Joi Salon — Local services in Boston

I’m not one to usually write a review, but I was upset after I had my hair balayaged by Amanda Leaman.

She cut my hair previously and although I had wanted a more “choppy” cut, it was decent. Her trim was actually a trim and didn’t take too much which I appreciated. I was excited to pursue coloring.

I had initially shown the picture attached as a reference, although I wanted it a few shades darker. I was looking for a rich, integrative natural balayage, but did not want any single streaks near my face. I told her this.

When Amanda finished my hair, it was underwhelming. The color was barely a few shades lighter than my natural color and it was done just on the mid and lower part of the hair. All in streaks. Not to mention there was a single large streak next to my face. It was not at all how I wanted it. I attached pictures of my hair so you can see.

I didn’t want to be rude so I said okay and left. I talked with my family and they were shocked that I had paid $400 (300 balayage + 50 blow out + tip) for not much of a difference. And so, I reached out to Amanda about two weeks later and said that I did not love my color and found it to be underwhelming for the amount of money I spent.

Her response set the tone right away - she replied that in the future I should tell her I did not like my hair in the “professional standard” of five days. She never told me this and how am I supposed to know?? She never apologized or had a hint of professional hospitality. It was blunt that she did not care that I was unhappy as a client. I had to reply and pointedly asked if she would do a correction.

(Mind you, I’m not looking for a free service. I was happy to work something out but I wanted it to be fixed since the original didn’t live up to what we agreed upon.)

She then asked for pictures of my hair, again without any hint of friendliness. And at that point, it was just an uncomfortable experience. I felt like my old hairdressers would always be like, “omg yes, come back in and we can figure something out” and that would have been perfect with me.

I didn’t send pictures for a while (1 month) mostly because there was a lot going on in my life, I was uncomfortable and I didn’t think it was a huge deal. So when I did send them to her (truly not expecting it to be a big deal) Amanda then responds with,

“This type of communication is not how I run my business. Month long increments between when a client is unhappy with their hair doesn’t allow me to provide a service to my standard.

At this point in time we are not a good fit as I am cancelling your June 7th appointment.”

It was just a shocking moment. Granted it was a month but I thought the extent she took it too was too much. Additionally, the appt she cancelled was literally in two weeks. She could have said, “why don’t you come in and we can figure something out?” Instead she was rude, uncaring about her client’s happiness and dismissive.

So now I am out $400 with no correction, no hair stylist and no hair appointment because I voiced I was unhappy with my hair. What a joke.

Good luck to anyone who...

I wish I could review my different services separately at Joi Salon as I had the most amazing facial and not so amazing massage. I still give five stars because the facial was that good!

Everyone here is super nice and excited to make your spa experience relaxing and enjoyable. I had my massage first and she was nice enough to ask me why I came in and any special areas I wanted her to work on. I told her my tight shoulders. The massage began and considering it was an hour I was hoping some real deep work. Instead it hurt and not in a good way :( She didn't really focus on my shoulders and instead on strange places. Maybe I have just been spoiled by some really good massages but It just felt like she was rubbing tons of lotion on me instead of really working on me :( If anything I felt more tight in my shoulders afterward. Good for a light rub if you are into that. She did cover all areas So skip the massage as the other services here are wonderful!!!!

Then I moved onto the nicest esthetician ever. Go to Jill for a facial. She spoke with me for awhile about my skin and my current regimen made great suggestions about my current products and how I could even save money. I loved that she didn't push products. She did a great extraction and really spent the whole time working hard on me. At the end, she reviewed the facial and did some last recommendations. I will definitely be back to her!!! She is so knowledgable and makes it a true spa experience. Definitely...

TLDR: 15/10

I have been going to Kelly for a few years now and I am ALWAYS blown away by her incredible talent and professionalism. So much so that I’ve moved to NY and still go to Boston specifically to see Kelly.

My natural hair is probably as challenging as it gets — thick, curly, coarse, damaged. Kelly is one of the only hair stylists that has never made me feel bad about what I naturally have and has found away to deliver on my (seemingly) impossible hair dreams.

First of all, the experience: Kelly is kind, great at communicating what she’s hearing and recommending, and makes the time in the chair a fun one!

Second, the colors and cuts. Her hands should be patented. Kelly is a perfectionist so she pays attention to their single detail. Her cuts are extremely precise (down to the literal hair) and her color is always tonally gorgeous, blended, natural, yet enhancing. She is truly in artist in every sense of the word.

What I love best of all about Kelly is that she is always along for my hair journey. She’s taken me from mid-back to (just this week) chin bob — and every single time I leave feeling beautiful.

Thank you Kelly, NEVER...