HC Studio

I did lots of research before deciding on this salon and man was it worth it! I came in wanting to switch my ombré into highlights not knowing if it was possible. I was able to meet with Megan on the same day I called and she made sure to talk everything through before we began. She was so nice and easy to talk to and make sure I knew I could comment on things she was doing if I didn’t like the outcome. Since I had to get squeezed in I did not have time for a blow dry which I was totally fine with. They have all the materials needed in their bathroom to blow dry yourself if you wanted to. Even the people washing my hair were amazing! Great head massage and they offered me products to try without being pushy about buying them. I will definitely come back!

Update on Megan– she now is a colorist only, no cuts! It’s a fantastic transition, as she can hone in on coloring as her craft. She consistently is attending or teaching seminars, so you know she’s up to date and ahead of the curve in terms of technique.

I used to be a very ugly duckling– more often mistaken for a mass of undegraded plastic entangled in some skanky seaweed than not. With a LOT of time and makeup I blossomed into something recognizably female and human. Still, I get crazy self-​conscious going to get my hair, nails, and face done. But all the stylists and the clientele and the atmosphere were totally chill despite the fashion runway interior! Despite the hustle and bustle, everyone was very friendly and easy going.
I got one of the best cuts of my life here! It was a perfect haircut. I got seen right away, no one tried to sell me anything, it was a very thorough cut and style and I was out pretty quickly. My stylist was pretty pricy at $ 70+, but she was worth the efficiency and the expertise. She knew exactly what I wanted and it came out better than I thought it would and those experiences are so rare in life.

Came here out of convenience since it’s located 2 mins from my work place. I made an appointment with Lila because you **obviously** have to trust the Unilocal reviews when it comes to who is most recommended. She was very professional and sweet. I’m very picky about haircuts since I cut my hair maybe once a year– and always a trim, never a full cut. Lila really listened to what I wanted and I’m happy with my hair. No complaints!

I have been going to Susan for highlights for almost 2 years now (recommend by Jen) and she has never failed me! I have fine and fragile hair and she has never damaged it, makes it look amazing, never pushed a product and is so down to earth. They offer interesting and fun complimentary drinks if you’re in the mood. Hey, sometimes you need one! You can blow-​dry your own hair without the guilt and there’s a bathroom and styling tools/​products to use if you decide to do so. There’s always parking outside as well as a T stop. Jen styled my hair for my wedding and she is so patient and completely listens to what you want. So lovely and authentic but she did a fab job on not only me but my friends and family on the big day. I didn’t think I would be happy with anyone. Donna is great too. Everyone I have encountered here is wonderful and I’ve been to so many Salons in Boston and am so happy I found this one. Will never leave…

HOLY SH*T.
I have finally found a salon I will be returning to.
I called to schedule a consultation for a color and was able to get in with Susan due to a cancellation. My hair had been recently massacred at a South End salon, and I needed to have major color correction. Susan put me at ease, made sure she understood what I was asking for by repeating it back to me, and was even honest about how much we could do to my hair given the recent damage and time constraints. I appreciated it so much. Even though my hair is still unfinished, it looks SO much better. I can’t wait to complete the process.
ALSO. The scalp massage I received while being shampoo’d and receiving a treatment was worth it’s weight in gold. I would go back for the shampoo experience alone.

Lila is awesome. She listened to what I wanted and offered suggestions as well. So glad I went there on the recommendation of my coworkers. Would definitely go back again.

Had a really great cut and color. I highly recommend everyone there so friendly! Will go back to them again!

I have been going to HC Studio for about ten years. It’s a cute little place right across from the D line stop in Brookline Village. I started with Grace who is amazing. She understands color and cut and she also understands people. She is smart and talented, I really can’t say enough good things about Grace. She listens, she’s calm and she’s professional. One day my daughter got a very bad highlighting treatment at another salon. I said, don’t worry, Grace can fix it. She came in and Grace found time to fix it on the spot. I often found Grace was booked out and so I started to see Megan. Also great! I don’t know who is doing the hiring here but they certainly know what they are doing. Megan is also so calm and thoughtful, thorough and talented. She takes her time and is creative when it comes to color. I like my hair color to have dimension without looking overly processed. She manages it better than your highest expectations. And I cannot leave out Alicia (I hope I am spelling her name correctly.) Alicia is a magician. She applies treatments when she shampoos your hair and incorporates a head massage that will leave you feeling relaxed like a piece of overcooked spaghetti. It’s nirvana. I have only one tiny complaint about HC studio. There is someone at the front desk who treats you like you are on an assembly line. When you call to make an appointment it’s like she has a stop watch running. Also she shouts into the phone; maybe she thinks I’m hard of hearing, but I’m not. When my daughter went in for her first haircut she got a coupon for a free treatment the next time she came in. When she tried to use it the next time she came in this woman said it had already been used. The woman was very officious about it so my daughter gave up and paid — even though she had the coupon in her hand. The woman took the coupon then and threw it in the garbage. It was a little unsettling. I don’t know her name, but I wish she could be as unbelievably nice as everyone else at HC. Grace and Megan and Alicia are so worth making your way past the gatekeeper at the front desk. I highly recommend this place.
As an update, I just recently made another appointment and it was pleasant and easy.

