What a challenge this is to write, in some ways. I have so few 1 star reviews, and I try so hard to find reasons NOT to give them only one or two stars. This should be a zero star review, with 1 star given only for the owner's agreement with me that the hair was bad.
Cliffs: Horrible service, horrible color (think coloring/lowlighting your hair in the dark by yourself.....same results), saved by giving a full $$$ refund. I have almost black hair, weird blackish 'mahogany' roots, and a third strange color...like stripes/bands around my head.
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I have a new rule for places such as salons: must visit twice before writing a good review. You have no idea how glad I waited. My stylist moved across town to where I'm never at...so I researched, on Yelp of course, for a new one.
My haircut was decent the first time, and there was a warm welcome and just had a good feeling. I decided to go back a few weeks later for a 'body wave/perm'. That's where the story starts to go wrong.
Upon arriving that morning, I was not acknowledged by one of the FOUR employees in the lobby; two on the floor doing stock, and two on the phones (not even eye contact or a head bob or smile!). A few minutes of standing there waiting, and I was asked for my name, and offered a drink. My appointment started right on time (and was the only thing 'right').
I was there for a perm (my hair needs it to hold ANY curl or volume); however, my stylist decided that I was there for color, which we had also discussed for a future visit. I had researched this a LOT and asked an acquaintance professional stylist which I should do first...definitely perm, not color. Well, I feel like the stylist didn't want to do the perm, so he claimed I had to get the color first. After talking for 10 minutes, I felt pressured to go ahead with the color. Well, he's the professional, right? We looked at color, talked about what I did and DIDN'T want and he was confident that it would work out. Things I was adamant about, and he PROMISED TO DELIVER: NO ROOTS when I'm getting color, no blonde streaks left from previous colors, and dimension throughout (dramatic, not subtle). I got the EXACT OPPOSITE of those things.
I have a 'crown' of roots that are one color, hair another color, no dimension, and STILL blond streaks (I only had like 5 'highlighted' pieces to begin with...I still have 4!!). When I got to my car and looked at it further, not only was I dismayed to find more issues, I had a good quarter of inch of color along my hairline that had not been removed. I had to go back in to request it, and I was a complete imposition to the front desk staff judging from their attitudes to my return less than 5 minutes after leaving. Even my eyebrow wax was VERY shabby. Sigh. I also caught my stylist in a lie or two; their brand new product they just had a meeting about...same line he told me 6 weeks ago.
But maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought...so I dine out and think about it. I visited with another acquaintance, who knew more than I did, and realized just how bad my hair was by that point...
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Upon returning to the salon, and getting the same attitude upon my now 3rd visit of the day, I asked for the owner. I can't believe how I kept my cool so well, although I felt like they were trying to deny me a moment with the owner; however, they probably thought it was better to bring him out than to have me sitting in the lobby unhappy and with bad hair, around other customers. I had to ask no less than 4 times to speak with him (he was in a meeting). I had finally to give a 'look'. (Ask my sister about our 'looks'. Deadly)
Now for the ONE redeeming grace/quality of the now hours and hours long ordeal.
The owner listened to my calm (really, I promise!!) reasons for being unhappy, but did not offer a solution, or ask for my solution (weird, actually). I then proceeded to ask for a full refund of my entire visit (ummm, you don't want to know how much it cost for the 1 1/2 hour visit...let's say I could have flown to Denver or Chicago). He readily agreed (***I think my hair is easily seen as THAT BAD, esp by a professional!) and accompanied me to front desk; he then asked me to give them another chance, and to have another stylist fix my hair. I declined.
I have left out the stylists name on purpose. I'm sure that many of the other stylists there who have their names mentioned in other BE reviews are wonderful; however, this young man (also mentioned) still needs more training, in servicing the customer and color. If you are currently a Yelp friend, I will share this with you if you need to know.
My hair is horrible and completely ruined until it can recover enough before attempting to start the process of making it right. I can't even look in the mirror without being sick about it.
The good news is that I may have found the perfect (for me) stylist at another salon; he gave me a free consultation and haircut! :) Watch for that review. read more