It was time go grow up. I knew that, but darn it, my hair had grown out as long as it had been since I was a teenager. It was shiny. It was straight(ish). But - it was still baby fine, and I still blew it dry every day, so the ends were thin and it was damaged.
It took time for me to find my prior stylist - I went to five different people over a period of two years before I found him. And then, due to unfortunate business decisions, he was gone.
So, finally one day I called Tonya Jones - I remembered her (and another stylist who was there) from my prior salon and I hoped I could get in to see one of them. But my hair needed that cut today - before I lost my nerve - and neither Tonya nor Kevin were available. Throwing caution to the winds, I booked an appointment at the Cahaba Village location and went in to visit with Amy Busch.
From the moment I walked in, I felt comfortable and welcome. The Cahaba Village location felt busy, but still quiet, and I felt like there were three people who were doing nice things for me the moment I walked in. They brought me water, and a snack, and then Amy walked out. Her warm smile immediately put me at ease - I explained the situation and my concerns, and she spent some time looking at my hair before we went one step further. She laid out her plan, so I'd know what to expect and we headed over for the shampoo.
I love the shampoo station - you don't lie back flat, you actually sit upright. I expected to have water running down my back, but it just didn't happen. Amy was great - she gently worked shampoo and conditioner through my hair, and the neck massage and hot towel treatment were heavenly. I was relaxed and happy - and not a bit apprehensive about the cutting to come.
Amy was great - careful - but not slow. She cut and dried my hair and it looked GREAT! As she was cutting, she carefully feathered my blonde hair so that scissor marks didn't show - her experience was evident as she put the finishing touches on. And - what a lovely thing - she talked with me about the products she used, and the function of each - and, when I asked, even how they worked - but I never felt pressured to buy anything.
And the end of the appointment, EVERYONE was grinning - I felt great and I looked great, so my grin was widest of all. I thanked Amy profusely - and everyone else who had been so kind.
Now - I'm accustomed to going to salon-spas where my tab for the services received can easily top $125. The massage, the hot towels - I realize that, while it's billed as "free" - that just means it's not itemized on the receipt. That made handing over $55 easy - and I left a hefty tip as well, because the whole experience, at a time when I was apprehensive, had been fantastic.
I wholeheartedly recommend Tonya Jones Salon Spa, and Amy Busch as well! read more