I came to Salon Rose as a new client with high hopes of supporting a Black-owned salon and finally finding a safe, knowledgeable stylist for my natural hair. I specifically booked a Trim, Wash & Glow with a consultation so we could discuss my concerns, hair history, and the exact end look I wanted.
What I booked and what I was ultimately charged for were not the same. I ended up being charged for a curly cut and style, in addition to feed-in braids done by another stylist, Erica--braids I only got because I was so dissatisfied with the initial end look. From the beginning, I was not under the impression that I would be leaving the shop with braids at all.
I booked this appointment with the intent to grow my natural Afro, not to have my hair drastically cut or styled into something that did not reflect my request. I was very vocal about wanting to avoid a silk press look, and I made it extremely clear--both seriously and with humor--that I did not want to leave looking like Frederick Douglass. I shared my past trauma with "scissor-happy" stylists, emphasized that I only wanted a trim, and communicated multiple times that my length was important to me.
When I arrived, another stylist washed my hair and mentioned that upgrading my service would give me the same amenities--just with a higher cost. But the "upgrade" was not what I wanted, nor was it what I booked for. I had intentionally booked my service exactly how I wanted it so I could control the outcome.
I booked a consultation to ensure my wishes were heard, but instead of a true back-and-forth, it felt more like, "I hear you, but I am only able to complete what I already know how to do." I was reassured that it was not a cut and that any trimming would be communicated before it happened but far more hair was taken off than I ever wanted.
I went in with shoulder-length hair and left with something closer to a pixie cut. Seeing my reflection broke me. I was in tears in the chair, devastated that my requests had been ignored. The style that was supposed to be included left my hair hard, crunchy, and unfinished. It was only after expressing my dissatisfaction and visibly crying that I was offered two braids from Erica so I wouldn't walk out feeling completely unpresentable.
While Travonna was sweet, gentle, and personable, the lack of listening, the disregard for my boundaries, and the drastic, unwanted cut have left me deeply hurt and unwilling to return. Erica was the only bright spot that day for stepping in to help salvage the situation, but no client should have to cry to receive even a basic resolution.
This was, without question, my most traumatic salon experience ever. I left feeling humiliated, unheard, and heartbroken--especially after being so open and communicative from the very beginning. read more