So this review is for the place specifically as a hair salon. Haven't had anything else done there so can't comment on nails etc. But wow - what a setup! First off, I love the layout. There's a bar area where you can drink a cup of coffee (thank you Lord) while you get foiled, with magazines and a TV, and it's open and warm into the rest of the salon. Then the decor is great too, modern but colorful and interesting. Great for getting those creative juices flowing during your biannual hair-must-change-drastically crisis! Which brings me to the true gem of this place. Erica. She is actually an artist with hair and she'll be straight up with you about what ideas are good ideas and what ideas are not so good. I've pulled out pictures of the general idea I've had, and she's talked through with me what we can do and what to expect - and if she can't do an excellent job with it, she won't. Full stop. I've shown for a 2h appointment before with an idea that would take 2 at a rush and 3 to be perfect, and she actually had me reschedule (just did a quick cut) so she could give it the time and attention it would need. The colors look GREAT. I stay, if obviously not "natural," at least within the range of natural for the purposes of professionalism at my job, and she manages to bring out all the highs and lows and depths I never knew my relatively thin hair could achieve!! I've sent several friends and coworkers her way which is the ultimate positive review. You want a color whiz, head to Erica. She'll deliver, and keep you relaxed and engaged while she does it! read more

I strayed from my fav nail salon because I needed something close to my work. From my previous experience I should have known better but I was willing to give them a second chance. My tech was very nice...but that is the only good thing I have to say. I know better now.... read more

Blu H2O Salon - Worst gel manicure I've ever had. I should have known better!!! - Hair Salons Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

See all

I wish I could give Blu H20 a decent review, but I cannot. Their customer service and booking need some serious work. I recently got married in Rochester, and I was hoping to use Blu H20 for my wedding party hair styling. I called about 15 months before my wedding (around Jan 2013) to book the date, and was told they only calendar out one year. That's totally reasonable, so I called back one year out from our wedding date (April 2013). Everything was booked, and I was ready to go! I called them back in November 2013 to schedule a practice run. Since I'm an out of state bride, I wanted to make sure to get the trial done while I was in town. When I called to book the trial, they were confused about when my wedding was. I told them the date - and nothing. They didn't have my reservation. Not a huge deal, we were still 6 months out from the wedding so I re-did my reservation. I had my trial and it was just fine. Jump ahead 2 months (Jan 2014), I had to remove someone from our reservation (she wanted to do her own hair), and when I called - nothing. No reservation, again! This time I was starting to get really worried that they wouldn't have our reservation when we showed up the morning of. At the end of February 2014, I canceled the reservation because I was much too worried they wouldn't be able to find our reservation the morning of the wedding. I was SO disappointed because we were staying in the DoubleTree, and it was RIGHT THERE. Instead, we went across town the morning of the wedding and the other place we used was amazing. The cherry on top of this whole situation is that the morning of my wedding, they called to ask where we were and that we were late for our appointment--SERIOUSLY! read more

This salon, specifically Emily, changed my life. AMAZING. I was in the market for a new look. Shorter. 11 inches shorter. I called asking for the best cutter; I'm making drastic change and really needed someone technically on point. The very sweet helpful receptionist CONFIDENTLY said Emily. No "ummm" no "lemmie see..". Her confidence made me make the appt. Emily was not only sweet and an amazing listener (worth her weight in gold just for that) she knocked it out of the park. 6 weeks later I'm still getting unending compliments. My husband is still talking about my hair. The place is clean, responsive, helpful, and my girl Emily just makes this place a home run. Quick make an appt! But not Emily, she's mine! read more

I'm super picky about my hair (hair vanity be thy Bain!). And I just moved to Rochester from a much larger city. I was nervous about who would become my new stylist here, until I met Aerial and Emily at Blu! Aerial does it all extremely well , and I'm sure Emily does too but Emily has only done my base color and blow out so far. Both of these women are super talented and SO professional and nice. Highly recommend! read more

I loved the haircut by my stylist Amy today. She was polite and really cared about what I wanted. I am really happy with the services provided- prompt on time, catering ro customers needs! Awesome place - would definitely recommend! read more

Had a great experience here with Skyler as my hair stylist. Salon is really accessible and I was able to book s same day appointment for a haircut. Skyler did s great job with the cut and style. Highly recommend! read more

Upon calling to book an appointment, I asked the price for an acne chemical peel and was quoted $75. Okay, pricier compared to other salons in the Rochester area, but they were able to do it same day and it was my only day off, so I confirmed the appointment. So why was I charged $108 at checkout? Because "the web site is not right and it should have a plus sign next to the prices" (which it does not, as of 5/29/2018). But since I was originally quoted $75, shouldn't they have honored that price? The service was definitely not work over $100 and I feel like I wasted a lot of money for mediocre service. Next time I will plan ahead and book somewhere else where I won't be ripped off. read more

