Pini Swissa Salon

These 4-​stars are for Kara who is an amazing colorist! The customer service at reception, not so much. I came in with a Gilt voucher for partial Balayage and blowout– Kara was so nice, took the time to ask me questions and actually listened to my responses. The color is wonderful, I’ve never had so many compliments and inquiries of where it was done. In fact, I’m 4 months out from my color and it still looks amazing.
My review isn’t 5-​stars due only to the lack of customer service I have experienced over the phone. I felt they were a bit rude and pushy when I booked my original appt, and today, when I called back to schedule my next color with Kara, I had yet another rude experience when I inquired about pricing. I didn’t know what to expect since my original visit was on a voucher, and when I hesitated because it was more than I had anticipated, he immediately scoughed and made me feel guilty for even asking. I hung up without an appt. I would have hoped for a more customer-​forward receptionist who didn’t make me feel so uncomfortable.

I had a gilt city voucher and Kara took care of my hair. She was awesome, she helped me change my style. We decided together that I would get bangs, and it looked really great.
Had many compliments about it. I also love the salon itself, the design is very trendy and upscale.

I went in with a gilt city voucher to get a haircut with Kara. I think she joined this salon recently (hence she was the stylist for the voucher) but I had her cut my hair at a previous salon a couple of times. I am so glad I went to see her again because she did a fantastic job. Its a bit pricey as most newbury salons are but its worth it. She really knows her stuff and my hair grew out beautifully. I will definitely be going back!

When I realized that it had been nine months since my last cut, I knew I would need a professional to get me to really treat myself and get my hair back in shape (literally).
With the help of a mutual connection, Kara and I connected over e-​mail and planned my visit to the salon. I was looking for a cut (of medium length hair) and balayage to some degree. Over e-​mail, I shared ideas with Kara through the use of a Pinterest board with different examples of ideas that I had. When I arrived at the salon, Kara handed me some water and we went to work. Because she also has fine, dark hair, she appreciated the fact that I was looking for a cut that would give me some dimension and just the right amount of chic with not a lot of maintenance.
In short, Kara really gets hair. At least of the fine, dark, twenty something variety. I would recommend her to anyone who loves the minimalistic-​feel in their salon, music they most definitely will be tapping their feet or quietly humming along to and a hair experience they’ll look forward to over and over again.
Thanks Kara, this was such a treat for me and my tresses!

Pini is the best! He truly has the magical touch.
Beautiful, calming environment. Once in a while you will have to wait a bit.

I was in yesterday for a haircut, and I saw Kara.
First of all I hate having my haircut, and usually it’s not cut enough that I can tell a difference or it’s too much and I have to grow out my hair again.
I LOVE THIS HAIRCUT
Kara actually listened to me and did the haircut according to MY needs
Definitely coming back to Kara!
Plus to wrap it up she gave me a fantastic blow dry that has lasted for almost a week now

I bought a Gilt coupon for a cut and blow-​dry with Kara. I’m so happy with the results! She asked what I had in mind; my only requirements were that it is easy to manage and not too set looking. It looks great and Kara is fantastic.

Waiting 22minutes for my appointment so far, still waiting and cannot add money into the meter. Hope I added enough buffer to begin with!
3 stars for my first Pini appointment
5 stars for oksana’s work
I followed her here from Newbury Day Spa which closed. She is a-​mazing with waxing. She was very professional, kept a conversation with me through the job so that I’m less focused on paying attention to the pain. When I did feel it, it was not too bad! She takes the time with tweezers to get all the hairs. And she definitely uses new spatulas with each dip.
The price has gone up slightly. But I would pay to come to her. Have not found anyone better in boston thus far.
Oksana is great but hope that their appointment times are more accurate, especially since I originally wanted the ½hr slot after mine anyway.

This review is for Oksana, who is truly a hair removal artist. She is always quick and professional, and does fantastic work. Instead of shoving a mirror in my face and shooing me out immediately after she’s done, she takes the time to explain her decisions to me and educate me about my hair growth patterns. I have light hair and only have to come in every couple of months, so I can justify paying a little bit more for great brows.

Pini Swissa is the best thing has ever happened to my hair-​! :) After years of fearfully over-​paying stylists to give me ½″ trims lest they actually cut my hair and mess it up, I am so happy whenever I leave Pini’s chair. He’s amazing with layering and listens intently to what I’m going for. I don’t need to style or blowout in any special way to get the look I need because he cuts in such a way that everything falls in its proper place. I especially love the volume I get with his cuts.
So worth it! ** Bonus, they have an amazing esthetician there, too named Oksana **

I found Oksana, she is at Pini Swissa! I just visited her yesterday, she is unbelievable! You must go and see her for any waxing needs, you will not regret! Salon is super chic, trendy and nice! People are very helpful and sweet. Will visit them again! :) Thank you!

