Townhouse Beauty Bar

So, I went to see Cori today for eyebrow shaping, and let me tell you: WOW! I am VERY impressed. First, it was painless. Tweezing is usually a little painful, but this was completely pain free. She really took her time and listened to my goals to make them look perfect. I just got back to work and put my makeup on, sent a selfie to the ladies, ya know, standard. They were all, you’re face looks different but we can’t tell why. Good different, just different. So, thank you Cori!
Only knocking off one star because when I called to make my appointment, the receptionist didn’t tell me about the address change. They are in fact at 28 Charles Street and not 33 Charles Street. Not a big deal, but hard to see from half a block up and not knowing what you’re looking for.
Can’t wait to go back!

I have been going to Lori for years for color. She is the BEST colorist and does amazing blonde highlights. And an added bonus is she’s an awesome person. I followed her to Townhouse Beauty Bar from another salon and have really like it.

Honestly worst customer service I’ve ever experienced. I had a remaining spray tan left from a Gilt voucher and I’d rather it not get used than have to deal with booking an appointment again. The person who answered put me on hold for several moments and then returns to the call only to say «let me get the receptionist»…who then put me on hold, only to come back and say she had zero visibility into the open time slots and said she had to call the tan technician and they’d call me back. Needless to say, I did not get a call back and the experience on the phone was such an obnoxious waste of time that I would not recommend this salon to anyone. Pretty shocking how difficult they would make it to even book an appointment… and clear that they need to invest in improved booking technology.
The spray tans I did get only lasted a day and the woman was extremely unfriendly /​not very comforting when it came to answering questions about the technique and product.

I recently came to Townhouse Beauty to see Lori after recommendations by family and friends. I’ve always been very low maintenance and blasé about my hair but I was getting married and figured it’d treat myself. I had a color/​highlight consultation with Lori followed by full foils and a cut one week later. I cannot say enough great things about Lori and her work. She is super approachable, kind, and professional. She was lovely to speak to (I’m not usually much of a salon chatter) and made me feel very comfortable. My highlights came out perfect– natural and warm, I’ve never felt so pretty on my special day ;) thanks Lori for your work, you are an artist and I will definitely be returning!

I came in with a partial foil Gilt City Voucher, but I didn’t expect a whole lot because it was a discounted service. I was more than pleasantly surprised. Alejandro was was my hairdresser, he took the time to not only touch up my roots before the foil, he finished with a gloss. The color process took longer than we expected, it happens, but he was not worried at all and didn’t mind staying a little late to finish it up. Alejandro takes great pride in his work and pays attention to the details. I am blonde and the color came out amazing, not brassy or too yellow. We were hugging by the end of the appointment. I have had so many compliments on my hair today. I am certain this will make me a permanent customer.

Ellen is not only an amazing hairdresser, but also nice and friendly. She gave me the best haircut I’ve ever had. She also did a great job with my highlights.

I just got my nails done here but I haven’t tried any of their other services.
They have one nail technician who comes in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. I can’t recall her name because I’m a terrible person but she was quite friendly and accommodating for all my polish color indecision.
I got a gel mani and regular pedi with a Gilt City voucher, and overall I feel pretty meh about the results. While she was very good at buffing and cleaning my nails (they tend to be bumpy and ridged and they came out oh-​so-​smooth after), the paint job felt a bit rushed. I have tiny toes and she trimmed off a bit too much, leaving my pinky toes with awkwardly shaped nails. Traces of my previous toe nail polish can be glimpsed through the new nude-​ish shade. My gel polish was thin and really required another coat, and I dislike when the polish close to the cuticle is uneven. All nit-​picky things, to be fair, but for what is usually a $ 95 service (seriously?!), I expected more precision.

I haven’t had a good haircut since I moved from NYC 6 years ago… until a few weeks ago! I had tried a million salons around Boston (some cuts as expensive as $ 250), and finally had a great haircut with Ellen, and for a much more reasonable price too. She was so nice and took the time to figure out what I had disliked about all my past haircuts, and then made sure she understood what I really wanted before she started the cut (I feel like some people say they understand but then do their own thing anyway). And, she is super talented. Best haircut in 6 years!

