I had high hopes for this salon based on favorable reviews, Best of Bluffton Award, branding/imagery and the space itself. Unfortunately my experience was not a positive one.
I called the salon to schedule an appointment with a stylist I chose based on reading the bios on their website. When I called I was asked what length my hair was (why would it matter? Never had a salon ask me about the length of my hair before) name and phone number and then was told that the stylist I wanted to schedule with would be personally calling me separately to schedule the appointment. This establishment has no front desk staff to make appointments, something I found to be an inconvenience. Just another step which delays the booking process.
When it came to my appointment, hand sanitizer greeted me at the front door. Once inside, there is a very small waiting room with 3 chairs and a podium for check out. I was greeted by what I would later learn was the owner, told her my name and who I was there to see. She asked me if I wanted anything to drink. They have a variety of beverages. I was told my stylist was "just finishing up another client". (She was no where near finished with the client before me, still cutting and blow drying). At 20 minutes past my appointment time, the owner came by me again as she was organizing the beverage area and said my stylist "was almost ready". I informed her this is the first time I've visited this establishment and I have been waiting 20 minutes. Owners reply was "she will get someone to wash my hair immediately." Owner came back a minute later and ended up washing my hair-quick and sloppy. Never once asked if the water temperature was okay, my ears were soaked and the scrubbing was very rough and harsh on my scalp. Very little shampoo and conditioner was used, as there was no lather. No scalp massage. After dropping me off into my stylists chair, the owner resumed frantically cleaning up other stations, picking up boxes, then came back to me to brush my hair out (roughly) and gave me my hair part. A whole 30 minutes after my appointment I was finally in the stylist chair.
My stylist came over and "thanked me for being patient with her." Never apologized for being 30 minutes late or gave any explanation for the delay. I discussed what I wanted done, she cut my hair, (decent cut, at least the ends are even), blow out- poorly done, I have curly hair and at the top and sides around my face there was still curly pieces, which I called out to her after she stopped blow drying and she got defensive and said "I'm not done styling I won't leave it like that". She then took a flat iron to straighten those curly pieces, that is NOT how a blow out works, you do not run a flatiron over pieces you failed to blow out straight. She put a few curls using the curling iron like I had asked. Overall during styling she was very rough in combing my hair and scratching the back of my neck. I was glad when she was done so I could leave. Between the 30 minute wait, no apology from either the owner or the stylist, the rough and quickie hair washing, sloppy blowout and attitude from the stylist I was more than ready to get out of there.
Checkout at this establishment is awkward. Your stylist will check you out and watch you tip (or not) to complete the bill.
I left this establishment feeling not great, the opposite one should feel after having their hair styled. Poor staff attitude, no apology for disrespecting my time and generally unimpressed with the styling and finishing of my hair. Within a half hour after leaving, my curls fell out on one side of my head. So I have a straight side and then a curly side.
I will be taking my business to another area salon. read more
