JSD Studio

Angel thin hair, receding hair line, cowlicks, picky about the hair style, and very suspect about stylists. That's what Jenn @ JSD had to contend with when I showed up today.

Before I met her I'd been wearing a classic style for the past 15 years: parted on the side, layered, short around the sides and back, you know, boooring...I mean, er, a "classic" cut. I showed Jenn a few styles on my phone and that's all she needed. A short time later, after chilling to the soothing music, non-pretentious ambiance, simple and stylish atmosphere and nice chit-chat, she finished and I was ecstatic. That rarely ever happens.

Judging by the responses, "Your hair looks great!", "I really, really like it.", etc. I was convinced Jenn did about as well as one could with my hair.

Thank you Jenn, and great job!

So like, I'm a college student. Which means I'm poor and can't drop the big ass wad of cash needed at Umi. But if I was rech I would consider being less rech to get my locks cut here all. the. time. Emphasis needed.

People here know what they're doing. And if they don't I have a hunch their asses are out on the street, blankly looking at the number 75 on the door - kind of like me, trying to figure out how to get into the salon. They're hidden because they have NOTHING to prove to anyone.

So how did I get my badass haircut here? I needed one badly and did a lengthy search of salons that need models to practice on. I came upon the name Uni and thought "hmm I haven't heard of this one before." Did a quick Yelp search, saw the awesome rating and called right away.

And even though I was a model (because I'm hot) getting a complimentary cut, I was treated like gold. The receptionist was super friendly and had a great sense of humor and thanked me a bunch of times for coming in. Yea you're welcome, it was really hard for me to find time for a FREE haircut from one of the best salons in Boston.

My stylist was Elle and she was sweet and wonderful and ready to learn. Though I don't know a thing about hair, I do watch a lot of Tabitha's Salon Takeover so I'm almost a stylist at this point. There is a LOT that goes on with cutting hair. I was utterly fascinated. The owner? head stylist? was there watching Elle and the other stylist like a hawk. I knew I was in safe hands. I'd be coming out with a wicked awesome 'do man.

I had no idea what my hair was going to look like but I'm a risk taker and now everyone wants to know where I got my hair cut.

If you can't afford to go here, be a model. If you can afford to go here, I'm jealous.

And FYI : I think I want my apartment decorated the way Umi looks. Clean, spacious, minimalist. Omg like me lol.

It's true what you've heard, Umi Salon will definitely cost you, but no more than any other high quality salon on Newbury Street. However, I can wholeheartedly tell you that this is the best salon in Boston. I've had one too many bad hair experiences in Boston to know good from bad.

If we want to talk good, this place takes the cake. If they can take my dyed black Asian hair to a gorgeous, multi tonal golden color, they work miracles... and they do. Their goal is to make you look your absolute best. I'm always impressed by their attentive service and blown away by their color expertise. My Asian hair is currently a nice golden honey color and it's never once oxidized into that usual orange mess you see on so many Asian women. AMEN TO THAT SISTER!

I'll never go anywhere else for my coloring needs.

I have been coming to Umi since it first opened, before all the awards and magazine recognitions. Prior to that, I had gone to probably half of the salons on Newbury, and had never gotten a cut that I truly loved. My hair is long, thick, straight, and coarse, and I got so tired of too many stylists trying to give me a Jennifer Aniston-type layering.

Once I got to Umi, I was impressed by how thorough and attention-oriented even the "lower-level" stylists were. They always took the time to listen, and then carefully tend to my hair, even if I went over by an hour.

The only thing that I don't like is that every time I find a great stylist at Umi, they end up leaving after awhile. I know this is normal, and people do move around, but even this isn't too big a deterrent because the next stylist they recommend to me is always great too.

I have since moved to SF and am worried I'll have to waste months and tons of money finding a replacement for Umi. The last two stylists I had at Umi were artists with hair. You could tell by how intuitive their cutting style was, and how well their cuts lasted until the next. My hair does not work with lots of layers, and I also have side bangs that are a challenge to cut correctly, and Sean and John immediately knew what to do just from touching my hair. Their cuts always left me feeling amazing, and they never made me feel rushed, even though I have a lot of hair and it takes a long time to blow dry and cut.

