This is the first negative review I'm writing and I hate to do it, but the service I got calls for one unfortunately. I booked an appointment with Natalie after seeing everyone rave about her on yelp. I wanted to get my roots done and a simple trim. I've been getting my hair done at my stylist in Beverly Hills and I foolishly wanted to save myself time by going somewhere close by. Big mistake.
First off, I waited 35 mins past my appointment time. Not a huge deal but seeing as how I had to check with the front desk girl and inquire as to how much longer it would be and no one checked in with me to explain the delay... kind of unprofessional.
After Natalie sat me in her chair and asked me what I wanted to get done, I in turn asked her a very simple question : "Do you do the Agave smoothing treatment?" I had already asked the front desk girl this when booking my appointment over the phone, and she informed me that yes, they do in fact do it. I just wanted to confirm with Natalie if she specifically performed this service for her clients. This was our conversation verbatim:
Natalie (after I ask her the initial question): "Agave... Agave.... hmm...."
Me : "You know, the Agave smoothing treatment? The front desk girl told me you guys do it here."
Natalie: "We do the Brazilian Blowout."
Me: "But not the Agave?"
Natalie: "Um.... no we do the Agave."
HUH??!!
Me: "I'm confused. So do you guys do it or not?"
Natalie: "No, we do it. We just mostly do the Brazilian."
Me: "Have YOU done the Agave for your clients?"
Natalie: "Yeah."
Me: "How many clients would you say you've done it on?"
Natalie: "One. When they were teaching us how to do it."
I should have RAN out of there. (Side note: this salon does not sell ANY Agave products, as any professional Agave salon should. Another red flag but I was way to patient that day.)
After coloring my hair and blow drying it in the most amateur way possible (zero tension on the brush when I have thick, frizzy hair; entangling the brush multiple time in my hair from the sloppy way she was handling each section ) she proceeds to roll up chunks of it and pin them at the top of my head in CURLS, as this will "Give body to my hair." At this point I can already see that my roots are the incorrect color and I am beyond frustrated. Before taking the pins out of my hair to reveal the grotesque lion's mane that she's created, Natalie says, "I hope you've enjoyed your service today."
Pins out. Lion's mane revealed. AUBURN roots in full exposure. I have DARK BROWN hair people. Without even getting out of my seat, I point to my head and ask her, "Do you see what I'm seeing? My roots are orange." She looks frazzled and perplexed and says, "It's probably the lighting... come over here." She gets me up and moves me away, giving me a handheld mirror. Shockingly, it wasn't the lighting.
Natalie apologizes profusely, and offers to fix it the next day, not charging me for the color. But I'd be a complete moron for going back. It's obvious that she's an amateur stylist and colorist.
I learned my lesson and will never let anyone besides Javier Martinez do my hair. Do yourselves a favor: if you're in the LA area, take the extra time and go to the Fernando Romero Salon in Beverly Hills. Ask for Javie... you won't regret it. read more