3/5 Stars
I visited Vela Head Spa on my birthday as a way to treat myself, and there were definitely some positives, but also some things that left me disappointed.
The good: the massage itself was excellent. I booked the three-hour package, and the masseuse did an amazing job. The scalp analysis with the camera was impressive and informative, and I appreciated learning more about the condition of my scalp and hair. The atmosphere inside was relaxing, and overall the treatment portion of the experience felt luxurious.
However, there were several issues that affected my experience.
My appointment started about 10 minutes late, even though I received multiple confirmation calls beforehand asking if I was coming. After making the effort to arrive on time, it was frustrating to have to wait and see staff scrambling to get organized.
As someone with textured Black hair, I also felt they were not fully equipped with products or techniques tailored to my hair type. During the washing process, I noticed some pulling around my hairline, which concerned me. I would recommend that clients with textured hair ask questions beforehand about what products will be used and request extra care when handling their hair.
Another issue was that I was told I would receive a ginger hair treatment product, but it was never provided.
The biggest disappointment came at checkout. I tipped the masseuse approximately $30 because I genuinely felt she deserved recognition for her work. However, I was made to feel uncomfortable and pressured to tip more, which took away from what had otherwise been a relaxing experience.
Overall, the treatment itself was great, and the masseuse was fantastic, but the lack of organization, pressure regarding tipping, and concerns about textured hair care prevented this from being a higher-rated experience.
Pros:
* Excellent massage
* Helpful scalp analysis
* Relaxing environment
Cons:
* Appointment started late
* Felt rushed at the end
* Limited experience with textured hair
* Promised product was not provided
* Uncomfortable pressure regarding tipping read more