Donne Salon

It’s a catch 22 to write a great review for someone in the service industry. I kind of don’t want the word to get out, so scheduling stays a breeze… but I do love to give credit when it’s due. And it’s long overdue.
I get compliments on my nails all the time. My friends joke that my nails are «always perfect.» I don’t mind having that kind of reputation. I’m a model, professional musician and yogini, so hand and foot care is really important to me. My brows have landed me some pretty solid contracts.
There’s a woman who works here named Sara; I’ve been going to Sara at Donne every two weeks for three years now. She’s THE BEST at brows & gel mani pedis. Whenever I leave town for more than 2 weeks, I’m mortified to let anyone else work on me. That’s how high Sara sets the bar. When I want to book with Sara I just shoot her a text and she fits me right in. It’s an awesome life perk!
I’m allergic to a lot of lotions & product so Sara even keeps special accommodations for me. All of their tools are SUPER CLEAN and for things that aren’t stainless steel & sterilized (such as scrubbing stones, files, etc.) are brand new.
Thanks for keeping me beautiful!!!

I have been coming to Bklyn from NYC to get my hair colored for years now, just because of Linda. She does the most beautiful color and she is a sweetheart.

They’re great! Linda rules, she’s great with color and always makes sure you leave happy. Love it so much!!!

Whoa! Major attitude from the receptionist even though the place was empty. Her tone was impatient and really rough. There was a lady behind us and she turned and spoke sweetly to her. Wtf! Was it because the lady was white? Are Asians not welcome here? Seems like it. This is 2014 and I’m subjected to racist behavior. And who doesn’t have air conditioning in a nail/​hair salon? We walked away immediately from this hell hole.
Seriously, who would write a good review here? They must not be Asian.

I’ve been going to Donne Salon for years now. I always walk out with a grin from ear to ear. I wouldn’t trust me hair to anyone else!

A perfect gem of a salon tucked in the leafy neighborhood of Carroll Gardens just off Court St station on the F train. The talented Valentina and Linda along with their team have created an beauty oasis second to none in the area. I highly recommend this salon for all your hair, nails and beauty needs.
My husband and I are devoted clients and friends. I went in as a skeptic having lost my Midtown colorist and stylist, but came out a convert on my first visit.

Have had my hair colored, cut and make up done here. Linda and Valentina are great! Their blowouts are especially awesome.

Wow i have just read some of the reviews and totally amazed by not very good comments — I have been coming here for close to 2 years i was introduced by a friend in the the neighbourhood and since then i have never looked back. I am very particular about my hair and for once in a very long time found someone who is professional and fun to be around. I enjoy my visits to the salon they greet you and make you feel like part of the family — i have since introduced friends to the salon and thank me always. This hair salon to me is like a family where we come together they take care of you and also give back to those who come on a regular basis and not so this is my place i like to call home for my hair.

This is a lovely salon with lovely people. Very relaxed and not pushy. The prices are reasonable for the quality of products and services. A cozy neighborhood salon. Linda is super lovely and very focused on making you happy. Prices are very reasonable. I am a lifer!

I’ve been going to Donne Salon ever since they opened several years ago and I have been a very, very satisfied customer. I only work with Linda, so I can’t speak for the other stylists/​colorists. However, I will say that Fiona was my husband’s stylist — and ever since she left he’s been pretty bummed out because he’s been hard-​pressed to find someone of her caliber.
My experience at Donne Salon has always been pleasant and without disappointment, and Linda and I have built up a very friendly relationship. She knows what styles are good for my hair, as well as the best treatments and products. And the prices here are WAY better than your average Manhattan salon.
I also have to hand it to Linda and her staff for setting me up with a free deep conditioning when they accidentally overbooked the day I had a haircut scheduled. What better way to spend an extra 20 – 30 minutes?
Props also go to the staff for usually being able to handle a walk-​in brow wax — my husband needs ‘em, but he’s not comfortable going without me in tow ;-)
I also saw a couple of comments regarding scalp massages (while getting shampoo/​conditioner). There are two women who do the hair washing — one does fantastic scalp massages, the other doesn’t massage at all. It would be great if both women were encouraged (by Donne Salon) to give scalp massages while washing the client’s hair, that way I would no longer have to endure silent disappointment if I happen to get the girl who normally doesn’t do massage.
I also noticed that some people are writing about getting their hair done for weddings at Donne Salon and in many cases, with disappointing results. I did not use Donne Salon for my wedding, but in my experience, unless you already have a good, solid relationship with one of the stylists there and want that person to do your wedding hair, I highly recommend seeking out a stylist (outside of Donne Salon) who specializes in wedding hair/​makeup.

