Darrin James Salon & Spa

Darrin rocks! Friendly and fun environment and you will walk out feeling great!
Great place, I would recommend to a friend without a doubt.

I was very happy with my experience at Darrin James. I was in Minneapolis for a month last summer (July 2014) and needed to get a cut and a color. I gave the stylist the color info from my the stylist I usually go to at home and she matched it perfectly. The cut was also perfect. I used the online deal and that was also great. I also got a facial and loved that as well. If I lived in the Minneapolis area, this would be the place I would go. I will be back next time I’m in Minneapolis. Thanks, Darrin James Salon and sorry it took me so long to write a review!

When I moved up here in 2008, this salon was right across the street. Having the same hair dresser my entire life in my small hometown, I was very wary of trying someone who didn’t know my hair at all.
When I came home and looked in the mirror, it was the greatest haircut I had ever received. Now nobody but Darrin cuts my hair.
Here, you’ll get friendly, honest service. Everyone genuinely cares about you, rather than pushing unneeded product. If something is suggested to you to purchase, there is always a personal reasoning behind it.
Also, they have a points card! And they’re open late! Aaah! It’s great!

Since moving to the Twin Cities almost 10 years ago, I have struggled to find a salon that I like, that does good work and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Darrin James is the one! I see Rochelle and she is awesome. She always helps me choose color as I never really know what I want, and I always love the outcome! She does great color and cuts. I used to see someone else there, but one time he didn’t show up for my appointment and Rochelle and Claire fit me into their schedules, which was greatly appreciated! They are conveniently located too. Really good quality work for the price!

I purchased a daily deal for this salon, which included a hair color, cut and brow wax. I arrived at the salon and they had tons of magazines to choose from. They also had some activities for kids to keep them occupied. It’s a good thing they had all those mags there because my stylist was 10 minutes late. Since I was 10 minutes early, I had quite a wait. I was happy that my stylist Claire was worth the wait. She took the time to get a good idea of what I wanted. She knew about the daily deal offer ahead of time and explained to me that the color I wanted would be a modest up charge. I appreciate that notice upfront. All three services took 2 hours — piece of cake. In the end, I’m thrilled with my color and cut. It’s exactly what I asked for and looks better than the past few cuts/​colors I’ve had. My brows look great but I hate how they do it over the wash bowl. I much prefer the comfort of massage tables that many salons use. I also was a bit bummed that they didn’t have styling products that were free of artificial perfumes. I had to bring my own shampoo and conditioner, which definitely isn’t ideal.
This ended up being a really nice experience overall.

Same reaction as Jessica F. I somehow fight back tears daily as I try to style my hair. Claire gave me a horrible haircut. I’m one of those people who has the mentality, its just hair, but this is horrible and I hate looking at myself in the mirror. I look like I have a mullet. I can’t even wear my hair down, its too horrible. I asked for long layers and somehow ended up with a disaster. I’ve let it go for almost 2 months and its terrible. I called and am setting up a time to talk to Darrin tomorrow. This is not acceptable. :(

I go to Rochelle for haircuts, color and style and every time I am amazed at how well my curls fall. I have naturally curly hair and it is hard to find someone who is able to cut curly hair correctly and willing to listen when you want to try something different.
She is so good about picking colors that work well with the curls and with my skin tone. Whenever there is a new trend that she thinks will work with my hair and personality she always suggests it.
There are some real nice products at the salon like Davines and Moroccan Oil that I have now become a religious user of the products based on her suggestion.
The atmosphere in the salon is very welcoming, it is slowly becoming like a second home to me. The staff is very warm and friendly. I would highly recommend anyone at the salon.

After being a Spalon Montage groupie since college, I decided I needed to find a less expensive alternative for my haircuts. I went in yesterday afternoon for a trim. After being greeted with a rough-​looking, gum-​smacking receptionist, I realized she was Claire, the stylist I booked an appointment with. Reluctantly, I sat down for my consultation. We discussed that I wanted a healthy trim of about an inch. She asked if I liked my longer layers and I said yes.
As the appointment went on, I realized she was cutting a lot of hair. (Upon entering the salon, my hair was midway down my back and my first layer started at my shoulders.) She mentioned that my layers were cut strangely and so I figured she was cleaning it up. She kept cutting and cutting and I thought to myself «this is the most thorough cut I have ever had» but as it went on, it appeared that she kept trying to even up what she had just cut on one side of my head with the other side. It wasn’t until I saw her take a LARGE amount of length of that I got really concerned.
I proceeded to get a fair-​at-​best blow dry (the hairdryer was super hot on my scalp and I had to ask her to turn it down) and tried to remain calm when she showed me the final product. «Maybe once I style it myself it will look better» I thought. I live not too far away and I jetted home. I took another pass at it with my own tools and product and stood there in complete shock. My once flowing locks are now more like Jennifer Aniston circa 1995. I am beyond devastated that after I have been trying to grow my hair for years, it’s now in the salon’s garbage bin.
I called the salon and spoke to Darrin, the owner. He was more than apologetic and offered me a full refund. He also did everything he could to assure me that that was not the type of experience he wanted for any of his clients. He listened and really seemed to care about my satisfaction. Unfortunately, it’s too late and beyond repair.
So, I don’t think the salon itself is bad news, in fact, Darrin’s customer service was incredible, but I would advise anyone to avoid Claire at all costs.
I will be returning to my overpriced salon. At least before I left with all my hair.

