De Ja Vu

If I could give this salon negative stars I would. I was dumbfounded by how poorly this salon is run.
I walked into my 10am appointment and found Gina, my hairstylist, had booked another appointment at the same time. She apparently tends to book 2 – 3 clients at the same time because according to her «[She] would never make any money if [she] just booked one client at a time.» No other salon I know does this. The result of booking 2 – 3 clients at a time is that each client ends up spending HOURS at the salon when they should only be there for 45 minutes (I am NOT exaggerating).
When Gina had finished cutting her other client’s hair, she told me to sit down in that same chair, which was covered in hair. Any other salon I’ve been to has cleaned up the hair on the floor and chair before having a client sit down. Gross!
Next thing was I paid $ 180 for a Brazilian Blowout/​Haircut and she didn’t even finish the Brazilian Blowout process. She put the formula in my hair, blew it dry, straightened it, and then told me to go home and put on the Brazilian Blowout conditioner/​mask on myself. I’ve had Brazilian Blowouts done at other salons and the hairstylist always did this for me… I couldn’t believe she wasn’t finishing the process. Additionally, she spent a maximum of 4 minutes cutting my hair (because another client was waiting).
At the end of the day I learned a very valuable lesson– You truly get what you pay for. The people at the Salon were generally very nice (especially Sharon– she’s an angel.) But, the discount on the Brazilian Blowout was definitely not worth it. I strongly suggest that you not waste your time or money here.

Never Again!
I bought a GROUPON for a cut + highlight by Gina thinking it was a great deal, close by, and it would be nice to try some place new! Little did I know, it would be the worst experience I have ever had.
I showed up 5 minutes early to my appointment, and was immediately told it would be another hour before she could get to me. She suggested I go shopping on route 1, and then by the time I came back she would be ready for me! I didn’t think much of it, because she told me the client before me was late, and that caused her to be behind. After running my errands I was back at the salon waiting. It was another hour before I was actually in her chair, and she began a consult. I told her I was simply looking for a trim, and some advice on some subtle highlights for a sun-​kissed summer glow.
Gina, and her assistant began to pressure me in to a Brazilian blowout, promising me it would solve all of my hair woes, and I would no longer need a cut or color. This conversation went, back, and forth for several minutes, and she refused to do anything but the Brazilian. Being unfamiliar with blowouts myself, they sold it to me well. After agreeing to it, she told me there would be a $ 100.00 cash only up charge, because my long hair would require more product. I was ready to walk, when she insisted her assistant wash my hair while she pulled some strings. Gina proceeded to take another client, and after my wash came over to whisper she would do the blowout for $ 50.00.
I was beginning to get frustrated, because I should have been done with my salon treatment altogether by this point, but with a wet head already, I agreed to just go for the blowout. The next two hours I was washed, and conditioned four times by her assistant, given magazines, and told my hair needed to set after each. I watched Gina take client, after client, as I sat there so uncomfortable, and feeling like I was being scammed. Not only is the salon asthetically sketchy, but the duo about to style my hair was also! As the sun went down, the place cleared out, and I still had a soaking wet head, she told me to come over for my turn. FINALLY! I sat ready to get what is supposed to be a nice experience just plain over with, when she decided to go on break.
I have asked myself a million times over why I never left, and to this day I wish that is exactly what I had done. After she ate, and smoked her cigarettes, they began my blowout. When it was finished, I nearly ran out the door of the now empty salon, and sobbed the entire way home. My naturally pin straight shiny hair looked no different outside of being flat, and even thinner than usual. I blame the severe migraines I got for several weeks after to the harsh chemicals used in this process. I would not recommend this treatment, nor would I ever recommend Gina, or this salon to anyone!
It has been some time since I went in there now, and it still makes me feel sick to my stomach thinking back on it. Writing this Unilocal review not only makes me feel a little bit better, but I also hope it helps prospective customers make an informed decision before patronizing such a terrible hairdresser, and salon.

