Bahama Mama’s

I went to see Kelsey for some waxing and she was terrific. I also like the prices and brightness of the shop. Other staff I interacted with were also friendly. I’m so glad this little gem is in my neighborhood!

I have been coming here for several years. I see DeeAnn and I am never disappointed. She works to get me an appointment, I often call fairly last minute but she always fits me in in a timely manner. I love that she makes suggestions on cuts and color. We tend to go a little lighter for spring and summer and darker for fall/​winter. I get lots of compliments on my highlights. DeeAnn can be as talkative as fits your mood, I enjoy that in a hairdresser. The shop is not fancy. BUT, neither are the prices! Because it is so affordable I can come more frequently for my color upkeep (which is more and more the older I get). There are tanning beds which I have used before a trip and the prices are fair. I also like that the shop supports local artists by selling their wares. This is a great little shop with a local owner supporting the local community. Check it out!

I’m a regular tanner, and just moved out here – so of course I had to find a new place :) I love it here! They were welcoming and thorough in making sure I understood how everything worked.
I read that some people didn’t like their beds – but I’m pretty sure they’ve updated since then, because they were definitely the kind of bed I’ve come to love, and I usually have to pay through the nose to find.
I really like that they will keep your lotion there for you, so you don’t have to remember to bring it… I’ve forgotten many a bottle at home and had to get a new one.
Seriously – try it out, you won’t be sorry!

I had such an amazing experience here, I will definitely be back again and again!
DeAnn fit me in while she was assisting another customer with a color. I needed some shaping/​trimming to a bob that’s growing out. I am not one to fuss about my hair, but it’s always a little nerve wracking to try out a new stylist.
Silly me, I shouldn’t have worried! DeAnn gave me exactly the subtle, asymmetrical look I was going for, and was confident and conversational the whole time.
Amazingly affordable for the quality. I highly recommend DeAnn for your haircuts!

Let’s be honest. I’ve never been tanning anywhere else, so I have nothing to compare it to.
What I will say is simple and to the point.
1) Customer service is FABULOUS. Every time I walk through the front door, I am greeted by smiles and hellos; from the folks cutting hair, to folks reading magazines, and the folks behind the desk. Customers and employees alike, folks are just real friendly here. I love it. I feel like I’m walking into a great neighborhood salon every time I go.
2) The tanning beds are clean, the individual rooms are clean, and I have never had any problems with the beds. I’ve used each one and they all seem to work great.
3) Buying the tanning package was easy and fast and the ladies were most helpful in determining how many minutes I should start at and how much to increase by. Very pleased with their help and expertise.
4) Quick side story. I left my necklace on the back of a chair in one of the tanning rooms and when I arrived the next day, my necklace was in a plastic bag with my name written on it! EXCELLENT customer service. I love them here.
Thank you, Bahama Mamas for being here in St. John’s!

I’ve been to Bahama Mama’s for a few different reasons (cut, color, wax) and lately have been really impressed. The last few times I’ve been seeing Nicole. I’m highly impressed. I have really long hair and asked her to do ambre, which turned out AWESOME. She’s done my hair a couple times and I plan on returning soon for another cut and color, hopefully sooner then later. I just made an appointment to get shellac nails for the first time and I was scheduled with Nicole. I have no doubt in my mind she’ll do a great job.
I highly recommend Bahama Mamas, even though I praised Nicole I bet they all do a great job. I love the atmosphere. The ladies always make me feel comfortable and relaxed. I can be a big talker some days so I don’t mind swapping stories with the beauticians.

Tanning, hair-​care services and waxing, all in one place and only a block away from my work? I can dig it.
I just happened to walk by Bahama Mama’s while walking back to my office from McMenamins. Outside, they had a menu of services with prices posted. I liked this, and really liked the price of waxing. 10 dollars an area, 2 areas for 15? Sign. Me. Up. For some reason we have moved into a world where waxing is more of an art than an upkeep, and unfortunately that means more home wax jobs for me… which in turn, means more bad days and incessant whining. Ha.
I had a very interesting wax experience. The chick who did the deed, Brittany, was a kick in the ass. She was quick and talked the whole time, making the time go by even quicker. She was super confident about her abilities, didn’t ask me too many questions about what I wanted and just got to work. My eyebrows looks fantastic and have even received a few compliments from total strangers.
The establishment was clean and nice, the ladies at the front desk were super friendly and helpful. Their prices are clearly stated and posted, and their tan specials looked very reasonable.
So, I will be back… not only to keep up on my great eyebrows, but to keep up with Brittany’s life stories, cuz… damn Gina, did she have some! :)

I have been thinking about how I would review this salon for at least a week. I was leaning toward a 1 – 2 star rating but upped it to 3 because I just had a very good customer service experience. They just extended my tanning package for me because I’m on a medication that makes my skin photo sensitive. They even gave me a little extra time for the last week that I haven’t been coming in even though I just now called. I explained my situation, but I didn’t even have to ask. They were very accommodating. Most places will put a hold on a tanning package for you, but adding a bunch of extra time in there for the previous week I missed is really unheard of.
I got the one month unlimited for $ 40. Before this experience I was feeling pretty dumb for buying a tanning package from them because I found a MUCH nicer place only a block away that is the same exact price for the package I have. If it was the only tanning place this close to me I still would have not loved this place, but having the other salon to compare to makes the things I don’t like about Bahama Mamas worse.
It could really use some updating. I don’t think it’s dirty per say, but it could LOOK cleaner. It’s cluttered and they haven’t done much in the way of trying to make it look as cute as it could be. It’s a great location in a great little neighborhood and they could do better with it. The beds need some maintenance. There was a gasket type seal (think rubber/​plastic strip kind) that was coming out of one of the beds and every bed has an issue with tiny electrical shorts. I don’t know if it’s the brand they have or some issue with maintenance, but I’ve never had that happen in any other bed I’ve tanned in over the years. If you touch the metal that over laps the plastic that covers the bulbs you will often get tiny little ‘shocks.’ I don’t know how to word it better than that, and it sounds worse than it is, but it’s still not okay. I kept thinking that I was pinching my arm hairs on something. Some beds are worse than others.
The staff is okay. The woman who sold me the package was not friendly, but it doesn’t matter all that much to me because I just pop in and out of there and I’m in a tanning bed so I’m not really talking with anyone. Most of the other staff interactions I’ve had have been about a 2 – 3 out of 5 because they really seem like they aren’t enjoying their time there and that they could care less that I’m there spending my money. There are definite differences in the personalities of the staff. One or two have been very nice, but most have been kind of a drag.
A friendlier staff and a fresh new look (okay, and fixing the tanning beds) would do wonders for this place. They never look busy and I think that’s a shame for a place that really does have potential. I hope they make some changes so they can be a more successful and competitive local establishment.