic.
The color was exactly what I had pictured in my head - she totally nailed it based on my yammering explanation of "Not black but not too brown and a little red but only in certain light."
$65 for a single process color was more than reasonable. Happy happy happy and now very pretty girl.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/26/2008
Finally, my eight year search for a great hair experience at a low(er) price has ended with Nancy at… Read more »
I got my hair cut here today. let me tell you...i look HOT!
But seriously, this is my review of the place:
Overall, I had a pretty good experience here. When I first walked in was the most awkward because there were a bunch of stylists hanging out at the desk. So when I opened the door in my blue anchor rain boots and clear french poodle umbrella, everyone looked at me but I just smiled at everyone and said "Hiiiii, I'm Nina. I have an appointment for 11." The receptionist asked who I was seeing, and I couldn't remember the stylist's name, but it wasn't a problem. The only thing that WAS a problem was some guy's attitude when I introduced myself! Before I could even say that I was there for an 11 o'clock appointment, he kind of nodded at me like "yeahhhhhh, aaaaand?" as if I was just going to say, "Hi, I'm Nina. What's up."
Anyway, the rest of my experience was really nice. The girl who washed my hair, Jill, was really sweet and very gentle with the washing. Kashmir cut my hair and she seemed really cool. She wasn't trying too hard to keep conversation going, but neither was I. I don't feel like I need to chit-chat with my hair dresser while she's cutting my hair, but if you do, I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.
I kind of judge my opinion of the conservative-ness or edginess of a hair salon by the stylists' hair. At this place, I loved everyone's hair! Kashmir had black hair with a few dark purple chunks, another girl had a long black bob with one blue & purple piece on the inside by her left ear, another girl had brown hair with some kick-ass dark red highlights. Very cool. Personally, I would trust them if I went in and said "I want something new. Do something awesome. Don't let me see until it's done."
The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars (which might actually change depending on how things go next time) is because it's a little snooty. Not so much that I wouldn't go back, and not as bad as I thought it'd be since it's on Newbury Street. I think I'm just used to my hometown place where everyone knows everyone and I went to high school with the girl who cuts my hair.
So you know:
- tips are in cash only
- you put them in a little envelope then drop them in a box
- going back to fix/trim bangs are free!
- they offer you water, tea, and coffee. I was too surprised to actually get any, but some girl got a cappuccino and it looked effing delicious.
Two haircuts in one year! I am a whole new me.
When I start to feel a little fugly, I know it is time to spruce up a bit. The old Bridget would only get her haircut once every forty years when it started to tickle her bum cheeks. The new Bridget likes to actually have a style.
James Joseph to the rescue again. I called up, made an appointment, later changed the time of the appointment with no problem, and the girl on the phone called me honey.
This time I saw Angela. She is a senior stylist (so 65 bucks) and a very cool chick. I had a vision in mind of what I wanted my hair to look like. I have asked for swoopy side bangs before and never received them. I thought maybe it was my puny head that was deterring stylists from giving me this look. Angela was not deterred. I showed her a picture of my twin sister Mandy Moore with a style that I wanted to sport.
http://www.prohaircut....
I wanted to keep a little more of my length and Angela said she could do it and would frame my face with layers and make me look hip. word.
She styled me up and suggested some cool ways that I could change up the look. Spray wax! Who knew!?
I am happy. Bradley says I look hot and he lurves my new style. meow!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/16/2008
In desperate need of a haircut, I consulted this lovely website for some advice. I selected this… Read more »
So I have been going to Kashmir for a few months and I really love her. I have dark blonde/light brown hair that is pretty easy for most stylists to highlight. Stupidly, I went to my old salon on the North Shore out of sheer laziness/convenience, and the woman botched my hair. I sort of resembled Holly Madison from the Girls Next Door - it was just WAY too blonde, definitely some streaks of white going on in there. I panicked and called JJS and explained the situation and they were able to get me in 2 days later for Kashmir to tone it. Thank god.
She immediately saw the problem, redid some of the poorly placed foil highlights, gave it some low lights as well, and toned it for 15 minutes to bring it back to a normal shade. And, as she said, the slightly darker/red brown color of the toner was gone in about 6 washes and now my hair is back to its normal glorious highlighted blonde. I am so grateful she was able to work magic and fix it!
They have always been on time with me, Kashmir does great work and is fast, and she is happy to chat about anything and everything. She's also fine with being quiet if you're not in the mood to talk (though I always am). The front desk staff are always very helpful and friendly, and the shampoo girls and guys are always courteous. For a downtown salon, it is hard to beat their prices - partial foil highlights, cut, wash and blow dry for just under $200, and that includes after 20% tips to the stylist and the shampoo person. I highly recommend. I have been in the past to other random stylists, just for a cut, and I've always liked the way it has turned out, so I don't think you can really go wrong here.
