Dellaria Salon — Local services in Boston

I’m a young Black male with 4b/4c curly hair, and I had a really disappointing — and honestly, racially uncomfortable — experience at this salon. I went in late June to get an Olaplex-style wash to help bring some life back into my hair. I already had blonde in it and explained that I wanted to refresh the color and possibly add a new tone.

From the start, the stylist made excuses about why she couldn’t do what I asked. She said that because of my hair texture, she’d have to comb it out, blow it out, and straighten it in order to apply the color. But that’s a normal part of the coloring process for any hair type. Her reasoning didn’t make sense, and it felt clear that she simply didn’t want to work on Black hair.

Her tone, body language, and overall energy were dismissive and uncomfortable. The way she handled my hair felt hesitant and almost disgusted, like she didn’t even want to touch it. I’ve been getting my hair professionally done for over seven years at salons in California and Pennsylvania as someone who works in entertainment (dance, modeling, acting), and I know how a professional stylist should treat their clients — and this was far from it. She spoke to me as if I didn’t understand hair care, even though I do.

Whatever she used on my hair ended up damaging it further, and my curls still haven’t fully bounced back since that appointment. Even when I went to other reputable stylists — including professionals at Ulta Beauty and stylists who work in Hollywood entertainment — they all told me the same thing: whatever that lady used did more harm than good.

I understand that not everyone is trained in working with every hair type, and that people’s hair textures vary across race, ethnicity, and culture. But if you’re going to run a salon and claim to serve all clients, then be honest about what you can and can’t do. Don’t have people with Black or textured hair come in expecting fair treatment and professionalism only to experience what I did this past summer.

I’ve waited months to write this because I wanted to be fair and thoughtful, but this experience truly bothered me. I will never return to this salon and have told my friends — especially other Black clients moving to Boston — to avoid it. No one should have to deal with that kind of bias or discomfort just to get...

I booked a single process, haircut, and blowout with Yoshie since I saw she had great reviews. I came in looking to dye my hair darker and match my roots (dark brown), which I've gotten done at other salons with no problem. During the consultation, I was pretty confused since Yoshie expressed to me that it would be extremely difficult without adding a partial foil (still no idea why I had to get this) to the single process and also mentioned I might have to bleach my hair (??) which was very odd since I wanted to go darker. After 30min, I just agreed to whatever she said (partial foil, single process) and expressed all I wanted was my hair to match my roots. I left the salon and was satisfied, but the problem came the next day. When I washed my hair, my hair reverted completely to the brown/red color it was before I came into my appointment. In fact, my hair looked lighter and more red and the band between my roots and the dyed hair was so apparent. I also realized I had received the worst haircut, which I was skeptical since she only spent 15min cutting my hair. I had asked for layers and pieces to frame my face, but upon further inspection my hair was cut so unevenly and just in a straight line. The total for my services was $270 ($320 including tip), and my hair looked exactly the same the next day! I called the salon and they told me I could get a redo at the Dellaria Brookline location. Thank god I was able to get my hair redyed at the Brookline location, and even my stylist there was confused as to why I had to get a partial foil and how different my hair was from my roots. In the end, all I needed was a single process and it took 30min at the...

Unprofessional joke of a place. Booked a “regular blowout” and walked in to be informed immediately by the stylist “just so you know I’m only doing it straight I’m leaving at 5”. I had booked a “regular blowout” before at Dellaria and the stylist said I could have any blowout style- waves, curls, anything. No where on the website does it ever say hair will ONLY be blown out straight with straight ends. I said ok, that’s fine, I don’t need any hot tools all I want is it straight and blown out with a round brush (probably the easiest blowout style request). He informed me no, he could not do that, and would only do it straight with a paddle brush. What reputable salon would EVER use a paddle brush for a blowout?? That in itself shows how incompetent this place is for how much that is known to damage the hair. They did not try and accommodate me at all when I said please can you do it straight but just WITH a round brush. It was my birthday and I had a very important dinner. Walked next door to Haute Coiffure and they immediately accommodated me and acted way more professional then this joke of a place. It would not have taken any more time to blow it out with the stupid brush, it literally is just your wrist going in a different direction as well. I understand everyone wants tongi home at 5, my blowout was booked at 4:30 and I arrived at 4:20, even given more time leniency for him. If your going to dellaria, stay clear of...