Maksou
Category: Hair Salons [Edit]
Neighborhood: Financial District125 Broad St
(between High St & Wendell St)
Boston, MA 02110 (617) 443-8633
- Nearest Transit:
Aquarium (Blue)
State (Blue, Orange)
South Station (Silver, Red)
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Sat 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
10 Reviews for Maksou
I've been going to Charles (owner) for two years now and refuse to go anywhere else. I can't vouch for the rest of his staff (though they know how to blow dry and wash), but Charles' true talent as a stylist has proven itself over and over again. Until I came to him it was one average-to-bad haircut after the next, but Charles' natural talent coupled with his extensive training with John Sahag make for many oft-complimented haircuts!
He uses the dry cut technique (which many Newbury salons attempt and often botch) and cuts mostly according to his vision rather than what you ask for (though he will follow the general guidelines of your request). The cut is expensive, but frankly worth it if you want a shape that will last for at least 3 months if not longer. I've already sent my mother and sister to him and I would never recommend a place to family if it was less than stellar.
Charles' staff members are always ultra friendly and co-operative -- which is a nice change from the usual needlessly haughty salon girls on Newbury. The location is the only downfall (great if you work downtown, not so great otherwise) and parking can be a pain in that area (though this isn't exactly uncommon for Boston). Also, although credit cards are accepted, you can't tip on the card so make sure you bring cash! There is a cash machine across the street inside the pub, but it will steal a few dollars in fees from you.
Basically, if you want a fantastic stylist rather than an average hair dresser...go see Charles.
I got a dry cut here a few weeks ago (for the first time) and I'm still receiving compliments! It took a little while to "grow on me", but Janice did a nice job with my subtly layered cut. It has grown out very well, which is unusual for me. It does pain me to pay $80 for a hair cut, but if it looks this good and lasts this long, then it's worth every penny. I plan to go back again soon; I'll be sure to update my review and let you know how it "grows"!
I felt like a change in hair-cutting scenery, so off I went to Maksou. Love, love(!) my new 'do. Even with naturally wavy hair, his dry cut method worked wonders on my fine-yet-thick locks. He's located off the beaten (read: Newbury) path, which works especially well if you work in the Financial District like I do.
I'll be back; 'nuff said.
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wow I have never been so mortified, really.
so... Colleen and I have Scuba tonight which means speedo and I haven't been waxed in forever and although I love Lori, my usual waxer, she is all the way down on Newbury, so I decided I would try this place across the street from my office which does a decent job on my brows.
I should have been tipped off when I was handed a yellow ball with a smiley face on it to squeeze. sigh. Not only was the room brash with light and no music, unlike the peaceful, dark room that Lori has, the bed looked suspiciously unclean with a sheet of paper on top. I feel I have no choice at this point so I go ahead.
I CLEARLY stated I wanted a "tweener" which is in between a bikini and brazilian. My "P" is BALD now and crying! She barely left a triangle! If that's a tweener what the hell is a Brazilian? I am NEVER not going to Lori again, sniff. I won't even go into the other things Paula made me do- which involved flipping over!
On top of everything I was sneaking in to see Paula, who did a much better job on my brows then Layla, the last time I was there (Layla was out so I used Paula). Then today I got caught by Layla seeing Paula and felt awful! Then the above affliciton occurred.
I am highly concerned about redness and ingrown hairs which I never normally get- if anyone knows any suggestions to prevent that please let me know- I'll be consoling my "P" over here, sniff.
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Named 'Best of Boston' in haircut, color and eyebrow waxing for 2004, 2005 and 2006 they have the dry haircut method down to a science. The owner, Charles Maksou, was trained by celeb fave NYC stylist John Sabag and has been in the business for nearly 20 years.
After salon hopping at various Newbury spots for two years, I've been a loyal customer at Maksou for just as long. I've had cuts and colors by both Charles and Janice (whose been with his salon for a little over two years) and I've always left very happy. My hair is naturally wavy/loose curls and with the dry cut method, I can wear it curly or straight. And it grows out great because of their blending technique (cutting individual dry hairs versus clumps of wet hair). And Layla, their waxing guru, does amazing work with brows.
Definitely pricey...
Brows - $20
Cut - $65-145 (Charles is the most expensive)
Color (single process) - $60-ish
Highlights (full) - $120-ish
But they'll trim your bangs for free between cuts and your cut generally lasts a couple of weeks longer because it grows out better than a wet cut. So it all tends to even out in the end.
They've also got their own line of products as well as the usual popular labels like Kerastase, but if you ask, the stylists are great about recommending equivalent drug store sold brands.
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Very expensive, but the owner is soooo good with making you look good for your wedding! He did my hair along with my bridesmaids, and I loved mine. The bridesmaids didn't really love it like I did because he didn't do their dos- that's probably why! I paid close to $400 for 4 ppl excluding tips, so if you want to splurge, go here.
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I decided to go to Maksou because I wanted to try out this vaunted "dry-cut" method. I was planning on getting my hair cut very short and donate the cuttings to Locks of Love. My stylist was Christy - not the owner - and this may be the reason why I was not as happy with my Maksou experience.
After cutting my hair, she remarked "There, now you look like you got a real haircut instead of coming here to donate your hair". Let me make it clear that at this point (November 2005) Maksou was NOT a Locks of Love affiliate. I went there to get my haircut and it shouldn't have mattered what I was going to do with my hair afterward - isn't it her job to give me a "real haircut" for that price?
The other thing that bothers me about Maksou is that they justify their expensive prices by advertising that they are the ONLY salon in Boston to offer dry-cut. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I've been to other salons/stylists in the city since then, most notably Freddy Luk of Zen Hair (by Kenmore) and he does the dry cut method as well - for half the price, more professionalism, and without the self-congratulatory tone.
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Very expensive for a haircut ($65)---but I like their "dry cut method", UNIQUE to this salon, which gives you an exact idea of how it looks while they are cutting........great for layered cuts. The owner, Charles is very nice and very meticulous. I don't like the fact they flat iron your hair to style at the end, but if you can afford it, give it a try.
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The haircut may be pricy, but the dry-cut method is super worth-it. I have curly hair that I often straighten, and the cut works perfectly both ways! My stylist, Lyndsey, did not flat iron my hair at the end but instead did an amazing job blowing it straight leaving my hair bouncy, light, and gorgeous.
Maksou is also excellent for waxing services and are open late and on weekends
Charles Maksou is a brillaint artist when it comes to hair and has to be one of the best in this field. You will not be disappointed and will walk out with one of the best cuts/color of your life. The dry cut method makes such a difference.
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