So glad I found this spot in the cutest little spot ever. So happy with my hair and experience there.

Professionals who listen to their customers, I think I just found my hair salon!
Lila helped me out and she was very sweet, and able to find the right style for me! I went in confident that I was going to get a great haircut and it exceeded my expectations. Though I would say perhaps to bump up the duration of the head massage but she threw up some free product use on my hair so no complaints there. Plus there’s tons of meter parkings right across — always a huge plus for me.

This place is wonderful. After frequenting another local joint for many years, I’d forgotten what it was like to have a civilized, relaxing experience where you feel attended to and valued. The interior is clean, inviting. The reception staff couldn’t be more professional. The interns who take care of the hair rinsing etc are informed, friendly, and dynamite at scalp massages. Top that off with a grown-​up drink (if after 5) and voila! You’ve got yourself a very pleasant experience.
So what about the hair? New to the salon, I have gone to a few different people. Ruthie and Chris are terrific for color and it is very easy to spend time in their chairs. Chris did a great job on my cut, which is a bob. Really listened to my needs and realities, and he made it work. I’m a new devotee.

Heading to Brookline for the appointments can definitely be a pain, but it is totally worth it. They renovated somewhat recently and it came out wonderfully. The décor is clean and bright. The people who work at the reception desk are friendly and attentive. There is always metered parking available across the street.
All of these positives aside. Melinda is what makes this place really special. She is the absolute best! She is very skilled and her attention to detail is incredible. She’s very personal and professional and does a great job with consultation. She really listens to what you want and provides great feedback before ever even picking up the scissors. I have always been extremely happy with her work. I do not want anyone else touching my hair. Ever.

I’ve been to HC studio twice now and I’m sold. The atmosphere is cool and clean and everyone is super nice but professional. I went to Megan for a pretty major haircut and she rocked it. I’ve been growing my hair out in order to donate it, and it was my first time seeing her but I brought a picture of what I had in mind (of Jessica Alba no less — setting the bar high) and she nailed it! She handled the donation part awesome as well, got me a glass of wine and made sure I wasn’t too traumatized, then she explained the cut and what would work with my hair. She also styled it the way it was in the picture and talked me through what she was doing so I would be able to at least attempt replicating it.
I was pretty sure I was going to hate having short hair after chopping 8+ inches but I totally love it!
TLDR: Megan did an amazing job — I highly recommend her. I will be going back to her in the future! I think the cut was around $ 57 plus tip.

I’ve been to HC Studio 7 times now. 6 of the cuts have been with Lila, whose haircuts run $ 41 plus tip. I really like the way Lila cuts my super thick, fairly straight hair, and how she understands that I’m not super chatty while getting my hair done. The studio is really clean and nice, they have complimentary wine, and the products make my hair smell good.

Today was my first visit at HC Studios and I loved it! The staff is super friendly and make you feel very welcome right when you arrive. I got my hair cut and colored with Jessie, she’s great! She gave me the exact cut and color I wanted! So I was very happy about that. I also got a complimentary treatment since it was my first time at the salon. It only cost me $ 95 dollars! Which is one of the cheapest cut and colors I’ve ever had. Also, if your taking the t it’s super easy to get to!