Read the reviews and they looked pretty favorable so I thought I'd try this salon out. They were great! I got right in, as I was/am hanging out in Rochester for awhile for my husbands medical reasons. Had Desiree and she was great! She took the time to listen and did a great job on the coloring and styling! I would definitely recommend this place. Not over expensive, great atmosphere too! I may have to try out other services while in town! read more

Have been to Blu H2O twice and both times I have had a great experience. Much better than the huge salon in the mall that I tried out on 2-3 occasions. The staff are friendly and the salon is very relaxing and inviting (free wine is a great bonus as well!) The stylists do a very nice job and it's reasonably priced. As the other reviewer mentioned, they seem to be quicker than other salons I've been to, yet still do an awesome job. Couldn't ask for more! read more

I've gone here ever since my first review. I've never had a bad cut or color with Kayla. I don't like to let my secret out or I worry she'll be too busy to fit me in, but finding a good, young hairdresser in Rochester was so hard that I feel obliged to share! read more

Had a nice mani-pedi and a haircut here while I was visiting Mayo Clinic. You can reach it from the clinic via subway and skyway - no need to go outside. It's right next to the Doubletree. The woman who did the mani-pedi was friendly and did a good job. It was cheap, too. Regan did an awesome job with my hair and gave me a scalp massage while she was shampooing. If I'm ever back in the area I'll be back for sure. read more

I had some time to kill on a rainy day after a conference at Mayo. Bree took great care of me...a mani/pedi and a lovely cut and style. I have zero complaints and will definitely be back. Bree was amazing and super friendly!! read more

Tough to rate a hair salon based on one drop-in, but give it a four stars in any event. Helpful front desk, efficient hair cut (granted I don't have much to cut). I was the only male client in the salon but they were happy to accommodate. read more

This is the 3rd time I am getting a haircut at this salon. The only reason I go back is because of the stylist I have that I like and the location (I don't have a car). For the $$ they charge, the customer service is seriously in need of training. This is the second time I have a problem with the receptionist who is either not paying attention to the customer's reply or just plain dumb. She asked what time I am looking to make an appointment and I told her in the afternoon. I requested for my to go stylist, and she told me she is available at 9am, and I said is that all? she proceed to say 11am, (did i not just tell you i am only free in the afternoon??) and then I literally had to get her to talk, and i said nothing in the afternoon? then she said 3pm. Do you actually want to run a business or not. I wish my stylist would get her own place. This place charges too much for crappy customer service and they don't update their website. The website says one price and when you pay they actually ask for more. Also the owner is usually not very friendly, always has this constant sour face. read more

Did NOT use services but wanted to ensure all visitors are aware they no longer do nails.

I got my hair colored and a Brazilian blowout by Stephanie and I received a lot of compliments. Being a black woman I was a little nervous but she was very nice and patient read more

Was able to get in right away for a haircut, the stylist was patient and did an awesome job. The prices are so good!! Nice vibe and the fireplace is awesome!! Would recommend anyone to go!! read more

I had a great experience at blu H20! I walked in for a blow out and was booked with Emily. She did a fantastic job my hair looked beautiful and she was also extremely kind! read more

The atmosphere in Blu H20 is calm and inviting. They offer their guests water and coffee while they wait for their appointment to start and when you are with your hair stylist. Their prices are more on the expensive side. I would go here again because I found a nice hair stylist that could do my hair but unfortunately she left. Blu H20 is not that great since I'm looking for a new place to get my hair done, hopefully at a more affordable price. read more

Let me tell you Erica Amaris is LITERALLY a life saver. I just had my engagement photos taken yesterday and Erica did both my hair and makeup! I had 4 YES 4 separate makeup trials for my photos. One salon did a very natural look even after telling the gal I was going for a more dramatic contour heavy look. I looked like I went out all night, slept in my makeup and woke up the next morning with it still on. A friend told me they couldn't believe that they let me leave looking like that, another salon refused to put more than one coat of mascara on and insisted on the day of photos I would need false lashes. The worst was the new salon in town that I went to. The girl was very new, didn't know how to work the airbrush equipment and left me looking like a clown. They took photos with the salon phone to post and they didn't. Yeah I am not surprised. GO TO BLU H2O. They are literally down the street. But Erica was AWESOME. I loved that she used many different brands of makeup. Not just one. There's literally not a single makeup brand that will work for everyone. She definitely understands that. She was super fun and talkative during the appointment. My makeup was FLAWLESS. I liked that I even felt comfortable enough to tell her a little more blush or more eyeliner. AND as a bonus, I was going to pay more to have false lashes added on the day of but she was upfront and honest that they were the same length as my lashes and they wouldn't make a difference. My hair looks amazing too. She did a purple shampoo on my ombre hair and the blonde really shined! Thank you Erica! I will DEFINITELY be back. DON'T waste your time or money on other salons downtown or at the mall! read more

