Maria’s Dominican Unisex Salon

After reading the previous reviews, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I went to get my wash and set this morning. Due to past experiences at hair salons, I know the earlier you come the quicker you get out. Therefore, they open at 8am and I walked in at 7:55. The girl took me right away and washed my hair and put the deep conditioner in. After being under the dryer for about 10 minutes (I don’t even think it was near that long), she rinsed my hair and put the curlers in. Those dryers are LIFE because compared to being under for 45 minutes which is what I’m usually used to, I was under for 20 – 25 minutes and my hair was fully dried. The first hair dresser (Alida) came in while I was under the dryer and came over to that end of the salon to wave hello and make eye contact with EVERYONE. I thought this was really comforting and welcoming seeing that it was my first time there. After about 5 minutes of her settling in, she took me over to her chair and worked magic on my hair. I told her straight and she made my hair JUST that. She strongly confused on my roots which is important to me because I need all my waves and curls to be blown all the way out. Long story short, it took them only an hour to achieve this perfection. I’m more than satisfied with my visit here and I’m happy to say I found my new hair salon. It was only $ 35 for my wash and set and deep conditioner. That’s reasonably priced if you ask me!

The best hair salon!!! This is my favorite salon of all time! Your hair is laid and lasts. Mon-​wed they have wash deep condition and curl for $ 25. I just got a full see in which and only paid $ 125 for removal, wash, deep condition, install, and style. Maria is the best!

These girls will give you the blow out of your life for very cheap!
I’ve been to salons paying 80 $ for my super short hair to be washed and blow dried for $ 80 and never saw results like this.
For 25 I had wash with a great massage. A deep conditioning treatment. Then another cleanse. They then apply a hair growth treatment to the scalp and roll your hair to set under the dryers.
After your hair is dry they then blow dry and flat iron.
Down side is the location, language barrier (slightly), not a great atmosphere at all. (it does seem as though they have tried) and the extreme HEAT.
Great for thick, course, or curly hair, 3b 3c, 4b, 4c.
Recommend for an amazing job quick efficient and effortlessly. And of course the PRICE.

Marias did an okay job with my hair. They make you feel very uncomfortable like theyre talking about you – thank god i speak spanish lol. They use use homemade shampoo. And they don’t listen to what you want. it was 40 instead of 30 because I have long hair. Whatev man.

Similar to most Dominican salons, a cheap wash and curl.

So I went here due to the ok Unilocal reviews to get my hair washed, blow-​dried and straightened for graduation pictures. As a native long-​islander I’ve had pretty good stylists in Brooklyn and near Freeport. I wasn’t expecting much, but I was expecting at least decent service. This is how my experience here went:
I had to travel by subway to this place on Erie, a place I’ve never been before, and it was ok in the afternoon. It’s still in the hood though so be careful.
I got to the place and a woman greeted me and asked if i would like my hair washed. I sat in this chair and everything was OK so far.
I looked around to see the overall cleanliness of the place… THE PLACE WAS FILTHY! I saw no sterilization tools and the towels they dried the clients with were nasty and yellow. There were also some baby roaches walking around in this place and on the chairs… very NASTY!
When I asked for a deep conditioner, they washed it, put the stuff in, rinsed it, and then put my hair in this very small plastic bag that barely covered my hair. then threw me under this dryer which burned my ears (but then again all driers do, so the dryer wasn’t an issue) However I had asked them to comb my hair a bit before drying it, bc it tangles when it gets wet and gets kinky when dried. They said they knew what they were doing so I just said «alright…» smh. after about 30min my hair was completely tangled and took her another minutes to rinse and de-​tangle my hair. I literally said «I told you so» to the lady washing my hair (in a polite way though. not in a condescending way)
The blow-​dryers that they use to actually comb through your hair after they wash it are the high powered ones that many Dominican salons use, so expect to get nicked a few times. Then the MOST IMPORTANT thing that I thought they would’ve had was some form of protection crème for blow drying hair. I had asked if they had any and they shook their head. So you may want to bring your own, or risk severely damaging your hair from their obnoxiously hot blow driers, with no protection.
The WORSTT part of my experience was the daycare like atmosphere! The employees kid kept hassling his mother (the lady washing my hair) to look at him play with his kid, and was very annoying. Even while I was under the dryer, i got shot at by some blaster toy about 3x. Some other clients had to move to different sitting locations to get out of shooting range from this kid. They would also linger the hot-​a** blow dryers while trying to get their kid from hitting people with his toy.
The best part about this place was the cheap price for having to sit through a roach invested daycare/​hair salon. It was $ 30. Compared to some salons a wash/​blow/​flatiron is about $ 35-​$ 45. HOWEVERRR they only take cash, so bring about $ 40 bucks just in case you have a better experience than I did, and actually want to tip the lady.
OVERALL: I give it ²⁄₅ stars bc it was cheap, and they got the job done.
The cons are: the lack of consideration their kids had with the clients, how distracted they get when doing your hair to talk to their friends or discipline their children, the lack of sterilization products as well of heat protection tools to do your hair (african-​american hair), andd the lack of staffing to actually clean the place instead of walking into a room full of nasty hair flying around and baby roaches crawling through it.
Anyone else here who is talking about getting what they want, is right… you will get what you came to get done… just don’t expect good quality service.

