Was this a fair review?

I recently had a really disappointing experience at a salon. I usually only write reviews if I am super impressed or super disappointing. I did my best not to shame my stylist and to give credit where due.

However, after publishing my review on Google, I got a call from the stylist. She offered me a free service and was apologetic. I feel bad because I know she was new and I hope she didn’t get in trouble. I feel so uncomfortable, and I’m sure she does too.

Below is my published review. Was I too much of a Karen? 🤦‍♀️ Although the manager was great to me, I still felt like they didn’t fully empathize, so I used the review to fully explain myself and express my feelings.

Here it is:

One star, but hear me out.

I am a SAHM who gets a hair cut about every 2 years. I was given an Ulta gift card for my birthday and decided to pamper myself a bit. I scheduled an appointment at the salon for a signature cut and I also scheduled to have my eyebrows done after. All week I pumped myself up for this appointment. I picked out my hair cut, I invited my mom from out of town to come with me (she needed to watch the newborn). I was so excited to finally treat myself.

I arrived at 11:45, my appointment time. I was told my stylist was running 15-20 mins late. I felt frustrated because I had a newborn with me and I was trying to work with her breastfeeding schedule. I waited patiently and fed my baby again during that time. After 20 minutes, they weren’t ready. I spoke with Jamie, the services manager. I told her I was concerned because I had a brow appointment at 1:00 and now my hair cut would likely make me late for it. Jamie helped me get squeezed in for my brows while I waited. Crystal did my eye brows and did a FABULOUS job. I 100% recommend her!

30-35 minutes after my scheduled appointment, I got seated at the salon. My stylist was very kind. I told her I wanted to donate my hair, so she made sure it was in pony tails and such for me. I enjoyed my wash and my deep conditioning treatment.

She finished cutting my hair and began to blow dry it. Halfway through she asked if I wanted it blow dried completely. I was very confused. I thought she would curl it, or at least straighten it. But after that question I realized that wasn’t an option. I assumed maybe I hadn’t paid for a style. I told her to blow dry it completely. Minutes prior to this, her 1:00 appointment had arrived and was not waiting very patiently.

She finished, and I went up front to pay. I felt HIDEOUS. I had just chopped like 14 inches off my hair, and it was simply blow dried. It was laying funny and flipping weirdly and I wouldn’t have even gone to the grocery store with this hair. I was so embarrassed. I encountered staff who knew I was having a major transformation and they excitedly asked me about my experience. I tried my best to be excited, but I was so disappointed.

When Jamie asked me, I told her the truth. How ugly I felt. How I had never left a salon feeling so gross. I asked if I hadn’t paid for a style. I explained that $55 is a lot to pay to leave looking like a mess. I explained how excited I had been and how I had expected to leave feeling beautiful, but didn’t. I explained I realized my stylist was new and running behind and that I didn’t want to cause her additional stress by questioning her. I explained another guest was waiting. She was incredibly empathetic. She told me I should have had a style. She said if a stylist was open she would slip me in, but none were. She said not to let other clients make me feel rushed, and that she knew this stylist could have given me a beautiful style. She gave me 30% off my next service.

Take away: I had the worst salon experience, but Jamie was incredible. She also helped my mom find some products while I was at the salon. We both are so grateful for her. Her kindness was above and beyond. Also, Crystal does amazing brows. I truly believe my stylist is just having some new job growing pains. That’s why I’m not publishing her name. I just can’t help but feel so disappointed. I don’t know when I will be able to redeem the coupon Jamie gave me. It’s really hard for me to escape a toddler and newborn for an afternoon. I appreciate all that was done to try to correct this, but gosh, the disappointment is so real