I got a good blow out here with a gift certificate and decided to make an appointment for a «style» for a wedding I am in.
To test it out, I went this weekend. Besides it coming out pretty bad — we’re talking massive 90s prom hair: curls all bunched up in the back of my head and the sides poufed out like a giant Jackie O. pillbox hat of hair. Helmet hair. Just … bad … bad+three tons of hairspray.
I asked her to change parts of it, and while she was pretty nice about it, the whole thing took three hours and I ended up being late to where I was going. And not looking good at all.
But the kicker was when I went to pay. Whereas the price list says $ 40+ for a «Style» I was charged $ 88. Eighty-​Eight dollars to receive a helmet head style that barely lasted the few hours into the event and was basically a side ponytail I could have done myself in 20 minutes at home.
All I know is I won’t be back, especially not for the wedding. A shame, because I am curious to see how much over the price list they would charge me for a blowout I actually had to pay for.

My usual stulist was not available for a needed last minute appointment so I tried here. This place is terrible. Stylist did not listen to what I wanted and cut 2 – 3 more inches off than she showed me! I hate that !!! Her response was that I had a tail. Sooo I had a tail in the front, on the sides and in the back all even? Then I realized that my cut was the same as hers. Perhaps she is a one-​cut-​wonder. Do not go here. Go to Dvir on bond street instead.

They damaged my hair with bleach, gave me a crooked hair cut and didn’t even fix it properly… I’ve never had such a bad salon experience…
I was going to this salon over about 1.5 years and seeing Fiona exclusively. Fiona was wonderful and always did a great cut and color. I went a while without getting my hair done last fall and when I made my appointment last winter, Fiona had gone elsewhere. I gave another stylist, Lainey, a try. I went in for very blended half head of highlights and a simple layered cut.
Lainey over bleached my hair and left 1 centimeter between the root and where the color started. I didn’t realize how much of an error she made until I washed and combed my hair the next day. When I noticed the roots, I was so upset, I called the salon in tears. However, they couldn’t fix my hair right away. I had to wait a few days to see the Sr. Colorist, Valentina.
Valentina put in a few low lights, which helped a tad, but she couldn’t fix the roots.
I was furious. I paid $ 200 for a terrible cut, a bad highlight (with roots coming out of the salon!!) and damaged hair… as the blonde hairs started to break where it was over-​processed.
I grew my hair out for a month or two and finally found Fiona, she works nearby, and had her fix the disaster. She did a good (even) cut, proper highlights and added color so it wasn’t too blonde. I was very, very pleased and I wish I had never used any one else at Donne in the first place!

I visited this place probably 5 times, and initially thought that I would give them a really good rating. After repeated visits, though, I realized that this is not a place that I want to keep going to.
It’s too overpriced for a neighborhood salon, and the stylist I had was just plain cranky. I am actually going to a much more expensive place now, but the stylists are much more experienced and skilled, and it’s a more relaxed environment. This place tries too hard and once I had gotten to the point where I was dreading going there, I decided it was time to move on…