I have now switched to JJS Medford because it was closer to a previous client, and I am too lazy to take the T to Newbury (and I am NOT paying for parking).
Nancy is fabulous and friendly - and she has great hair. Isn't that important? A hair stylist should always have great hair.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/22/2005 First to Review
The newest branch off of the original James Joseph Salon. Cheaper and less fancy shmancy. Michelle… Read more »
If you are looking for a new fresh look or just want to maintain your sexiness...head up to JJS and get the ultimate service and hair treatment. I normally go in and tell my girl JEN nothing and that my hair is in her hands. She knows exactly what to do and she surprises me every time. I've never had a bad experience and the staff there are very attentive. Everyone does a great job but I just can't rave about my girl JEN enough. She rocks!
I love love love my hair cut and style...I am a conservative woman...lived with one length hair for YEARS. I needed a change..my sister recommended James Joseph. I made an appointment. The receptionist was very helpful when I called. I set up an appointment with Evan. I arrived and felt taken care of from the start...from the shampoo to the cut it was great.
Evan did WONDERS with my hair. I told him I was ready for a change...ready to have more that just one length hair, that layers scared me and "what about bangs?". One of the other qualification was that I still be able to put my hair in a ponytail. Well....I am no longer scared of layers (thank you Evan).
Evan was GREAT. He was personable...listened to what I wanted, advised me as to what would look good. He even taught me how to recreate it at home.
I love it...my friends and family love it. Thank you Evan..I will be back.
Okay, so now that I only have four months left in Boston (one or two haircuts...) I have found the place where I get what I want for the price that I want to pay... This is kind of a bummer. Because I have been poking around Chicago Yelp and I am afraid to get my haircut there.
Anyway...
Shannon is awesome. She doesn't blow smoke up anyone's ass, and I appreciate that brand of candor. Though, I was having a crappy day and kind of wanted someone to blow smoke up my ass. She also is able to take some vague, neurotic direction and then be creative and make you look pretty and happy!!!
I have been growing out very short hair for two years and have accomplished a lovely, shiny, oft tangled mane. But, I get kind of bored with it because long, un-dyed hair doesn't exactly have any edge to it. Also, I cannot operate a round brush and a blow-dryer at the same time so I can't even really pull off the sleek look without assistance. But, my new haircut is so cute. I love it, my bangs are like the bangs I had with short hair, complete with the carved out points along my face, but I still have the long bouncy mane, and somehow they work together! This is like magic. I am so pleased.
Do beware the receptionists: They seem to have had all the friendly beat out of them...
I've been getting my hair cut at James Joseph Studio since... March? I think this place is a great value, and I like that most of the stylists in here are young (so they know kind of what you're looking for), but they are also really skilled and professional. I appreciate that Shannon works with my hair texture instead of trying to make my hair straighter than it is, and she always puts up with my vague ramblings about what kind of trim I want.
When it comes to my hair, I'm a creature of habit. I've had the same stylist back home in New Orleans cut my hair since I was a child -- during college, post college, I'd time my haircuts for when I went home. So going somewhere else was a huge deal for me.
I'm growing my hair out for Locks of Love, but needed it trimmed a bit before I headed out on vacation. Shannon cut my hair and did a great job tidying it up and reassuring me, despite any disasters I may have had in 5th grade, I could in fact pull off bangs. I love her suggestion and I don't think I'll ever go back now! I have insanely thick hair that can either go wavy/curly or straight and Shannon did an excellent job of cutting it so that I could wear it either way.
While I didn't have any color done, I saw a girl (blond) walk out with highlights from Shannon right before, and she looked amazing!! Totally natural with a lot of depth to the color.
Also what I thought was most impressive was that Shannon was running 15 minutes late, so the receptionists apologized and then arranged for me to have a deep conditioning treatment while I waited.
For the price I paid ($40) I can't imagine having better service.
good price. not too cheap but not too expensive considering it's on newbury st. I saw to Kashmir, she was sweet, friendly, and we chit chatted while she gave me the fastest haircut i'd ever had in my life. It was a fine haircut- although I'm pretty picky when it comes to my hair. She told me my hair wasn't thick enough to give me the exact cut i'd wanted.. which I have gotten many times. I wouldn't say my hair's that thin either, but apparently it was to her. I read all the good reviews she's got on here and based on that I wouldn't have gone to anyone else, but next time I'm definitely considering seeing someone else. Oh and also.. the hair washer i had was amazing, she took like 20 minutes, even Kashmir commented on how long it was.. but it still felt really god :P haha
From someone who has never batted an eyelash at paying $250 for a cut and color just to avoid a horrible experience (I have curly hair that is very easy to butcher), the idea of an "expensive" cut didnt phase me. Then again, I considered 250 expensive... so walking out paying shy of 400 made me gag.
