Roundup
Human hair grows a measly 1.25 centimeters a month. Boston's beauty scene seems to be growing a helluva lot faster. Here are three local salons expanding their empires this season.For the last two years, W Boston has lured locals with Bliss's cheekily named spa treatments (a betweeny wax, anyone?). Now there's another excuse to pop in: the third location of James Joseph Salon, which just joined existing spots on Newbury Street and in Medford. The newly opened street-level retreat has six stylists' chairs and shelves stocked with Balance by James Joseph, the house product line formulated sans sulfates, parabens, or synthetic colors.
Also opening its third spot — and its first in the city proper — is suburban stalwart SalonCapri. The Penna family started styling hair in Hyde Park way back in 1967, but before long they moved to the 'burbs, coiffing clients in Newton and Dedham. Now they're coming back to Boston, opening an outpost at 11 Newbury Street next month. Expect a 2200-square-foot salon with the city's only L'Oréal Professionnel Color Bar and plenty of iPads to browse during downtime in the chair.
That's pretty big for Back Bay. But in Southie, 5000 square feet wasn't enough for Shag owner Sandy Poirier, who just commandeered a neighboring space to expand his already-sprawling salon. He and his tatted-up crew are using the added elbow room as a photography studio, an extra area for color services, and an event space, where they hope to host art openings, live bands, and fashion shows. "We want to give back to local artists," says Poirier. "Like the Factory, Andy Warhol — that's what I've envisioned this place to be."
JAMES JOSEPH SALON :: 100 Stuart St, Boston :: 617.292.3328 :: jamesjosephsalon.com
SALONCAPRI :: 11 Newbury St, Boston :: 617.236.0020 :: saloncapri.com
SHAG :: 840 Summer St, Boston :: 617.268.2500 :: shagboston.com
