Citrus Spa and Salon

I always thought this place was just a spa!!! What a wonderful surprise! I got an appointment immediately and was treated with nothing but courtesy. It was quiet and I had the staff’s full attention. Donald did my hair and I can’t say enough about what a great job he did: even got a bonus heavenly scalp massage and advice on great places to eat in the area!!! My eyebrow and lip wax were fantastic – right to my specifics! Great conversation. I thought it would be a little awkward being the only one there (Sunday afternoon during the Pats vs. Jets game) but never felt that at all. The only reason I can’t give 5 stars is because my Unilocal deal wasn’t accepted on a technicality (I didn’t book through Unilocal). They still have me 20% off as a first time visitor but that added up to less off than I expected to pay. Most other places would have honored the deal. Well, I’ll book through Unilocal next time and try out their spa treatments.

I couldn’t be happier with the treatments that I have received for over a year. Juliet is truly gifted in so many areas and has helped me bring my hair back to life. I am in my 60s and my hair has really suffered from coloring and processing. She used a keratin product that absolutely brought my lifeless hair back to life
Not only that but the Venus freeze treatments are amazing. I have used them on my face to rebuild collagen and it has really helped
Now I am also doing my neck and tummy which need it too
Juliet is also amazing with color and cuts. When Juliet is busy, I have had Rosa and Penny help me and they are wonderful too
This shop should be overflowing
They do a great job and are also fun to talk to. Highly recommend this place.

What a stroke of good fortune to stumble upon the Citrus Spa when I arrived from Baltimore with bedraggled hair, hoping to get it fixed before meeting my friends. Juliet fit me in during the midafternoon – and did a fantastic blow dry job that left my hair just as I asked – wavy, sexy. «If only I had brought some makeup to complement what you’ve done,» I moaned. «I do make-​up as well,» she noted. So when I left, I looked gorgeous. She should have done photos, «before» and «after,» that show what a miracle worker she is. I also appreciated the a/​c and quiet ambience… very relaxing.

I’ve been to Citrus Spa and Salon in years past sparingly to take advantage of promotions/​Groupon deals, but given it’s distance from me (a bus with green line transfer is not fun), I am not a regular customer. The salon/​spa in my experience has never been bustling full of customers at any given moment, and the ambiance is very slow-​paced and relaxing. I have received a Nature elemental facial and haircut/​blow-​dry through Groupon deals in years past, of which I was happier with the latter hence the one star off (the facial didn’t clean or renew my face as thoroughly as I expected, however this was years ago).
I received a $ 25 gift voucher for my birthday this year since I’ve been part of their customer database/​email list for a while, and I redeemed it on an eyebrow wax (full value: $ 20) recently. Despite the cumbersome commute, I was happy with my eyebrows since they were waxed a bit thin for my taste a couple of weeks ago at a Uni K Wax center in Miami. The aesthetician assigned to me, Penny, was incredibly attentive, worked neither too fast nor too slow, and she was conscious of the shape I wanted. Their periodic promotions also seem to be of great value ($ 99 for partial highlights, toner, cut, and style is a fantastic example!), so I’d love to come back for another great deal soon. If you can afford their services at full value, I would definitely recommend coming here.

I’m a Grad Student, and usually too broke to spend real money on my hair– but I’ve splurged twice to get daring haircuts here, and never regretted it!
The first time I came in, I had grown out an asymmetric bob, and wanted to take it all off with a fauxhawk-​pixie cut. The salon owner (Juliet, I think?) has cut my hair both times. She asked a lot of questions, and did a lot of careful measurements. She’s a little hesitant about «crazy» hairstyles, I’ll admit– I don’t think punky and edgy are her specialties. But, she did amazing nonetheless!
The second time I came in, having grown out aforementioned pixie to almost shoulder length, I wanted her to cut another assymmetric bob-​ish thing, and then do a crazy undercut in the back with a design shaved into it. After seeing the undercut that I wanted, she vetoed the asymmetric part, because it would be too short to put up and show off the back. Smart move! She knew what she was doing. :) She did long layers just to trim and even it out, instead. My hair is shaped wonderfully– it even air-​dries into a good shape. Which, for my fine, straight-​as-​a-​board hair, is no easy feat.
She also could tell I’d «cheated» on her with a couple cheap trims between cuts, and correctly guessed that they had hacked at my hair with the razor tool to create layers. Now that I’m growing it out, I can totally tell that’s a bad move. Even when she did my pixie, she never used the razor tool, and my hair always looks much healthier when she finishes with it. I can tell that my hair is going to grow out of this cut beautifully. She took the time to blow dry it on a round brush, and then put it up for me with the bobby pins that I’d brought. The total for the cut, wash, and style was 70 bucks.
I will probably get the nape undercut maintained at a Barber Shop (who will have more tools to carve in sweet designs), but I will most definitely continue to task Juliet with maintaining my longer locks! Five stars for her!

Stopped in quick today to get a trim by Donald. He had 10+ years experience and was able to take control w a good instinct to know what I needed. Staff was really friendly and the vibe was clean and professional. Only two hair cutting chairs so it’s pretty intimate but overall I was satisfied.
They even gave me a little gift bag with coupons and aveda Moroccan hair oil :)
Paid a bit more than I usually do for haircuts but quality, service, and experience definitely made it worth the while.

