So let me start off by saying that I WILL be returning to this place. My three star review is based off of some things that happened that really have nothing to do with how my hair ultimately turned out.
The hair first: so I got a cut and color. I am very nervous and picky when it comes to my hair color especially. I've had some bad experiences and don't like to have further bad experiences! Admittedly, I wanted my dark blonde hair lifted to a pale neutral blonde (very light, but not white - still blonde). This sounds easy because my natural color is already fairly light, but blonde is complicated. I also wanted a short pixie cut, which ALSO isn't the easiest thing to do.
Taylor did my hair along with the help of an instructor, and I think she made a really good effort. It took an extremely long time, and that's something you need to be aware of before going to this place. These are students who are learning through doing, so it takes them longer.
That was fine with me, but I was a bit bothered by the multiple lectures I got that basically amounted to a bunch of excuses as to why they couldn't get the look I was describing. This even happened when I mentioned and showed pictures of this look having been done successfully on previous occasions at my old salon. I've had short pale blonde hair (when I didn't let it grow out to my natural) for about 16 years now. This exact color has been successfully done on my head hundreds of times. Now...even if it's true that hair color can turn out differently or not take properly from one time to the next....first of all, that isn't my experience, and secondly, I don't think they should be blaming the color not working out on the customer's hair. They're the stylists and control the color application.
I'm ultimately pretty happy with my hairstyle. I may update if need be after I wash my hair and style on my own, but as of immediately after the appointment, even though I'm exhausted I gotta say it looks pretty epic. So I'm pleased with that.
Some additional things I want to mention though that contributed to my three star review:
1. Again, it took an extremely long time. Two visits. Probably around 8 hours in total. This actually isn't why I'm only rating three stars, because I expected the longer time, but I have to say both times left me utterly exhausted, I think because I had to go without eating for a very long time. This may not be an issue for everyone, but I have some medical conditions and this was very taxing for me.
2. Speaking of medical things, I also got injured while there. The student next to Taylor dropped her iPad pretty forcefully on my shoulder because she got excited over her mom calling. It WAS an accident, but it hurt so bad I struggled against crying for nearly half an hour. The pain is still really bad and between that and the exhaustion I am feeling from the length of time this took, I've been fighting nausea and more tears tonight. I also have a pretty nasty bruise forming. My pain tolerance is NOT low - I have Ehlers-Danlos and have dislocated my shoulder with less pain than this, but I think because the iPad landed right onto the bulk of the muscle at the top of my shoulder this bruised really deeply. I tried to take it in stride because I don't think she realized how badly she hurt me, but then this same person tossed out my coffee (which was on Taylor's station, not hers!). I'm pretty sure that was when I showed some real irritation, because I was in pain AND had no coffee. When I said something about it she gave me $5 for the coffee, but the entire thing left me feeling really off balance. Plus, I'm just hoping my shoulder is ok.
Overall, I would recommend this place. There are things to work on there, but the people are very friendly and the atmosphere is upbeat. I will be going back, and probably next time just take more snacks with me. And hopefully not get hurt again! read more