My Experience as Both a Client and Employee
I had my hair done here in February while I was working at the salon. I am intentionally not naming the stylist because I don't wish bad business on her. My issue is with the experience and how it was handled.
I paid for the product and left an $80 tip before fully realizing how unhappy I was. Once I got home, I was shocked. The color was extremely uneven and nowhere near what I expected. I was especially surprised because I had seen the stylist's Instagram and thought her work was beautiful.
I went back for a redo, which I still had to pay for because I had to pay for product again. Unfortunately, it still wasn't fixed. I am now a licensed cosmetologist, and professionally, I would never feel comfortable allowing a client to leave my chair with this result. I will now need a professional color correction elsewhere. I have attached pictures of my hair immediately after the original service.
The issue wasn't that my hair was "unpredictable." The issue was the lack of intention behind how my hair was done. Looking at it as a licensed cosmetologist, I saw no clear intention behind the placement or execution of the color. It looked unfinished and poorly thought out.
My experience as an employee was just as disappointing.
I received very little front-desk training and was put on the phones after only three days, expected to take back-to-back calls despite never having worked a position like that.
Before I was fired, I was only ever told about ONE booking mistake: I accidentally booked someone at the wrong location. I take responsibility for that mistake, but I don't think it's unreasonable for someone new, with very little training, to make a mistake like that while learning and taking back-to-back calls.
In fact, I was preparing to enroll in the assistant stylist/new stylist program because I wanted to build a career there. I was also planning to transfer to DC Ranch after picking up shifts there and having a much better experience. Henry, the manager at DC Ranch, genuinely liked me and wanted me on his team. I was excited to continue my career there.
Instead, around my three-month mark, I walked into work and was fired on the spot by Sarah Lynn.
I was told my termination was because of multiple booking errors. When I asked Sarah Lynn for specific examples, she could not provide any. I also wasn't given the opportunity to transfer, receive additional training, or enter the stylist program.
Afterward, I went directly to DC Ranch to speak with Henry. He told me he had been completely blindsided by the decision and had been looking forward to having me on his team.
Another major issue was my experience with the owner, Julie.
One day, multiple people had commented that it was hot in the salon. I was also hot, so I sent a message in the group chat simply asking if anyone else was hot.
About two minutes later, Julie called the front desk and yelled at me, telling me that what I had done was disrespectful, uncalled for, rude, and unprofessional. She then asked, in what I felt was an extremely judgmental tone, "Why didn't you turn it down?"
I hadn't asked anyone to turn the AC down. I had simply asked if anyone else was hot. If Julie felt I should have handled it differently, she could have simply told me. Instead, I was yelled at over something so minor.
What made this more concerning was that multiple other stylists told me during my time there that this type of behavior from Julie was typical. I was told she would get into moods and employees would sometimes feel the effects.
I also witnessed front-desk employees being treated poorly and experienced a general lack of support and training.
What makes this especially unfortunate is that I actually enjoyed working there at first. I brought positive energy into the salon, had clients and employees who genuinely liked me, and had a manager at another location who wanted me on his team. I genuinely wanted to build a career there.
Looking back as a licensed cosmetologist, I'm grateful for the experience because it taught me exactly what kind of salon culture I do and don't want to be part of. I would never want a client to leave my chair feeling the way I felt after my service, or a new employee to be thrown into a position with minimal training and then punished for a normal learning mistake.
Ultimately, I think this salon lost a hardworking employee who genuinely wanted to grow with the company. I was excited to build a career there, and people within the company wanted me there.
I would not feel comfortable supporting this business after my experiences, either as a client or employee. I would not return, and I would not recommend this salon to anyone. read more