That being said, it is an interesting cut which seems to be working out well. However, I coundt tell that for a few days because the styling was SO AWFUL. I walked out so embarassed that I immediately put on a hat. I looked like a bad 80's poodle. I mean, I was given bangs without even being consulted...!!
If I am going to spend this kind of $$$$ on a cut, I fully expect to be able to go out that night with fabulous hair.
Wow :) Seriously... This place rocked (and will hopefully continue to rock) my world.
I came here after reading all the wonderful reviews.
I wanted a convenient, really high quality, yet affordable salon I could count on... and I found it!
It's close to work so I can walk... which could get nasty when it gets insanely cold... although they do offer tea :)
They were able to take me the day I made my appointment.
Michael was amazing.. read my mind, and fixed my crazy hair at this great little Newbury Street salon... for $40. I felt like a princess when I left :) (yeah that's right I said I felt like a princess... great haircuts make me feel like a pampered little girl and I love to relish in it ;) )
Also, I mentioned to the girls at the desk before leaving I was trying to find a particular store... they immediately hopped online and got the address for me.. so nice :)
Totally refreshing.
They are extremely nice there and it's relatively cheap if you get a junior stylist. My stylist was very friendly and we had great conversation. The haircut - exactly how I wanted it! She made sure to ask me a lot of questions about the cut since I wasn't very specific/was unsure, other than length, about how I wanted it cut. She also helped me choose products to get rid of dry/static hair, which worked! I definitely recommend this salon, especially if you are a student who doesn't want to pay a lot for nice hair!
When I booked my appointment at James Joseph Studio I was shocked at how quickly they could take me. Several friends had highly recommended the Studio (we'd all made a silly, "chop off our really long hair" pact), so with all of the good reviews I gladly made a call.
I had recently died my beyond shoulder length, very blonde hair black--while it had looked fabulous for a week, the dye quickly faded into several shades of beyond "ugly." Michael, my stylist, was able to bring back the really rich, beautiful, black color I'd loved.
He also gave me a fantastic short cut. It's very girly and retro but also very "me" at the same time. The best compliment I've received is that I "really look like myself."
Needless to say, I'll be back. Everyone there was fabulous, but I do really recommend Michael--especially if you're going for a really dramatic change.
Thumbs up for Darlene! I came in with an arsenal of pictures of what I wanted my hair to be like -- but also wanted the cut to flatter my face. It was a perfect cut -- and looks great almost two months later. She set me up with the right products for the cut and told me how to work with it.
Prices were reasonable, esp. for Newbury St. -- and you get/receive discounts if you tell them who recommended you -- message me if you'd like my name for a 20% discount!
hippest place to get a haircut for the littlest amount of money. i always get complimented on my haircuts, and kashmir (stylist) is awesome.
i seriously recommended JJS to 15 of my friends and they all go there now.
plus, if you recommend people, you get discounts on your color/cuts!!!
weird that theres another salon with the name joseph right next to it...but anyway, come here for your haircut!
I love this place. I found it on here actually and a couple months ago, I called up and booked an appointment and was given one with an advanced stylist, Nancy.
She spent a good amount of time talking with me about what I wanted, what I didn't want, and she helped give me some new ideas. She persuaded me to do something a bit more diferent, and I did, and I was so happy with the results. I walked in there just to get basically the same thing I've had for years and she helped me realize that my color wasn't working well with my skin and that I should go for something new. She's the first stylist I've ever had that really understands what will and won't work on my hair and she won't do anything or cut it a certain way that she knows won't work.
I had my second appointment with her just the other day and did something even more dramatic with my hair and again, I am so pleased with the results. Nancy does not make you feel like she is rushing to get your hair done like a lot of stylists tend to do and she spends a nice, long time with the styling, too. I have a ton of hair and my old hairdresser was never shy about how much she disliked blow drying it. Nancy is always relaxed and she spent a really long time with the blow dry, which is one of my favorite things about going to the salon.
All in all....great experience. I highly recommend Nancy. She is really nice and friendly, is so great with coloring and styling and she makes sure to spend a lot of time on the consultation, making sure you are comfortable with what she's doing and she explains every step along the way.
