So I left a review on their Facebook page -It wasn't completely negative. Just giving an honest…read morereview of my experience. I did leave 3 positive points (now that a few days have passed, it's down to 2 though). Within an hour, it was deleted and I was blocked from the page. Which makes me think that perhaps this is why they only have good reviews -I don't think that's fair. Everything could be used as a learning experience and a way to IMPROVE business. Anyways, here was my experience.
I called Wednesday around 1. Calla Hair & Esthetics (also Calla Hair) was minutes from home and close to bootcamp. I spoke to Karen, the owner, on the phone and asked if they had any availability in the evening, she asked me what the earliest time I could get there was, I told her I'd be coming from bootcamp, which ended at 6 - so probably around 6:15 (mentioned I could be there earlier or a few minutes past). She told me Sara was the only one working that night and she'd go see if she was willing to stay late for me. Put me on hold, came back and said everything was all good.
I walked in for my appointment, and was greeted pleasantly by Karen, who was doing someone's nails. Here is how our conversation went.
Karen: Hi There!
Me: Hi, I have an appointment at 6:15 with Sara.
Karen: Sara isn't working tonight.
Me: Ok, well, my name is Stephanie, and I have an appointment at 6:15
This was followed by a dirty look, she looks at the clock, looks back at me
Karen: Your 15 minutes late, I don't think we can accommodate you.
I knew that I wasn't, I pulled out my cell phone, and showed her that it was 6:20
Me: It's 6:20, I said earlier when I called, that I was coming from bootcamp and might be here before or just a few minutes after.
Karen: Well Meagan was going to cut your hair, I'll see if she still wants to.
At this point I was confused, she was getting upset over 5 minutes. If it weren't for the fact that I was so desperate for a haircut and didn't have time for one till I went home for the Christmas season, I would've walked right out.
Meagan comes out, visibly upset with me. Says "come to my chair". She asks me what I want to do, and I told her the problem I was having with my cut now (very over grown angled bob), what I wanted to achieve down the road (showed her a picture of my hair prior to the angled bob cut) and asked her what she suggested we do to get there. She replied, whatever you want. I told her that I wasn't completely sure, as I had never had this cut before and it was getting awkward and would like her input. I got met with whatever you want really. I was getting pretty frustrated and said "I have a hard time visualizing things, I want this as an end result but I know that's far off down the road, I need a cut that fixes this problem and establishes a basis to getting there. I need guidance from you since you're the hair stylist". She finally gives me suggestions - we should trim the front to be the same length as the back, and put in layers. If I wasn't so frustrated, I would've laughed when I asked her what she thought of a bang and said "Do you want one". Other than not speaking with me at all, she stayed visibly upset and had an attitude the whole time.
She had Taylor, the assistant, wash my hair. Which I must say, I was really impressed. Probably the BEST head massage that I have ever had. I was so sad that it was over. I sat back down at the chair and Meagan got to cutting my hair. It was getting short. I understood her suggestion and knew it had to happen. I wasn't upset over the cut. Once she dried it, she continued cutting - in the end, an extra inch, maybe a little bit more. (maybe more came off - I realized this a few days later when I washed, dried and styled my own hair). Taylor hung around to watch and get some advice. Meagan stated multiple times that layers are meant to be beautiful, to fall beautiful. I heard this so many times. Once she was done, I had to take a deep breath, it was short. Really short. BUT it's not really her fault, I agreed to her suggestion.
Maybe I have been spoiled all of my life. Is it not realistic for me to think that a hairstylist will be pleasant, and smile, and have / hold a conversation? Is it realistic to ask for tips and suggestions and ideas? Is it realistic to want to feel welcomed and comfortable.
I went to pay, good price $42! And she passed me her card for a future appointment.
Leaving, I thought ok, well the cut wasn't bad. It looked pretty good. But from the minute I walked in, I was made to feel uncomfortable, unwanted and like they were doing me a favour by my giving them business. For those reasons, I wouldn't go back.
I thought that leaving my hair cut was ok. Today, I am really upset. I washed my hair, blow dried it and styled it. It looks awful. It's pulling this almost mushroom cut look. And the whole "layers are meant to look beautiful"...why can't mine. The ones on the right side of my head look like someone hacked into my hair.