I took an appointment a day before, and when I went in they had arranged a partition to cover me from the rest of the salon as I am a Muslim. That was super cool of them. I did not ask for that nor did I expect it. The Brazilian blow dry was amazing and left my hair frizz free. Highly recommended. read more

I called for an appointment to color and cut my hair and a pedi while my son was a patient at Mayo. We have been here for a whole week and will probably be here another. As a result, I missed my appointments in Chicago for my hair and my pedi. My stylist was Desiree and Oh My Goodness-what a professional! She sat me down and started talking about color and said that she could match up my color without a problem. Her gentle ways of application were so soothing. She finished and then said, "come on, let's do your pedi" The pedicure was phenomenal. I told her if that if this was not heaven, nothing was. I was pretty nervous about the haircut, because I have been with the same stylist at home for over 20 years. Desiree washed and massaged my scalp-felt like I was in a total spa. She worked and took her time and had some wonderful ideas on how to cut my hair.. I came out looking awesome! I would recommend Desiree for any of the services that Blue H20 offers. She is experienced, upbeat, and provides a total pampering for her customers. If I have to come back to Mayo, I know where I am coming for a spa day-H20, with Desiree read more

If there was a no star rating, I'd offer this to a horrible salon. Based on recommendations from my Rochester hotel, and from a receptionist at the Mayo clinic, I made an appointment. HOwever, they made a "mistake" and had no nail technician when I got there. The receptionist was a young women who simply shrugged and offered nothing to ameliorate the situation. She did not offer to call another nail tech or a studio. She shrugged! Two others came to help and apologized profusely, but the bottom line is I got no services on a day when I'd planned some pampering, and these people were rude and unhelpful. I would not recommend this place under any circumstances. read more

I was recently in a wedding out at Mayowood Stone Barn and we had three girls from the salon do our hair out there. It was a terrible experience to say the least. One of the three stylists was late and all three looked incredibly pissed off. Two of the girls hair went flat and had to be redone before they left which still didn't help matters. The maid of honor ended up redoing 4/7 hairdos, including the brides(!) once they left. They were incredibly rude, expensive, and unfriendly. Two of the stylists seemed like this was their first ever time doing an undo or curling hair. Overall it was an incredibly disappointing experience. read more

I have been growing out my black hair to my natural brown and I was just ready for something new. I looked at yelp reviews and saw that Emily was recommended for cutting hair so that is who I went to. I just simply told her I am tired of my black and I want something new and I gave her full reins on what happens to my hair. She did a phenomenal job on my hair. She knew I didn't want to color it anymore so she cut it just perfectly so it looks like it was purposely black. I love the look so much and I honestly started crying in the salon because of how happy I was. Thank you Emily! read more

Recieved a horrible cut and barely noticeable highlights. Will never come back here,

Emily did a wonderful job with my new short haircut and was very detailed in her work. I really appreciated that since I was nervous trying a new hair salon. Although this was my first time here, it was a great experience. I loved the head massage too! read more

I got an eyebrow wax. I was super surprised they didn't use the wax that hardens but still use the wax that you use that cloth strips with. I felt like she took half my skin with the wax and still left half the hair. For what I paid it should have been the good wax. And she didn't do any shaping. I wouldn't go back. Also it wasn't a private room, she did it at the hair washing sink. The people were nice but I'd never go back for a waxing. read more

I feel I was overcharged by this salon, or at least by the girl who did my hair, Bernice. I was charged $150 for partial highlights. Yes, I agreed to the price which was a fault on my end. I was taken off guard and need to work on speaking up. But when I got home and really looked at my hair I started questioning it. I was told this was the price because I have "such thick hair". Yes my hair is thick but for just partial highlights on the top of my head only, I find that price still too much. I did my research and went to another high end salon in Rochester who told me they would have charged me $150 for my whole head! I also had another consultation at another high end salon in the cities who said she would have charged me $130 for my whole head. I can not believe I let someone charged me $150 for just partial highlights. Especially ones that barely showed up. I don't care how "talented" you are, that price for what I got was a rip off. Disappointed! read more