I go to Erin for haircuts, mani/pedi’s, color, updo’s, etc. and have had a great experience every time.
Prices are great, $ 54 for a mani/​pedi?! Yes Please!

Kaylin (probably spelled wrong!) did an awesome job with my hair yesterday! I have natural curls and I really wanted long straight flat ironed bangs. I was VERY nervous (i’d never done ANYTHING to my hair before!) but she put me at ease right away. She REALLY listened to what I wanted, and even gave me some tips on how to style it and make it look even better! I’m still adjusting to the new look (it’s a HUGE change!) but I love it! She did a great job.

The salon is clean and in a convenient location. I am wary of giving it only two stars because I think it may have just been my stylist and may even go back and try someone else given the rave reviews on here!
But as far as my experience: my stylist was very nice and my haircut was ok. I told her I wanted something new and left with a trim… though she did give a good head massage! Then apparently my pedi appointment got bumped back so she originally told me I’d have to go next door for coffee for half an hour, but then she said she would make the blowdrying process take half an hour longer — also not ideal. The pedi was underwhelming — not a great paint job and she also accidentally dumped some of the dead skin into the basin (gross). I was charged for the full pedi though I thought I was getting the express.
All in all it could have been a fluke experience and I should mention I had a groupon so maybe that had to do with it — but I was unfortunately not impressed!

I must be honest, 2 things brought me to Darrin James Salon. 1) They had a good Unilocal review, and 2) They were the only ones open after 5pm on NYE. I walked in to the salon and was impressed right away. The salon was clean and welcoming, with water and coffee available. My stylists Rochelle was nice and actually listened to what I wanted for my hair and the price was reasonable! I will be back to get a hair cut!

I recently got my hair done here and I loved it. You know in the Sex and the City movie when Sarah Jessica Parker (aka Carrie Bradshaw) has her make over moment and gets to do the hair flip, well I got to do that and my hair was done THAT GOOD!
I went to Claire and she was fantastic. She had a positive attitude and was a great person to talk with. I left with the best hair style I have ever had. I needed the pick me up and she gave it to me. The atmosphere and general feel of the place is relaxed but urban and modern. They work quickly and are environmentally friendly… GOTTA LOVE THAT.
I was so nervous when I went there, but they made me feel at ease and I walked away with a huge smile on my face. Prices are pretty good for the Uptown area, but not as cheap as a Great Clips.

Super excited to be posting this. I worked at a salon for 4 years as a receptionist and was very uneasy about living in a new city where I’d have to find a new stylist. For a year I kept driving back to my hometown to get it done, and finally, after moving into a new apartment and driving past Darrin James, I decided to make an appointment.
Claire colored and cut/​styled my hair and I will definitely be going back to her. She picked the color that was PERFECT for me and not too dark, not too light. Love it. It’s similar to what i’ve had before but it is more warm and rich in color. The cut is adorable and she was easy to talk to and fun.
The salon is very cute and modern, all of the staff seem super friendly and considerate of their clients at all times. I was asked by more than one person if I wanted a magazine, coffee, water, whatever else I could need to make the experience more enjoyable. Working at a salon for 4 years I did do all of these things for our clients too, but it just is so much different being on the receiving end.
The price is unbeatable for the quality of work. I had a full color, cut, and style for $ 75.00. That’s unheard of in minneapolis. I bought product, so it was a little more than that in the end and after tipping, but still, for the quality, I was thrilled, and so is my checkbook.
I think I found my new spot, go check it out! they do manicures and pedicures too!

Nina is the sweetest and one of the best hair stylists that I’ve ever gone to. Pretty sure that everyone who has gone to her– continues to time after time. She makes you look and feel fabulous about your hair when you leave. She is careful to make sure that the decision you make about your hair today will be one that you’ll be happy with when you wake up the next day. If you’re looking for someone who is spunky, has a great precision and will treat you well– go to Nina! She’s fantastic!

Great men’s haircuts. Great service as well. Darrin the owner takes good care of his customers.