I Soci Salon

The atmosphere of the salon is modern and friendly; it’s always clean and well maintained. All of the staff is attentive and are sure to greet you as you enter. I’ve never felt ignored or that I was in the way.
I’ve been seeing Rossanne at Isoci salon for the past few months and I feel completely satisfied by the care she has given me. Rossanne is a fantastic colorist who takes her time to personalize every step of her service. I’ve never once felt that she was rushing through our appointment or didn’t have the time to listen to all of my concerns as she talked me through our time together. Every time I have seen her she has helped me choose the color that would best compliment my skin and eye color, her cuts always flatter my face, and she considers my profession and personality in every step that she takes. I have no doubt that she remembers me from appointment to appointment and looks forward to seeing me each time.
The personal attention that Rossanne has given me has surpassed all of my expectations. I look forward to every visit to the salon and recommend them frequently to friends and family.

A former co-​worker recommended I see Diana at I Soci. I have thick, curly hair, and what I look for in a hair cut is pretty simple: it keeps my hair managable; it cuts down on, if not eliminates, the bulk; and it does not result in «triangle hair» (those with curly hair know what I mean).
Diana was wonderful. She took the time to really look at my hair, its texture, and the curl pattern. She also kept in mind the fact that I’m a busy grad student who doesn’t have time to fuss around with her hair and uses very little hair product. Diana gave me exactly the kind of cut I wanted. It’s thick without being bulky, and the curls fall nicely whether my hair is down or pulled back. She dried it straight so she could make sure everything is even, she gave me a few tips on how to keep my hair healthy, and she also gave me her card and insisted I call if I had any problems.
Bonus, she kept the product to a minimum, which I like.
The salon itself is a bright, airy space over looking Newbury Street. The staff is pleasant and professional.
I’ll definitely be back to see Diana!
ETA 15Feb13: Waited too long between cuts, but Diana was able to clean it up. And since I’ve seen her before, she knew exactly what I wanted, so I was in and out in under an hour.

After moving to Boston, I tried a number of different salons in the area before settling on I Soci. I saw Daryl for color (he’s amazing, but I believe he no longer works with I Soci) and Giovanni for haircuts (also amazing, and I still see him regularly).
Gio is fantastic at taking into account a number of factors when he asks you «So what are we doing today?» — where you tell him you want, the condition of your hair, how it falls when it’s dry, the shape of your face, etc. — and creating an amazing haircut.
I can always tell it’s time to go back in for a cut when my hair has grown out to where it no longer cooperates (usually every 4 – 5 weeks). That’s how well Gio has been able to tailor my haircut to me.

It was going to be a great day …
My wife is a professional hair stylist. She opened her own business in April. In may she took a Wella class and the teacher, Rossanne works at a salon in Boston, IIsoci Salon. Melissa decided she liked Rosannes hair so much she would make an appointment with the stylist who had cut Rosanne’s hair.
Rosanne informed Melissa that it was James who had cut and styled her hair.
Melissa wanted to make an appointment for September 4^th, 2012, but was told that James would be back from the Cape on the 5^th of September. That was a slight inconvienence, but not too bad. OK. So I take the day off of work to drive my wife to Boston. She takes the day off of work to get her hair cut, just under 100 miles away. A bit much to get a haircut, but my wife really liked Rosanne’s hair.
We pickup the rent a car the night before and I put in $ 35.00 worth of gas in it. There was no confirmation call from Isoci as to Melissa’s appointment, but we both figured they did not do that (She is quite prompt about making appointment confirmation calls.)
We wake up early September 5^th and get ready to go… the big day of Melissas haircut. We stopped for a quick bite to eat and as we were about 1 minute from the highway, Phone call, from Isoci… There has been an emergency and James cannot be at your appointment. He can take you at 5:00. No other solution. We cancel because we do not want to be in Boston for 5:00, we have to return a rental car or be charged another day and we have to be at work the next day, and be productive.
So we are out of a haircut, two days off of work and 75 dollars… I call and ask for the owner. I get a gentleman named Keith on the phone. I tell him I want 75 dollars for my lost cash for an appointment Isoci Salon screwed up on. He says he will call me back. The only thing he is willing to do is to get my wife in with a stylist who has been doing hair for four years. That won’t fly. That was the end of the story from Isoci Salon, until 1:25 P.M. Where James the stylist calls and says thank you for having flexibility to reschedule, that he had an emergency. Frankly, if I had an emergency, I would not be taking clients that day, something did not sit well with me on that. Also, James offered nothing as far as saying «come in, I will make it up to you…» Nope. Nothing. NADA.
Pretty much I am out 75 dollars, two work days between my wife and myself and Isoci could care less about one appointment.
I know this, that a business that continues to practice as they do, will not be in business long. I wonder how embarrasing it must be for Rosanne if she runs into my wife again?

