She explained to me that my hair is not very strong and very fine (IDK what this means) but she tried her best to explain it. She then gave me a 'Keratin' treatment. This one smells much better and is not as stinky as Japanese straight. I just got it done today but she assured me that this time it will stay straight and if I am unhappy then to come back again. She did NOT charge me a single penny for this re-do. Cindy offered advice for my hair and suggested products. She also offered me tips as to what I should do to maintain my hair and did NOT push any of her products on me at all. She also offered advice for hair products for my skin (I have VERY sensitive skin that has cystic acne) so that I wouldn't break out and that wouldn't burn me. Moreover, she also cut my hair for free with the straightening which was nice (I did not ask for it but she insisted that I at least get the dead ends off) and she shaped my hair into a style that my male friends find 'sexy' yet 'professional' and one that enables me to continue my work (which is essential for me). PEDICURE Great deal! I always get French (white tips I think is called French): 35$ as of May 2012. I have only had 5 pedicures here. I run a LOT and I bike a ton (average 80 miles/week). I also sweat a lot and shower a lot. Considering all of this, their pedicure polish does NOT come off and lasts roughly 3 weeks for me. One lasted 8 weeks during the winter time. The pedicures are a bit 'rushed' meaning that you don't get a massage, you don't soak your feet, etc. The women get right to work. This is GREAT if you're on the go or don't like being at salons (I hate it personally) because it takes less than 15 minutes for a pedicure that lasts FOREVER and yet can make you feel 'pretty' and keep your boyfriend from looking at your monster feet. They don't comment if you've not shaved or if you've ugly feet (like me). They ask if you want your nails cut and how much (normally they just cut) and if you dislike something, they will re-do it FREE of charge and they do NOT fuss and moan about it. The water temperature is sometimes scalding hot but ask them to adjust it and they do so and don't tell you to 'sit back and relax' like some places so that you burn your feet. The chairs are not the best but then again, 15 minutes for a pedicure for 35$ -- I am not looking for a comfy chair! They also do a WONDERFUL job at covering up blemishes on the toenail (I am VERY active and have white spots due to dropping stuff on my nails). MANICURE: SHELAC (SHELLAC?) or NON CHIP POLISH 25$ as of May 2012. I have gotten this done 3 times here and each time I am impressed. Their Shellac does NOT come off at ALL. Professional nail polish for me lasts about 2-3 days before it begins to chip. I wash my hands 30+ times/day, use bleach non stop for cleaning my home (1x/day), work at a hospital part time, and am brutal on my hands. It typically lasts 5 weeks before it begins to chip. Once, it lasted 9 weeks and it would NOT come off with at home nail polish remover. They removed it for me (albiet they had to scrape it off) free. Other places where I have had Shellac, it lasted maybe 10 days before it began to chip. It takes awhile to do, yes, but they are THOROUGH. MANICURE: ACRYLIC / FAKE NAILS 40$ for French as of May 2012 I had this done once at this salon only and maybe 5 times before in my entire life previously at other salons (not from Boston). This is the only service I was not 100% happy with (maybe 45% happy with). But I believe it was the technician. I was not very impressed with this technician for a variety of reasons. Every other experience was GREAT with every other technician aside from her. This was my first time having her and I hope the last! First, she clipped my cuticles AT THE END of the manicure which showed substantial gaps between the acrylic and base of the nail. I wish she clipped them BEFORE the application of the acrylic. She also did not glue the entire plastic part to the nail in some areas. As a result, on 4 of my nails, there is a gap between the plastic and nail and stuff is getting caught down there and I have to clean it out with a needle every night to prevent potential infection. She also commented to me several times that I should get my eye brows done and kept asking me (3 times) why I don't wear makeup. She told me that a little would do wonders for me and how it is so 'strange' and 'unusual' that I don't wear makeup. I told her that I don't feel the need to impress anyone, especially her since I am at a salon on a day off and am not trying to get with her, to which she laughed (I was serious). Also, it burns my skin to which she said that it is the type of makeup I am using. (No, it is because I am on Accutane and my skin is horribly sensitive to absolutely everything). I disliked being hinted at that I could be pretty if I wore makeup and got my eye brows done. Otherwise, she was nice. read more

