Shag

I loved SHAG because I loved Kenneth - his color was AMAZING. I just called to book an appointment after a little hiatus (didn't have the funds necessary for the amazing-ness) and was told Kenneth is no longer with the salon, and that they wouldn't disclose where he went. Anyone know where he is working now? more

I'll start the review with the conclusion, as I'm planning to elaborate a bit: the haircut was fantastic, the atmosphere warm, and I would come back for my next haircut in a heartbeat. Brianna was my stylist, and I highly recommend her. Now for the long version: I went to get a haircut as a model for Brianna. Her supervisor was Nate. Brianna was competent and with a very engaging manner, and Nate was the kind of supervisor everybody would want: encouraging trainees to spread their wings and fly, rather than the dictatorial types I usually see at high-end salons. Props to both of them for providing a warm atmosphere and the genuine feel that is almost extinct in the beauty industry. The haircut Brianna gave me is the best I've ever had so far - a modified, edgy A-line bob. I love it, and have received lots of compliments on it. And that's not easy to achieve, considering it's winter and I wear a hat most of the time, with the expected flattening consequences on the hair. Atmosphere: the salon was airy, spacious and the people were welcoming. They all had the most amazing hairdos - I wanted one of everything! There was a punk rock feel to the scene, but in a pleasant way, tats and piercings included. Also, everybody was very nice: even I, the lowly model, was offered a drink, and never once was made to feel unwelcome. Overall: This was by far my best salon experience, not just the great haircut, and I highly recommend Shag. I can't understand how somebody could leave disappointed from this salon, people here bend over backwards to make their customers happy. Pros: great stylists, warm atmosphere, lots of parking Cons: somewhat seedy neighbourhood (or so it looked at night) more

I made an appt at Shag after reading the good reviews. I made the trip from Maine, about a 2 hr drive, with my dog, a Jack Russell named Rodeo, on a Sat midday. I was lucky enough to get the appt with Melanie, who I requested. She was polite and put me at ease. The salon is open an airy and has a good atomosphere and a great view. They were very good to my dog, and brought him water. I discussed what I did not like about my current hair situation and she agreed and got to work. My hair came out so nice, the cut was very compatible with my type of hair. I brought my own products with me, as I had an expensive anti-frizz treatment and was using the products that I was given at the time. I was dying to have her colour my hair, but I need to wait a bit. I look forward to having colour done in the Fall at Shag. Pros: Easy to access and dog friendly Cons: None as of yet more

I came to Shag with a gift certificate from my boyfriend and I expected them to be somewhat hoity-toity due to their television exposure and such. Not the case, Albana was very kind and friendly and made me feel very welcome. She colored my hair and asked me my preferences, made suggestions, and showed a book of color samples. She made me feel as if I'd known her for years. Nate was not as talkative, but that was fine with me. He did a great cut and I trusted his experience. It was also nice to sip on a cappachino during my appointment. I'm not sure of the receptionist's name, but she was very kind and helpful. A mistake was made with my gift certificate and she made sure to clear it up which surprised me. I think many salons might have not even looked into it thinking they would make an extra $120. I will definitely come back. The only drawback was that some staff had a certain celebrity-like sense of entitlement which made me somewhat uncomfortable. Will definitely come back because of Albana. Pros: Helpful and bubbly staff Cons: Some staff snooty more

Brian at Shag is an amazing stylist, a friend suggested him to me over a year ago and I've come to Shag several times to see him. I have extremely thick hair, its very wavy on the bottom and straight and flat on top - most stylists have a very difficult time with it. Brian works with it, so I can wear is either curly or blown out with minimal effort. Brian is a great listener, he considers your lifestyle and personality in determining your cut, along with your facial features to give a personal cut that's never high maintenance. I've literally gone down from spending 45 minutes blowing out/styling to 15 min, and I've never received so many compliments on my hair. Oh, and his haircuts grow out great, looks just as good 2 months after. Thank you Brian! more

they are amazing.\r will send clients to them, will go back soon, they are wonderful.\r salon is very nice, staff is great, they are very good at what they do. more

I work at the westin waterfront I refer many guests to a lot of places, the shag salon is definetly one of the best around. Brian is outstanding. I wouldnt refer the guests of the hotel to anywhere else, besides when the guests return from their appointment they are raving about the whole experience. kelly Pros: everything Cons: nothing more

I can't believe that people have negative things to say about this place... I have been here several times and have had nothing but a positive experience every time! I consider my hair to be hard to manage and since I started going to Shag, I have loved my hair. Brian is awesome, he has cut both longer and shorter length styles on me and both are equally amazing. He listens to what I want and makes suggestions to what will work on my hair. I have paid for some pretty bad haircuts in my life, in fact the first time I went to Shag Brian fixed a horrific haircut that I paid $90+ for on Newbury Street, but Shag is reasonably priced and I have always been very pleased with the results. The atmosphere is cool, the people who work there are friendly and take great care of you while you are there. Even the girl at the front desk who I initially thought was snooty ended up being really nice and complimentary and made recomedations on products that she likes. I love going there a little early and flipping through a magazine and drinking a glass of wine while I wait. Pros: amazing cuts, cool atmosphere more