Well, i don’t know where to start.
1) the place is small and needs a makeover.
2) it needs a debt card machine, instead of walking out to the bank to get cash!
3) please add wifi, its a must esp if u are going to wait for hours.
4) Sharon is so kind and good at whatever she does or asked to do.
5) Lets talk about Gina; first she is not the owner. Next she is awesome! She knows EXACTLY what she is doing and she is professional at it! She is honest and sincere. If you tell her what you want she will do it, don’t blame her if you insist on that and comes out disappointing. She will advice you and give you her opinion, but you don’t have to take it.
6) My hair is wavy, i tried different salons from James Joseph Salon to others trying keratin and Brazilian blowout, it was horrible! Plus expensive! Never went back. But Gina knew exactly what to do with my hair. She advised me to do the Brazilian blowout and she poured her heart and soul into it! There is no comparison. This is when i believed its not the kind you put in your hair, its who does it and how. I am back and with my daughters.
I will be forever a returning customer until Gina retires.
7) never mind Groupon prices; please read the fine print. That is the basic price there is a possibility that you will have to pay more if your hair is long.
8) I recommend Gina in a heart beat!

I went several months ago and my hair is still recovering. I have been coloring my hair for years professionally and have never had my hair ruined. Does four clients at a time. Kept adding $$which made the groupon a joke. Was there for hours!

Walked out after waiting an hour and a half and only had my hair conditioned by that point.
I bough a groupon for $ 35. For a cut and color. I arrived for my 11:45 appointment and was told to have a seat, she was a little bit behind. Which is completely understandable! It happens!
After a little bit Gina did come over to talk to me about my color, she was very nice and knowledgable. She informed me I would owe an additional $ 40 on top of the groupon (because of my long hair) and that they don’t take credit, so off I went to the atm down the street.
After about 30 minutes from my appointment time I was asked to go to the bathroom, take off my shirt and put a cape on. («so she didn’t get any color on my shirt») then my hair was conditioned and I was sent to sit at one of the chairs, the woman who conditioned my hair then HANDED me a brush and told me to brush out my hair! I did, and then continued to wait. When it hit 1:15 and I had been waiting for 1 ½ hours, I had enough. The $ 35 I spent on the groupon wasnt worth this wait!
Additionally, during my wait she was extremely rude to one of her customers (the customer was being very difficult, but still unacceptable) and sent another customer away who showed up on time for an appointment and was told to «come back in an hour or so and we’ll see where we are» then complained about that customer so that the other customers waiting could hear her.
I hate to sound disgruntled, because sure she would’ve don’t a great job, but this was completely ridiculous.

The worst experience of my life. I was so looking forward to a new look and it was the worst job ever. Gina left me so traumatized. I called before going there to see if they could take me right in before buying the Groupon. and Gina on the phone had asked me if I had bought it with the groupon and i said that i was gonna purchase it before i got to the salon and she told me that she would honor me the deal without purchasing the deal from Groupon that was suppose to be a wash, cut, color and blow dry for 35.00. When i got there i told her that i wanted a light brown color and that there shouldn’t be a problem getting the color because my hair was all natural and had never been dyed. she told me that she was gonna need to charge me 20.00 dollars more which I dont understood why and never thought about it until after. the color was suppose to be included with the groupon deal of 35.00. to make my story short my hair came out light on the top and dark on the bottom. it was just horrible i didnt really notice how bad it was at the salon because the lighting was dark inside and it didnt allow me to see the color very well. When I left the salon to take money out to pay for her crappy job she was smoking inside which was so unprofessional. The next day I couldn’t take the horrible color no more and just bought a color at CVS and dyed it back to black. She ruined my hair the groupon deal that was suppose to cost me 35.00 dollars ended up costing me almost 80.00, for nothing it was money down the drain and now my hair is so damaged and all dry up.

