I wrestled with leaving this review. We all have bad hair appointments sometimes, and it's not in my character to disparage small businesses, let alone one owned by a Black woman. I decided to write this because I think it's important for others to consider.
On April 21, 2022, I visited Six17 Salon for a regular trim + wash and go. After I left and could better see the results, I was very disappointed. Compare what I've uploaded to Google results for short wash and gos on men.
Everyone's hair is different, but Jackie achieved a great wash and go for me two months earlier. Also, I've considered her a great resource but I've pursued my own natural hair studies separate of her. Blending her advice with what I've found from other experts has allowed me to replicate the style between appointments, so I know it quite well.
That's why, after the appointment, I went home to wash out what she'd done and fix it to my liking--then I noticed the bad, uneven trim. She took off too much, approximately half of my length in the front, and the left side is shorter than the right side.
I called her to express my concerns. I never raised my voice or even pointed fingers; I only said that I was disappointed with my hair because it's not up to the standard I know she's capable of, and I asked what can be done about it. Over the phone, she told me:
* My hair in the front grows uneven, even though it's been even enough for her to style in the past.
* My hair is too dry, which contradicts comments she made during the appointment about how l maintain healthy hair.
* My previous wash and go appointment was actually a texture method instead of a wash and go--untrue, as wash and gos are easy to identify when you know the style.
* She can't be blamed for poor maintenance between appointments, contradicting the compliments she gave me on the days old wash and go I was wearing when I showed up. I did that wash and go myself, and during the appointment we'd aligned that my solo work was up to her standards (e.g. technique, products).
* My hair needs to be trimmed every three months to avoid significant trims, but she took off more hair in this appointment four months after my last trim than she did in my first appointment when l'd gone more than six months without a trim.
* I should visit with her every two weeks to achieve the style I want.
Overall, Jackie did not take accountability for anything. I didn't expect a refund, nor did I expect a new appointment to correct what was done. I simply thought a business owner would be accountable to the experience she created however she deemed fair. My goal was to share my experience and work together to move on until she refused any accountability, and instead blamed me and my hair. This is why I'm leaving a review.
Here's where I think Jackie can improve:
- Accountability for good customer service. At bare minimum, so little as an apology that I was dissatisfied would have been a great start, but that also was missing.
- Better, more transparent partnership with her customers.
- Setting expectations by explaining the needs of the hair during the appointment.
- Acknowledge with certainty when your results haven't been achieved during the appointment and course correct with the customer partnership.
If you're getting started on your hair journey, Jackie is a great local resource to ask questions and get ideas.
- I recommend that you learn your hair. She has great tips, but some are outdated and some may not work for you. Try what she offers, learn what's best.
- Get involved in natural hair communities and run your experiences by others to better understand.
- Be your own ambassador and pursue styles that you like or work for your hair.
Like most of us, I take great pride in my hair. I've worked hard to grow it, learn it, and maintain it. It's not my goal to disrupt Jackie's business, because I truly learned from her and will carry some of her advice into my routine moving forward. Still, just like this uneven trim is now a part of my story, I think it's fair this experience be part of Jackie's story until accountability is achieved.
I know my hair will grow back to my liking. It's my goal that Jackie's business will grow from this experience just the same.
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