Finding the right hair salon involves more than choosing the closest appointment on the calendar.

The right salon understands your hair history, daily routine, maintenance expectations and the look you are actually trying to achieve. That becomes especially important when choosing services such as custom color, highlights, balayage, curly cuts, smoothing treatments or extensions.

Bridgewater and the surrounding Somerset County area offer salons with very different strengths. Some provide full-service care for the entire family. Others specialize in custom color, curly hair, sustainable beauty or private one-on-one appointments.

Here are five local hair salons serving Bridgewater, Martinsville, Somerville, Branchburg, Hillsborough and nearby communities.

How We Selected These Salons

This guide covers salons serving Bridgewater, Martinsville and Somerville that take public bookings and maintain a current Google Business Profile. It includes both full-service salons and independent studio suites — the comparison section above notes which is which, so you know what you are booking.

We looked at what each salon specializes in, what a first appointment costs, how long they have been working in the area, and what clients consistently say in public reviews. Ratings and starting prices were checked on the same day so they can be compared fairly.

Full-service salon means a team of stylists on site with front-desk booking. Easier to get an appointment, easier to switch stylists.

Studio suite means an independent stylist working from a private suite inside a shared salon building. One stylist, booked directly. More private and more consistent; less flexible on scheduling.

Ratings and pricing verified August 13, 2026.

Shear Colour

Best for custom hair color and a family-friendly salon experience

Located in Bridgewater, Shear Colour is a full-service salon specializing in customized hair color, precision cuts, and personalized beauty services in a welcoming, family-friendly environment. Shear Colour was voted Best Hair Salon in the May 2026 City Lifestyle Readers' Choice.

Owner Kimberly Braukmann and her team are passionate about creating beautiful, customized results while maintaining the health and integrity of each client’s hair. Every appointment begins with a thoughtful consultation, allowing the stylist to understand the client’s hair history, lifestyle, maintenance preferences, and overall vision before creating a personalized plan.

At Shear Colour, communication is an important part of the experience. Terms like “chocolate brunette,” “blonde,” or “dimensional color” can mean something different to everyone. Through inspiration photos, color swatches, and an open conversation, the stylist and client establish a clear vision together before the service begins.

The team specializes by hair type and technique — Koryn focuses on curly hair, Kate on balayage and long hair, Vivian on blonding, and Bethany on dimensional color.

One of the things that makes Shear Colour unique is its collaborative, team-based approach. Clients are never limited to seeing just one stylist. The team shares knowledge, supports one another, and works together to provide a consistent salon experience.

This flexibility is especially valuable for busy individuals and families. Clients can feel comfortable scheduling with another member of the team when their regular stylist is unavailable, while still receiving the care and attention they expect. Each stylist brings their own strengths and specialties, creating a well-rounded team with a shared commitment to exceptional service.

Shear Colour is built around relationships, confidence, and making every client feel comfortable and cared for. The salon’s relaxed yet professional atmosphere makes it an inviting choice for clients who value beautiful, customized hair without feeling rushed through their appointment.

Visit Shear Colour

Beverly Hills Hair Studio

Best for full-service hair care in Martinsville

Beverly Hills Hair Studio serves clients from its location on Washington Valley Road in Martinsville.

The salon provides a convenient neighborhood option for haircuts, color, styling, blowouts and smoothing services. Its location makes it especially accessible for residents of Martinsville, Bridgewater and nearby communities who prefer an established local salon close to home.

A full-service salon can be a good fit for clients who want to maintain a relationship with one team across multiple needs. This may include routine haircuts, gray coverage, seasonal color changes, special-event styling and treatments designed to make the hair easier to manage.

Clients considering a major color change or smoothing treatment should schedule a consultation first. A stylist can review the hair’s current condition, previous chemical services and the maintenance required to protect the finished result.

Learn more about Beverly Hills Hair Studio

Opalescence Salon

Best for sustainable and inclusive salon services

Opalescence Salon in Somerville combines modern hair services with an emphasis on sustainability, transparency and inclusivity.

The salon offers genderless services, low-tox color and cruelty-free products. It is also a certified Green Circle Salon, which means it participates in a program designed to reduce and responsibly manage common salon waste.

Opalescence offers haircutting, styling, custom color, treatments and smoothing sessions. Services are structured around the time and work required rather than traditional gender categories.

New color clients are required to schedule a consultation. This gives the stylist time to discuss hair history, goals, pricing and the process needed to achieve the desired result.

Opalescence may be a strong fit for clients who value environmentally conscious practices, inclusive service options and clear expectations before beginning a larger hair transformation.

