The first thing one might notice about this salon is that everything about it is professional and crisp - particularly when compared to many other salons. I called and made an appointment very easily - the person who I spoke to was pleasant, polished, and professional.
When I arrived for my appointment, I was greeted quickly by my stylist and she started working on me right away (so pretty much no waiting). The salon itself is clean and attractive. All of the equipment appears to be in good working order. They offer you drinks and there are magazines awaiting your perusal should you find yourself under a dryer (as I did). The bathroom was very clean (always a plus).
Now for the parts that were a bit neutral/not so great or me... I asked for a trim. I got a full blown haircut. I've waited several days before my review to make sure I thought about this rationally. My stylist was very sweet. I gave her a bit of information as we talked. One, I don't wear my hair curly and I never "big chopped." Over three years ago, I simply stopped getting relaxers. And I did so under the care of a few stylists (the main person I went to relocated and then another stopped working to take care of her kids full-time). So I was getting regular trims and my previous main stylist let me know when I was "all natural." I also let the stylist at Curltopia know that I really wasn't sure what to do with my hair. I usually wear my hair in a bun and that was how it was when I arrived.
So I never big chopped. And I wear my hair pulled back. I clearly had heat damage (as I do straighten sometimes) and I needed some help. Hence my visit to Curltopia.
So, the stylist I saw at Curltopia gave me a trim. An extreme trim. I can now no longer easily pull my hair back in a bun. It takes a cocktail of barrettes and bobby pins. And that irritates me. I've had many, many trims by stylists since I started transitioning and I had two great stylists (the one that moved and the one that became a full-time mom). They were able to successfully trim and style my hair (I would get a lot of compliments on their work) without making me feel like I lost too much hair. Black women being "afraid" of haircuts is not new (so I don't understand why my stylist did not exercise more caution when cutting my hair). And I am typically fine with a trim and it has been YEARS since I've had an issue with a haircut.
So, overall, my stylist cut off way too much. And if she felt she needed to, she never told me why or gave me a "heads up" before she started cutting. She didn't give me an explanation like,"Your hair is soooo damaged, I'll need to take off a lot. Is that okay?" Sometimes it's all about setting expectations. I've had stylists who would communicate with me, BEFORE CUTTING, how much they were going to take off (particularly if it would be a lot). This stylist did not do this. She cut. Too much. And she could have communicated with me more before she started cutting. That is not too much to ask given how much you pay for services at Curltopia.
So I'm a bit frustrated, because when my hair is not straightened, it's hard for me to figure out what to do with it now since it's so short. It is much harder to deal with now, given how short it was cut at Curltopia. I am a runner. And I work a lot. So I'm pressed for time when I'm trying to figure out how to deal with my hair. Ain't nobody got time for putting in loads of gel, bobby pins, and barrettes to keep hair smooth and laying down.
All that aside, when I left Curltopia, I was pleased with how my hair looked. I had the rod set - and the set was a good one. Also know that even with no waiting, if you get your hair set, you might be in there a while. My appointment was at 8:30 am. I left just before 2 pm. That is not really anyone's fault, but it would have been nice to have been reminded, as the stylist and I were discussing options, that if I chose a style that would require me to be under a dryer, it might take a long time to dry.
The other thing I'll say is this... while my hair was cut too much, it was a very solid cut. The woman who cut my hair is skilled. But it was just cut too much.
I MIGHT return to Curltopia, but if I do, I will see a different stylist. Another friend goes to Curltopia and recommended her stylist, so I might just try someone new. If you go here, just make sure you communicate your desires and ask questions before things like cutting begin. Be extra cautious.
I won't say my stylist's name, because she was a good stylist. The only thing I'll say is that she was a junior stylist. I struggled with this review, because my hair did look good when I left. But, again, my hair is too short for my taste, and I think the communication around my haircut could have been better. read more