This was the worst massage I have ever had. I asked constantly to focus on my lower back and she refused to work on the area. Also, they have an online appointment system but push appointments back because the employees cannot make it «in time» for the available appointment online. This was a terrible experience I will never go again

I don’t know why this place doesn’t have a five star rating across the board. I just saw Juliet for an acne facial, and she was fantastic. She didn’t push products on me, she was extremely knowledgeable and thorough in her discussion of options for my skin type with me. In the end I got way more than I had hoped and paid less. She spent so much time on my problem areas and even threw in a much needed neck and arm massage. She was wonderful and kind. Will definitely be going back here. Also a big plus: she let my skin calm down for a while after extractions before sending me out into the world, so by the time I left my skin looked beautiful, not irritated. Big thumbs up. Thank you!
Hannah

I got a haircut from Juliet and loved it! It was my first time here and they fit me in with only an hour’s notice. I had tried trimming my own hair and had a bad highlighting job from a friend, but Juliet never made me feel embarrassed like other hair stylists I’ve had. She was extremely personable and made me feel right at ease. I gave her my complete trust and she didn’t let me down. Loved my layered cut with bangs :)

I really liked this place! I have walked by about a million times, and never gone in. I made a walk in appointment the other day for my hair. One of the best haircuts that I’ve had in a long time! We did some red highlights and a trim, and it came out looking even Better than I had expected.
My stylist/​colorist, Julia, is one of the friendliest, kindest and fun people I’ve met. And although we were talking, she was still focused on what she was doing really well.
I’m always nervous trying new hair places, as I can be really particular about my hair, and want to keep it healthy. I was very satisfied with Citrus, and will probably be going back for my next cut/​color. Definitely with Julia.

Been there twice to see Samara (Is she still there? Where is she?!) and was more than happy with her re: wax services (especially after going to another 5-​star rated «salon» and hating my experience).
Since then, management changed and I was unable to use a Gilt City deal since they «have decided to stop promotions involved with third parties.» Bummer. But I got a refund from GC.
I’d like to go back but 1) the website is down; 2) is Samara still there?!
5-​stars for Samara, 2-​stars for customer experience thereafter

Just called Citrus and Megan no longer works there! Does anybody know where she has gone? I need a haircut and she’s probably the only person I actually trust with my hair!
Megan, where did you go?

I had recently moved to just a couple blocks away from Citrus, was in need of a new salon, and was excited to find a groupon deal for a haircut and blowdry. What a great way to try out a new salon, right?
Wrong.
Despite trying to schedule an appointment 6 full weeks before the groupon expired, I never was able to schedule an appointment. Nobody ever answered the phone when I called, and I called at least a half dozen times at all different times and days over the course of a week and a half (always during open hours). Not only that, but I left at least three phone messages, and never received a return call.
I waited a couple weeks for a return call, and eventually contacted groupon and got my money refunded (all well before the groupon expired; I am not one of those people who waits until the groupon is about to expire and then complains when I can’t get an appointment). I waited several more weeks, to give Citrus plenty of time to return my phone calls, before leaving this review.
Groupon or no groupon, I would never go to a salon that doesn’t answer its phone and doesn’t return calls. If that’s how they treat potential customers, I’ll take my business elsewhere.

Jen was fabulous! First, I came in with incredibly low hopes from the hell of a mess I got my self into from going from naturally toehead blonde to dark brown and try to go back to my natural color. From the number of stylists I have gone to since, I had come to terms with the fact that this would take me another good six months to achieve.
Today, shockingly, I stepped out with my natural color. Really. I would say Jen is more of an ARTIST than a stylist. The different tricks and techniques she used, and the tips she gave me for at home were priceless :) Not only was she up for, and exceeded the expectations of, the challenge that was the mess of my mane, she was totally down to earth and pleasant to spend my day off with :) Needless to say I am going to return.
Why the missing fifth star? Though pleasantly cool on this scorching ninety-​five degree day, atmosphere will bump it up to a five. Turn up the tunes, cut the radio commercials, and complete the reno. I love that it’s not the over-​the-​top in-​your-​face prestigious palace of a salon, but I do like to feel like I’m at a getaway of sorts in those two hours.

So unprofessional and I will never return.
So many bad things to say, unfortunately:
1. My hair cut and style appointment was delayed 30 minutes because the stylist was finishing with another client. I was offered a complimentary treatment (hair moisturizing) as consolation, but that even felt botched as my head was so hot being under the hot fan so long.
2. I had to endure the absolutely absurd political ramblings of another stylist and her rude, loud client the entire time.
3. Was pushily pitched for $ 250 hair extensions, a dye job and more from my stylist.
4. My appointment had previously been rescheduled with a different stylist and I was not told that her rate was $ 85 instead of the $ 45 rate of my previously scheduled stylist… so I was blind sighted by DOUBLE the charge, on top of the horrible experience I had.
5. To add insult to injury, I have been trying for exactly 7 days to contact a manager to express my upset, but half the time no one picks up the phone, and the rest of the time I’m told the manager is out for the day and given her hours for the following day (when, spoiler alert, I call and she is out for the day…)
It was my second and last time at this place. The atmosphere isn’t even welcoming, it’s very cramped and has (seemingly) obvious cheap DIY repairs in progress, taking away any luxury feeling from the vibe.

