Boston area shops

**shay** · 10-11-2009, 04:52 PM

Can anyone recommend a good salon in Boston? After years of being loced I cut my locks off a few months ago and am looking for a salon that works with loose natural hair. Someone had recommended a shop to me but I cannot remember the name. Thanks.

Shay

**redecouverte** · 10-11-2009, 05:42 PM

Hey
I don't know a good salon in Boston where they cater natural hair. I used to go to His n hers on mass ave when i used to have re.l.a.x.e.d hair as well as structure in Dorchester. I had a great experience in both salons. However I don't know any natural hair salons in Boston.

**dancingbtrfly** · 11-28-2009, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by shay

Can anyone recommend a good salon in Boston? After years of being loced I cut my locks off a few months ago and am looking for a salon that works with loose natural hair. Someone had recommended a shop to me but I cannot remember the name. Thanks.

Shay

OMG- You and I are in the same boat!! I had my locs for 12 years and took them down. I know of one shop but it's a bit pricey. Simply Erin's in Cambridge caters to natural hair. I'm in the process of looking for a shop as well (I just don't have the dough to roll with Erin right now she's really good though) Keep me posted if you hear anything different. We can't be the only Boston naturals on the boards....can we?!

**shay** · 11-28-2009, 02:54 PM

I have heard of Erin's but didn't know anyone who went there. The other place I heard of (cannot remember name though) got rave reviews but was definitely pricier than Erin's. I will keep you posted though if I hear anything.

**dancingbtrfly** · 11-28-2009, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by shay

I have heard of Erin's but didn't know anyone who went there. The other place I heard of (cannot remember name though) got rave reviews but was definitely pricier than Erin's. I will keep you posted though if I hear anything.

There was a place called Salon Red (I think) on Newbury Street but I think it closed. I will ask my friend who went there. BTW I started a group for New England Nappturals...will you join please??

**BlackOnyx03** · 12-28-2009, 08:17 AM

Hi ladies!

I just wanted to add my two cents. I've been in Boston for quite awhile now and the natural hair pickings are just slim. You'd think with ALLLLLL the black folks we have in Boston there'd be more options for natural hair care than we have. Anywho, here's what I've found over the years:

If you have locs, there's...

Muriel's Natural Hair Studio (my two cents: SUPER GHETTO! Avoid! This place started my locs, and it just got to the point where I couldn't go back. - http://www.yelp.com/biz/muriels-natu...chester-center)
Fresh Start Salon (my two cents: These are Muriel's relatives, but the salon atmosphere is a tad bit better - http://www.yelp.com/biz/fresh-start-...lon-dorchester)
Royal Tree Barber Shop (my two cents: I've never been there, but I literally stopped a complete stranger on the street with GORGEOUS!!!! locs and she recommended her stylist Belinda -- http://www.myspace.com/royaltreebarbershop)

Note: Neither Muriel's or Fresh Start does a particularly good job catering to anyone who does NOT have locs. In fact, I think Muriel's has become what old heads on this board used to call a "loc mill" -- so much so that I think I saw ONE person who did not have locs in my two years of going there.)

If you have a TWA or small fro, there's...

Royal Tree Barber Shop (my two cents: again, I've never been there, but from the MySpace pics it looks like Belinda could maintain this for you, even though she tends to have largely male clientele who are getting elaborate designs shaved into their heads -- http://www.myspace.com/royaltreebarbershop)

If you have Sisterlocks/Brotherlocks, there's...

Martine Bernard - http://www.karendrummey.com/BostonSi...cks/index.html
Jacqueline Ashby - http://public.fotki.com/jlmashby/ and http://www.hairstoyounaturally.com/

If you have loose napps, there's...

Simply Erinn's (my two cents: very expensive and the service isn't particularly friendly or efficient) -- http://www.simplyerinns.com/)
Salon Ambiance (my two cents: there used to be a stylist there named Shanita who twisted my locs and sometimes did cornrows and basic natural styles. She doesn't work there anymore, but you can PM me and I can try to send you her cellphone number. There may be other stylists at the salon who can do your hair, though I have to warn you that the place is nice overall but definitely has a different vibe since it changed locations and had turnover in the staff. It's a nice place still, but probably not as nice as this review suggests -- http://www.yelp.com/biz/salon-ambian...dreas-mattapan)
Liz's Hair Care (my two cents: I've never tried this place, though I'm also surprised to hear that they retwist locs since I distinctly remember calling them when I wanted to get some and being told over the phone that they didn't do locs. It does seem that they can do loose napps though -- http://www.yelp.com/biz/lizs-hair-ca...ural%20hair%22 and http://www.lizhaircare.com/services.htm)
Olive's (my two cents: When you look at this website, you wouldn't think they do natural hair at all, but I've anecdotally heard over the years that naturals do get serviced here. -- http://olivestextures.com/ and http://www.yelp.com/biz/olives-beaut...-chestnut-hill)

Lastly, a couple of years back when I frequented a message board that was a forerunner to this one (though nowhere near as nice and organized), I received an email from a local stylist who was in cosmetology school and hoping to have her own salon one day. I never followed up, so I don't have any personal experience to relate. But for what it's worth, here's the message she sent me:

