Allora Salon & Spa

I see Taylor for my long, incredibly thick wavy-​ish hair. It’s REALLY hard to find someone who can do a great job on my hair and Taylor is perfect. I’ve also loved all the color services I’ve had with her.

Being new to the area, it is incredibly anxiety-​inducing to try a new place for salon services. After daunting research, I decided to put my fate in the hands of the very capable stylists at Allora and could not be happier. I have seen Stephanie twice for a trim and full highlights and she has done an impeccable job! I’ve had my hair done for years and forgot to get my color information from my former stylist back home. Even without those details, Stephanie was able to successfully match my previous color and touch up my roots flawlessly. The overall atmosphere is lively and I always enjoy the fun environment.
Additionally, I have experience with their waxing and nail services. My eyebrow wax appointment was lovely and my eyebrows were even and nicely shaped. My booked-​last-​minute manicure/​pedicure service was wonderful as well. Bethany does a fabulous pedicure and gave me an absolutely beautiful gel manicure!
As far as pricing goes, my hair services run me about $ 130 before tip. That’s slightly more expensive than I am used to, but not by much. The nail services are REALLY pricey. I have never spent more than $ 75 (including tip) on my nails but my tab was over $ 100. I will say that was likely because on top of the already high base service pricing, I chose gel polish instead of regular polish, and I also had 1 nail on each hand applied with nail art. I would probably stick to the regular shopping center places for nail services unless I had a special occasion.
A bonus for Allora is that they have a great, informative website that allows you to book services online. That is a HUGE selling point for me. I would definitely recommend Allora if you’re in the market for new salon services.

I’ve tried two different stylists at this salon, the salon owner Jackie and another stylist who was no better.
Both gave disappointing haircuts. Jackie says on the website that she does ‘precision detailed hair cutting’ — NO, she doesn’t and doesn’t know what a woman’s precision haircut is. She’s simply using a buzzword to try to get clients. After she cut my hair she said, «well, if a client doesn’t like the cut, it grows back in a month anyway!» Really? Bad attitude for a salon owner to have.
When people I work with saw my cut they commented, «Looks like you TRIED a new hair stylist.»
She claims the cost of their haircuts are a lot less than the rest of the salons on 124 Street but they’re NOT, $ 55.00 + GST is in keeping with other salons on 124 Street.
It’s pretty apparent that the stylists in this salon do NOT keep up-​to-​date on the latest hair cutting techniques and so I would never recommend the salon to others.

In response and to reiterate, Jill, where I felt you fell short was customer service, not policy communication. Your policy was the only thing repeatedly told to me when I expressed on the morning of my wedding, that I decided not to have my nails painted, and that in the context of spending $ 1000, $ 25 is a measly amount to waive to make a bride happy and feeling well-​served. Furthermore, I never told Maura «it was exactly what I wanted» or any similar statement. I will ask her if she said said this… If she did it was not what I told her. In truth I felt regret for spending so much money on something that looked very simple, curled and partially pulled back– I posted a photo for reference, I had the flower headpiece done by a local florist. I had wanted something unique but after consultation felt encouraged to play it safe as I was told my hair is frizzy and the styles I wanted would not turn out like the photos I brought in.
Overpriced and lack of customer service.
My small bridal party brought in close to $ 1000 to Allora in a matter of three hours or so, and they did not have the decency to waive the $ 25 cost for a service I did not receive. I decided not have my nails painted but they insisted on charging me for it b/​c I had not cancelled the day before.
Pricing went like this: $ 240 for wash, the tiniest trim ever off the ends, bridal hair and makeup trial. Then $ 588 for bridal hair and makeup, up do for one bridesmaid, two extremely simple shorthair dos for the two other bridesmaids, and colored nails for three. In addition to the $ 828 I paid, my three bridesmaids independently paid for their makeup as well.
Mom went across the street to Sugarmills for her up do and they charged her $ 10 and she was super happy with it. Go there instead!

I needed to write a review about this salon… there’s a saying called «you get what you pay for.» Allora salon saved my hair… I had decided to go to another salon before my Allora appt and they ruined my hair… I left with it crunchy and it felt like straw. My color looked nothing NOTHING like the pictures I brought in. That’s just to name the worst part… I called Jill the owner of Allora and explained what I experienced just before and when I came in… I was greeted with such awesomness. they knew what I needed and explained everything on how to fix it. They are truely like hair doctors. I left with a completely amazing color correction and fabulous experience. It’s a 45 min drive for me but I will never never go anywhere else again. Allora is worth every penny you spend… :)

This review pertains only to Nail Services at Allora – I had my gel manicure with painted french tips done this afternoon/​evening at Allora by Kaitlyn Ragne and am very pleased with the outcome.
Gel manicures are just awesome when done well – they last 14 days, dry instantly, don’t chip, don’t injure your nails, look gorgeous and glossy for all 14 days, and aren’t debilitating or yucky like acrylic nails. Gel manicures can however be extremely annoying if not done well because (1) they’re pricier than a non-​gel manicure, and (2) they’re best removed by a professional. This means you’re sort of stuck with the outcome if it’s bad for at least 2 weeks unless you want to fork over the cash for a new manicure or you want to buy acetone and scrape the color off yourself (and good luck doing that without damaging your nails).
In addition to the standard woes caused by bad gel manicures, a french gel manicure adds an additional challenge because the manicurist has to put on her artist hat and basically paint itty bitty little perfectly symmetrical quarter moons on your tiny nail tips. Most salons offer gel manicures now with french tips, but finding one where I leave happy – with symmetrically cut and shaped nails, without cotton fibers trapped in the gel, with evenly painted tips, without white paint on my skin, and without jagged edges – is a real challenge.
Kaitlyn did a wonderful job. She compared each nail to the last and to the finger nails on my opposite hand as she painted the tips… she ensured I didn’t get white paint on my skin… she gave me a wonderful almond hand massage following the massage… and she was just an all around pleasant person to be around during the manicure (this is not a job that can be done hastily, so having someone pleasant to chat with was great).
Allora is about 20 minutes from where I live, there are dozens of salons much closer but I feel it’s worth the drive and have already made my next appointment with Kaitlyn.

Great salon! Emily is amazing at cutting and styling curly hair. Atmosphere is lovely — very bright and clean, and all the products work really well. Thanks, Allora!