DHR Stylists

One of my colleagues recommended DHR when I moved to Cambridge. I popped in to make an appointment and got one for the next day. I was nervous but I’m trying to grow out a pixie and wanted to avoid the mullet look. Not only did I get a great cut; they checked to make sure I knew about the Harvard discount. Rob recommended some product but didn’t push it. I went back a few days later to pick it up.
The best part when I said «see you soon». I got told not to come back u tip December to give my hair time to grow out. Awesome customer relationship management!

love love love this place! my girlfriend and i struggled to find someone who could recreate my hair style and come up with someone new and funky for her and Dale and Rob do it to a T! i always leave looking like a million bucks and have tons of fun going to the salon! everyone is always commenting on what a great hair style i have! go to them!

I have been getting my hair cut (and now colored!) at DHR for years now. I started when I lived in Somerville but continue even now that I have to drive from Brookline! There are that unique and awesome.
First off, this is not your average salon — it is fun, quirky and most importantly, stable. It is owned and operated by Rob and Dale. Period. No other stylists, no flighty young newbies who are wet behind the ears or will have switched to another salon by the time your next cut rolls around. My stylist is Dale and he is a great listener in terms of my hair goals, politely offers his own advise, but is never pushy. I always get exactly what I want. Where else can you say that?!
Dale and Rob often end up sort of hosting a four person conversation during a visit — them and the two clients in the two chairs. They are both bright, funny and up on current events, culture (high and low brow), and politics. I often leave a visit with not only good hair but new information or ideas. And all at a reasonable price.
Finally, I really like that they are an Aveda salon and sell Aveda products … at a discount!

I received a pic of the salon on my cell phone, with the words, «You NEED to get your hair cut here,» from my sister-​in-​law. I haven’t been to another salon since.
I tell people walking into the salon is like walking into the Enterprise. Stars and Spaceships everywhere! For a scifi geek like myself, I was in heaven. The geeky conversation is also wonderful.
Even if scifi isn’t your bag? I would not miss out on going to this salon. My haircuts from Rob are always fabulous, and grow out good… almost too good, as I wait longer than I should to rebook my appointments.
Since I’ve been going, I have been referring friends and family to DHR, and have yet to have a single complaint.

I am probably one of Rob and Dale’s longest-​lasting customers Originally introduced to them by a coworker in 1990, I have stayed ever since because they (Rob is my stylist) give a great haircut, charge very reasonable rates, introduced me to the Aveda products which are now the only ones I will use, and are such fun and unusual conversationalists! The salon is also very LGBT friendly which is important to me.
Only once in the past 21 years did I ever go somewhere else for my haircut, which was when I was in grad. school in Chicago. And I was unimpressed with that stylist compared to Rob. I also sent my brother, who lives in NY, when he was visiting, and he loved his cut too!
About the haircuts: I have had my hair in a pretty similar style since I’ve been going there, but I don’t necessarily think it’s the easiest style to maintain. Shoulder length, wavy… hard to get in a ponytail without end pieces flying out, but Rob suggested layers and I went with that and it has worked really, really well. I often get compliments on my hair and have recommended DHR to friends.
I also agree with the earlier poster Rebecca S.: I would be happy to have coffee & conversation outside the salon with Rob and Dale! They are pretty knowledgeable about a range of current events as well as human nature; I think this is gained from talking with so many members of the public every day.

Plus one star for Dale’s charming personality and the warmly atmospheric space. Minus four stars for a haircut that not only accomplished nothing of what I asked, but was not even the haircut I was promised at the outset by the stylist (Dale) himself.
I have long wavy hair (three days ago it was very long indeed) that when treated properly, even with minimal product, can form ringlet curls; improperly, it’s a wall of frizz that hangs like all sorts of blah around my face. Trying to get my self-​confidence in order for a hugely important conference and a wedding in which I am to be the maid of honor, I went to DHR on the advice of other Unilocalers as being a good resource for us curly sorts. I’ve had so many terrible experiences with professional cuts, I usually just do it myself to lackluster but acceptable results.
It was easy to make the appointment, and when I arrived Dale was really nice (as he continued to be – really a lovely guy). He did take the time to talk with me about what I wanted. I said I wanted more lift around the crown of my head and more shape – so, layers were in order. He combed my hair out straight after the wash, when it was still soaking wet, and gave me a trim. This lasted about 10 – 15 minutes. He put his scissors down and I said, «That’s it?» And he said, «Yes.» He turned me around in the chair so I could see the back: yes, my hair had a gentle C-​curve. Yes, it was still combed out STRAIGHT.
I’m clearly not impressed at this point, but after all, he just finished cutting, it’s still quite damp (he used a diffuser for about 30 seconds). He goes a bit defensive and says, in essence: «I decided not to do layers, because once I got in there your hair was too thin.» (A) I have had layers put in my hair before. Come on. And, you kind of met my hair when you were running your hands through it dry as well as washing it… (B) You could not have maybe mentioned you were changing your entire style before you did so? © Did you honestly think you had given me what I wanted? (D) Did you honestly think you were doing my face or my hair a favor?
I forked over $ 50 for a haircut that when I went home, made me literally cry. From the back it wasn’t so bad, but pulled over my shoulders it looked like nothing but pyramidal shelves of frizz. Think 1989 jazzercise. Sure, there have been worse haircuts in the history of haircuts, but this was so not anything I wanted – nor anything that made me look good! – that I made an emergency appointment the next day with A Quinn Salon, also in Harvard Square. (I have a review of them as well – man they saved me.) Dale showed zero judgment and very little caring about what made me look good. Plus, my fix-​it stylist the next day said to me in surprise, «Wait, you got this done yesterday? You still have tons of split ends!»
I enjoyed my time in the salon – pleasant, funny, interesting, plus awesome Aveda products. But you could not pay me to get my hair cut here again.

