I've debated on sharing my experience here but honestly need to, to serve as a warning to potential…read morenew clients with curly/wavy hair texture if nothing else. Lots of detail below, but in summary: "Mania" Maya is not familiar with curly/wavy hair texture and I had a painful, demeaning experience as a result of sitting in her chair. This review reflects my experience with her, and not any of the other stylists/staff or salon as a whole.
I booked with "Mania" Maya due to seeing her name mentioned positively in past reviews - I'd never been to this salon before, but was looking for a local Drybar-adjacent service to have my hair styled before an international trip. My hair stylist is located in Pasadena, and I wanted a closer service.
I have curly/wavy hair - when I let it dry naturally, I brush it after showering but not again until I'm ready to wash it. I scrunch it up to encourage the curl. That being said, I arrived with my wavy hair that hadn't been brushed. Upon arrival, Maya asked if we were washing my hair (which was part of the service I selected, so I thought it strange that she asked). When it was clear she wasn't going to brush my hair before washing it, I asked for a brush to do it myself. I rushed to brush it which inevitably still left some tangles.
Maya washed my hair and immediately began brushing it without applying any detangling product. This led to one of the worst knots I've ever had, which she readily insisted we had to cut. I had to advocate to work on pulling the hair apart myself, and asked for product to be applied. She did not try to apply product first, she did not insist on trying to preserve what we could of my hair, I as the client had to do this. I would've lost a larger portion of my hair otherwise. She tried telling me it was okay because it was in the back of my head, and wouldn't be seen. I have never had any issues getting my hair done before, and I told her this.
She asked me if I brush my hair everyday, which leads me to believe she is not familiar with curly hair. She insisted detangling product would not allow the style to last (which may/may not be true, but clearly I needed some product). She lectured me on how to keep my hair hydrated, how I should style it/sleep in it when I leave it natural, and shook her head every time she encountered another knot. She later asked me how old I was, which given the context, felt condescending. As if I must be too young to understand how to care for my hair. She didn't explain why she asked my age.
Honestly, with how long and painful it was to try to reduce the knot, I was debating on leaving with wet hair. I was dismayed. I stayed for the full service, but would have to be a masochist to ever return to her chair.
Another note, though less important, is that I was never offered water or anything to drink. I heard another stylist offer a client this, which makes me believe it should be normal here.
Again, this review is reflective of my experience with this particular stylist and is not a reflection of any others. I cannot recommend Maya.