Daryl left. Mondi left. The last couple of times I went in the vibe wasn’t good — people were rude or had negative attitudes. Although I’ve really liked my haircuts from Hilary, I don’t think I’ll be returning to I Soci anytime soon.

I have been going to Giovanni for about 7 years. When I moved to DC for 3 years I still waited for cuts until I was visiting Boston so I could stick with Gio. He is personable and professional. Gio is able to look at a person’s face and shape the hair to match. He listens to what you want/​need and helps you achieve the desired result. I have very thick, curly hair which is really difficult to cut. Gio has always done a fantastic job and more than once I’ve been stopped on the street after leaving to ask where I had my hair done. Book an appointment, you won’t regret it.

Rossanne Lopez is an amazing colorist. She will work with you to get you the best color that fits your needs. I am concerned about my blond being too brassy and she gets it perfect. She always delivers!

Got a great haircut here from Ashley!
It feel great to get rid of my long hair which is now at shoulder length. I feel so free!
Ashley did a great job at listening to what I wanted but I also valued her opinion on a style for me. This is one thing that I look for when choosing a stylist, someone who can play off my ideas to give me a look that will suit me.
Ashley also gives great head massages when she shampooed my hair. I also quite enjoyed the view of the other salons across the street from the shampooing station.
The entire appointment lasted about an hour which was great! It means you can def sneak in for a lunch time new do or even a blow out.
Since my previous stylists has moved to NY, I have been searching for a new stylist who is affordable and can give me a great look. I think I finally found one. I will def make a future appointment with her.
overall, the salon is small but they have organized the space very well and its very bright. They also offer water, tea, cappuccinos when you walk in.
check it out!

Ashley did an excellent job on my haircut. I came in with way-​too-​long hair, a mile of split ends, in need of a great new do. I showed her two pictures of my end goal and she delivered. I’m totally psyched about this cut — it suits my personality, it’s fresh, it’s modern. Ashley spent time chatting with me about my hair care routine and recommended (but didn’t push) products I could use to enhance my new style. The shampoo/​condition was soooo relaxing — she gave such a great scalp massage.
The space is a bit cramped w/​there being ~11 stylists, but it has great light and a spacious waiting area. The reception was very friendly, no Nebury snob here thankfully.
Definitely recommend Ashley for a haircut, even one that’s a drastic change!

i love this place!
i arrived in the tiny elevator [classic newbury street real estate] and checked in at the reception desk. the person behind the desk was so inviting and friendly, then completely took me off guard by proceeding to give me a tour of the salon. no other salon i have been to does that, and even at i soci, it’s probably not necessary because all clientele could figure their way around the small, white, sparse, and bustling place. however, it was a very nice gesture, and shows how much they cared about their clientele.
after asking me to change and have a seat, i claimed the chair with the steamer as the small waiting area was pretty full already. they offered cappuccino, water and other beverages, and after a bit of a wait, i finally met giovanni, who i found after much usual research stemming from a horrific haircut 10 years earlier.
giovanni was very business-​like, and got straight to the point with how i wanted my hair cut. he was also flattered when i mentioned that everyone on Unilocal loves him! after the discussion, he led me to get my hair washed at the window viewing the salons along newbury street below.
i would come back just to get my hair washed. that scalp massage was the most incredible that i have had in this country [the one i received in new zealand beats any hands down].
but i would also come back for the haircut!!! giovanni gave me such a flattering layered look that works as it moves, and grows in beautifully. unfortunately, the price tag is not so easy to swallow, at $ 75 each time not including tip. thankfully, the scoutmob coupon numbed the blow a little bit, but i will continue researching for a good quality haircut with less sticker shock. the hair grows too fast for that price tag.
i soci works every possible angle in customer service, from the tour, to the cappuccino, to the quality of the product, and finishes off beautifully with the survey requesting, and caring about customer opinions.

Snip, snip, snip… beautiful haircut.
Ashley cut my hair, more than 4 inches! I’m a fan of stylists who are given minimal direction (want a cut that lasts awhile, grows out well, takes minimal maintenance). are left to their own devices, and come up with a great haircut! Also, a great shampoo and head massage, which is usually my favorite part about getting a haircut.
She was quick and I was outta there in under an hour.
Salon is spacious and has a gorgeous 3^rd floor perch over the Newbury. All staff was very friendly, offered beverages, etc. Waiting area was away from the action, with plenty of magazine choices. Scoutmob made this haircut a great deal at 50% off!

