I've been getting tape-in extensions for 12 years, have worked with many stylists, and tried…read morecountless hair brands. After moving to NC from Los Angeles, I had the most unprofessional and inhumane experience ever at this salon, leaving me stuck with extensions I dislike and $1,000 poorer.
Lindsey, a young stylist in training, installed my extensions. She had previously done my hair under supervision with great results, so I trusted her again. I paid $906 for 24" Hot Heads in medium brown (#3), which had always matched my hair perfectly. However, when the hair arrived, it looked much darker. I asked if she was sure it was the correct color, and she insisted it was the same, just longer. After installation, the extensions were clearly much darker than my natural medium brown hair. Lindsey said the color would lighten after a wash. It didn't. After a week, my hair still looked black, while my natural hair was brown (see photos).
I called the salon, and Lindsey admitted Hot Heads had sent the wrong color. She offered two options: wait until January for the correct length and color or switch to the Babe brand in the same length and color. I confirmed over the phone that I wanted the exact same color and 24" length. Lindsey reassured me this was possible and even said she'd pay for the replacement extensions herself, as the salon owner wouldn't help. Embarrassed by how bad my hair looked, I agreed to the Babe extensions.
When the new extensions arrived, the color blended better, but the length was noticeably shorter than 24". I asked Lindsey why, and she claimed she didn't know, as she had ordered 24". When she compared the Hot Heads extensions to the Babe ones, the new ones were about 3" shorter. I was livid. I paid nearly $1,000 for extensions to add length and ended up with hair barely longer than my natural hair.
Lindsey said she'd try to resolve it with Hot Heads but doubted anything could be done. She then offered to resell me extensions at a salon discount. After already spending $1,000, I refused to pay more and just wanted what I had initially paid for. Lindsey told me to text her directly, not the salon, because the owner was rude and had caused her to lose clients. She claimed he was retiring soon and that she was trying to ensure I had the best service.
After texting her for updates and receiving no response, I contacted Hot Heads directly. They were willing to fix the issue if the salon opened a claim. However, when Hot Heads called the salon, Lindsey was "unavailable." Frustrated, I went to the salon in person. Lindsey was there, but before I could speak, the owner came out yelling. He claimed the salon had ordered the wrong color and length, directly contradicting what Lindsey told me. He then accused me of agreeing to shorter extensions, which was untrue--I have text messages proving Lindsey promised 24" extensions.
The owner became aggressive, pushed me, threatened to call the police, and began recording me. This entire experience has been horrific. I now have extensions I dislike, which are the same length as my natural hair, and am out $1,000.
Do not go to this salon. Their negative reviews are filtered, but if you dig deeper, you'll see similar horror stories. I wish I had.
