1 /5 Tina Lauren: Avoid at all costs. I wanted highlights for my new growth to blend. She gave me black and white (white: bleach on top already light hair) bands and blotches everywhere. It was a nightmare and I said I didn’t like it (obviously) with a look of horror on my face from even before she blowdried it because I could see how bad it looked even when it was wet and she started raising her voice at me saying she has been doing hair for a long time and that I didn’t pay enough to be unhappy. She saw the blotches after blow drying a little and said ok I’ll try to fix this one section- but the blotches were all over my hair everywhere. And she added more very dark (almost black) dye to the bottoms of my hair. My hair looked blackish/ streaky on the bottoms and brassy orange at the roots from the new highlights.
She didn’t show up for the first appointment and tried to gaslight me telling me it was a different time (even though I had a text confirmation of the time), then I was super understanding and said ok let’s try another day. I had to go out of town for something important so needed my hair done before this event. So I went in (after she missed the first appointment) the day of my travels and she destroyed my hair. She was also late and I had to text her and remind her I had an appointment since she didn’t even show up the first time, to which she replied “ok but I’ll be late.” I had limited time and had to catch a flight that evening.
Her attempt at fixing the blotchiness made it worse and more black on the ends while orangey on top. I was horrified and wondered if she was just learning to do hair and that’s why I got a deal? I heard her also (during my session) in an argument with someone outside the room while I waited saying that they didn’t have an appointment that day and the person said- yes i do, that’s why I am here.
When she was raising her voice at me when I expressed my unhappiness and horror, I just wanted to get out of there and try to figure out how to fix it asap. I paid the minimum amount (no tip). She also told me it was Demi permanent dye so will fade after a few washes.
I spent the first day of my travels trying to find an emergency hairdresser to fix my hair. I saw someone who couldn’t believe what I looked like and that I saw a professional. And I told her it was Demi so maybe she can try to get the dye out on the bottom at least and then do a root melt? And she tried to get the dye out but said there’s no way it is Demi permanent because it was barely coming out. She helped me as best as she could and told me to always curl my hair so that the blotches are hidden. She kept sighing and rolling her eyes in distress at what she had to work with. I did what she said, curling my hair while on my work trip, hoping that with more washes maybe the blotches would fade. Not only did all the processing and bleach Nikki added damage my hair, but it ruined my natural palette and will be hard for any hairdresser to work with now.
I texted her afterwards explaining that I didn’t want to leave a bad review (she doesn’t have many reviews and I thought maybe she is in training and any review I make will have a significant impact), but just at least wanted a refund. She called me and started screaming at me and cursing and then handed the phone to a man who said I don’t have proof and saying that my opinion of not liking my hair is just an opinion. Needless to say she didn’t give me a refund and it was overall just a miserable experience and I would highly recommend looking elsewhere.
So here are some pictures. Keep in mind that This is weeks later, after a professional tried to fix the bands and blotches and add a root melt. It is still blotchy.
I would’ve loved to be able to express my dissatisfaction clearly and gotten respect and understanding in return but that didn’t happen.
Also the pictures don’t even do full justice because it’s my phone camera and bathroom lighting. And reminder that this is after paying a second hairdresser to help fix it (and she did a great job and it is much better than it was before).