When I left Upstate NY years ago, losing my regular place for haircuts, I had no idea where to go in the Cambridge area. I tried a few places but was always unimpressed, until I stumbled upon a small, somewhat hidden gem called DHR Stylists.
Dale & Rob, partners in life and in business, do a great job of not only running the place, but also the cutting of actual hair as well. They go old fashioned with index cards that have your information on them, including your previous cuts and color (they come in handy when neither of you can remember what number clipper you used last time). They’ll take credit cards here, but appreciate it if you have cash instead.
For most of my life I considered getting a haircut as quiet time, but with these guys the conversation is always interesting and lively. And even if there were nothing to talk about, the numerous sci-​fi stickers and toys scattered around the room would be more than enough to keep you busy while they do their work.
DHR might not be for everyone, and it’s not as cheap as SuperCuts, but I really enjoy coming here and my hair has always been the better for it.

I’m torn on this review, because the few times I went to see Dale, I did have a great time there. He and Rob are great to talk to — rarely do I get to indulge in discussing my closet obsession with all things scifi, so I was super-​pumped to meet such great guys. Additionally, the student discount was awesome.
That having been said, now that I’ve moved out of Harvard Square, I won’t be making the trip back to see them again. I got several cuts that were, quite frankly, WAY too butch for my taste. At the time, I was a frazzled grad student who couldn’t be bothered with caring too much (besides, who in the Widener stacks was going to care about my hair?). Now, though, I don’t want to risk it. I got partial highlights from them that were just «Meh,» and for the $ 110 they charged, I expected better. I’d rather spend the extra and get them done well.
Dale, Rob … it was fun while it lasted.

These guys are gems. I liked what someone else said about them being «professional but friendly». That’s a good way to put it. In the grand world that is Hair, ‘professionals’ can act… well, I think we both know what that means. DHR doesn’t have that going on. Rob and Dale are really solid: you know you’re getting solid expertise from genuine people with solid character, solid sci-​fi knowledge, and oh my, they’re working some solid Trek. Their solidity is almost old-​fashioned, in some twisted way. I like what they do to my hair, and I wouldn’t go back if I didn’t. But if we’re going to spend all this freaking time together over my blessed locks, I also really like that I enjoy them as people. I like that if I wanted to do some awful thing to my head, they would tell me it was an awful idea, and I could believe them. You gotta like people you can believe.

Dale always gives me an excellent haircut at a very reasonable price. He and Rob are professional but friendly. They are happy to listen to what I want done with my hair, rather than dictating to me what they want, as many stylists have done in the past. Their salon is also a ton of fun, reminding me of a science fiction convention held at a Spencer Gifts store during Pride Week. Awesome.

I wanted to like this place. I did. Tons of my friends go here for hair cuts and seem to love the place.
I finally decided to try it. I have very long, very thick hair (I warned them about this before hand) and needed a trim. I don’t have layers so the cut is very simple. Generally, when I go to the salon, I like to have my hair blown straight (heck, why not let a pro do it).
I left there with the hair on the right side of my head shorter than the other. My hair was still wet and looked terrible. The price wasn’t expensive, but for a bad cut and just mediocre servce, it was far too expensive.
Definitely not coming back here again.

I didn’t have a very good experience at this salon.
I feel, while the stylists here may have been in the business a long time (according to them), it’s fairly possible they are just not used to cutting a woman’s hair. The cut was sloppy and uneven. The blowout was incomplete and I left with my hair damp– the stylist only blew the top layer of my hair and didn’t even try to get the roots.
I was glad that it was dark outside as I ran home through Harvard Square— glad that no one could see how upset I was.
I realize that I didn’t complain or speak up while I was there, however, it’s hard to argue with someone who is half way done cutting your hair. If someone is already doing something wrong, do you think they’re going to know how to fix it? I really felt awkward so I paid, tipped the normal 20% and got out of there.
I can say the two partners running the place are nice enough to talk with, however, I felt a little arrogance regarding their «time» in the industry and how long they’ve been in business. It’s ironic, considering the «time» doesn’t seem to have done them any good.

