Salon Mario Russo

Both my best friend and I love getting our hair cut by Rosanna at Mario Russo, and always request her specifically. Every complaint I've seen on here about her appears to be attacking (a) her hair cutting expertise, based on (of course) your superior expertise; or (b) complaining about how the cut cost SO much money, but why then, didn't the cut look SO new and different? Now, perhaps I'm assuming too much, but I'm relatively certain that the #1 complaint salon-goers have is that their stylist went overboard with the ""trim"" and left them in tears, or came up with some horrific picasso hairstyle idea and imposed it upon them without asking first. This will NEVER happen with Rosanna. This is why I keep going back; more importantly, this is what makes this smattering of Rosanna-complaints so laughably retarded.\r \r Honestly. Get it together. If Rosanna cut 2 inches off even though you didnt want her to, it's because she very likely saw that you had split ends extending 2 inches up the hair shaft and that, were she not to cut as close to that point as possible, then your hair would remain unhealthy, and the split would continue to extend up each hair shaft. And if Rosanna's speedy hair-cutting technique made her job look suspiciously ""easy"" to you, to the point where you'd complain about it on here as an outrageously overpriced cut based on PACE alone, then you should probably reevaluate your hair priorities and go back to Supercuts. \r \r Finding a stylist whom you can trust to not go ""Oh, you're going to look SO Posh Spice after this"" and then gleefully chop it off before you can respond is hard. But finding a stylist (like Rosanna) who is an expert at trimming only that which MUST be cut and not doing something drastic bc of some artistic whim that strikes is EVEN HARDER. Face it: If you walk into a salon looking unfortunate, you're probably going to leave it that way. This is not a Pantene Pro-V Commercial. It's life. And I happen to think Rosanna rocks at it. more

Stuck in traffic on Rt. 3, I called to say I would be 10 minutes late. The receptionist told me not to bother coming in (I was about 3 blocks away at that point) because they could not accommodate me. So, I turned around and drove an hour back home. So not worth it- my haircuts were good but not worth the attitude. Rude front desk help at this level of a salon is unacceptable. I've had to wait 30 minutes for them.... more

I'm interning on Boylston Street for the summer, and my boss recommended Mario Russo when I told her I needed a haircut. After reading some of the reviews here, I was nervous about the experience. However, it was WONDERFUL. The people at the front desk were warm and courteous, and the shampoo station was excellent (great scalp massage!). Monika took time to talk to me about my hair and daily routine, and she really listened to what I wanted. She does a great job on styling recommendations - demonstrating better blow-dry techniques, recommending appropriate products (LOVE my new Phyto volumizing spray!), etc. - without being condescending or pushy. I went during my lunch hour and still had plenty of time to eat before returning to the office. I've never been happier with my hair, and I will DEFINITELY go back to Monika for my next haircut! Pros: relaxing atmosphere, friendly customer service, qualified staff Cons: cash-only for tipping more

The staff is great!!! Monika has a natural flair for highlights,cuts and styles. She takes time with your hair and recommends products that will be beneficial. This was the first time I got highlights that my hair did not frizz. It looks smooth and natural!!! I highly recommend Mario Russo and Monika. Pros: Parking is Available, very courteous staff more

I wanted to thank you for doing a great job with my hair. Grace is the best. She was able to fix the color on my hair (after trying 2 other different salons and get it all messed up) and managed to make it look great! Very good job and very good customer service. I already recommended her to all my friends here at work! I keep getting nice compliments about my hair! I love my hair color now. It turned out even better than what I expected! I was also able to get a manicure while the color was being put in my hair--- i felt so glamorous!! Thank you again!! Pros: Convenient parking & very modern salon more

Gary has been highlighting and cutting my hair for almost 10 years now and I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else! The salon is so cozy and warm and his team of stylists are wonderful. I'm there every six weeks and whether I'm doing the same cut and color or looking to try something new, I can always count on getting the best advice and the best service. If you're looking to try a new place then look no further. You've got to stop in and try Mario Russo at Louis, Boston.... you'll never go anywhere else again. Pros: Parking is available, very professional and experienced team of stylists and colorists more

I have been going to Mario Russo on and off for years, the main reason being one amazing colorist named Michelle. She is a great talent and very, very sweet and down-to-earth. I have had mixed results when I sought someone to cut my hair. The staff is so incredibly rude and snooty (for what? you work reception, okay? I make twice as much as you do at the batt of your Tammy Faye Baker-esque eyelash). And the atmosphere is very uncomfortable. It's just not relaxing or upscale enough to warrant such attitude and high prices. more

New stylists at this salon are a great value. Best $65. cut of my life -- in fact, better than cuts I've paid twice that for. I saw Laurent, who's new to Mario but apparently trained in Paris and California before coming here. He listened, took a lot of time to fix problems from my last cut, and made sure it was exactly what I wanted. On top of everything else he's French and really cute and very nice. What a nice surprise after bad cuts and bad attitudes up and down Newbury Street! Pros: Great cut, great price, the way I wanted it Cons: Parking's expensive unless you find a meter more

the receptionist i talked to on the phone was rude and rushed me off the phone, my haircut sucked i had to get it fixed, a waste of $90, and i was there for 2 hours for just a cut I was really suprised at the salon's attitude overall..not so great at all more

I went for a haircut at a recommendation from someone who had her haircut with this particular stylist. I went in and specifically stated to the stylist that I was trying to grow out my hair from a bob to shoulder length. The sylist proceeded to razor my hair; not once did she use scissors. Most stylists know that unless the hair is of the right type, razoring it actually does more damage. In the end, I had 2 inch shorter hair, poorly styled, and longer on one side than the other. I even had to point that out to her before leaving for in order ot have it fixed. After spending $80 on the worst haircut in recent memory, I will surely never go back. Cons: expensive, unimpressive more

I've been getting my hair cut here for years. It's one of the only salon's I've found where I never walk out in tears from an unexpectedly awful haircut. However, it took years of being a client before the front desk staff stopped being snooty and rude to me, and the final bill always takes my breath away. Pros: skillful stylists, good products Cons: , expensive more

After four hair disasters at other Newbury and Boylston street Salons, Mario russo took my then turning green and purple hair and managed to salvage it, for 1/2 the price other people were charging and made it look great. Since then I have loved my hair. The color only takes about 30 minutes and I have the most natural blond I have ever had. The cut and color together rarely go over an hour and they listen to what you want. The price is = to any on the block buy you actually get young people who know what they are doing! more

To make long story short: Had appointment for fiancee's wedding. Scheduled 10am-1pm for make-up/nails/hair. Got call next day from manager to confirm appointment and tell us about a $100 fee for coming before 11am (we were never told about this when making the appointment). Told her that we would get make-up done somewhere else and come at 11am for the rest. She got very angry and defensive and told me that if I cancelled make-up, then she would cancel all appointments. Very snobbish and hung up on me. I called back the next day and found that the appointments were indeed cancelled. Re-booked 11am-1pm for nail/hair. Got a nasty massage about 10 minutes later from same manager telling me she cancelled the appoinment again and that we should not try any more tricky stuff. They appeal to the rich and money-clueless who do not even question an extra $100 charge. Pros: good reputation more

Was being brave and trying someplace new for the first time in 3 years. Had a full highlight and a trim. Cut was great - but then again, it was the same thing I had, just shaped up. The color was competent, but no where near the fabulous job I had done in NYC. And yet I still paid almost as much. Had too many overly dyed-harsh blondes running about getting their hair done - and the salon was way too hectic. Bleh. I'm sure money could be better spent elsewhere. more