I only came here because someone bought me a Groupon for a 60 minute massage. I regularly get massages, 1 – 2 times per month, but this was my first time here. I actually did not have a problem scheduling my appointment, and they seemed to have pretty open flexibility. The one good thing I can say is that the massage is the full 60 minutes you pay for, none of that «60 minute, but that also includes undress and redress times.»
The salon is SMALL, with almost no where to sit and wait. It seems they had a handful of massage rooms, and mine was nothing larger than a closet. I could even tell that my massage therapist had difficulty walking around the table to work from all sides. It smelled very aromatherapy-​ish, but that’s pretty much where the good part ends. I had a window in my room, which meant that even though the lights were dim and the blinds were down, it was way too bright to be relaxing. Also, the window goes right out to Harvard St which meant I got to listen to big trucks going by and at one point a crying baby which is the worst sound in the entire world in my opinion. The walls are paper thin so I also got to listen to those in the salon laughing and talking and dropping stuff on the floor.
My therapist wasn’t BAD, but she wasn’t great, either. She was super nice, older, and very easy to talk to, but I didn’t get the feeling that she really had any plan of action when it came to the massage, just kinda random-​ness of rubbing and kneading, etc. A few things she did were actually confusing and downright painful, but I did still feel like she was a nice woman.
They did give me a coupon for 20% off my next visit, but I can say that I won’t be back for no reason other than the place just didn’t seem clean. The sheets on my table were discolored and stained, and everything smelled a little funny. The head bolster that you stick your face in was makeshift and covered in a random cloth and I had serious trouble breathing through the tiny hole and cloth. Cleanliness is HUGE for me, and I was seriously concerned laying in that bed. The prices that they charge (when not using a Groupon) are outrageous considering the condition of the place.
They also didn’t ask me to fill out any paperwork regarding health issues, etc. Take that as you want.

I have only come to this salon/​spa for David’s massages. They are THE BEST.
He does deep tissue and gets out all my knots. I always feel 10 times better leaving this place. The price is pretty expensive, but it is worth it.
*hint* Groupons are the way to go ;)

Just got back from Citrus– I read the reviews too, and was concerned about successfully navigating the appt system… things went smoothly from the time I made the appt to the morning of. I did get a call about an hour before my appt, which I missed, trying to reschedule since my hairdresser was ill and not coming in. I went to the salon, not knowing this, and they tried to reschedule me– which just wouldn’t work with my schedule. I was really bummed.
But lo and behold, the replacement manager, Columbus, stepped up and took care of me. He not only did a beautiful job on my hair (no more roots, thank goodness) but even stuck around to wash and dry my hair. He gets the 4 stars today for saving my hair, and my day. I will certainly be back!

I also got this Groupon. bought it because I wanted only Aveda products in my hair for my highlights. I know they are natural and plant based… and the dyes wouldn’t be too harsh. Plus, I have no problem supporting new businesses… it’s really hard to find a really great hairdresser that coincides with Aveda.
I echo the reviews though. they have a horrible system in getting appointments set up. I must have tried calling three times before I got through. It’s true. the phone will ring and ring and ring. you can leave a message and they probably will not call you back. Finally I did get an appointment. about a month in advance. they have an online system which is nice. They send you an email saying that you’re in their system and a reminder a few days beforehand.
This place is near Coolidge Corner. Easy to get to… parking on the street. Very nice area.
The salon was cute. dark hardwood floors. very nice. Windows looking onto the street. I didn’t wait long. So I can see why the wait is long. I got Georgie and there are only two stylists right now. They are both pleasant girls…
I got a highlight done on my hair. she did a good job. I love the color. Unfortunately, I had to pay extra to get a glaze in it because my hair color is so dark. That was an extra $ 25. Dissapointing as I thought it’d be included in the price.
I did not love the cut. I had a really good cut before and so I told her I just wanted a trim really. She cut some of my shorter layers much shorter. so it looks a little choppy if I let it air dry. I think the best cut I got was in the Aveda Athena in Back Bay by Esmelda. She was really on the ball though. Brought me magazines, water, and was friendly.
So I love the color… but probably wouldn’t get a cut here by her.

Soo I actually haven’t gone to this salon yet. That is because I’ve been trying to make an appointment ALL day and they don’t answer their phones. I finally got a hold of someone and they told me to hold on then hung up! I called right back and no answer again … If I ever get a call back and appointment I’ll give another review but right now I’m pretty pissed …
Wow. I put 2 stars before but now it’s 1. Funny they were able to send me this message but STILL DIDN’T CALL ME BACK!
«Sorry. It doesn’t help leaving a negative review and making comments. The voucher expires in 14 days. We have great reviews from our clients and we would like to help. You can email me at
and please leave a number. Thanks citrus Aveda»
I don’t know what voucher they are talking about? But thank god I didn’t buy one