I feel so lucky to have found Maria’s! The service was great. They close at 6pm and welcomed me with open arms at 5:30pm. My wash and set was $ 25 and included a free deep conditioning. I haven’t had a relaxer in months, but I walked out silky straight with lots of body at 6:20. Will definitely visit again!

After reading the reviews on this site I decided to try it out… I absolutely loved it!!! The one on 52^nd street is were I went and the girls were all nice and did an awesome job. I no longer go there cuz I moved and its now out of the way, but best believe I will be returning if I visit the area. Ive never had to wait cuz I usually went early in the morning or an hour before they closed.
My hair is extra coarse and thick and they managed to get it bone straight and lusious!!! Since my hair is so thick I usually got it roller dried first to make the blow out process easier (both on the girl and myself). I usually got the deep treatment which was $ 5 extra. The last time I went was mid October and it lasted until mid November.
They have specials on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday for $ 25 wash, treatment and blow out. I believe they have specials for glue in and sew in weaves on those days as well (not sure tho I’ve never had those services)
But once again I say these girls at Maria’s are awesome!

It’s like any other Dominican spot. Looks wise… But, what got me was the prices! Yep. The prices.

I love this place. It is affordable and the ladies are always nice. They wash my hair two times and I always get a deep conditioner. They do not wash out the deep conditioner enough; so I would just ask them to wash it out more. Then my hair is pit in rollers and I am under the dryer. I get an amazing blow out and pin curls. My hair is shorter in the back and they even pin curl that section. It is convenient for me right now too because I’m in the middle of my busy season and they are the only salon near my house that I trust with my hair that is open on Sundays, my usual day off. Sundays aren’t crowded when i come in around 9 or 10 which I love. It’s my Therapy! Lol I never pay more than 40 with the deep conditioner but always tip cuz I love the experience.

Super deals!!! Monday-​Wednesday unbeatable specials are offered. I went in on a Weds. and was not super busy at all. As soon as I walked through the door I was directed to the shampoo bowl for a wash and deep conditioning treatment, got my roller set, trim, and the blowout of a lifetime. I had just taken my micro braids out and my hair had lots of new growth, damage, and in desperate need of a relaxer but because of the rave reviews I have read, I have proclaimed that I would not request one and upon leaving the salon I looked as if I had one. My hair was super straight and bouncy. So to sum all this up I got a wash, set, blow dry, trim, and style for $ 20. Unbeatable!!! The décor at each station is nice also. I would highly recommend to anyone in a pinch for time and on a tight budget. Friendly staff whom of which speak Spanish and English.

This place is great! I am a native philly girl currently residing in VA where I occassionally get my hair styled at the Dominicans in Silver Spring, MD. I have been getting my hair blow out the «dominican way» for the past year or so in MD. One weekend when I was in philly visiting my folks I really needed my hair done so I Unilocal’d this place and low and behold maria’s had the greatest reviews so I decided to give it a try.
I’m sad to say that after over a year of dominican blow outs in the DMV (DC/​MD/​VA) area I finally experienced what my hair is supposed to look like after a true dominican blow out.
Not only was she quick and cheap ($ 25) but I’ve NEVER had my hair turn out so straight; and icing on the cake is that it lasted! I cried when I had to get my hair done again and couldn’t go to Maria’s b/​c I was back in VA.
All in all, I highly recommend Maria’s; especially if you are in a pinch for time and short on cash. This is the right place to go. I was astounded to find out that a good blow out was only $ 25! When the lady told me how much it was going to be I asked her if she was sure (my hair is midway down my back and not always that managable) and she said yup, $ 25. In DMV they charge me $ 50-​$ 75 buck because of the length (which is bogus). I’d move back to philly just for a good blow out.

