It is with a heavy heart that I write this review. I've been a loyal client of Beauty Concepts for…read morenearly four years and have always had a great experience getting my hair done. Appointments are typically on time, and I'm out within the estimated time frame. I usually get crochet braids, and it takes about three hours.
Today was the first time I brought my 6-year-old daughter with me. I called to make the appointment instead of booking online so I could explain what style we wanted, discuss the expected timeframe, and request that we both be serviced at the same time. Val, the owner, took my call, set the appointment for 12:30 p.m., and greeted us when we arrived.
One of the braiders was running late, and Val had some scheduling issues finding another. So the available braider started on my hair a little after 1 p.m. While waiting, Val suggested box braids for my daughter instead of crochet, saying the latter might be too heavy for her hair. I agreed but expressed concern about timing since I'd heard box braids can take around six hours. Val reassured me that for a child, she could finish in two hours and noted the style would be \$20 more. I said that was fine -- as long as the timing worked and we'd both be done around the same time.
Val couldn't find another stylist, so she started my daughter's hair at 2 p.m. My hair was well underway. I asked again if she'd be able to finish my daughter's hair around the same time as mine, and she assured me she would.
While braiding, Val was also managing calls from another location, speaking with walk-ins, live streaming on TikTok, and interacting with a sales rep who had missed his scheduled time. I understand that as an owner, you wear many hats. She was kind and calm with my daughter -- who had some first-time nerves -- but she was clearly stretched thin.
My hair was finished around 3:30 p.m. At 4 p.m., I asked again how much longer my daughter's hair would take, as it looked like she was only halfway done. Val said "not much longer" but didn't offer a specific estimate. I expressed concern again because we had evening plans, and the original promise of being finished together was no longer being met.
Ultimately, my daughter's hair was finished at 6:15 p.m. -- nearly six hours after we arrived.
When it was time to pay, I respectfully asked if she'd consider a small discount ($10-15) due to the significant time overrun. We had been there since 12:30 p.m., and I've never asked for a discount in all my years as a customer. I explained that a small gesture would go a long way in showing that she values my time and loyalty, especially since the original commitment couldn't be upheld.
She refused and said if she lost a customer over this, she would be okay with it.
I paid in full, thanked the other stylist for her work, and we left.
The style itself was great -- no complaints there. But the lack of accountability and disregard for my time as a long-standing client was disappointing.
