I booked an appointment with Lisa, described as a curly hair specialist, on January 8. I mentioned…read moremy hair type to the receptionist, and she said I didn't need a consultation. For reference, I have thick, curly hair and requested partial highlights and a haircut (long layers with face-framing pieces). The stylist was a little late, and the first hour of the appointment was spent without any work being done while she figured out how to proceed.
Throughout the appointment, there were repeated comments about how much hair I have and how unprepared she was, which made me feel uncomfortable. I was even asked to brush my own hair before the haircut, even though it wasn't tangled, something I've never experienced at another salon. I also overheard her speaking with a coworker about how much I would have to pay.
The foiling process took significantly longer than expected, and toward the end, the stylist seemed rushed as it was closing time. After washing and swiftly trimming, my hair was left wet, with only the front pieces blow-dried, making it difficult to see the color result. Once I styled it at home, there was little to no visible change in color, and it did not match what I had asked for. My hair had unnecessary chemicals added without a real result.
I was charged $400 for four hours, including an hour when no service was performed. I also wasn't aware they charged by the hour until I arrived (their website lists prices per service). The stylist commented, "I am only going to charge you $400," implying it could have been more. I ended up disputing the charge with my bank, which sided with me, as the service did not reflect the time, cost, or expectations. I reached out to the salon to share my concerns, but they were dismissed without addressing the specific issues I mentioned.
I've attached a photo showing my hair immediately after the appointment, mostly wet and unstyled. For comparison, the same service elsewhere took under three hours, costed $300, and produced the expected results with my hair being styled and the customer service being great. I would advise clients with thick and/or curly hair to ask more questions about the stylist's experience, timing, and pricing before booking.
I would also like to note that this review reflects my personal experience. Any invalidation from the salon does not change how the service was delivered, the customer service I received, or the inaccurate pricing compared to what is listed online. I hope the salon can learn from this feedback to improve their service for future clients, especially those with diverse hair types.