I was in Boston for a work-sponsored community service event and got caught in the rain. At the end of the beach clean-up activity, my previously straight hair was curly in some parts and frizzy in others. For some crazy reason, I did not bring my flat iron, curling iron or curly styling products with me, so I was up the proverbial creek without a paddle. I needed to get my hair done STAT for a cocktail reception that was less than two hours away. My first thought was, “How can I find a good Dominican salon in Boston?” By all accounts, it was doable, but not easy. I had no car and public transportation would take some time. One of my colleagues mentioned that there was a salon across the street and suggested that I try it (can you imagine the look on my face?). I was skeptical – to say the least – but my options were severely limited.
When I entered the Amaci Salon, I was immediately greeted and asked what service I would like to have. Amaci was unlike any salon I have ever been too. Located just steps from Boston’s famed Newbury Street, Amaci is home to a team of experienced and talented stylists who are known for their color, highlights and design cuts. There were four stylists in the salon whom were already taking care of other customers. Approximately five minutes later, a fifth stylist, Camille, emerged and greeted me. As we walked to her station, Camille took that opportunity to ask what service I wanted and how I usually styled my hair. I told Camille that I was there for a blowout and quickly explained why. I asked her to part my hair in the middle and bump the ends.
Camille wet my hair at the sink to make it easier to blow dry – I asked her not to wash my hair since it was just washed three days before and I didn’t want to lose any moisture. Camille applied Pravana Relax Straightening Créme and sectioned off my hair before blow drying it with a circular bristle brush. Then I braced myself for what was coming next; anyone who’s ever been to a Dominican stylist knows exactly what I am talking about. Heat so high you feel like you scalp is melting; pulling so hard you think your hair will detach itself from your head. To my surprise, the blow dryer was on a medium heat setting and Camille was extremely gentle in her technique (so gentle I was worried about the quality of my blow out). Then, my thoughts were interrupted by Camille asking, “Am I too rough? Please let me know if the dryer is too hot or if I’m pulling your hair too hard with the brush.”
All I could do was chuckle, to which Camille quickly replied, “You go to the Dominicans at home, don’t you?” The rest of my time at Amaci was filled with pleasant, light conversation.
My hair prior to being flat ironed
After blow drying my hair, Camille applied CHI Cationic Hyrdration Interlink 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray before flat ironing my hair with a Global Beauty Ceramic Flat Iron. Camille finished my style with Moroccan Oil hair serum and then flat wrapped my hair with a large paddle brush with an ionic cushion. I tied down my hair with a silk scarf, put my Yankee cap back on and went back to my hotel to get ready for the cocktail reception.
Total cost: $35 – $20 more than I pay for my weekly wash and set (and, no, I did not ask the price before being serviced), but I gladly paid the premium and gave Camille a $5 tip because my expectations were BLOWN away (no pun intended).
I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely my hair looked and felt. I highly recommend Amaci to anyone who lives in Boston – or just passing through – because of the luxurious experience.