Wow. I am so frustrated. I usually do not take the time to write reviews, especially a negative one, but the experience tops them all. I have never felt so un-welcomed in a place in my life. Not sure why, but everyone just seemed like they were having the worst day of their life. The person at the desk seemed very unaware of anything that goes on in the salon. It took 10 minutes for her to figure out an appointment time for me (while being rude). I don't know maybe the people working here think they are better than everyone else? They don't seem so special to me.. There is also an older lady that works there who walks around (probably the owner) who seriously probably thinks her s*it doesn't smell. Wouldn't even smile at me. OH well I will never be back. read more

Heard a rec from a friend and figured if I was paying $35 for a mens cut I wouldn't come out looking like a fool. Haircutter continued to try to avoid responsibility, blaming me for miscommunication when I clearly recalled describing how I wanted the sides, before she buzzed my sides up to the top. For a $35 cut I felt like I was getting chopped up at great clips considering the fat chunks and flat lines she was cutting out. And not only was it in poor taste, the cut is choppy - very uneven in the back. Would not recommend at all. read more

Had my hair done by Berenice. She was friendly from the start, really listened what I wanted and really took into consideration the texture of my hair. My hair color turned out great. Also, I had previously had a haircut by her and I loved it. Usually I have a problem with hair stylist going scissor happy on my hair. Not good for me since I have thin hair. read more

I'am a huge self tanning junkie and was in Blu H20 and saw their display of self tanners and decided to try it. I LOVE it!!! Its called Vita Liberata and it lasted on my skin for 2 weeks and never got dry or cracky! It never streaked my skin or stunk! No one else in Rochester sells this self tanner! I will continue to go there for their amazing products and super helpful staff! The receptionist was so sweet and helped me pick the color that matched my skin type best! Everyone is very knowledgeable about all their products! read more

After another salon highlighted my naturally dark blonde hair green, I was in need or a new place. I called after going to Starbucks and seeing it next door. Regan did a great job. She brightened up my color and recommended a treatment to help moisterize my bleached out hair. I swear it doesn't even feel like mine anymore. It's way softer, less tangled and looks a lot healthier. I was very happy with the results. read more

This is not my first time to go to that salon but this time it was a horrible experience. I had a hair cut on Saturday,March 30th. First of all I had to say that for religious reasons I need a private area to have a hair cut so no men can see me. After I was done they charged me $20 for privacy! I couldn't really get it! $20 for pulling the curtain that is stained by hair dye. This is the first time that they charge me for that and when I asked the cashier she pulled the wrong information of my account that I had a hair color another time and that I paid $100 and I told her that never happened( I don't dye my hair). I had to leave quickly because I left my baby with a sitter and couldn't stay longer. I called the salon to speak with a manager but she was not there. I called another time and left a message so the manager can call me back and she never did. I am wondering if the $20 extra charge for privacy is really a punishment for me for being a Muslim! I am not going to give up and if nothing is done I will post on Facebook and I will check other places to file a complaint. read more

Called to set up an appointment to get my hair colored. Since this is a higher end salon, I expected at least decent customer service. I was greeted quickly and asked to hold. Fine. When she came back on the phone, she just said "Ok" not "Sorry about the wait, how may I help you?" It was off putting. I asked to get my hair colored during the week for a normal time in the afternoon. She said "Colored?" Like she never heard of the word. I went on to explain I wanted my hair "dyed." Now, I am thinking, did I even call a hair salon? She said they didn't have "Color" stylists available. WHAT? A salon right in the middle of Rochester City does not have a "Color" stylists on duty on a weekday in the afternoon? I didn't say anything except, Oh okay. Not offered any other time or day, was just treated like I was an inconvenience. Would not step a foot in this place even if they paid me. I guess they get enough business from surrounding Mayo Clients, but still- this was ridiculous. I have gotten better service at a McDonald's drive thru for crying out loud. read more

I have worked in a few different salons and usually frequent one of them to get my hair done. However one day after work I decided I really needed a hair cut and this place is conveniently located in the same building, so I took my chances as a walk in client (which is usually terrifying for most people because you never know who you're going to get or what you're going to walk out looking like). I was pleasantly surprised that they were able to fit me in with only about a half hour wait. The ambiance is nice and the desk staff was friendly. The stylist they set me up with was excellent and extremely nice. She showed me a cool product I hadn't used before, some kind of powder that provided great texture and volume. I plan on purchasing it at my next visit. I feel guilty for cheating on my color tech/stylist, but I think Blu H2O is a great fit for me and plan on coming back for my next cut/color. I paid about $45 for a haircut and an eyebrow wax. Felt as though this was very reasonable. At my other salon I usually pay $60+ for the same services. read more

one of the word hair cut i had! i am a male so i am not sure about female haircuts but i had to pay $30 for a simple terrible haircut even in Boston i didn't used to pay that much!!! the place is nice and high class but damn the lady who cut my hair had no clue! maybe the others are better i am not gonna name her bur i didn't have a good experience! read more