--- Zenda Walker zwalker2@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> > Hello [MY NAME]. I am still available for styling. I
> > do all natural styles
> > (extensions, two-strand twists, silky twists,
> > traditional locks,
> > sisterlocks, cornrows, flat-twists, press-n-curl,
> > etc.). I also just
> > completed my cosmetology program and will be getting
> > my license March 5th.
> > I work from home, but on occasion bring my clients
> > to my cosmetology school
> > salon for full-service appointments. Feel free to
> > contact me when you are
> > ready for an appointment.
> >
> > 617-669-3831
> >
> > I look forward to your call.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Zenda

**BlackOnyx03** · 12-28-2009, 08:22 AM

There is a natural hair meet-up group in Boston. If you join the group ($4 membership) you can chat one-on-one with other members and find out how they get their hair done!

http://www.meetup.com/Napptural/

**BlackOnyx03** · 12-28-2009, 04:54 PM

Hi ladies!

I just wanted to add my two cents. I've been in Boston for quite awhile now and the natural hair pickings are just slim. You'd think with ALLLLLL the black folks we have in Boston there'd be more options for natural hair care than we have. Anywho, here's what I've found over the years:

If you have locs, there's...

Muriel's Natural Hair Studio (my two cents: SUPER GHETTO! Avoid! This place started my locs, and it just got to the point where I couldn't go back. - http://www.yelp.com/biz/muriels-natu...chester-center)
Fresh Start Salon (my two cents: These are Muriel's relatives, but the salon atmosphere is a tad bit better - http://www.yelp.com/biz/fresh-start-...lon-dorchester)
Royal Tree Barber Shop (my two cents: I've never been there, but I literally stopped a complete stranger on the street with GORGEOUS!!!! locs and she recommended her stylist Belinda -- http://www.myspace.com/royaltreebarbershop)

Note: Neither Muriel's or Fresh Start does a particularly good job catering to anyone who does NOT have locs. In fact, I think Muriel's has become what old heads on this board used to call a "loc mill" -- so much so that I think I saw ONE person who did not have locs in my two years of going there.)

If you have a TWA or small fro, there's...

Royal Tree Barber Shop (my two cents: again, I've never been there, but from the MySpace pics it looks like Belinda could maintain this for you, even though she tends to have largely male clientele who are getting elaborate designs shaved into their heads -- http://www.myspace.com/royaltreebarbershop)

If you have Sisterlocks/Brotherlocks, there's...

Martine Bernard - http://www.karendrummey.com/BostonSi...cks/index.html
Jacqueline Ashby - http://public.fotki.com/jlmashby/ and http://www.hairstoyounaturally.com/
Natural Kinks by Valena - http://www.myspace.com/naturallykinkysisterlocks

If you have loose napps, there's...

Simply Erinn's (my two cents: very expensive and the service isn't particularly friendly or efficient) -- http://www.simplyerinns.com/)
Salon Ambiance (my two cents: there used to be a stylist there named Shanita who twisted my locs and sometimes did cornrows and basic natural styles. She doesn't work there anymore, but you can PM me and I can try to send you her cellphone number. There may be other stylists at the salon who can do your hair, though I have to warn you that the place is nice overall but definitely has a different vibe since it changed locations and had turnover in the staff. It's a nice place still, but probably not as nice as this review suggests -- http://www.yelp.com/biz/salon-ambian...dreas-mattapan)
Liz's Hair Care (my two cents: I've never tried this place, though I'm also surprised to hear that they retwist locs since I distinctly remember calling them when I wanted to get some and being told over the phone that they didn't do locs. It does seem that they can do loose napps though -- http://www.yelp.com/biz/lizs-hair-ca...ural%20hair%22 and http://www.lizhaircare.com/services.htm)
Olive's (my two cents: When you look at this website, you wouldn't think they do natural hair at all, but I've anecdotally heard over the years that naturals do get serviced here. -- http://olivestextures.com/ and http://www.yelp.com/biz/olives-beaut...-chestnut-hill)

Lastly, a couple of years back when I frequented a message board that was a forerunner to this one (though nowhere near as nice and organized), I received an email from a local stylist who was in cosmetology school and hoping to have her own salon one day. I never followed up, so I don't have any personal experience to relate. But for what it's worth, here's the message she sent me:

--- Zenda Walker zwalker2@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> > Hello [MY NAME]. I am still available for styling. I
> > do all natural styles
> > (extensions, two-strand twists, silky twists,
> > traditional locks,
> > sisterlocks, cornrows, flat-twists, press-n-curl,
> > etc.). I also just
> > completed my cosmetology program and will be getting
> > my license March 5th.
> > I work from home, but on occasion bring my clients
> > to my cosmetology school
> > salon for full-service appointments. Feel free to
> > contact me when you are
> > ready for an appointment.
> >
> > 617-669-3831
> >
> > I look forward to your call.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Zenda

If you're looking for online/in-person support...

There is a natural hair meet-up group in Boston. If you join the group ($4 membership) you can chat one-on-one with other members and find out how they get their hair done! -- http://www.meetup.com/Napptural/
There is also a Yahoo! group for Boston naturals, though it hasn't been very active lately. -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/boston_naturals/

**dancingbtrfly** · 12-29-2009, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by BlackOnyx03

Hi ladies!

