I initially chose Alix Miller as my stylist because she seemed kind, accommodating, and…read moreunderstanding of my needs. Unfortunately, my experience changed dramatically over time.
I spent two years in her chair. I trusted her. I believed we had become friends. Looking back, that trust was misplaced. Alix was never the person I thought she was, and she was never my friend. She worked very hard to pretend she was, but I nothing but dollar signs to her. Maybe I was naive, but yeah, that hurts. I trusted her. And I believed she wanted to help me as stylist.
This salon talks a lot about inclusivity and how much they love people. In my experience, it felt more like a performative slogan than a reality. Alix was never a great stylist, though she did become solid over time. The atmosphere gradually became strange and negative. She and my wife did not get along, and I tried to stay out of it. I genuinely tried to be fair to both of them. During one of my wife's lightening appointments, Alix severely damaged her hair. My wife has photographs documenting the damage, posted her own review, and multiple stylists have since commented on the condition of her hair.
I made the decision to leave Alix's chair, I simply began seeing a different stylist at another location under the same ownership, over an hour away in Overland Park. My first three appointments went perfectly. There were no disagreements, no complaints, and no issues whatsoever. Gabbi's technique and craftsmanship were excellent. If Alix's skills were a 2009 Honda Civic, Gabbi's were a brand-new Dodge Charger. She was kind, knowledgeable, and I had planned to let her color my hair. The atmosphere was noticeably more welcoming.
Then, without warning, I was suddenly blocked on Instagram and could no longer contact Gabbi about my hair. All we ever discussed was my hair. She refused to speak with me or offer any explanation. That sudden change in attitude, combined with everything that followed, left me deeply disappointed. Something is very rotten here.
Shortly afterward, I was informed that I was no longer welcome at any of the owner's salons. Not by the owner--by Alix on Instagram. I didn't respond. I simply blocked her. Every attempt my wife and I made to communicate with Penny (THE OWNER) was met with silence, while Alix appeared to be the one calling the shots. What else do you call it? When she is one contacting me and telling me I'm not welcome at any of the locations.
The complete lack of communication and transparency was deeply disappointing. As a paying client, I believe I deserved a straightforward explanation instead of silence. Being treated this way left me confused and with serious concerns about the professionalism and culture of the business.
I can only review my own experience, and based on that experience, I cannot recommend this stylist or the salons under this ownership. In my view, Penny, Alix, and Gabbi were untrustworthy, rude, and malicious throughout this whole ordeal.
Paisley and Stripes lost not only me, but also my wife, her mother, and two other young women I had personally referred to Gabbi. That's five clients gone because of how this situation was handled.