ATMOSPHERE Cindy (owner): She is VERY thorough and takes GREAT pride in her work. She will ensure you're 100% satisfied with what the end result is. This doesn't seem like a front to me as she is chatty, perky and an all around happy person. I never heard someone laugh so much while straightening hair for 3+ hours. She speaks fluent English, Spanish, and fluent Vietnamese. What's really nice, she doesn't talk behind your back in a different language. I understand a bit of Vietnamese and even though she talks in it quite frequently, it is never anything bad about the customer but rather professional things (go grab this, when will you be done, look at the TV, etc.). Her Spanish is not as good as her English but enough to make all of her Spanish clientele happy. She LOVES what she does and wants to make sure that you love what she does as well. Man in the front: I have NO idea who this guy is but I know that he seems to manage the front end. He is a nice, quirky and silly guy (I say that with endearment). He always chats with you if you approach him and is laid back. I saw him a few times doing some things (washing hair) and while he seems nervous doing it, he seems very concerned that he wants to impress the clientele with his skills so I think he more so being tedious as to ensure satisfaction. He is also understanding and kind as my last bill exceeded the amount of cash I had on hand and I had to go to the bank to go get more money. He insisted that I finish up my thing at the salon and THEN go and get the money. He didn't want me to leave 'half done' because I would be 'embarrassed'. While this is untrue, his consideration and compassion as to how a normal woman would feel was greatly appreciated. I returned about 15 minutes later with the funds and he was just as happy and kind as when I first stepped in. Linda: I recommend her for a manicure and pedicure (she did them before) as she is quick, thorough, and detailed oriented. She is not as chatty but rather more focused on her work. She talks if you talk to her and when you talk to her, she pauses her work and takes time to actually listen to you. She may not seem as 'friendly' or 'perky' but she really is. I think she just needs to focus on her work and when she does talk and listen, she truly does listen. BTW, this woman did the Shellac that doesn't come off for weeks and weeks on end. And scrubs your foot until it feels like a baby's behind (so smooth afterwards). Young woman who studies Finance at BU: This woman is very kind and gentle with a pedicure. She takes a bit longer than normal but the end result is perfection. I was unhappy with the first, 2nd she made sure it was to a T. I have never seen so straight lines and perfect symmetry before for a French pedi. She talks a bit but I had a bit of difficulty understanding her and she was patient in my confusion and inability to understand her as she seemed truly ok with the fact that I didn't understand her. If you are looking for an artist who pays EXTENSIVE detail, go to this woman. ENVIRONMENT People say it looks 'dirty' and 'unsanitary' but it isn't. They do follow protocol as they soak things in the alcohol (look up the regulations). The place isn't a hotel spa or a downtown salon, but it does follow code (yes I checked). I have NOT gotten ANY infections while here at all. Some of the equipment may look out of date and not as glitzy and glam, but it works GREAT. If you're unhappy or worried about something, ask them to santize it. I did before for cuticle clippers and she did it for me. If you're worried, just ask and don't complain later. It does not reek of chemicals. It gets HOT in there. So do not bundle up on a May day (as I did). I was also under a hair thing and had a lot of heat on my head and was miserable but then again, a lot of things make me super hot. They do have ice cold water (free) so that helps a LOT. And you're in there for such a brief time so it doesn't really matter. Everyone calls you hun and pet names. They remember who you are and treat you like you're their BFF/family. This is nice as they're VERY warm and welcoming to anyone who walks in. You'd think you've been going there for years when you just stepped foot into Boston. Cash transactions only. I think they may have mentioned check before (maybe for repeat and trusted customers). Bring cash- the prices are cheap enough! Please tip them accordingly. They work their rear ends off! Also, I have noticed that people in Boston generally tip poorly. In Philly, we tend to tip on average 20%. and we've great customer service in Philly. So the point is, tip well and you'll get absolutely superior service beyond your imagination. Second time I went in there, was out within 17 minutes for a pedicure (done twice). They DO remember and will give you amazing treatment (in addition to their exceptional treatment) if you compensate accordingly (AKA no 1$ tip for a 40$ acrylic job!!!). read more