Sean has sadly moved out of the state, but before I left for SF I had a few cuts with John and he was just amazing. Even though John had Jeffrey recommend me to a good salon in SF, I think I might have to wait until I go back to visit Boston to get a haircut! :)

I've been going to Umi on and off for six or seven years now and my experience has been universally positive. I always get great, low maintenance haircuts (I am pretty upfront about the fact that I don't, and won't, blow dry my own hair) that grow out really well (I'm also not one to get my hair cut more than a few times a year), and fab color jobs (though I haven't been quite as happy with my color since Liz left - she would always color my hair a few shades darker than anyone recently seems willing to do it). I also LOVE the Umi experience - the salon has a great vibe, the receptionists are always super friendly (even though they know I only come a few times a year), and I love the whole minimalist aesthetic. It's a feel good place, for sure.

My one complaint, and this isn't so much about Umi, but high-end salons in general, is that I don't believe in tipping professionals and hair services, at least these days, are professional services. I resent the expectation to tip 15 to 20 percent on top of a whopping $300 bill (and at Umi, even the owner accepts gratuities). I have heard the mantra - if you can't afford to tip, you can't afford the service - but a hair salon like Umi is not a restaurant, and one would hope the stylist is taking home more than the $2.50 an hour waiters and waitresses make before tips. To reiterate, this is not a complaint about Umi per se, but about salon tipping in general. Me, I tip 10% (or something in that range) and it hasn't affected the quality of the services I've received. I'm always wowed. Which says a lot about the integrity of the salon, too, I think.

As for how Umi fits into my otherwise frugal lifestyle: I don't believe, in general, that it is frugal to scrimp on quality. And especially not when it comes to your hair, your winter coat, or your eyeglasses. On these three items, I encourage people to spend as much as they can afford. You're better off with three hair cuts a year from Umi than one every six weeks from a cheaper salon. Just be upfront with your stylist, and let her know you want something that will grow out and not look, well, grown out.

If you are very VERY picky about your hair, and sometimes get a little nervous before every haircut, this UMI is THE place! They are meticulous with everything, and they certainly know how to make you feel at ease. I've lived in Boston all my life, and it took me just nearly that long to find the perfect salon. I've tried every place, and for me, money is no issue when they do a fantastic job and they make you feel comfortable.

For as long as I can remember, I've always had long hair, and only Umi made me feel comfortable and ready to go short, and I mean SHORT. I had my hair cut into a bob - there shortest ever - and I LOVED it. Never ever will I go anywhere else, and my stylist is truly the most innovative, friendly, and thoughtful hair stylist I have ever met. For selfish reasons, I won't reveal the name. :)

Since it is located on Newbury and has one of the most expensive haircuts in town, one would expect a sort of arrogant, nose-up-in-the-air attitude, but it is nothing at all like that. People are laid back, very hip, and definitely NOT pretentious like most Newbury salons are.

So go do something for yourself for a change... go to Umi and be pampered and leave looking fabulous!

Probably the best salon in Boston. Professional. Hip. Artistic.

Sean is so creative yet careful with my hair. I have waist-length eurasian hair, which is really thick and a challenge to cut. He does an amazing job --- even when I wanted to tint it for depth, his solution was perfect!

Umi needs to open in NYC. And quick.

The worst haircut I have ever had. He just did by his own style and didn't check whether the hair fit you or not. Now, I just waited the hair grow and turned in to the original hairstyle. Never go this place for hair cut again. Way overrated.

I spent my morning at JSD today and am so unbelievably impressed with the team's attention to detail. My hair was in dire need of sprucing up. It was starting to feel too heavy because it had been months since my last hair cut and years since it had been colored. Kaylee took the time to look through my hair with Jeffrey and really figure out what would look natural on me. I can't say it enough - it was a wonderful experience! Will definitely be going back.

Kaylee really took incredible care of my hair. It feels (and looks!) fantastic. Thank you to Kaylee and team! What a perfect way to kick off the weekend.

Love this place! The atmosphere is clean, quiet, and peaceful and the staff is top-notch. They were super friendly and professional. Jenn & Jeff did an awesome job with my hair! I highly recommend them. They both listened to what I wanted but also gave suggestions based on my hair. I will definitely go back and highly recommend you check them out!