Honest rating but still rooting for their success. I found this salon online and reached out, hoping to get a feel for the shop's environment/specialities/procedures as I am new to the area and booooy, did I! After calling, leaving a voicemail, texting (twice), AND reaching out on FB requesting a callback, I received a FB response instructing me to text the SAME phone number that yet to respond to me. Is someone dodging bill collectors?! response time was 3-3.5 weeks (red flag#1). I never received an actual call, just a lax text with a list of available appts (red flag #2). I should have (theoretically) run the other way but per other reviews (all 3 of them lol), this was a welcoming place for naturals/healthy hair. I book the apt and hubby drives me 1.15 hrs to meet stylist, Chanta, who is personable - outside of (TWICE) repeating some off-brand comment/backwards compliment (?) about my type 4 hair 'looking full but not being too much' after she got to work (red flag #3). I took mental note of how active she was communicating with friends/family on her cell so I knew she deliberately ignored my reaching out as a new client for weeks. No wifi available inside the building for customers so I had to listen to the news playing nearby and step outside to call my husband to pick me up afterward (flag #4 and #5 bc my phone not working inside the building... EH). Again really nice lady though! The hairstyle turned out cute/neat but I knew it would not last based on the quick duration of time spent under the dryer and extremely light gel used. The following week, I thought I was just fighting a migraine and taking meds to get rid of it but nothing helped - eventually my husband videoed for me to see my swollen scalp and several small BALD spots. I was floooooooored. I discovered the pain was my hair being pulled from the root and as I untwisted the rubber bands, my hair was knotted AROUND each and every rubber band. I prob. won't share the video or photo bc the gel used by day 4 was flaking everywhere and the skin looks gruesome but I shared with Chanta (to which all she said really was 'oh noo.. are u allergic to rubber bands?') and after confirming that I am NOT, no further communication or attempt to make it right like an offering of xx% off next service or anything concrete to attempt to make it right or retain my business. Not surprising as there was no drive I am use to giving stylists chance after chance (after chance!!) but driving an hour away from home to return home bald headed is not worth it. Post washing the style out of my hair 4 days later, I could see the subpar trim service that was also done. Anyone with type 4 hair is familiar with that POPPING sound when you comb out your hair indicating your ends need a trim - mine were still popping as they were BEFORE my appointment! Ooomg, I could have cried especially after all the commitment to wanting to support this business and tip 15% on top of everything. The experience was so impactful that I waited to leave this review until my scalp and hair began healing so that it was articulate as opposed to emotional. 3 months later, I am nursing my own hair back to health and am still wishing the salon the best. Best of luck on your hair journey! Mrs. Safaie read more

Pure Essence is a Black beauty shop with two stylists. I followed my stylist, Alicia, from her previous location once she decided to open this salon with her business partner Chanta. They are both very skilled and deal with a wide range of hair types including natural hair, locs, and relaxed hair. I think they pay extra attention to healthy hair, so in addition to looking trendy I feel like my hair is well maintained. I recently cut all of my hair to a very low fade, so now Alicia serves a barber for my maintenance cuts. My favorite aspect of the shop is its family atmosphere. Like many black salons, the regular clientele frequent the shop every 2-3 weeks. I see professionals, college students, and families frequently. Alicia and Chanta take time to make each of their customers feel special. When Alicia went on maternity leave, her partner didn't miss a beat and took me as her client for several weeks. That type of partnership and teamwork is something that I believe to be unique to this salon. This location is easy to miss because it's one suite in an old shopping center that used to have a glass store. The salon is not super fancy inside, but they do not overbook, use square for easy digital payments and receipts, and have a good atmosphere for their clients. I'd recommend it to anyone new to Knoxville or looking for a change. . read more

The lady washed and straightened my hair very nicely. I left the salon with silky, shiny hair. She did not over straighten or burn my hair and did everything right. My only issue was that I asked her to curl my hair, but I left the shop with straight hair. She tried her best to curl it, putting each individual section up waiting for them to curl, but it did not work. Other than that, I would recommend getting your hair done here. The lady is not only nice, but also hospitable. read more

Alicia is wonderfully skilled to tame my often unruly but loved nappy hair. Other than her talent, she has never kept me waiting and has always been sweet and courteous. This is most certainly the place to go. Most especially if you are a black woman who prefers to wear her natural hair. I'm not sure anybody else can compete with Alicia in Knoxville! read more

My hair is tightly coiled (type 4b) and collarbone length. I visited Pure Essence Salon for trim. I chose Alicia Moore as my stylist based on Yelp reviews that said she was good at caring for and styling natural hair. In my experience, this is not the case. My appointment began promptly at the scheduled time and lasted for about an hour and 15 minutes. First, she roughly detangled my dry hair with a comb or brush. (At this point, I should have gotten up and left the salon. Against my better judgement, I stayed.) Next, she haphazardly shampooed/conditioned my hair then applied leave-in conditioner spray or oil. I am not sure if she applied heat protectant. After that, she detangled my hair in an extremely rough manner with a medium toothed comb and a knockoff Denman 9-row brush and blow dried my hair in a similar fashion. Next, she applied petroleum-based hair grease to certain parts of my scalp and spray hair oil to my hair. Finally, she hurriedly trimmed my hair. After the appointment, my hair felt dry (yet greasy) and smelled like stinky, old school Black haircare products. My scalp was reddened, throbbing and felt very sore - so much so that I took some Aleve soon afterward. The service cost $20. The salon takes credit cards via Square. Needless to say, I will NEVER return to this salon. My hair was cared for quite poorly and the experience left me saddened and in pain. In addition, the salon did not have a sign large enough to be seen from the road, was not very clean and has a very small parking lot. I do not recommend Pure Essence Salon to anyone - especially someone with hair similar to mine. read more