The Gallery Salon | Spa & Medi-Spa | Barbershop — Local services in Portsmouth

As a newly disabled person with a traumatic brain injury, I used the little energy and strength I have in a long road to recovery to try and go out to make me feel like a normal person. I went to go see my hairstylist of at least 10 years, who I saw inside The Gallery today, stop by for a moment only to let her see the physical state I’m in after having my head fused and screwed back onto my cervical spine and braking my femur in a severe motor accident 10 months ago. With the intention of checking to see if she’d be comfortable to work with me in the coming weeks.

I stood in the lobby on my crutches for 10 minutes while employees went back and forth alarming Kaylee Donovan, the owner, I was 20 feet away from her asking for a minute of compassion and empathy from her. I was treated like I was worthless trash, beneath Kaylee, not good enough for a minute of her time. She refused to come out with the excuse being she was already laying on a bed fully clothed waiting for the employee who was speaking to me to come back and work on her. I expressed my disappointment in the lack of mercifulness expressed thus far, the staff member smiled at me and said "sorry you feel that way" as she told us to get out. As we left the salon, that same red headed staff member stood there waving and smiling at me as I got into a passenger seat, to which I simply responded to her with the middle finger. A few moments later as I’m bucking in, I see Kaylee Donovan standing at her salon window, fully dressed in her pink sweatshirt, flailing her arms and yelling at me. Ten minutes later, I get your disturbing text msg, berating me and to never come back again. "A charismatic hair stylist with a huge heart...' Is that seriously how she describes herself? I am appalled at how her and her staff member treated me today.

Compassion is one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives. One day I hope for The Gallery Salon to learn to practice this skill and realize remorse for all the times they’ve shown insensitivity and complete disregard for others...

I usually don’t leave reviews, but I felt compelled to share my experience because of how unprofessionally I was treated at this salon. I recently came in for a partial highlight with a trim, wash, and blow-dry. The stylist was very kind and personable, but I was shocked to find out I was charged $407 before tip — for services I never knowingly agreed to.

No one informed me I’d be charged for extras like multiple glazes, a treatment, extra color, or iron work. These things were casually mentioned during the appointment without a single word about price. They seemed minor and routine — I assumed they were part of the service I booked, especially since I never requested anything additional.

When I politely reached out to share my concern, the manager Autumn called me and was immediately rude, aggressive, and dismissive. I stayed respectful, simply explaining that I felt blindsided by the pricing. She told me their services are à la carte and that they don’t tell clients the prices because, in her words, their type of clientele doesn't like to know prices. I mentioned that this felt like being price gouged for wealthy clients — and instead of trying to clarify or de-escalate, she became even more hostile, raising her voice and cutting me off.

Someone else later called the salon and could clearly hear Autumn loudly talking about me in the background, mocking the situation while on another call — completely unprofessional.

At this point, I don’t even care about getting any money back. I originally reached out just hoping for an honest conversation and some understanding — but instead, I was treated with blatant disrespect. The hair turned out okay, but it wasn’t what I asked for and definitely not worth the $427 I was charged.

If you’re okay with not knowing what you’re paying for and being talked down to if you question it, then this might be your place. But if you expect transparency, respectful communication, or basic professionalism, I strongly suggest...

The Gallery Salon not only produces the best hair results I have seen but also cares more about their clients than any other salon. My most recent experience was incredible - I went to Sam for heavy partial highlights and arrived with significant preexisting damage to my hair. Sam was very cautious and provided her expertise about what would be attainable given the state of my hair, and the ultimate result far surpassed what I could have ever imagined. My hair is now the best color it's ever been and has already begun to feel so much healthier. I cannot believe the results of how blonde my hair became with just the highlight service, and the noticeable difference immediately with the vibrance and complete blonde look. During the appointment, Caylee and Jess helped assess the color because of the prior damage and were so caring, taking extra time to make sure that my hair was treated with the right products and delicacy. At any given moment over the course of my appointment, I could see Caylee, the owner, all around the salon with her own clients, assisting other clients, supporting other stylists, and maintaining the positive energy of the salon. To see an owner so involved, kind, and helpful is rare and special. The energy in the salon is very positive and makes me genuinely enjoy my time there. Sam did an incredible job with my hair and I loved my experience with her for the entirety of the appointment. The stylists made me feel special, validated with my concerns and caution with my hair, and most of all beautiful - inside and out! I recommend The Gallery to anyone looking for any services across their vast menu of offerings because they do it all, and they do it exceptionally well. Thank you to the team at The Gallery - but especially Sam,...