(The assistants there are really nice and friendly, too.)
I had another issue scheduling a haircut with my usual person and the back-up that I had left their studio. So I made a last minute ditch to find someone new once again...I scheduled an appointment with Kashmir and was able to get a same day appointment two days before NYE. Not too shabby...
She was extremely nice and very talkative. She gave me a very good haircut. I think I have my new back up and maybe a new hairdresser all together. I am going to go again and see if her high level of service continue's.
Kashmir would have received the full 5 stars but the studio was a little messy and there is really not a waiting room.
So in the end Kashmir is 5 stars and the studio is 3 stars.
So I was in DIRE, DIRE need of a new 'do. It had been 6 months since I'd given my locks some proper love, and my old stylist is no longer working, so it was time to find a new place. i turned to yelp, natch. (and like 100 magazines) and decided to try the Studio. I called, and they said Darlene could do my hair. so I figured, why not? somebody else had already given her rave reviews on here.
When I got there, I had a fabulous shampoo with Rebecca, and then Darlene asked me what I wanted, and then started snipping. Initially, I was a little put off because she was so quiet, and I'm used to having a hairdresser who chats the whole time. I was wondering, hmm, does she have a sense of who I am? But then, when the moment of truth came, and she let me put my glasses back on (i'm blind as a bat), i was floored. my hair is FABULOUS. shiny, and the cut is super flattering, and absolutely rockin. I can't stop running my hands thru it. EXACTLY what I wanted.
the only other thing that i would say is, remember that while you can pay credit for your 'do, tips are suppossed to be in cash. they provide envelopes at the front desk and then a big box for the envelopes. that was something that was new for me, as usually i just give my tips directly to my stylist.
however, overall, it was a great experience. i loved how fun, and energy filled the studio was. and great tunes on the sound system.
UPDATE: Today I saw Cristina. She was super cool and gave me a great cut. I'm going back to her shortly for color too. I was impressed how much she listened to me, and what I wanted, and then made her suggestions.
2nd UPDATE: Cristina did my color. not a huge fan. way way too dark. 4 mo later, it's finally lightened up and looks good. but i wouldn't have her do my color again. and the bangs she gave me weren't so hot.
3rd UPDATE: It's all about Laurie!! She gave me THE BEST cut ever. Seriously, I've been getting compliments all night. I feel like a million bucks, my hair feels like silk, and i'm thrilled.
I've always had great service at James Joseph Studio.
I go to Laurie and she knows my hair like it was her own. It seems to me like she's the only stylist I've ever had who understands how hair grows, moves, and falls. I have super thick hair that takes forever to dry, let alone style and dry... but Laurie meets the adversity which is my hair with such gusto! I always look most fabulous when I'm leaving the salon.
The shampoo gals are fantastic - never in my life have I had such a comprehensive shampoo/condition and scalp massage.
I'm in love with the online booking - I couldn't live without it.
Last but not least, I'm hot the hippest thing on Newbury Street... but I'm still treated like a human at JJS - which is more than I can say for a lot of other establishments in the area.
I am so happy to have finally found a salon in Boston that I like. My hair was neglected, self-cut and Supercut for too long. Natalia is great - she listens to what I want and never overcuts. And she doesn't scold me about not taking better care of my hair, which I appreciate. (It's like the dentist telling you you should floss - I mean, I know already! I just choose not to.)
The atmosphere in the salon is very fun and energetic. There's wine! The shampooers have this crazy skill where they manage to wrap a tiny little towel around my huge mass of hair and hold it all in place without clips or pins of any kind- it is quite a sight to behold. They have a pretty reasonably priced haircut for Newbury Street, as low as $40, depending on which stylist. (I still can't afford it - but I have to say the quality is definitely worth it.)
I can count on one hand the number of times I've had my hair cut/styled/whatevered at a salon And still have a finger to spare (that's 4 times, people). I'm usually the "grab n' chop" kinda girl, using my own paper cutting scissors that I've had for the past 6 years.
Which is probably why I walked in to JJS with stringy, straw-like, brittle, 2 length (top layer short, bottom layer long-- imagine a bowl cut finagling with a mullet... yeah), frizzy pile of hair.
After an awesome massage/shampoo by Jenn, Natalia (who was lovely) got down to it. And after she swirled me around, I looked in the mirror and saw cascading layers of silky soft healthy looking chestnut waves. My hair was back and better than ever. Seriously, even though the cut wasn't DRASTICALLY different, the health of my hair more than makes up for the $50 price. I will be going back time and time again.
PLUS!! They do bang trimmings for free. So no more paper scissor trim jobs for me!