I was told by a friend that I should come here and schedule an appointment with Kerri. Unfortunately, she was unavailable and I desperately needed a cut/​color so I booked with Desiree. When I called they encouraged me to come in for a consultation first to determine how long it would take for the color to process. I came in on a Saturday for a 15 minute consultation and it seemed as if things would go well. BOY WAS I WRONG.
After she colored my hair, she proceeded to give me the worst shampoo I’ve ever had. I’ve had more relaxing shampoos by assistants. At one point I feel a gush of water go down my back, which I later found out resulted in a giant brown stain on my white sweater. When it was brought to her attention she said «I can recommend oxyclean» and then proceeded to criticize me for wearing white to a hair appointment and not taking my shirt off before putting on the smock. I’ve never had my clothes ruined at a hair appointment so this was extremely frustrating to hear.
She also had me wait 45 minutes after shampooing my hair to cut another client’s hair. She said this was because she thought it would take longer for the color to process, despite me coming in earlier in the week for a consultation FOR THAT EXACT REASON. When it was clear she couldn’t give me the cut I wanted, she stopped, saying I could come back and see another stylist. I literally left the salon in tears.
The only reason I’m rating this 2 stars instead of 1 is because of the front desk staff. They were nothing but lovely and gave me free products for the wait, a coupon for a free relaxing something or another, and a promise the manager will call me to discuss what happened. Desiree was downright rude and instead of being apologetic for her multiple mistakes, was just defensive.

I’ve gone to HC studio about three times already within the last 6 months and each visit I’m blown away by the professionalism of their staff from front desk to shampoo support to stylist. Environment is modern and hip taking on a minimalist feel.
I’ve been seeing Lila and I appreciate that she takes the time to listen to exactly how I’d like my hair to be cut. She gives great feedback with how your cut will be, giving you the play-​by-​play throughout your appointment. She takes into account hair texture and face shape as well, all while exchanging life stories to get to know you!
**Totally irrelevant, but I had an anxiety attack on the green line headed to the studio. The front desk personnel were quick to help me get settled by filling a nice glass of lemon water and letting me take as long as I needed to collect myself in the restroom. ‘Twas a no judgement zone and they completely handled this frantic situation perfectly.

I have a hard time trusting people with my hair. It’s finicky and difficult and so when my former stylist moved to Virginia and then I moved to Boston, it seemed like a better idea to just color it myself with supplies garnered from another stylist and cut it myself. Then I ran out of dye. Then my hair got into a state that could most kindly be called «unruly.»
A couple of friends of mine recommended HC Studios and, in particular, Kerri. One girl got the cut I usually go for (bob, bangs, aggressive straightening) and the other liked to try out all sorts of colors and styles. I liked both of their hairstyles so I went for it.
I AM SO GLAD I DID!
First of all, HC Studio is convenient by both the D-​line and the 66 bus. It’s beautiful inside, like a spa, and you get a robe and choice of beverage upon checkin. I tend toward late morning/​early afternoon appointments so I’ve only had the water, but wine and cocktails are also offered. The first time I saw Kerri, I knew we’d get along. I don’t remember what color her hair was then, but every time I go it’s something different (this last time acid green, which perfectly matched her nail polish). I was being indecisive about color at first (I can’t remember the last time I had a blank canvas to play with!), so I got my cherished one length, chin-​length bob with bangs, all natural color. It was flawless!
Emboldened by my great cut, the next time I went I decided to try out red. The color was impeccable. It was simultaneously natural and theatrical. Which was just what I was looking for. My most comfortable color is black, so the next time I went, I decided on a slightly different cut (more shaggy) and just had red accents (Joanna from Catching Fire was my muse). I usually switch it up a little every time I go, and Kerri is never phased. She passed what could be considered the ultimate test today when I decided to let summer win and just get a cut suited to my curly hair. She gave me exactly what I was looking for!
I like to look around at the other stylists and clients while Kerri works, so while I’ve only worked with Kerri, it looks like all of the stylists are talented and great. I also want to note that the shampoos I receive here are the best I’ve ever had, with thorough head massages that have me practically drooling in my chair.
Check them out!

My recent move garnered me a «welcome neighbor» coupon in the mail, so when my hair situation got desperate enough (the usual requirement before I actually take action), I dug out the coupon and scheduled a haircut.
Fast forward a few days, and I showed up for my appointment to find a salon that is bright, chic, and clean. I was greeted by a cheerful girl asking if she could get me a drink. I assumed that meant tea or water, but no, she offered an assortment of wines and a specialty cocktail! It was Friday evening, so of course I went for the cocktail, a tequila sunrise sort of thing. 3 stars are pretty much guaranteed at this point!
My haircut was with Michelle, who was patient when I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, and gave honest feedback to (i.e., nixed) my idea to cut as short as I was considering. My hair is curly yet very fine, and she knew what to do with it. My usual haircut is shoulder length, center part, all one length, with a bit of face framing, so not terribly complex, but you’d be surprised how many stylists can’t get the sides even. Michelle got it right, and then she blow dried my hair straight, which held for 2 days!
There’s always some upselling at salons (coloring, products, etc.), but it wasn’t too aggressive. All in all, a great haircut in an attractive environment. I’ll be back!