I wish I didn't have to write this, but it needs to be said. I never leave reviews--good or bad--but my experience at this salon has left me deeply disappointed and exhausted.
I went to Gemini for the first time in early April, hoping to refresh my hair color after a year of healthy growth. I was clear with Alyssa, the stylist, that I wanted a natural, dimensional look, with my roots still present to allow for an easy grow-out and absolutely no yellow, gold, or warmth. I showed her multiple reference photos of both what I wanted and what I did not want.
What I received was the opposite of what I asked for: patchy roots, bright yellow and gold mid-lengths, and overly ashy, grey-white ends. It was a mismatched, inconsistent color. I messaged her immediately and returned the following weekend.
This is now my second full day at the salon. The "fix" turned into several more hours of lowlights, toners, and other processes I lost track of. By the end, my hair was dark brown--darker than my natural--with chalky purple tones, especially at the ends. Once again, I expressed how upset I was. The owner, Johnny, was called over. Together Johnny and Alyssa stripped and reprocessed my hair. When I looked again, my hair was blonder, but still had streaks of pink, purple, and yellow--plus a harsh, straight line of demarcation on one side.
I was told it would "wash out" and to call if I needed anything else. The idea that shampoo would correct what hours of professional service couldn't is insulting. Johnny said my hair was much better, and asked if I loved it... while my hair was purple and orange. I couldn't find the words to express how I felt. To absolutely despise my hair enough to make me cry several times...that's something I haven't experienced before. After two full days in that salon, my hair was fried, knotty, and breaking. I couldn't wear it down. I deep conditioned and oiled it daily just to manage the damage.
I called the salon and explained everything, asking to speak to Johnny. He texted back, offering another visit with a different stylist--but no refund, because "we don't refund professional services." What service? My hair was ruined, not just different than requested--bad. I agreed to try again, hoping for improvement.
My third visit was with a new stylist, who was kind and seemed to understand my concerns. I showed her pictures of my hair throughout this whole process. I asked to fix the lines of demarcation, to get rid of the pink and purple colors in my hair, and to make sure that my hair did not have a warm or golden color to it. I said I was ok with anything else.. a beige or sandy bronde color. Just no gold or yellow. I never wanted my hair so blonde, and the warm blonde hues are exactly what I wanted to avoid.
Johnny came over at one point during this visit and made a dismissive comment comparing the situation with Alyssa as "taking the wrong bite of chocolate from the chocolate box", that she just wasn't the colorist for me. No accountability. No recognition of the damage and distress I've endured. I had done nothing wrong--I was clear, specific, and respectful throughout. I showed everyone pictures of my hair last year. My hair was untouched for a full year. All damage done to my hair, and need for a color correction was solely due to the colorists at Gemini.
This new stylist tried her best. But even after a full session of highlights and two glazes, my hair was still yellow--just a solid honey-yellow color. I asked again, can anything be done? The answer: not really. Just wait for it to grow out or dye it brown again.
It has now been a month since my first appointment. A month of hiding my hair under clips and buns. A month of frustration, embarrassment, and trying to repair what should never have been damaged. There has been no true accountability, no apology, and no resolution. This experience has been beyond disappointing. I didn't receive the color I asked for--not once, not twice, not three times. What I did receive was damage, stress, and an overwhelming sense of regret for ever stepping foot in this salon. read more