This was a total disaster. I called specifically looking for the Tanagra nanokeratin. I called to ask about it and they said they DID have it. I tried and loved it in London. It turned my frizzy curls into big loose curls with lots of volume.
Before starting again, I explained to Jelena (the owner) that I had done keratin twice with two very DIFFERENT results. The tanagra nankeratin was super. I asked her again if this was what she used, if it was made in israel, etc and she said yes. I told her about my bad experience with Coppolla which made my hair stick straight, without much suppleness and more broom like with stick-straight ends. I explained that was not the look I was hoping for. I explained I wanted to STOP hairdrying my hair, let it air dry, and let it recover from years of excessive blow outs. She said she understood, and even went so far as to explain that keratin is not a straightening treatment but an intense conditioning treatment. I felt she understood me.
Her assistant tried to comb through my hair with a BRUSH while my hair was wet. I was shocked because this seems to me like A, B, C. I always use a wide tooth comb, never a brush on wet hair. It HURT! I asked if I could do it myself--they agreed.
After washing, she asked me if I was on medication and if that was why my hair was shedding. I said I was, and she asked me specifically what for. I found this very offensive, but when I tried to skirt this issue, she asked again. "What are you on medication for?" When I gave her a vague answer she started to advise me to try homeopathic treatments. When her assistant came over to assist her, she then announced to her that my hair was falling out because I take medication. I thought this was in poor taste and utterly unprofessional. I was very upset.
When she did my hair she went on and on about how keratin is not a STRAIGHTENING TREATMENT, but more like an intense conditioner to make hair more manageable.
When I was done, I went to change my clothes, the bathroom was occupied so I changed in another room where many of the treatment bottles were stored. I learned that what was used on my hair was not the Tanagra made-in-israel formula, but instead something that was made in NYC, called INOVA. NOT AT ALL WHAT I ASKED FOR. I remained quiet, since I had to come in the next day for a wash and style.
The next day she introduced me to her receptionist, who also speaks french. I explained to her gently about what happened and that I didn't want to say anything to Jelena because I didn't want to make her angry. I also partly blamed myself for not picking up the bottles from the start and really checking that it was the product I asked for. The receptionist was sweet and said she would talk to Jelena. When Jelena came to me, she was visibly angry.
I tried to gently tell her that what she used on my hair was NOT what I asked for. That I had asked a minimum of THREE times whether this was TANAGRA or not. I explained I did not want broom straight hair, that I wanted to maintain my curls, etc. So I held my breath as we washed out my hair. After washing my hair she asked me if I wanted to go home with "wet hair." I was shocked that after paying $300 in treatment and a $60 tip, she wouldn't want to style my hair. I told her it was too cold to go out in wet hair (35 degrees today!) and she suggested we "flat iron it" and then I explained the reason I wanted to have the treatment was to STOP the excessive blow drying. and goodness, I never flat iron my hair even without treatment, why would i start now?!?!? The idea is to strengthen my hair, not make it weaker and more damaged!
Guess what? I've got broom straight hair again, with stiff ends. There is no volume and it's a complete "wet dog" look. I spoke to the receptionist again; she tried to encourage me to talk to Jelena. I kept asking Jelena if she saw anything wrong with my hair and she said no. It's totally flat, ends look fried. It's a disaster. I tried to explain to her that she should be proud of her work and when clients walk out she should want for people to compliment them on their hair. I looked at her and asked her if she was proud of my hair and she said she could see nothing wrong with it.
I just wanted her to admit that she had cut corners. She told me whatever I wanted to hear so she could get me in there for this expensive treatment. Then she said, "if you wanted curls why did you ask for a keratin straightening treatment?" I told her that yesterday she explained that keratin was a conditioning treatment not a straightening treatment. (maybe she doesn't know herself!) I did ask for a refund and she refused. I think SHE IS GREEDY and the salon is out to get your money. When I told her I would write this review, she had the audacity to say that this was a SET UP! That someone had sent me there! Honestly, I have better things to do than to pay $360 for RUINED HAIR. She was not even apologetic. Spend your $300 somewhere else! read more