Astra Salon

I popped into Astra as a walk in and it was great. I’m happy with the cut itself and Michael was easy to get along with and talk to. A good spot and I’ll be going back.

I recently relocated to this neighborhood from Philadelphia and am thrilled to have found Astra! I called and was scheduled that same day. I asked for shaping of my short cut — just had it done 4 weeks ago prior to my move. Not only did I get a fabulous cut with so little to work with, I got a plan for reshaping and texturizing that will give me the elusive cut I’ve been searching for. Yay!

So let me first start off by saying that this place is just Michael. He used to have other girls rent out chairs but as of now I believe its still just him. or it was this past fall when I went to get a haircut.
The lack of a receptionist was deterring from the get-​go because Michael was very fast talking on the phone and kind of snippy. The price of a wash and cut was what brought me into the salon despite my reservations.
First off. Michael doesn’t stop talking. Ever. He will ask you a question then interrupt you in the middle of your reply. He will talk every second you are in the chair. Gossip, unwarranted and unwanted advice or opinions. you name it — he’ll talk about it. God forbid somebody walks into the salon or the phone rings. he will ignore you.
He was rough washing my scalp. My favorite part of going to the salon is getting my head massaged and this was not a massage. he seemed annoyed that he even had to do it.
The whole time he cut my hair he complained about the previous woman who had did it. I thought it was a decent cut but Michael didn’t.
I wasn’t fully satisfied with my cut. And its given me such anxiety that I’ve put off cutting my hair for months.
I would not return to Astra.

Michael is the best! Every time I leave, I get compliments on my hair and that never happened before I started going to Michael. The cut is so good that when I leave the gym with wet hair, it naturally falls into place when it dries. And the color looks great. People don’t ask where I get my hair colored, they ask «what did you do?» «your hair looks great». Aside from the great cut and color, Michael always keeps me entertained with lively conversation, he can talk about everything under the sun.

I still can’t believe this just happened to me. I’m brand new to working in the area and was looking for a new salon. I’ve driven by this place a couple of times and it looked cool enough. I was on a quick break from work when I decided to stop in to make an appointment. I opened the door and was so RUDELY stopped by a man lounging on the sofa chatting with a lady. I didn’t even make it in the door when he snaps at me «yeah we’re all set!» I have absolutely no clue what he was all set with but I was so stunned that he treated a potential customer like this that I had no reply and walked out! I’m glad that your business is so stellar that you can afford to treat potential customers like that but by the looks of your EMPTY salon and the other crappy reviews, you may want to adjust your attitude! I’m in utter and pure disgust!!! Shame on you! Back to the ‘burbs I go!

I went to Michael for the first time back in July, and had a GREAT experience! My hair was long, halfway down my back, and I wanted a big change. He cut my hair into a short bob. I was nervous, but Michael told me he was the «King of Bobs». He was right! Love my new hair cut, it was exactly what I wanted, and its so easy to blow-​dry. And it was a bargain! Just $ 30! I’ll definitely be going back to Michael soon!

I am appalled people gave good ratings. Came here last summer because it was new, down the street from me and the price was right. I asked for a trim and over-​emphasized how important it was to keep the length. The first cut he took into my mid– waist long thick hair was SHOULDER level and I screamed, «what are you doing?!» and he said, «what, do you want me to stop?!»… I told him I had already said to keep the length but I guess I didn’t have a choice. He chopped all my hair off and gave me a 60s/​70s style bouffant. I am 25 and have very long wavy hair. I am not sure why a stylist would not listen to his customer when i had asked about 15 times to keep it long. I guess when you advertise 30 dollar haircut and blowdry you get what you pay for! It took me a full year to grow it out again. The owner DOES NOT LISTEN AT ALL. If you are smart, you will NOT go here.

I went to Astra on a whim because a friend reccommended it… I really needed a hair cut… and wow Michael was great. Very personable, and I got a great style. I will be back.

