I want to preface this review by saying that I have had many (30 +) curly cuts over the past 20 years, all over the country in places like San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Nashville, and New Haven. I also want to note that I waited for a little over 2 months to complete this review because sometimes hair settles, needs to adjust to a new cut, and takes a while to get used to the trauma of being cut and colored- This was not the case with my hair- I just had a really bad (and expensive) hair cut and dye job by Crystal.
I only cut my hair 1ce or 2ce a year because it grows very slowly and I usually only need my hair shaped, not trimmed because it is really healthy (4a texture and only Diva products.) I also do extensive research before picking a salon because I know how bad a stylist can butcher a curly cut and only go to curly hair salons.
I did my research, sent multiple pictures of what I wanted my hair to look like (based off of my own previous cuts) in advance, talked about my texture, ensured they knew how to do a diva cut and that they understood how to color curly hair and made sure that my hair was dry, shaped and ready to cut and color.
When I arrived at my appointment with Crystal, I checked that she had reviewed my pictures and knew what I wanted- she did not seem to know what I was talking about and that was my first red flag. I then showed her pictures of my desired cut, color and reiterated that I wanted to keep as much length as possible. She seemed confident that she could make the cut and color work and I figured that since she had great reviews online and I was already there, I should go along with the cut and highlights. I then sat in the chair for my cut. The entire time she cut my hair, she kept finger combing then stretching each curl before cutting. I have never had another stylist use this technique, but I figured, she's the expert so I shouldn't question it. BIG MISTAKE.
She then began the highlighting process. I assumed that she would use a Pintura technique for my highlights (since foil is not a good method for curls) but she proceeded to foil my hair to create highlights. I again trusted my stylist since she had good reviews for coloring curly hair. This process lasted another 3 hours, when I asked why it was taking so long (I thought the whole process would take a total of 3 hrs) she kept saying that my hair was too dark (I had died my grays using semi-permanent dye the month prior) so she had to keep the foils in longer. She finally removed the foils, washed and toned my hair, and put me under the dryer. She then began a tutorial on how to style my hair including a sales pitch for products I should purchase to ensure I had the healthiest curls and could maintain the style. I politely explained that I was happy with my current products, was very knowledgeable about styling, and waited for the "big reveal" of my new cut and color. When she was done drying my hair and styling it, I was so shocked by the shortness, shapelessness of the cut, and the color that I asked her to stop touching up my hair. She asked me if I liked the look and I promptly told her that I really didn't and was in shock. Crystal explained that she had to cut more than expected because my hair was "damaged" (this was not true).
She walked me to the center of the full salon and began attempting to shape my hair again. I asked her to please stop cutting my hair and let her know that I was not happy with the way it looked but also understood that the damage had already been done. She then called Jackie (owner) over to take a look at my hair and the cut. Jackie then proceeded to look at my hair and was going to shape it again but I asked her to please not touch it. Jackie walked me over to the pay counter and charged me $185 for the cut and color (was supposed to be an $85 hair cut and $60 highlight but I was charged extra for toner I think). She asked me if I was happy with the cut again- I told her an emphatic NO but that the color seemed to look ok- (after being there for 5 hours and hating my results I just wanted to get in my car and cry.) She promptly charged me, threw a couple of trial-size shampoos in my bag, and rushed me out the door (I think so that I wouldn't make a scene in front of her other customers.)
I still think about Jackie, Crystal, and the salon every day as I look in the mirror- My hair was my pride, joy, and crown; it's now something I look at and loathe, hoping for the day it grows back out and I can feel like myself again. I hope others have better experiences (and it seems many do) at Jackie's beauty bar, but for me, this experience was horrible, traumatic and something I still can't quite wrap my head around. Hair grows back over time, but for the next year, until mine does, I will think about this experience daily with regret and with sadness. read more