I just wanted to add my two cents. I've been in Boston for quite awhile now and the natural hair pickings are just slim. You'd think with ALLLLLL the black folks we have in Boston there'd be more options for natural hair care than we have. Anywho, here's what I've found over the years:

If you have locs, there's...

Muriel's Natural Hair Studio (my two cents: SUPER GHETTO! Avoid! This place started my locs, and it just got to the point where I couldn't go back. - http://www.yelp.com/biz/muriels-natu...chester-center)
Fresh Start Salon (my two cents: These are Muriel's relatives, but the salon atmosphere is a tad bit better - http://www.yelp.com/biz/fresh-start-...lon-dorchester)
Royal Tree Barber Shop (my two cents: I've never been there, but I literally stopped a complete stranger on the street with GORGEOUS!!!! locs and she recommended her stylist Belinda -- http://www.myspace.com/royaltreebarbershop)

Note: Neither Muriel's or Fresh Start does a particularly good job catering to anyone who does NOT have locs. In fact, I think Muriel's has become what old heads on this board used to call a "loc mill" -- so much so that I think I saw ONE person who did not have locs in my two years of going there.)

If you have a TWA or small fro, there's...

Royal Tree Barber Shop (my two cents: again, I've never been there, but from the MySpace pics it looks like Belinda could maintain this for you, even though she tends to have largely male clientele who are getting elaborate designs shaved into their heads -- http://www.myspace.com/royaltreebarbershop)

If you have Sisterlocks/Brotherlocks, there's...

Martine Bernard - http://www.karendrummey.com/BostonSi...cks/index.html
Jacqueline Ashby - http://public.fotki.com/jlmashby/ and http://www.hairstoyounaturally.com/
Natural Kinks by Valena - http://www.myspace.com/naturallykinkysisterlocks

If you have loose napps, there's...

Simply Erinn's (my two cents: very expensive and the service isn't particularly friendly or efficient) -- http://www.simplyerinns.com/)
Salon Ambiance (my two cents: there used to be a stylist there named Shanita who twisted my locs and sometimes did cornrows and basic natural styles. She doesn't work there anymore, but you can PM me and I can try to send you her cellphone number. There may be other stylists at the salon who can do your hair, though I have to warn you that the place is nice overall but definitely has a different vibe since it changed locations and had turnover in the staff. It's a nice place still, but probably not as nice as this review suggests -- http://www.yelp.com/biz/salon-ambian...dreas-mattapan)
Liz's Hair Care (my two cents: I've never tried this place, though I'm also surprised to hear that they retwist locs since I distinctly remember calling them when I wanted to get some and being told over the phone that they didn't do locs. It does seem that they can do loose napps though -- http://www.yelp.com/biz/lizs-hair-ca...ural%20hair%22 and http://www.lizhaircare.com/services.htm)
Olive's (my two cents: When you look at this website, you wouldn't think they do natural hair at all, but I've anecdotally heard over the years that naturals do get serviced here. -- http://olivestextures.com/ and http://www.yelp.com/biz/olives-beaut...-chestnut-hill)

Lastly, a couple of years back when I frequented a message board that was a forerunner to this one (though nowhere near as nice and organized), I received an email from a local stylist who was in cosmetology school and hoping to have her own salon one day. I never followed up, so I don't have any personal experience to relate. But for what it's worth, here's the message she sent me:

--- Zenda Walker zwalker2@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> > Hello [MY NAME]. I am still available for styling. I
> > do all natural styles
> > (extensions, two-strand twists, silky twists,
> > traditional locks,
> > sisterlocks, cornrows, flat-twists, press-n-curl,
> > etc.). I also just
> > completed my cosmetology program and will be getting
> > my license March 5th.
> > I work from home, but on occasion bring my clients
> > to my cosmetology school
> > salon for full-service appointments. Feel free to
> > contact me when you are
> > ready for an appointment.
> >
> > 617-669-3831
> >
> > I look forward to your call.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Zenda

If you're looking for online/in-person support...

There is a natural hair meet-up group in Boston. If you join the group ($4 membership) you can chat one-on-one with other members and find out how they get their hair done! -- http://www.meetup.com/Napptural/
There is also a Yahoo! group for Boston naturals, though it hasn't been very active lately. -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/boston_naturals/

Thanks so much for the great information!!! I moved to Boston for a second time last year and at the time I had locs. Now I am a loosie who is struggling to care for my hair. BTW I started a group here on NP called New England Nappturals- Boston and Beyond. There are only three of us so far but we'd love to have more! Please feel free to join us.

@ Onyx are you a member of the meetup? I am emailing the mod now! You rock...thank you soooooo much.

Steph

**shay** · 01-17-2010, 08:33 PM

Thanks for these recommendations, yeah I went to Fresh Start years ago when I had locs and I agree with what you said. Man, its a desert out here in New England for naturals. I am in Maine and we do have one half way decent shop I may just go back there since traveling to Boston to not get anything better in Maine would just be a waste of time.