davis_square | Professional hairdye without sacrificing firstborn? (+1)

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hair,
spa and salon

Professional hairdye without sacrificing firstborn? (+1)

I'm getting tired of trying to get my hair to take dye properly when doing it myself, and I'm wondering where I can go to get a professional dyejob. I wouldn't be looking for anything too outlandish, so pretty much everywhere is up for consideration. Has to be T (or bus)-accessible, and I'm looking for a place that won't be insanely expensive. I'm not sure if it's the generally accepted price, but a lot of the places I've seen around here have been about 70-80 dollars. If that's the general price, then fine, but if I can find a cheaper place, that would be great. Thanks!

Also- does anyone know of any fancy spa-type places or beauty supply stores in the general Boston area that would have products for sale? I'm mostly looking for fancy nail polish, and most of the nail places that I've seen don't sell the polish they use. Thanks!

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there's some chain beauty supply store in the twin city plaza on the mcgrath/obrien hwy.

It's a Sally's, fwiw. I don't know about their nail polish selection, but they have a decent selection of other salon supplies.

Sally's is good for hairdye, but not really for nail polish. Thanks for the recommendation, though!

I used to get my hair highlighted at Salon Luna in Porter for $100. Now I go to Ultima Salon in Davis (Joe, in particular, although Maria is also good), and they charge me $50.

It may also depend on how long your hair is. Mine is down to my mid-back.

I asked at Square Nail Studio: There's a nail salon in the Meadow Glen Mall that sells O.P.I nail polish ($7.50); I don't know the salon's name, but it's next to Kohls.

Oooh, rock on. That's exactly what I'm looking for (because I am a huge dork). Thanks!

There's a new(ish) Ulta in the shopping center in Everett with the Target, Old Navy, etc. Suposedly, they sell Essie and OPI.

That store is awesome. They have all the OPI and Essie shades you could want. They also have a discount club that's quite lucrative. I know I've gotten some nice $5 off coupons, etc.

Hm, I don't think I've ever had my nails done at a place around here that *didn't* use OPI -- I figured it was just the standard.

it is usually. most places use OPI exclusively, but some also offer Essie as an option. but the issue here was where to buy the polish as not all salons sell bottles of polish.

I love these guys. They charge reasonable prices (especially if you're referred by a client), are friendly and professional, don't bitch you out about slipping up on hair care, and are willing to do the style you want without griping that you're not letting them do what they think looks best on you. I've had altogether too many stylists give me a lecture on my split ends, and keep nagging me to let them cut my hair into a short style (like the one this icon, which, while ok, never thrilled me like long hair does). Also, their salon looks like a sci-fi convention held in a Spencer Gifts during Pride Week. Way cool. At least, if you're me.

ooooooh! That sounds awesome! I'll have to check them out.

If you decide to do that, send me a message via LJ. I'll give you my name so you can mention who referred you. I did the same for someone on LJ the first time I went there. :)

Just to give another PoV, DHR gave me the worst adult haircut I've ever had and left me in tears. A friend of mine had the exact same experience with them as well. They were super-nice (and yes, the shop looks cool) but I'd rather have a good haircut, and in any case, there is no shortage around here of stylists who are both. Beware!

O.P.I. raised their prices this year to $8.50 a bottle, and some salons charge between $7-$9.75 per bottle. The best place to buy it is online if you are interested in more than one color (to justify shipping charges). E-tailers I use are:
http://www.8ty8beauty.com/
and
http://www.head2toebeauty.com/
They tend to sell polish for half of what stores around here charge, and it is really great if you know what colors you are looking for. If you are interested in buying a single color in person, try Trade Secret, Lord and Lady's, or Dellaria Salon located in the Cambridgeside Mall, Watertown Mall, or Burlington Mall. Those stores tend to sell it cheaper than the local hair salons that also sell nail polish, like the Aveda salon in Harvard Square.

If you want to see swatches of colors before you buy online, I recommend checking out Scrangie:
http://www.scrangie.com/

hahaha I thought of you first when I read this. Then I posted the secret you told me above.

Oh yeah, and Sephora now sells O.P.I. polish. It's a special line of O.P.I. developed for Sephora, so you won't find O.P.I. classic colors like "I'm Not Really A Waitress" there.

Also, at least as of yesterday, they don't actually have the line for sale yet. From what I can tell on their website, it'll be out Sept. 9?

I don't know if the local Sephora stores have the displays out yet, but it is available online now:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P217311&categoryId=C19281

I like Hair Co at 1 porter square (Same floor as Pier One). And you can make a reservation online. Jodi does great color (and any color you want).

Edited 2008-08-22 20:38 (UTC)

I thought hair co was pricey. At least it seems that way from their site and after talking to Jody. It probably depends. I've looked everywhere in the area for cheap cuts and color and have yet to find any place aside from Fashionway in union. I'm not sure how to add a link but they have a site. I haven't gone there since I haven't found any reviews on them yet. Strangely enough there is a law [act] that states a salon can't charge a woman more but most do anyway. $40 for a cut is ridiculous. I'm going to look at the place mentioned a few replies above. The place in Meadowglen is called "90's nails". Don't be put off by the name it's been there since the 90's, lol.

There's an Ulta (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/) at the Gateway Center in Everett (where the Target Greatland is). Ulta is by far the best place to find OPI, Essie, and other salon-brand nail polishes. Their selection is huge, and they have a lot in stock—not just one or two bottles of each color.

Yes, that's what I meant. Gateway Center!

Yes, I need to be banned from that place. Between Target and Ulta, it sucks up all of my money.

FO REALLLLL, plus they have Old Navy and Michael's. And a Panera Bread. I pretty much don't need anything else in life.

I have a whole shopping day planned tomorrow; we're going to the Gateway Center. Goodbye paycheck, hello a bunch of shit I really want but don't really need!!!

OH, and just down the street at the Ghetto Glen, there's a Kohl's!

Story of my life, and don't forget about the Marshall's at Meadowglen!

I LOVE Ulta. I buy the mini OPI nail polish bottles there...perfect because I paint my nails maybe 8ish times with one color.

I've been a fan of Ulta since high school, and I was so happy when we got one here. Their selection of salon hair products is hard to beat, and the nail polishes... omg.

I had a cut, color and blowdry at Salon Femia for $75 so I imagine just the color job would be considerably less. Ornella is fantastic. It is a great experience there. I can't say enough good things about the atmosphere and the talent! :-)

If you darken your hair, or go red, instead of lightening, it might be worth your time to play around with Manic Panic. I mix Cobra and Infrared 6:1 and the result is a dark strawberry blonde, similar to what henna achieves. I keep it diluted in a bottle of conditioner (about 6:1 again) and refresh it in the shower every time i wash. It is the cheapest solution i have found to date, and because it's dilute it doesn't stain hands or porcelain.

If you go lighter, i can't help :(

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Professional hairdye without sacrificing firstborn? (+1)

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