This is a VERY extensive review. I am NOT a girly girl by ANY means and am very picky about what I get done as I rarely ever go to salons. Moreover, my profession requires me to look 'simple' and this salon is able to do that for me. They are able to deliver EXACTLY what you ask for -- if you feel that it is too 'girly' they will 'tone it down' for yo. For me, this is a rare finding in the beauty world as I normally leave a salon looking super girly or VERY butch but here, they are able to add just the right touch of girlish touch that I need and want. Hair Straightening: Best value in town- no doubt about this. Japanese Straight for medium length hair: 200$. I have NEVER Had my hair professionally straightened before. I do not color my hair and sometimes get it cut. After straightening my hair for YEARS, it was being over worked and started to fall out. I knew I had to do something, so I went here. Cindy (the owner) took on the task of managing my lifeless, dead, HORRIBLY frizzy and unmanageable hair. She did an EXCELLENT job as she gave me exactly what I wanted: something straight but not 'overly' straight so that when it grows in, it will not look so different. The process for Japanese straight takes a LONG LONG LONG time so be prepared for this. Cindy knew that I have HORRIBLE hair and so she was very gentle on it and did not use such harsh chemicals and made sure to saturate my hair with as much moisture as possible without making me look like a grease ball. I will warn you (in case you do not know) this stuff STINKS horribly but apparently, this is normal. I was very very pleased with the results and went home. I did not wash my hair for 4 days (Cindy said not to wash it for 2 days or 48 hours) but I did 4 just to make sure since I have pretty bad luck with this type of stuff. I went out with some of my friends (who are incredibly famous musicians and hang around with celebrities all day) and they RAVED about how great my hair looked. I have NOT been complimented on my hair since I was in 7th grade (13 years ago!). My friends have always complimented my efforts to manage my rats nest of a head but never the final result. One of my friends could not keep his hands out of my hair (to my annoyance) as it 'felt so soft' and 'looked so sexy'. I have no idea how hair can be sexy, but a straight man who has played with famous famous bands complimenting your hair (when men barely notice detail) is pretty remarkable. He preferred the little wave in the back of it as it 'added character and sass' (I still don't understand but as stated before I am NOT a girly girl). I also had a random man on the street stop me and compliment me on my natural hair saying that more women should have hair like mine as it is so 'gorgeous' (a straight ghetto thug complimenting a woman on her hair as being gorgeous seems pretty rare to me). I have no idea how hair can be 'sexy' or 'gorgeous' or 'beautiful' since to me, hair is composed of protein and is dead but apparently Cindy made my hair fabulous. Anyway, I washed it on the 4th day (Cindy cleaned my head and hair so well that it did not look 'dirty' at all and I am a HUGE sweater as I have hyperhidrosis and I have excessive oil and am on Accutane to decrease the amount of oil production). So you can trust Cindy to wash your hair so thoroughly that a normal person can probably go 7 days + without washing their hair. Anyway, after the 1st wash, some of the straightening 'came' out and I had some slight waves. I got nervous and went out and bought Bed Head straightening stuff (a cream in a red bottle). I began to use this but the more I washed my hair, a wave began to become more pronounced in the back of my hair. I called Cindy up about 10 days later and told her this at 9 am ish. She told me that she is going on vacation that day and is leaving at 2pm. She asked me to come in next week but I am going to France/Switzerland for 3 months in less than 12 days. As soon as I said "I am going to France" she cut me off mid sentence and said to hurry in as soon as possible and she will do it for me. I insisted that it is NO problem but she stated sternly that no, this is her job and that she did it for me and if I am unhappy to return ASAP because she WILL fix it. I asked if someone else could since today she is going on vacation and she said that it is her responsibility to make sure her work is superior and to try to get in ASAP. I go in around 10:30 ish. She is in the process of getting her hair or something done and she sees me and tells me to wait 5 minutes. Next thing I know, Cindy is here in booty shorts and a tank top (clearly was not prepared to work that day and VERY clear that she came from home in such a rush to take care of this matter) with a beauty cap on her hair (she was getting something done -- don't ask I don't know squat about that stuff) and got to work right read more