I normally stick to my main dominican salon however I came here for a wash n curl MEh, I experienced better.
But I did find out what they can do which is a wet set… I dont like how they change their prices like their underwear.
One day I go there its $ 25 and next they talking $ 25 and up. Im fine with the price change just show some consistency.
Dont just change the price whenever you feel like it…

Dissapointment…
After reading the reviews I decided to give Maria’s a try. First it might help if I tell you a little bit about my hair. I am 100% natural (i.e no chemicals, texturizers, tex laxes ect). 4b hair type to be exact. I have had my hair blown out by the dominicans at different shops before and they are able to get my hair BONE straight and it lasts for at least 2 weeks through wind and rain.
This time not so much.
The first red flag should have been when I called to ask how much it would cost. THe response «25 and up»…So I said, okay what does the «and up» cover. What is the range of the «and up». Because obviously I do not want to get there and expect it to be 25 and it’s 40. She says well it depends on your hair type and I can’t tell you a price until I see your hair… Okay that’s weird. I understand more if your hair is long but why not say that??? After going back and forth trying to get a real RANGE (AND ONLY GETTING 25 and up) I just decided to come in.
Upon coming in I realized that this was not a salon but a revolving door. Doors open at 8 there were 7 women in the building at 7:58. What I did notice was that everyone (expect myself) had chemically treated hair. Thus making the blow out process easy because the hair is straight, roller are put in and the blow out takes 15 minutes and your out the chair.
I came in Nobody looked at my hair and told me a price from the gate… I was just a number and when it was my time she washed and deep conditioned me. I’m not sure if it was out of pure lazynes or not but when it came time to put my hair in rollers she proceeded to section my hair and go straight to the blow out process. My hair does shrink, when its wet by about 75%. In other words I have shoulder legnth hair but when it’s wet it does not pass my ear. (4b).
At any rate she blows it out similar to what I’ve had done in the past. Uses a flat iron to style it… She did a good job… Problem? When it was time to pay it was $ 45 dollars… Seriously $ 45 dollars? Nobody goes to a dominican salon to pay $ 45 dollars let’s just be honest. I could have went to a shop if I was going to pay that much. Then she has the nerve to say «well next time if you get rollers it will be less» UM??? I never told her not to roller set me. she just decided to start blowing me out?
The final straw of why this is rated a 2 is because here it is the NEXT day (It’s 74 degrees and sunny by the way) and my hair is already fuzzy and curling back. Ridiculous. A WASTE OF MONEY. It would be different if it was humid or really hot out or I went to the gym. The only thing I did yesterday was come home and wrap it up.
I would NOT recommend this place to anyone with 100% natural hair you are better off going somewhere else!!!

3 words — cheap, amazing blowout!
I walk in the door wanting my hair washed, blow dried and curled. I walk out the door with my hair full of so much body you’d think there’s a wind machine following me up the street. I LOVE IT
the best thing is that if you speak spanish they love it =]
and the best part. besides the hair full of body that is so soft and bouncy you’d think it was a childs hair, is that it was only 35 $!!!
I think the price is only 25 $ when you have shorter hair. but either way it was NICE. get on it. just you know when I’m not there because it can take a hell of a while if there are many people in there you’ll be under the dryer for a WHILE. don’t go in there with a super tight schedule unless it’s early because you’re bound to be there for a few hours if it’s packed

