Nirvana salon should be closed and have their Aveda stamp removed for the damage they did to my hair. It has taken me years to get up the courage to write this review, because of how bad an experience it was....
How I found Nirvana:
My sister saw Kelly a few times before she recommended her to me. She obviously did not ruin my sister's hair otherwise I would not have booked an appointment. In hindsight I think Kelly did/does not know how to do "blonde" hair which is quite a problem. I saw Kelly in December of 2014.
Pre Nirvana:
I saw a stylist in the midwest (where I am from), and got touch ups here in the Bay Area, but the person doing my touch ups moved, so I decided to look for someone permanent here since I was not traveling home as often.
Nirvana Visit:
I came into the appointment with a photo of what I wanted color wise. (see below) She took a before photo and then began to color. I didn't notice anything was off until she started to blow dry my hair. I should have known something was wrong at that moment since another stylist just stared at me the whole time. When she was finished I was in such a state of shock I didn't even realize how bad it was. I paid ($350), got to my car, looked in the mirror and burst into tears. I didn't know what to do... I have never had this happen before.
After crying and calling my Mom I decided to call the salon and explain that I was not happy. I left a message as it was late Saturday. I got a call back Sunday to come in Monday (I refused to go to work looking like I did). I went into the salon everyone acted like normal. Kelly just said yeah it is a little yellow. (No amount of purple shampoo could EVER fix this "yellow"- see photo below) I didn't know what to do or say since I just wanted her to fix it. I was nice since my hair was literally in her hands. She "fixed" it... if you could call it that. At that point I knew that nothing else could be done. I would have to wait for a real professional. Saying she ruined my hair would not be dramatic at all since the look, feel, and breakage was detrimental.
Post Nirvana:
I waited about 6 months before I let someone touch my hair again. I traveled back home to the mid-west where I knew I could trust the stylist I had seen for years. (The salon is also an Aveda Concept Salon) She had to do a chemical cut, chop my hair off due to the extensive damage. Even after getting it done properly the previous color had still taken its toll.
Overall:
I know some will say that one stylist is not a reflection of the entire salon, but when something this bad happens it truly is....
I would NEVER EVER go to this salon again. I live in town and walk downtown weekly, see their sign, it is a constant reminder and makes me sad they are still in business.
I hope this review helps you, and stops you from making the mistake I did. I now see Jamie over at B society by the high school. If you are looking for a blonde look PLEASE go there and not to Nirvana.
B society instagram incase you need proof they know what they are doing https://www.instagram.com/bsocietylg/
Update: Apologies it was Kelly who did my hair not Nicole.
(I updated my original post) I would like to point out that Kelly left the salon on her own will - she was NOT fired.
It is of my opinion that if you are running a business you are responsible for those you employ. I would also like to point out that twice I was contacted by the salon after this review (once by the owner see comment below and once in a private message by Nicole) to change the name, which I understand - my mistake.
However, each time they asked about the name change they promoted the business/ their work, while not truly focusing on the issue at hand. It's okay to say "Hey WOW, we really messed up! etc..." I would have respected that. Owning a mess up as a business owner is hard, but the right thing to do. I would think that someone that styles hair for a living would get how deeply this hurt. Your hair is the accessory you wear EVRY SINGLE DAY... Imagine wearing this hair. I get it was not either of their fault directly, but as a salon owner you are responsible for the people you employ as you allow them to work there and represent your business.
I still feel the same as I did in my original post, and the proof is in the pictures. Regardless of how long a salon has been around no one should let someone leave with hair like I had period. read more