Hey - One of these gals owns Beautiful Cuts. Amazing, commenting on the competition. Whats the matter, can't get decent service at your own place? Professional jealously and largely unsubstantiated charges don't cut it with me. Chez Bella serves her diverse community well, keeping prices afordable.She has been the launching pad for many a salon owner in the area, keeps up with the latest styles, hires documented employees, Chez Bella recognizes and respects the diverse community and recognizes the need to provide affordable (you use the term 'cheap" services to the hard working middle class around her. Open since 1991, she has been the target of a lot of jealous competitors. Her windows have been smashed, all her equipment stolen, front door smashed, and even some competitors employees have boldly gone in to trash the salon as it opened for business. Yet, Chez Bella stands head above her competitors and stays out of the vicious unproductive gossip mill. Gals, take a lesson from Chez Bella. Try building your business reputation and perrhaps you can someday earn the respect you seem to thirst for. Keep practicing, and Chez Bella will try to keep up fixing those bad cuts Where do you think many a salon goes looking for a great skilled employee? That's right gals, to the best place.... Chez Bella The previous reviewers obviously have axes to grind. There is no evidence whatsoever to substantiate these wild claims. Color these girls green... read more

I had heard so many good things about Chez Bella from friends but was never able to drop in until a year ago. Finally the day came. I needed my eyebrows waxed badly and I decided to go inside. I was greeted by Cindy, she politely asked my what I needed done. As I walked to the back I noticed all the employees smiling, which made me feel very confident. I have a scar on my left eyebrow and am very cautious on how and who waxes them. I informed the girl who entered the room about my scar and begged her to please be careful.. After about 10 - 15 minutes later she handed me the mirror.. My eyebrows were looking amazing. Not only were they looking great, she arched them which made me look younger. She admitted being nervous as well as I. It was worth it. The price was very reasonable, No more Newbury street for me. I wish I did not take so long to go there. Regarding the so call dog. I have been going there ever since every 2 weeks and no dog in sight. read more

Chez Bella salon is my eyebrow savior! I started coming to see Cindy to get waxed about 6 months ago and she has been excellent every time. Even with a line, she usually scoots me in within 5 minutes which I always appreciate. I have always been self conscious about the size of my eyebrows (they are big) and she has always made me feel comfortable and even proud to have them. I always leave satisfied and often get compliments on my brows from strangers, which I always thought was weird but it's a testament to her talents. I recommend Chez Bella to all of my friends. Cindy is great, once I went to her I haven't even thought of going to anyone else. read more

I've been going to this Salon for forever but I never had the chance to enter my review. This Salon welcomed me for the very first time and I got hooked. I started going from 2006 till this day. The staff is very friendly and professional. I always recommend this place to all my friends and people I know. It is affordable, clean and good location and the owner is very lovely. The good thing is that they accept walk in and make sure all the customers are satisfied. read more

Cindy is the bomb when it comes to eyebrow waxing. I have been to 5 or 6 different people in the 15 years I've lived in Boston. But since discovering Cindy 5 years ago, I don't let anyone else touch my brows. She has a light touch, does a beautiful job of shaping, and is also really fun to talk to! I would highly recommend her. read more

Greatest place for eyebrow waxing and shaping, and nails. I've been to numerous other places but I always find myself coming back here to fix what was done at other places. Cindy trains all her girls how to shape eyebrows according to a person's face shape, but if you want them done perfect every time I suggest Cindy or Rosa! read more

SALON This is the worst I've ever been! talk all the time, bad professionals, I get my hair cut, a pedicure, hairdresser at odds with another, and I was there to cut, I was sitting in the pedicure chair, too dirty, crusted with dirt from a pedicure before. smell of food. I hope to improve read more

I go to Chez Bella Salon and have been going there for over 20 years. I always get the best service and the best haircuts. The staff is very friendly and the salon does tons of waxing and coloring. It is a very clean salon with a friendly environment. read more

I love this place and am a regular customer. I always leave with a job well done performed by quality service. This place is a hidden gem in Allston. I highly recommend it for Roberto's awesome blowout, particularly. Thanks Chez Bella! read more

I love doing my nails here. The girls are friendly, funny and very talented. I also do my hair once in a while. It looks healthy and shiny. read more

Cindy is amazing at eye brows only place i'll get them done! Been going there since i was 13 years old! So you know its good! Outstanding :)

Cheap and fast, but not the best job I have had. I like that they can always get me in and out quick cuz im usually in a hurry.

gave them 1 star cuz I had 2. if it was up 2 me it would be no stars. horrible place, dont waste your time!

love this place, Cindy does the best eyebrows in Allston for $10!!!!