Before I start this review, let me just say the back story. My nana, who is 88 years old, lives with me and my family. She has been giving herself perms every other month for her whole life. In the last year or so, she became much "older"- stopped going out, very fragile, hard for her to get around, etc. What once was a beautiful nest of curls that had been delicately created became a long, straight, gray mop. When her hair started to reach almost her bellybutton, my parents rested the responsibility on me to find a salon and take her to get her hair cut and permed. After searching many yelp reviews, I chose the collage because I wanted to go somewhere fancy (my nana is very picky and sassy) and it had amazing reviews. I scheduled my nana for a perm and haircut with Mari and myself for a pedicure and CND shellac manicure with Heather.
Mari called me to get a little more info about my nana, and I told her how much she wanted to take off (she was looking to go to about her chin, well more than a foot of hair would need to come off.) She seemed hesitant about the perm over the phone, but I explained the situation to her and we ended the call on a nice note.
The day came for our appointment, and Heather was ready for me first. She patiently waited until Mari was ready for my nana, and I walked back with them. Everyone told my nana how gorgeous she was and what a beautiful head of hair she had. As they were leaving, Mari said she would talk to my nana about the perm, and looked at me, shaking her head and mouthing the word "no." WHAT? I thought to myself. Aren't I paying this lady $215 for a perm and a haircut?
When we got to the chair, Mari asked my nana why she wanted a perm. Being old, and Hawaiian, my nana said blatantly "because my granddaughter wants me to." I'm guessing she was sort of joking. I know she wanted a perm, but I also know it's hard for her to admit that she couldn't take care of her hair the way she used to (and wants to!) now. Mari went on to explain that to get the most curl possible, her hair would dry up and become frizzy, and then went on the touch the ends of my hair (as if pointing out an example of frizziness?). She explained to my nana (but mostly me) that she wanted to show some other looks on her phone that wouldn't need my nana to get a permanent. I was quite hesitant. I had scheduled a perm, and that was what I wanted my nana to get, and I knew she wanted one too, even if she was being proud about it. She then went on to tell my nana that I was a hover-er granddaughter, and called me a "helicopter." She told me she would take good care of her. Getting strong vibes that I was no longer welcome at the consultation, I told my nana I loved her and I would be away getting my nails done.
The mani pedi was just as relaxing and more as a $100 mani pedi should be. Heather was wonderful and super nice, she was talkative but not too much, and she did a great job. I love the results and will definitely be going back to see her.
While my nails were drying, Mari walked my nana to the nail section of the salon to unveil her new, sleek bob. It was beautiful, I can't say that it wasn't. But I more noticed the lack of a perm. Her hair was straight as could be, maybe with a little added volume from product or blowdrying. But she seemed happy, and she hugged Mari before she left, so I was happy. And it really did look great.
When we went to pay, the girl at the front desk was super polite. She explained to me that my stuff was $100 and my nana's was $250, coming to a total of $350. I added gratuity and we left, without thinking much of it.
On the way back, I thought back to the perm and haircut price I had seen online. Wasn't it $215?
Here's the kicker- they charged me for MORE than a haircut and perm were priced, and we only got a haircut. I texted my dad about what to do, and he called the salon. The receptionist was, again, extremely polite and refunded my card $160 immediately. But if I hadn't noticed, I would've been screwed out of that money for a service I scheduled for my grandma (and wanted) but did not receive because of the hairdresser's opinion.
Overall it was a super nice atmosphere and I'd like to go back but the whole experience with Mari has left a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe try another salon next time. read more