This place is sooooooooooo inexpensive and a great deal if you are a woman of color who wants to get your hair straight without chemicals. The Dominicans do a mean blowout which will make your hair so straight and full of body. The first time I experienced a blowout here, I felt super sexy when I walked out of the salon with my hair all blowing in the wind. This was when my hair was longer. Just thought I would mention that in case some of you were confused by my review of this salon while seeing my super short hair in the profile picture.
Some things to know:
The staff speaks Spanish. This may bother some people, but I was cool with it. I don’t like to have a lot of chitchat while getting my hair done anyway. I usually like to chill out during that time and maybe even close my eyes.
Maria can speak English quite well. She will be the person who answers the phone and is usually at the front desk when you walk into the salon.
The environment is very casual. You can tell that the stylists are all probably friends and they tend to buddy around while working. Unless you speak spanish, you’ll have no clue as to what they are talking about, but they are generally talking and laughing. Loud music in spanish is usually playing.
Another thing about the environment is that the salon looks kind of dirty inside. For the awesome blowout service that they provide, i tried to overlook this, but it is important to mention that I have been horrified to notice several roaches crawling around on the seats and floor.
I don’t think that the products they use for washing hair are of very good quality at all. You will notice that Maria will ask if you want the deep conditioner. Get the deep conditioner! I think that is the only saving grace for the crappy shampoo that they use. The deep conditioner is this goop that smells bad but does wonders for your hair. I think it might have avocado in it and this stuff might be homemade.
The blowout is not for the tender headed ladies who can’t handle a little roughness in the name of beauty and straight hair. Basically, you’ll get your hair washed and deep conditioned. Then, the stylist will place all of your hair in rollers of various sizes. You will then sit under this industrial sized crazy hot dryer. Seriously, it is super hot. I usually have to deal with being under the thing for an hour and a half, but some people are under it for less time. My hair is just very very thick and takes forever to dry under any hooded dryers.
After coming out from under the hooded dryer, the stylist will take your rollers out and go through your hair with a super hot handheld blow dryer and round brush. This takes awhile as the stylist goes through the hair in small sections from the back of the head to the front of the head.
Finally, the stylist will go through your hair with a flat iron and voila! you’ll have sexy straight hair.
I used to go here when I would want straight hair without getting another relaxer. This would help me to get through those weeks when my roots were looking terrible.
I would not suggest getting this service done too often. They use a massive amount of heat which I imagine is probably not so good for our hair.
Also, this salon does offer relaxers, but even if you get a relaxer, they go through the blowout procedure after your relaxer. It just doesn’t take as long. Also, they do not use great relaxers here, so I would not recommend getting that service. Just get the blowout. Your hair will be just as straight and it costs so much less!
Oh yeah, this is very convenient if you rely on public transportation. Take the Broad St. line north to Erie and then walk up to the salon.

I don’t know who Maria is, or even where her #1 salon is… All I know is that the women at this salon give one hell of a blowout for rock bottom prices. ROCK BOTTOM. I’m used to getting my hair cut and blown out for $ 80+tip =$ 100, only to go home and wash and blowdry it myself because my roots aren’t straight. I went to Maria’s and got the blowout of my life… I dare say that those women did a better job than I do myself, and that, my friends, is saying a whole hell of a lot. They all speak Spanish, so if you do too, use it… I think they definitely appreciate it more. Here’s the process:
Walk in, a woman asks you if you want to be deep conditioned. I said yes.
Another woman motions to the back, washes your hair (and gives you the scalp massage of your life), then puts in the deep conditioner, puts a plastic cap on your head, and sits you under a bonnet dryer for ~20 minutes.
She comes back when the dryer shuts off, rinses you, then takes you over to a chair, where she puts your hair up in big plastic rollers… takes about 6 minutes. You have to experience it to appreciate how much talent that takes. Mesh cap this time, plastic ear covers, back under the dryer for 45 – 60 minutes.
As stylists free up from other clients, they come back and check on you, to see if your hair is dry. If not, back under for another 15 minutes.
When you’re done, the next free stylist grabs you and starts blowdrying, which takes about 20 minutes.
She runs a flat iron through your hair, which takes about 10 minutes.
Total price? $ 35. I think they generally run about $ 25-​$ 30, but mine was extra because I asked for the deep conditioner.
The result? Perfectly shiny, straight (FROM THE ROOTS) hair with loose curls towards the bottom. Absolute perfection. I was so happy that I couldn’t stop smiling, I swear the sun shone brighter… I swear!
If you haven’t found the perfect blowout, try Maria’s… seriously. It’s very very «no frills», no designer labels on the products (or labels at all, for that matter), the décor definitely isn’t on par with Center City salons, no offers of bottled water, tea, or coffee, but really, who cares if the result is 100%? Also, be aware that it’s in the hood***… I had my boyfriend go with me, but I think you would be ok if you don’t mess with anyone.
*** Ever been to a bank that has double doors that have a metal detector built in between the two doors, a security guard on the other side, and only one person allowed in between the doors at a time? Yeah… the hood.