I really wanted to like this place. Maybe I built it up too much. No idea. I won’t go into a huge story, but what happened was a big mess. One big fat mess.
When I leave a salon, I always want to feel a little bounce in my step because my hair is looking fabulous. I never want to leave and cry. Oh, but that’s what I did. Worst haircut I have honestly ever recieved. So bad that I had to go and get it re-​cut the next day. I left looking like a 5 year old had cut my hair. And I got bitchiness. Bad, bad, bad…
Needless to say, I won’t even walk near this salon ever again.

There are several things to take into consideration when looking for a good salon, most importantly:
1. skill
2. price
3. vibe
DHR is a perfect combination of what I’m looking for when I get my hair cut.
First of all, these guys know what they’re doing. They’re experienced and intelligent — they understand that not every hair type can work with a given style, and they won’t hesitate to tell you if your idea isn’t going to work with your hair. If you don’t know what you want, they’re full of helpful suggestions. They’re honest about maintenance — how often you’ll have to have it touched up, how much it’ll cost over time, etc.
I have medium-​length hair that takes less than an hour (but more than 30 minutes) to cut and style. $ 35 for a great cut is very hard to beat (I do get a student discount but even without a discount their prices are surprisingly low, given what you’re getting). They use Aveda products, which is what drew me to them in the first place (I’m a long-​time Aveda devotee), and they sell them at a discount.
DHR Salon is an independent, family-​owned business that is run by people who have spent a long time in the community. They are one of the last vestiges of what Harvard Square used to be before the cookie-​cutter franchises moved in. I feel no qualms about giving them my business.
Their very cheerful salon is cluttered with sci-​fi figurines, thumping with classic club hits, and buzzing with astute observations about local politics, regional dining, and pop cultural tidbits. You’re not going to get stuck sitting in a chair listening to a mind-​numbing recitation of the latest antics of your stylist’s child, boyfriend, or pet. I’d be happy to chat with Rob and Dale about current events over a coffee or a drink.
So if you’re looking for a superior haircut at a great price in a great place, I highly recommend DHR Salon in Harvard Square.

I just got home from visiting DHR for the first time and am extremely pleased with the haircut Dale gave me! I went in with a mess of hair with no remaining style and no idea of what I wanted and left with a great cut for the summer. Both Dale and Rob were fun to talk to and the shop decorations are over the top! The price at $ 45 was fair for the great job Dale did!

Dale & Rob are a great couple, always chatty and amazingly well informed. Rob cuts my hair, and I’m usually very satisfied with his cuts — they always seem old-​fashioned at first, when he’s cutting it, but I’ve never had a haircut that grows in as well as from Rob. The problem is I have a crazy cowlick on the top of my head, the likes of which Rob refers to as «the most extreme cowlick I’ve ever encountered in my 20 years of cutting hair, and believe me, I’ve seen a LOT of Asian heads in that time». Thanks Rob. It’s good to know I will always have something extreme about me, even when i’m 90.
Edit: After 2 years of having Rob cut my hair, I’ve upgraded my rating to 5 stars… Rob pretty much knows exactly what I want, and all the random aspects of my hair, and does a fantastic job cutting my hair every time… I used to get my hair cut every 4 weeks, because I couldn’t stand the way it looked after about a month, but now, i wait about 6 weeks because it always grow in very nicely and still looks fine for a long time.

I left happy with a great hair cut. Some unfortunate Battlestar Gallactica secrets were revealed to me before I was ready (I’ve only seen up through the middle of season 2), but my hair cut was stellar and I loved the décor.

A fun, cooky little place to get a good haircut.

I’ve only had my hair cut there once but I’ll definitely be going back. The cut I got was certainly easy enough, so I wasn’t worried there, but the two guys are really nice, and have an easy time of making you comfortable there. The prices are reasonable for Harvard Square, and good for the quality of cut you’ll get.

Dale and Rob are a fantastic team. This is an Aveda salon and Rob is a great colorist. Rob has colored my hair and it turned out very well. Aveda colors are quite rich and lovely. I sent my boyfriend and little brother to Dale for haircuts. Inside the salon are 10 million Star Trek toys and they play happy techno all day. I reccommend DHR for color and men’s haircuts. In Harvard Square, and you get a 20% discount if you are a student. They also sell Aveda and Crew products for good prices, usually 10−25% lower than prices at other salons or CVS. They have Aveda scented candles too. This place is in the unofficial guide to Harvard.