**Please note… I DID NOT get my hair done here — this is merely about service and the really terrible/​awkward experience I had.**
I got married in October at a venue very close to Donne Salon and after reading fairly positive things about them I booked a consultation. I explained what kind of hairstyle I wanted (verrrry simple) and confirmed the price I saw advertised on their website for updos. Everything set, we planned a trial and I treked out to Brooklyn from where I work on the Upper West Side.
When I got there I met with a really lovely young woman who sat me down and started talking about what I wanted to do. I instantly felt comfortable with her and we talked for 10 minutes or so. She then went to grab some printout that her supervisor left her with the total price quote. Suddenly I’m looking at a number close to $ 400! I had talked about a price closer to $ ¹⁰⁰⁄₁₅₀! When I explained this the girl I was talking to expressed sympathy but that she couldn’t do anything since she didn’t set the price. She called over one of managers, or it could have been a senior hairdresser there, an Italian woman with a very sharp attitude. This was the exchange (after she stared at me for 10 seconds):
Her: There’s something you want?
Me: Well, I’m just confused about the price.
Her: What’s confusing?
Me: I spoke with someone earlier about the cost of getting my hair done and this (pointing at the paper) is 4 times the cost.
Her: It’s for a wedding, yes?
Me: Yes, but I’m not planning on ‘formal wedding hair’ or anything. I just want something really simple.
Her: It doesn’t matter. That’s the wedding price.
Me: But I don’t need this (pointing to the paper and the list of prices) massage or conditioning treatment.
Her: That’s the wedding price — if you’re the bride that’s the price. It’s a lot of work.
Me: But I don’t want a lot of work!
Her: Nothing I can do.
Needless to say I was pissed and embarrassed (the conversation was in front of everyone else while I’m sitting there in the black apron thing in the chair). I left work early to travel out there only to be given a price way over the price that was talked about.
I also learned my lesson — if you’re a bride and going the non-​traditional route as far as wedding planning is concerned. Never say ‘wedding’, ‘bride’, or ‘marriage’ — the prices will jump all on their own.

A few weekends ago, I got a haircut by Valentina (one of the owners). She was great — extremely friendly; listened to what I wanted; made suggestions based on my hair type and desired look. I showed her a picture of what I wanted my hair to look like, and she cut and styled it exactly like the picture! I have a mid-​length bob with side swept bangs, FYI. The price was VERY reasonable — only $ 67 before tip! A great price for a very skilled stylist. It looks great a few weeks later, even when I style it myself.

Great haircut by Linda — she did exactly what I wanted and listened to me. She also gave me an adorable blow out and the head massage during the wash was incredible. I would go back just for that. It was average-​priced — I paid $ 95 for a haircut, blowout and a Bumble & Bumble product.
Glad to have a new favorite Brooklyn salon. Will definitely be back.

I decided to go back to Donne Salon, and I had my hair cut by the owner, Valentina. Guess what? She gives me a killer cut every time I go – EXACTLY the way I want it! She does an awesome job on highlights too. It is now my go-​to salon, although I do think the prices have gone up a bit. But I say I’m worth it. :)

This is now my favorite salon in Brooklyn and believe me, I’ve tried a lot. I absolutely LOVED my hairdresser, Fiona. She did such a great job on my hair cut and she cut my bangs EXACTLY how I wanted them, I’ve gotten compliments on them everyday since I’ve been there. She is also extremely knowledgeable about shampoos, treatments, and products, something I always appreciate in a hairdresser.
The salon is nice and has a relaxing vibe. You get a head massage with your shampoo. And the price isn’t bad, $ 65 for a cut. I’m no longer going to salon hop anymore. I’ve found my home now.

I went to Donne Salon a couple of months ago and received hands down the best haircut I have ever had (and still looking great). The whole experience was wonderful. I have, for years, been going to a very expensive salon in Manhattan (I used to live in the West Village) but when I moved to Brooklyn I wanted something closer to home. Their prices at Donne are extremely reasonable, and the hairdressers are quite skilled. She even talked me into something new that I would never have done. But she did such a good job of it, that I was happy.
And I have to say, I don’t understand what it is that other reviewer has against scalp massages. It was pretty fabulous. Definitely try Donne.