I have been going to Essentials for as long as I can remember- getting a range of services and not even once have I had anything but superior service!! Even through my pregnancy this spa pampered me and helped me feel beautiful on prego days when a smile was hard to come by! :) Just recently I went in and sat with a stylist- requesting a color treatment (foils and full color) giving her little to no instruction on exactly what I wanted. I knew what I wanted, but wasn't sure how to explain it to her. The process of coloring is a few hours, anyone who's had a *good* color knows that in order to get quality, you need a quantity of time. The process takes STEPS in order to come out correctly: foil, full color, toner, then a wash, cut, style. But lets not forget color has to set in order to work!! I was very satisfied, the stylist (Sasha) read my mind, I got the cut and color I was looking for. She took the time to discuss the process, the colors, and the color wheel- which was something I didn't know about. This bit of information helps me to understand the colors you choose and the tones you get in different light, it was really helpful!!! Also, I have curly hair, which is hard to manage and she has taken special training in the hair type (gaining a certification from Deva) as well as has curly hair herself, so she knows what she's talking about!! My entire visit, they offered refreshments, kept a very clean work space & the conversation/company was really pleasant. The girls are all very professional, well educated, and their skills rival with top salons in Boston. I have had treatments on Newbury St, since I work in the city, and they couldn't come close to Essentials quality. I just don't even waste my time anymore going anywhere else!!! Reading the article below, compelled me to have to leave a review. I feel as though the reviewer probably had a bad day and therefore nothing really was going to satisfy her (which I guess is something we all go through). But to give Essentials a bad wrap, when it's not deserved, isn't very mature. I have a young son and any mother knows, you have to plan your time efficiently. I knew what I was going in for and how long it would take, so I wasn't shocked I was there for a few hours. I knew coloring is a tedious process and to have someone perform it, it costs money. They list the pricings, you know what you're paying for ahead of time if you bother to inquire. The quote from the owner I can't see any truth in, as I have spoken with her on numerous visits and seen her interactions with clients- she would NEVER speak like that, the wording used by the reviewer seems to be inflated by her emotions. I've seen the owner interact with clients and she takes the utmost care in their satisfaction, so this claim below holds little to no value in my eyes. I would recommend this salon to anyone of my friends: my own mother goes here religiously for her treatments, my sister in law is getting her prom updo done here, I have friends that go here- and not ONE of them have ever mentioned having anything but a pleasant experience & return appointments. - VERY satisfied customer. Alicia I have another appointment in May and I'm sure there will be MANY more to follow... they do GREAT pedicures for summertime!!!! :)

My most recent and last experience with Essentials was a very negative one. I went in for a partial foil and trim. The stylist completely messed up my hair! After the first application I had streaks of blond along my roots. I looked like a skunk! The color had "bled" apparently because she applied extra color directly to the roots after the foils were already in place. She tried fixing the problem by applying my natural color with foils, with 2 failed attempts. I was there for at least 4 hours. I have small children and it is tough for me to get away at all let alone for 4 hrs. Let's just say no one was happy. And after 4 hours, the manager/owner finally came over to find out what was wrong. She said, "I don't know what your problem is, it looks fine". Then she charged me the full $115 with no apology, no offer to give me a discount on my next service, NOTHING!!! I had been a loyal customer of Essentials for about 4 years. I've never had a problem with the stylist prior to this. I understand mistakes happen, but amends should be made when the salon is at fault. I think the manager should've stepped up and made the situation right. Her negative attitude did not help. I would've considered giving the stylist another chance had it not been for the manager/owner. -Former Essentials Client