Visit Opalescence Salon

Hairitage Hair Lounge

Best for curly and textured hair

Hairitage Hair Lounge in Somerville specializes in curly and textured hair.

The salon provides curly cuts, styling, color, extensions and other services for clients with different curl patterns and textures. Its stylists have training in techniques designed specifically for curls, including shaping the hair while considering shrinkage, density and the way each curl naturally falls.

A first-time curly cut may involve dry sculpting, cleansing, conditioning, styling and education about how to care for the curls at home.

That education can be just as important as the haircut. Clients often need help understanding product application, drying techniques and realistic maintenance between appointments.

Hairitage also provides traditional haircuts and other salon services, but its clear specialty makes it particularly valuable for clients who have struggled to find a stylist who understands curly or textured hair.

Visit Hairitage Hair Lounge

Alchemy Loft

Best for personalized color, extensions and a consultation-first approach

Alchemy Loft is located inside Strand Salon Studios in Bridgewater and offers personalized hair services in a salon studio setting.

The salon begins with a consultation to understand each client’s hair goals, lifestyle and desired look. Services include customized color, dimensional hair painting, haircuts, gloss treatments, keratin smoothing services, blowouts and extensions.

Extension clients receive a separate consultation covering hair and scalp condition, color matching, extension methods, maintenance and pricing before installation. This helps create a customized plan for clients looking to add volume, length or both.

Alchemy Loft may be a strong fit for clients who want focused time with their stylist, customized recommendations and a clear maintenance plan before committing to a larger color or extension service.

Visit Alchemy Loft

How to Choose a Hair Salon

The best salon for one person may not be the best salon for someone else.

Consider these questions before booking:

What service do you need?

A routine haircut is different from corrective color, a curly cut or an extension consultation. Look for a salon or stylist with specific experience in the service you want.

Does the salon require a consultation?

Consultations are especially important for color corrections, dramatic changes, extensions and services involving previously treated hair.

How much maintenance are you comfortable with?

Some looks require appointments every four to six weeks. Others are designed to grow out more naturally over several months. Ask about maintenance before committing.

Does the stylist understand your hair type?

Hair density, texture, curl pattern, previous color and overall condition can affect both the process and the result.

Can you clearly explain the look you want?

Bring several reference photos. It can also help to bring examples of what you do not want. A strong consultation should create clear expectations before the service begins.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Salons

What towns does Shear Colour serve?

Shear Colour works with clients from its Bridgewater location, including Bridgewater, Martinsville, Somerville, Hillsborough, Branchburg, Raritan and Bound Brook, along with nearby Somerset County communities.

What is the difference between highlights and balayage?

Traditional highlights generally use foils to create lighter sections from closer to the root. Balayage uses a hand-painted approach to create a softer and often more gradual effect. The right choice depends on the desired result, current hair color and maintenance preference.

Are a glaze, gloss and toner the same thing?

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but the purpose and formulation can vary. These services may adjust tone, neutralize unwanted warmth, add shine or refresh existing color. Ask the stylist what product is being used and what result it is intended to create.

Does permanent hair color last longer than semi-permanent color?

Not necessarily in the way many clients assume. Permanent color changes the hair differently, but every color service can fade or shift over time. The best option depends on the desired shade, gray coverage, hair condition and long-term color plan.

How often should hair color be refreshed?

Root touch-ups may be scheduled every four to six weeks. Highlights, balayage and dimensional color may allow more time between appointments. The ideal schedule depends on how quickly the hair grows and how noticeable the regrowth becomes.

Should I wash my hair before a color appointment?

Follow the salon’s instructions. Product buildup, scalp sensitivity and the type of service may affect what the stylist recommends.

What should I bring to a hair color consultation?

Bring photos of colors you like, colors you dislike and examples of how you normally style your hair. Be honest about previous color, box dye, chemical treatments and daily maintenance habits.

Finding the Right Local Salon

Whether you are looking for custom hair color in Bridgewater, a curly hair specialist near Somerville or a neighborhood salon in Martinsville, begin with the service you need and the experience you want.

A good salon should help you understand the process, maintenance and realistic outcome before the service begins. That conversation is often the difference between simply booking an appointment and building a long-term relationship with a stylist you trust.

This is not a ranking.

About This Guide

This guide is published by Garden State Circle. Businesses featured in our guides may participate as authority partners, which includes interviews, expert contribution and ongoing editorial collaboration. Partner participation supports our local publishing and does not influence the selection criteria described above or the other businesses included. When a featured business is a paid partner, we identify it in the article.