I went in on Saturday for a Blow-​Out with Ellen. I tried to use a Gilt spray-​tan voucher that I purchased this winter for the Blow-​out and wasn’t able to. That is not why I am giving this salon 1 star, the rating is 100% based on my interaction with Ellen. I gave my voucher to the receptionist who said she had to call the manager and ask (which is totally understandable). Ellen went to the front and the receptionist explained what I had asked for and in a loud and bullying tone Ellen proceeded to say over and over again «no she cannot use it, and make sure you read exactly what the voucher says.» This is a small salon so I could hear every word which was extremely unprofessional.
When Ellen came back to tell me that I couldn’t use the voucher she was abrasive and rude. It was less about what she said BUT how she said it. I told her I was prepared to pay for the blow-​out but since she was not being very nice about it, I was going to skip it and she said «ok» in once again a rude tone.
Was I getting a blow-​out for my 30^th bday, an engagement party, or another important event? Ellen didn’t care at all about it ruining my evening or providing me with a service that could have helped the salon gain a client. Go to a salon where you are treated kindly.

This place is great! Lori is a master colorist. She gives me the best color I’ve ever had. She’s so easy to talk to, and she really listens to what the client wants. 5 stars!

I’m new to the neighborhood and I got the BEST cut and color I’ve ever had from Ellen M thanks to the great reviews I read about her on Unilocal.I’ve already gone back for a blow out and I’ve booked my next cut and color. This Charles St salon is a bit expensive but Ellen is a talented stylist and I’d highly recommend her to everyone!

Love love love this place! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Ellen is such an amazing hair stylist!!! I am definitely going back again!

LOVE THIS PLACE!
Ask for Ellen Mackin — she is responsible for the best haircuts I’ve ever had. I see her for highlights, as well. Been following her for years! She is, hands down, the best hairstylist — an artist who loves her work.

Lori is an excellent colorist and cares so much about her clients. I followed her here from her first salon. Every single person is this salon is fabulous and takes special care. I came here for a blowout before my engagement pictures and color before my wedding. Will be a beacon hill regular.

Ellen Mackin has been doing my hair for years. When I heard she was at Townhouse Beauty Bar I was thrilled! She is an amazing colorist and truly one of the best in Boston! She is extremely passionate about her work and takes great pride in the results. She carefully listens to her customers wants and needs to ensure the satisfaction of her clients. She is also professional, friendly and courteous. Before I found Ellen, I tried most of the top salons around town. She has always exceeded my expectations. She is a true artist!

Townhouse Beauty Bar is a phenomenal addition to Beacon Hill!
I have long blond hair and am very particular about highlights since it is an art getting my hair back to looking like I’ve just come back from the beach without looking like I came back from Vegas.
I went to the Salon and had James do my highlights and a cut. I was so pleased with the style that I wait until I’m visiting Boston (I live in NY now), just so that I can have James cut my hair. It was absolutely stunning and the color was perfect. On top of that, when the bill came I was pleasantly surprised by how reasonable the price was. This salon is seriously a gem.

I went to Townhouse today because it is conveniently down the block from where I work (Core de Vie) and it came highly recommended from two of my co-​workers.
I had a cut and blow dry with Shannon. She was amazing! I’m the type of person that usually cries after a hair appointment, but I’m so pleased with how it turned out! Usually I’m very anxious to get my hair done because I have very thin/​fine hair and a sensitive scalp. Every other place I’ve been to in Boston I have been tearing during my wash and while they «brush» (pull) my hair during the blow out. Not today! Shannon washed my hair and massaged my scalp and it felt SO good. I actually relaxed! I also have a fear of products because of my baby fine hair, and started to panic when Shannon pulled out 4 different things to put in my hair. Not only does my hair feel soft, healthy and NOT sticky, but I actually have body! She even put a special product in just to help control my static.
I am so happy that I went in to Townhouse today. I HIGHLY recommend going there. I will be back again soon, not just for a trim and blow dry but also for a Mani/​Pedi!

No one does makeup like Amy!
Stopped in for a blowout with James. & Amy, on a generous whim, did my makeup, & wouldn’t charge me.
If you want to change it up, or just freshen up, she is amazing!
James was very good too. He was very patient with my difficult hair.
Boston is lucky to have this place.
Kate O.

Excellent salon. Top notch all the way!

Amy from the Beauty Mark is now doing lashes at this new salon. As usual they were gorgeous and the process was comfortable and sanitary. I already have my next refill booked!