I've been to salons on Newbury St, NYC and the west coast - Shag tops them all! I love the atmosphere, the space and the staff - the place has great vibe, great music. I've been going to Tasha for my color and Sandy for my cuts for the past two years and they rock. I still continually get compliments from my friends on my hair and have recommended Shag to many many people. I agree with the other folks saying ignore the bad reviews - Sandy really listens to what I want done and has great ideas the times I come in and say ""do whatever you want"". There aren't many stylists I trust to do that with! If you're looking for a cool, relaxing, hip salon Shag is it. Pros: great vibe, music, easy parking more

Amazingly even with the music loud and the energy high I was able to feel perfectly relaxed. From the moment I walk through the door I was greeted from the most lovely ladies. My hair has never looked better. My stylist took the extra time to really figure out what was going to be the best haircut on me. All of my friends are in love with my new style and are making appointments as well. The salon is beautiful, very clean, with an great view of the boston sky line. And, it could be easier to park. I am done with the headache of trying to park any where around Newbury St. I wish Shag could become my local hang out. It's just that fun. Pros: Staff that take go the extra mile to make you feel great more

Rude staff, no parking, poor service, lousy cut-save yourself some money, time and effort and go elsewhere. Even Super Cuts is better than this place. Pros: the only pro is the hype. Cons: Parking, service & quality more

Contrary to some other reviews, I have never had anything less than a 100% positive experience at SHAG. You're treated like a total VIP from the moment you walk in the door - they take your coat, immediately offer wine, champagne, espresso (or whatever you want) and generally just make you feel special without the slightest hint of pretentiousness. As for the cut, Sandy Poirier is a total pro and has transformed my unruly curls into a gorgeous style that I maintain with little effort. A $70 cut is practically free in this city and a small price to pay for feeling like a rock star. Pros: Parking, service, ambience, individualized attention more

Terrible experience! Rude, over-priced, and BAD cut. Sandy acts as if he is doing you a favor by cutting your hair for 70+ dollars. Pros: nothing Cons: the haircut more

I have been to Tasha for color and Sandy for cuts 4 times now-- my hair is very wavy and diffcult to shape but Sandy has mastered it. Tasha's color rocks. PLease ignore the negative reviews above-- those clients clearly didn't communicate what they wanted well enough. You have to know how to talk to yout stylist/colorist if you want good haircuts and color. Girls, start learning to communicate better! I've been getting my hair professionally cut and colored for 20 years now and have been to salons all over the U.S. and can honestly say that I have never looked better since Tasha and Sandy started doing my hair. Go and see for yourself. more

I intentionally waited a few months since my Shag hair cut to see how it has stood up. To say the least, it's still pretty awesome. \r \r Unfortunately I had to take public transportation to Shag so I ended up taking a taxi from South Station and walking back afterwards. I guess that's the only downside to the whole experience but to me, it's worth it. The service at Shag is great. I was offered espresso or wine and only ended up waiting a few minutes before we began my consultation and cut. Sandy is extremely knowledgeable and experienced which was especially important to me because I have frizzy, curly hair. The price is just right too and the space itself is beautiful. Two thumbs up! Pros: Individual attention instead of copying a cut from a picture. Cons: I would have liked Sandy to style and dry my hair too. more

The moment I walked into Shag I knew it was my kind of place. The space is great and the staff went out of their way in every way! Definitely a pleasant change from the usual newbury st vibe which is prententious and rather boring. Shag was neither, that's for sure. It's always a bit disconcerting to go to a new place and a new stylist for a haircut, but Sandy immediately set me at ease. It was as if he knew exactly the cut I was looking for. And he's a real master with the shears, that's for sure. I would say that this may not be the place to go for a traditional cut, but if you're looking for something funky and you prefer to patronize places that are run by good peeps, Shag is highly recommended. Pros: Great Cut, Great People, Great Space more

COOL loft space ..great haircut ..cool front desk people,,,,,,,all around cool!"" Sandy rocked.. Pros: easy parking , comfortable space, friendly space Cons: tough to get an appt. more

I am really disappointed with my cut. I went in there because I thought this would be a creative type place to try something newer and more updated. After I came out NO ONE knew I cut my hair it looked exactly the same. I could have gone to super cuts for $80 less to get what they gave me. I told them what I wanted and they did what they wanted. I also waited a very long time for my appt even though I was on time. My prior cut was done by a student in a Newbury salon cutting class and I liked it SO much better and it was FREE. I can't beleive I actually spent money for this. So much for listening to the Improper Bostonian... Pros: parking Cons: skill more

This is a long overdue review...but, my experience at Shag was the best I have had anywhere. The colorist gave me great highlights and Sandy gave me a perfect haircut for my lifestyle. I have had more compliments on my hair than ever before since I went to Shag. As a stay-at-home mom, I anjoyed the relaxing atmosphere with a glass of wine. It is classy and edgy, but very comfortable and not stuffy. I have recommended this salon to many people already and I am definitely looking forward to my next appointment. Plus, there is plenty of parking right outside the salon, which made the entire visit enjoyable and convenient. more

I decided to check out Shag after I read about in Improper's A-List. The article speaks pretty highly of Sandy, but I was not disappointed. The space in South Boston is so refreshing (compared to those cramped Newbury Street places), there is tons of parking, and Sandy is true hair visionary. He gave me exactly what I was looking for, and even did some great things that my old stylist would never have thought of. I will probably never be back on Newbury street, there is just no point anymore. Pros: Friendly Staff, Parking, Unique Location more