Hair Essence Design Studio

Recommends

Mary T.

Joined 1 year ago

I have been going to Hair Essence for many, many years. Even when we moved down to Racine. I continue to drive up to the salon. Why? Simply put, the owner and stylists there are professional, personable and extremely up-to-date on the latest trends and fashions. Every business in a long relationship with a customer can encounter some blips in service. Carla and her staff bend over backward to work with customers when there is any misunderstanding. I have had other stylists (from other salons) compliment me on the cut or the coloring of my hair. These stylists at Hair Essence are constantly getting schooled on the new techniques and news in the salon world to keep them at the top of their skills. And you can't argue with the scalp massage thrown in for each and every shampoo! Wonderful!

Doesn't Recommend

Gustavo Chaviano

Joined 2 years ago

Very unsatisfactory experience. My fiance chose hair essence to get her hair done for the wedding based on all the positive reviews that we encountered about the business. I went with her to trial run for hair and makeup because she wanted my opinion. The staff was very nice and friendly and the facility was nice. My fiance had Lauren, who was very personable, but relatively inexperienced. My fiance wanted a simple and clean french twist hair style. After the first try, it looked terrible and unfinished. So the stylist tried it again, the second time was just as disastrous. By the third try and two hours later, the stylist just couldn't do this basic style and asked the owner to intervene. The owner took over and did it very quickly and halfheartedly. It looked better, but still was messy, unfinished, and nothing like my fiance wanted to look like. At this point the owner and stylist are telling my fiance that this style will not work with her hair and that she needs to try something different. Mind you my fiance has medium length thick hair. So at this point my fiance and the hairstylist talk about a curly updo (which is the stylists specialty). So she proceeds with the new style. She is not taking her time because she has a upcoming appointment. This style ended up looking messy and was falling out before we even left the salon. The icing on the cake was the makeup, the stylist made her look like a whore. She came to the salon wearing no makeup and looked better than what she did after all of this. The stylist was very aware that she did a terrible job. The stylist offered another trial run for free, which the owner tried to counter act. My fiance told the stylist that she could do her own makeup and she didn't desire that service any longer. We proceeded to pay and leave. My fiance was so overwhelmed with how terrible everything looked, she went into the car and was crying. She removed the makeup in the car and took down her hair. Her grandma and I decided this was unacceptable and went inside to talk to the owner regarding a refund. The owner was apologetic and gave us 50%. She suggested it might be best that we try a different salon. We will not be going back to hair essence. My suggestion is to make sure that if you are a bride seeking an updo, look for an EXPERIENCED stylist. The stylist should be able to accomplish what you desire. You should NOT have to bend your wants to their abilities. This was a very terrible experience that should not happen to anyone else. It's less than a month until our wedding and its going to be difficult to find a place that is not booked. In the end nice staff, not experienced.

Recommends

Larryg

Joined 3 years ago

The very best. I have been going to hair essence for almost 15 years.

The service has always been outstanding and the people that work there not only know what they are doing, they love what they do. I would highly reccomed them if you are looking for a great haircut and friendly, professional service.

Larry G

Doesn't Recommend

Sue G

Joined 3 years ago

poor management. I have been going to Hair Essence for a few years now. I recently had a haircut and a two foil highlight. 150.00 not including my 25 dollar tip. The color did not turn out like the hair swatches that we choose and after a day or two, i called to have it corrected. I had to wait a week to get in again, which i understood but then 2 days before the redo was scheduled i recieved a phone call from the owner stating i would have to pay again for the service. Now, i have been an ongoing client there, and they think requesting me pay another 150.00 a week later is good business sense. I cancelled the redo appointment along with my next hair cut appointment and following cut/color appointment because of how i was treated. Any salon can be nice to you, it is when things do not turn out as expected that you see their true colors and lack of appreciation for your hard earned dollar. Let me ad,i have had multiple facials, massages, make up consults, and purchase hair supplies and make up at Hair essence for the past two years. I get a hair cut and highlight every 6 weeks, and every other cut is a two foil highlight. I have spent a lot of money at this salon and i was told i would have to spend another 150.00 for a repeat service. I am shocked that they would treat any customer that way, let alone, a customer who spends that kind of money and walks away dissatisfied! I wrote the owner two emails and she ignored both of them. Look out for yourself and your friends,find another salon!