My review is more for Hilary McCoy than I Soci — but they are both fantastic! I, like any others, followed Hilary from another store. Hilary is a goddess when it comes to those of us with thick wavy/​curly hair. I will never let anyone else cut my hair! Last time I went I had a great shampoo/​head massage (by Shannon, I think) and felt instantly relaxed!
I was pleased when I first I Soci visited because the staff is nice and their drink and magazine selection is great. The waiting area is comfortable and there is ample seating, I never feel as though I am squeezed in with other people.
One downside is that all the stylists are in a large room and it can get loud — but it’s easy to deal with.
Overall, I definitely recommend HILARY!

When I first moved to Boston, I had a ton of trouble finding a hairstylist. My hair is highlighted blonde, and I had an awesome stylist before that I had to part with because of the move. I came here based on Unilocal reviews and went to see Jenn — and it was love at first sight! I have been with Jenn for over 2 years now, and she is AMAZING! My hair has never looked so good! I have referred all of my friends and colleagues to her and everyone has loved their hair — she truly has an incredible talent.

HIlary McCoy. She is the reason I come here. I started getting my haircut by her about 4 years ago, at a different salon, so when she moved to I Soci, obviously I went with her. I get the occasional Brazilian Blowout here and they are always on time and nice and the cappuccinos are delish. I definitely recommend this place.

I never realized how lucky I was finding this place until i recently went to a really bad salon and got an awful haircut. They are super friendly here, and Jenn does an awesome job on blondes. Everyone there goes above and beyond and they all do great haircuts! Will never go anywhere else again!

Giovanni did a great job cutting my hair both times, and he is especially good at blow drying. My hair literally shined like a model in shampoo commercials! It’s worth going to him for a blow dry before an important occasion. The salon staff were nice and you get a good view of Newbury street when you lie down and have your hair rinsed. The price is not on the cheap side, but reasonable for a good stylish salon on Newbury St.

I started seeing Hilary when she was at another salon, and I’ve followed her to I Soci. It has a great atmosphere – chic but not stuffy, decent waiting area/​sofa/​magazine selection, really good coffee, and friendly staff.
I love the way Hilary cuts my hair. I usually take a picture, but today I just explained to her how I like it to look, and she gave me the exact cut that I wanted. (It’s kind of a longer shaggy cut with long bangs.)
I usually only get a trim, but it’s my birthday! I wanted something a little extra, so I decided to get some highlights. Hilary was very thoughtful about choosing two shades of blonde that really make my hair POP, but also not something that I need to get touched up all the time (my requirement).
Cris washed my hair and gave me an excellent scalp massage – I almost fell asleep in the chair!
It’s not cheap, but I’ve been here several times, and I’ve always had a really great experience. Good to know? Skip the elevator if you are claustrophobic. It is the most narrow elevator ever. The salon is only on the 3^rd floor, so it’s not a horrible climb.

I lived in Boston for 10 years, the first 5 of which were spent flitting about Newbury street, trying to find a solid haircut and stylist.
Then I found Melissa at i Soci, and I was a loyal customer for my last 5 years. I would go in, tell her, «Make me pretty and have fun!» and she would always come up with these amazing haircuts. Not only did my friends always ask where I went, but I was actually asked multiple times by random women on the street or in the gym locker room.
In fact, I still try to get up to Boston a few times a year to get my hair cut, as I haven’t found a place in Manhattan that can compare. One woman in NYC said, «Wow, you got this cut in BOSTON?! I didn’t think they had any good stylists up there.»
Oh, but they do. Thank you Melissa!

I got probably the best highlights I have ever had here. After a fair amount of (deserved) teasing about my lengthy roots, Daryl did an amazing job. (Just for reference, I think he specializes in blondes). The haircut itself was nothing terribly exciting, but that’s sort of my style.
I took off a star because the cost is something I don’t think I can come back and pay. This is a really nice place to treat yourself though!

I had a hair trial for my upcoming wedding here this weekend with Melissa and she was awesome! She did a great job with my hair/​hairstyle and was super nice — which is always a plus. I was about a half hour late due to the traffic from the parade this weekend and they still fit me in and didn’t make me feel rushed or anything. I’ll update in the fall after the actual wedding, but currently I Soci (Melissa) is good in my book! :)