Richard Penna Salon

LOVE Richard Penna, the owner and stylist. He is professional, classy and does a great job. HATE the salon. It is unbelievably tacky: grocery store quality music blaring, gaudy jewelry draped everywhere and TV screens plastered on just about every wall, like a sports bar. Who wants to watch CNN when you’re in a spa?
Which brings me to their «spa.» Today I had, without question, the worst waxing I’ve ever had — and we’re talking about a span of over 35 years. The worst: incompetent, unsanitary, painful. I should have known something was up when I walked in to a room the size of a closet. It was so small the person had me drape my legs over the end of the table so that she could move. I hung there, literally, for about 30 minutes until my back couldn’t take it any longer. This person wore big bracelets while doing a bikini wax, re-​used the same stick, didn’t wash her hands before and after, and the table as well as my body were «protected» by a thin strip of paper that wadded up and stuck to all the wax left on my legs whenever I shifted position.
Which brings me to painful. During my bikini wax I told the woman that the wax was too hot. So! The very next strip is even hotter, burning, shall we say, a very sensitive area.
I think if you want a place that caters to the older, bleached blond bouffant, lacquered-​fingernails-​like-​daggers set, this is it. If you want something calm, clean, professional and post-​1970s, you might want to go somewhere else.
So sorry to write this, because Richard Penna really is great.

I would never go to this place again. I’ve never had water fall all over me when getting my hair washed but at this place I was drenched. Then, I paid $ 40 for someone to blow dry my hair and it was horrible. She left my hair wet under the top layer and there were no waves or anything like they usually do with a big round brush. I could have done it myself! She rushed my hair and then left for the day. It was unbelievable. I feel like they try to be high end but don’t come close to the quality. Just the price. My friend got her hair dyed and she still had strands of white hair and the white hair was dyed light brown while the rest of her hair was dark brown so it definitely stood out. The lady did not match her color correctly. Her scalp and forehead were dyed also and they didn’t clean it off well at all. So embarrassing.

Richard. Knows. Hair.
The greatest haircuts I have ever had have all come from Richard or Rose. I have moved away from CT, but whenever I come back to visit family, I try to make an appointment with either of them. I always get compliments left and right after visiting Richard Penna, and the cut always grows out beautifully.
And yes, Richard has won awards and styled celebrities, etc. His cuts are pricier, being the salon owner, but if you can score an appointment with him, take it! It’s so worth it. He can recommend a style that makes the most of your hair, your face shape, etc. He will take your hair where it has never been before.
Rose is also awesome. She’s up on trends, can recommend a style for you if you have no idea what to do, is a good listener, and cares about her customers.
As for colorists, I’ve only been to Sharon. She’s the best.
Yes, it is very busy there… but for good reason! AMAZING HAIRCUTS! The front desk ladies are used to the hustle and bustle and are very organized; I’ve never had a problem with them. I’ve even ordered gift certificates for my mom by phone and they’ve mailed them out to me so I can surprise her with them.
Bottom line: best salon in CT. Make an appointment stat!

I too am a big fan of this salon! I’m a natural redhead — though it’s more strawberry blonde as I’ve gotten older. Anyway, I wanted a great cut and a stronger red color, and I did not want someone touching my hair who didn’t know what they were doing. I decided to try this salon and was not disappointed. Sharon is an AWESOME colorist! I highly recommend her. Even after I tried a different colorist that was closer to my home and yes, a bit less expensive — boy, was I sorry! I immediately called Sharon who turned a hair color nightmare into a beautiful color. She is fantastic. I see her husband, Robert, for my cuts. He is sweet and listens to what you ask for with your style, but also makes great suggestions. This place is pricey, but it is worth the results, I assure you.

I can’t believe no one has reviewed Richard Penna Salon! I’ve been going here since 2002 and as long as I live in Connecticut, no matter how far away from the salon… I will always go here. This place is a tight run operation… it is very, very busy… but run very smoothly. With 13 stylists, 3 colorists, an extension specialist, 5 nail techs, 3 esthetecians and 4 make-​up artists… they have to be on top of things.
For everyone that has ever said «If only I could get a great cut…» this is the place. The stylists are creative geniuses. If you go there with an idea, they will tell you if it’s too much of a fad or if it doesn’t work with your face and whatnot. They have tremendous pride in their work and it shows.
When I go, I first sit down with Sharon, my colorist and we decide what I’d like to have done this time around. I process, high/​lo lights and all, and while I wait, I am asked if I want coffee, tea, water a magazine. Sharon is a true artist when it comes to color. I’ve never been less than amazed with her color choices, my hair always comes out with dimension, and beauty.
After, I get shampooed and an assistant takes me over to Billy, my stylist. Billy is wonderful! When I started going to him my hair was at the small of my back, and through various appointments, I’ve never been afraid to let him be creative… as creative as sweeping my shoulders and it looked great. He always gives me pointers on how to do my hair if I’m going out to a club or how to wear it professionally to work, or a cute ponytail…
All in all, this is a 5 star salon/​day spa… if you can get in. Generally if you have a semi flexible schedule, they can fit you in within 2 months.
**Richard Penna himself is a stylist at this salon but appointments are very hard to come by. He has had 2 Emmy nominations for his stylist work on daytime television. He as also done the work of various celebrities to include Diane Sawyer, Tony Bennett, President & Mrs. Carter, Michael Bolton… etc.
**Another cool thing about Richard Penna is he is very big into giving back to the community and cancer research. He works with wigs and hair pieces to help women get through a hard time in their life… it’s very inspiring.