If I could give a negative star I would, and it would fit nicely with his (Michael) negative personality. I have never been treated so poorly at a salon before. I expect a salon owner would actually want more clients. He was rude to me the very second I walked in the door. I almost walked out at one point, but decided to stick it out. Now my hair is a dark mess. All I asked was for him to give me a few tips as I am clueless with hair color. He gave me the biggest attitude, and then (just like Lindsey C said below) he told me my hair was frizzy and I have split ends which I do not. I have been told by every hair stylist that my hair is healthy and I just had 2 inches taken off 5 weeks ago.
While he was putting foils in my hair an older lady came in and asked how much for a color, he said $ 75 with a cut and blow dry. She asked how much without a cut, and he was hesitant to give her a figure like he didn’t want to do it. Then says $ 50. He barely looked at her, was very snippy and she said thank you and left.
Dude, this is not a way to treat people especially if you may want new clients!!! I guess you don’t.
I have been getting my hair done for years… at numerous salons all over New England. I have NEVER EVER been treated like this before. My face got hot and red I was so furious. Who wants to feel like that in a salon? Thank god, I didn’t let him put scissors to my hair.
These reviews below are hysterical. I am guessing they are his friends, because he is terrible at hair, and a terrible human being.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Michael is the bomb! I’ve been going to him for about 3 years now. Even when I moved back to NJ for several months I didn’t trust anyone else… I would wait it out till I could get back to Astra.
The good: Michael, he is very passionate and really cares about his customers. He somehow always finds the time to fit me in on short notice and he takes the time to do a good assessment and job. I’ve never left unsatisfied. The prices are excellent.
The bad: These are not necessarily horrible, but it’s true it can get chaotic in the salon and he is a talker. Although, it’s a much better time when you are sitting there for an hour to have someone talk than be silent the whole time and on your phone (awkward).
The ugly truth: Go to Michael, decide for yourself. I think that the quality will speak for itself. Keep an open mind, his personality and salon are of a different kind than most people are use to and I rather like it!

If you want people to stop you in the street and ask where you get your hair cut try Astra Salon. Michael is an artist with short hair!

Michael is an artist of the old school. He understands cut and color that will flatter your face, weight and age. He isn’t for women who are used to the typical boring haircut you see walking down the street every day or who are used to the untrained, untalented hair ‘stylists’ that litter Centre Street and the area. I’ve been going to him for a year and drive up from the Cape to see him because he gives you a hair cut and color that are chic and stand out. He’s unorthodox, his salon can be chaotic, but he’s fun and brilliant. Walk in without the usual expectations, tell him what you want, work with him on what you should have, and give it a try.

Decided to try this out as it’s very close to my home and most of the reviews were really positive. Plus the price was right.
I should have known when I booked my appointment, that this would not be the most professional of salons. I called in the morning, had an appt for 12pm and no one even asked my name.
When I arrived, I mentioned I had an appointment and he didn’t know what I was there for: trim and highlights. He didn’t even keep an appt book. While I liked that this was a low-​key laid back atmosphere, there was an overlapping tone of unprofessionalism.
I was scolded for mis-​treating my hair. My hair is completely healthy and I’ve never had a stylist tell me I didn’t take care of it. But I was told by him I was in «Serious Trouble». Really? I also asked for warm highlights and got ash highlights. And completely chunky and uneven in some areas.
I said I wanted a simple trim and he took 2 – 3 inches off. The cut is totally outdated and such an odd length. It will take months for it to look right.
And all the while, he made calls to his lawyer about a lawsuit he’s involved in, had a few friends come in and talk too. You get what you pay for. I wouldn’t recommend this salon to anyone.

I was driving by and noticed the salon. It is a very relaxed and fun vibe with baby blue and black colors kind of like a 50 and 60’s feel. I came in for a wash cut blow-​dry and he took me right away no problem. He did a great job and I definitely trusted him. He was very funny and I will definitely be back again. The price was great to $ 30 for wash cut blow dry.

Should’ve known better…
I came in for a cut but was not expecting more than ²⁄₃ of my hair to come off. I asked him to trim my hair, but Mike reassured me that I needed to go for a more healthy approach by cutting much more off, he pointed to about a bit longer than where my armpit are. Instead when he was done it was around my collar bones.
He gave me straight bangs across… lets just say, there are many pieces uncut and not even.
As for the coloring, he told me that it would be brown with red undertones, except it came out black… perhaps if I go outside to the sun you might see a glimpse of red (hmm) but where is the brown? Also as i got into my car, I noticed how both side of my face, above my ears are lined with hair dye. Seriously? What kind of customer service was this? Not to mention he left me in the hair dye for a good 2 hours while he gave some girl the worst blow out job + tease i’ve ever seen. She definitely did not walk out of there with a smile.
Lets just say, for the next several weeks, he’ll be saving me money because I am not going anywhere with this do!
You can definitely cut your hair at home and do a better job than what was done on my head.
I save look elsewhere, like groupon for deals on newbury salons!

Michael made the visit fun, but the cut was really poor. Wouldn’t go back.