I waited about 2 weeks to leave my review because I wanted to see results on my hair and also, because I noticed many positive reviews so, I didn’t want to hurt the reputation of Gina. I will share my experience and leave the rest to your own judgement. I bought a Groupon for a Brazilian blowout near my home. This is why I ended up at this hair salon. By the way, they charged me extra because there was a disclaimer in their deal about charging extra fee for hair length and thickness. Gina said that because my hair is long she needs to use «more product» I ended up paying $ 150. The Groupon was for $ 99.
About scheduling appt
This is a very small business therefore, the environment is not your typical hair salon. I was ok with that since for years I used to go to a place in East Boston. I’m very organized with my appointments so, when I called Gina I scheduled a Brazilian blowout for the following week. I wrote it down in my calendar as an 11am appt. I showed up at 11am and I was shocked when they told me it was scheduled for 10am. Since it’s a small business I guess that’s why they don’t call you or send you texts for confirmations or appt reminders. At the time, she told me she will take me in but said that it might take longer due to other appts. I thought that this was accommodating and understanding of her, especially because this was MISCOMMUNICATION.
About the service
I have had 2 or 3 Brazilian blowouts in the past. This was the first time that I have seen it done in this way. I was not sure if she tried to do a combination of keratin treatment and Brazilian blowout? I don’t even know. It was just different. But instead of me comparing it to other places, I will post below the process as described by the Brazilian Blowout official page so, you read an unbiased perspective. I will uppercase my comments next to it. By the way, the treatment didn’t last. I have NOTHING on my hair.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
— Stylist will shampoo your hair with the Brazilian Blowout specially formulated Anti-​Residue Professional Shampoo to prepare your hair.
GINA’s ASSISTANT WASHED MY HAIR AND LEFT ME WITH THE PRODUCT ON FOR ABOUT 15 – 20 MINUTES.
— After towel drying, your certified Brazilian Blowout stylist will divide your hair into sections and begin to comb the Brazilian Blowout Professional Treatment through each section of the hair from root to tip; lightly dusting each section with the solution.
AFTER WASHING HAIR AND TOWEL DRYING, GINA APPLIED THE PRODUCT IN THE WAY DESCRIBED. I WAS OKAY UP TO THIS PART.
— Solution will surround each hair shaft with protective protein layers to smooth and flatten the cuticle. Stylist will then blow-​dry your hair as straight as possible with a flat or round brush.
GINA DID NOT BLOW-​DRY MY HAIR WITH FLAT|ROUND BRUSH. INSTEAD, SHE LEFT ME WITH THE PRODUCT (AGAIN) DRYING ON MY HAIR FOR ABOUT 30−40min.
— Once the hair is dry, the Stylist will divide the hair into four sections and begin using a flat iron to further straighten the hair in 1 — ¹³⁄₄ inch sections.
AFTER I WAS LEFT WITH THE PRODUCT ON, HER ASSISTANT BLOW-​DRY MY HAIR WITH A HAIR DRYER.
— Once complete, the Stylist will rinse the hair (no shampoo), towel-​dry and apply the Brazilian Blowout Masque to further seal in the professional formulation. GINA NEVER RINSED MY HAIR. After 60 seconds, the stylist will rinse the hair once again and towel dry. SHE DID NO RINSE IT.
— The Stylist will then apply the Brazilian Blowout Smoothing Serum to further seal the cuticle and assist in detangling the hair prior to the final blow dry.
AT THIS POINT I WAS WAITING ON A CHAIR FOR OVER ONE HOUR, JUST WAITING THERE AFTER HER ASSISTANT BLOW-​DRY MY HAIR WITH THE HAIR DRYER.
— The Stylist will then blow dry the hair straight one final time and style as desired.
You will leave the salon in approximately 90 minutes with beautiful, smooth, healthy radiant hair!
NONE OF THESE STEPS WERE FOLLOWED. I ASKED GINA IF SHE WAS GOING TO WASH MY HAIR AGAIN AND USE THE FLAT IRON? SHE SAID «WHAT FOR?» YOU ONLY NEED TO USE FLAT IRON ONCE BECAUSE YOUR HAIR IS NOT LIKE A WOMAN WITH «AFRICAN-​AMERICAN HAIR»
AFTER I ASKED GINA TO PLEASE FINISH THE PROCESS BECAUSE I WAS FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE SALON. SHE SAID IT WAS BECAUSE I ARRIVED LATE. I EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS A MISCOMMUNICATION BUT I NEVER EXPECTED TO BE THERE FOR OVER 4 HOURS.
SHE USED THE FLAT IRON TO FINISH MY HAIR AND TOLD ME NOT TO WASH IT FOR AS LONG AS I CAN TO HELP IT STAY ON HAIR.
This NEVER happened to me before. I know leaving product on your hair is part of the «KERATIN» treatment. It’s not the Brazilian blowout though. Also, she gave me an almost empty container of hair masque and told me to applied it on my own and use flat iron after. This was like I had to finish the process myself. And, I guess the little hair masque she gave me was for the $ 50 «MORE PRODUCT» I was extra charged. Never again!