Oksana has relocated to Pini Swissa and continues to be my favorite esthetician in Boston (I posted this review both for her as well as the salon)! Let’s face it, a bikini wax is never a pleasant experience, but Oksana makes it as comfortable as possible. I’ve tried many of the Boston salons (including «high-​end» Newbury street ones) and she is definitely the best (and less expensive than some of those other places!) She manages to keep it both friendly and business-​like, and does a fantastic job removing every single hair (whereas some of the other places I’ve definitely noticed a few hairs left over)…I would not go to anyone else.
The salon itself was also very nice. The space is clean, modern, and has a relaxed feel. The receptionist was sweet and everyone treated me very nicely. I’ll definitely be back… maybe I’ll try them for my next haircut as well!

This review is for waxing services with oksana. I am so so so glad to have found her after newbury day spa disappeared without a word. Oksana is quick, professional, and amazingly attentive to detail. She is one of the only waxers I’ve seen in boston who religiously use clean sticks for each dip in the wax. And she is extremely affordable!!! Seriously — go see her.

Really cute and sleek salon — warm and welcoming. Went for a waxing with Oksana — love her! She does such a fabulous job — I’ve been going to her for years. Highly recommend it :)

I have been seeing Loredana for about three years and I have recommended her to many friends. Not only does she do a fantastic job with cuts, color and styles but she is honest and a sweetheart! What more can you ask for in a hairdresser.
Don’t let the fact that this salon is on Newbury street fool you into thinking it is stuffy and overpriced. The staff is relaxed and friendly and I always feel I am getting a great service as a reasonable price.
I am a loyal customer and have been since the first day Loredana made my hair look better than ever!!!

When Erika Alvarez first came to Pini Swissa salon, I jumped on the introductory offer for a discounted cut. I had been hopping between different hair deals since moving to the city, never finding a salon or stylist good enough to warrant me sticking around.
After just the first cut, I couldn’t resist sticking with Erika! The prices are decent for the area, and having trained with Pini, she’s been trying new techniques and finding even more fun styles to try.
She listens very well, but isn’t afraid to let you know when she thinks there’s more she can do to best suit your face and style. She loves dramatic cuts, but is also great with maintaining a look from a previous cut.
Seriously worth it! A visit there is a fun break in my work day.

Aw sheesh. (:
Got another Gilt City deal for a cut, blowout, and styling session with Erika. I made the decision (more like got fed up of being at work and went here during my lunch hour on a whim) to get a pixie cut. I was able to cut (and donate!) 12″. Honestly one of the scariest things I’ve done. Clearly I do not frequently live life on the edge.
Pini Swissa himself came over and actually cut my hair a little bit as well. Ahh, the hands that have touched Tom Brady’s beautiful locks did my hair! It was really adorable, I think he was even more excited than I was about my dramatic chop. Everyone at the salon was so nice and so encouraging. They could tell I was fairly alarmed and they all kept telling me how great it was already starting to look. (This was obviously a lie because at one point during the process I definitely had a bowl/​mushroom thing going on.)
Anyway, I love it here and I’m looking forward to trying out some of the other services they offer.

I got a Gilt CIty deal for a haircut from Erika and it was one of the best deals I’ve gotten! Erika did a wonderful job with my hair and went out of her way to show me how to curl my hair. She even sent me a follow up email about my hair. I would definitely recommend Erika and Pini Swissa for hairstyling.
I also got a chemical peel (I forget who gave it to me but she was awesome) and it was good as well. She explained everything to me and did a good job, the mask at the end was great too.
The salon itself is on Newbury and very cute.

Just wanted to write an update since my last review because I have gotten several blowouts from Erika since and she is fantastic. I posted a few photos for people to see the results! She does a great blowout so I highly recommend her for styling if you have an event coming up. She also does great formal styles, as well.

Curly hair, curly hair
What to do with curly hair
A drop of moisture makes it flare
And gives the little kids a scare
The secret to curly hair is a good cut. You can load up all the product you want but if you don’t have a good curly hair cut you are screwed. This is there Paul Bingaman comes in. I’ve been with him through 3 salons now and I’ll never leave him. He cuts my hair so it looks good curly or straight (when I have the energy to yank it flat) and he always has good conversation to go with the kickin cut. The best thing about Paul is he doesn’t push me into anything I want to do. It’s about time to cover my gray. I know it. He knows it. But he also knows I a bit nervous about slathering my hair with chemicals and the maintenance involved in coloring. He mentions tints occasionally as an alternative but never makes me feel bad about my non-​color decision.
The salon itself is very pleasant. Well lit without being garish and not nearly as snooty as other Newbury street salons I have encountered (you know who you are, snoots). You get a very at home feeling here the stylists and receptionists are genuine people who try to make you feel welcome.
They have a very cool table in the middle of the salon for people to occupy themselves with their laptops and magazines while they wait for their color to set. Maybe I’ll try some color just to sit at the cool table. Hmmm…