Visit #1:
I bought a Groupon, which is what brought me into Salon De Ja Vu for the first time. My African American hair was previously highlighted dark brown and red and was past my shoulders in length. I wanted a shorter style and a complete color overhaul. I showed Gina a picture of jet black hair with subtle electric blue highlights underneath and asked her to work her magic.
I was a little nervous that my difficult hair would make the task impossible, that it would come out the wrong color blue, perhaps green, or wouldn’t be the bright, edgy blue that I desired. Gina highlighted my hair, put in the jet black dye to get rid of my previous highlights (while avoiding the new highlights — talk about tricky!), then washed it all out before applying the blue to the highlighted pieces. There was no need for nerves because Gina truly understands how to achieve color perfection and does so masterfully.
Needless to say, she did a fantastic job and I was thrilled with the beautiful results. I loved it so much that when I went back again months later, I asked for more blue and an even shorter bob.
Visit #2:
First, Sharon washed and conditioned my super curly hair. Then, Gina took the time to section off the oh-​so-​many pieces for the full foils required to lift my unruly black hair to blonde. and I have A LOT of hair. She then cut my curly locks and applied the blue dye. After several washes (thanks Sharon!!), my hair was dried and flat ironed to get a better look at the final color and style. LOVED the color, but I wanted some adjustments on the cut. Any girl with curls knows that a cut can look quite different after straightening and Gina’s no stranger to this reality. She meticulously shaped the style I wanted, giving it movement and dimension.
Bottom line, Gina puts her clients first, LISTENS to their needs, and delivers. She’s realistic about what’s possible, is honest about what’s required to achieve results, and does consistent, exceptional work. Gina has great attention to detail and really cares about whether her client is pleased. (Did I mention she gave me a second cut, no questions asked, just to make sure I was happy with it before I left?!)
I am very happy with my hair. After years of going from stylist to stylist (from Newbury St to Cambridge to the South End, etc), I am so glad that I finally found someone as experienced, talented and affordable as Gina.

Gina is a great great colorist! She uses the best products for your hair. She’s a very nice and sweet person.
Her helper is great as well!
–The salon needs updating.
–Parking is great.
The price for my partial high lights/​low lights and cut was very pricey. More then when I did it on Newbury Street in Boston or any place I’ve ever tried.
I wish I would say I’ll come back but … not for that price.

So unprofessional and work is very inconsistent. Always at least an hour late on appointments. Smoke the entire time in the back, you leave smelling like cigarettes.

Gina is an absolute miracle worker.
I bought a groupon on a whim having not cut my hair for years. It was 4 different shades of bad color jobs and more dead ends than anyone could imagine.
I have extremely fine hair and yet very curly and could never style or straighten it to the point that I looked halfway decent.
Gina gave me a whole new look with amazing color, a style and I literally looked like a different person when I left. I spent almost 40 yrs hating my hair being cut and living with my medusa looking curls and she has turned me into someone that is looking forward to my next cut and color. My children where amazed and even insisted I looked so much younger (considering they insist I lived with the dinosaurs this is huge) .
I lost count on the number of compliments I’ve received in the past couple of days.
I admit I was afraid to wash it and find out it wouldn’t look as good as when I left the salon but for the first time ever it looks amazing and took no time to do.
Yes I sound vain but I assure you I was a hard case to deal with and saying Gina knows her stuff would be an understatement.
She truly is amazing and I’m totally grateful for her help.