2 /5 Natalya Bull: I was disappointed with the quality of service which I received at Mode Aveda. About 1.5 months ago, I scheduled an appointment with Maybelline (one of their new hair stylists) for an all-over hair color to cover the brassy highlights in my hair. I specifically asked that the color be as possible to my natural hair color (an ashy medium brown, level 6) as possible. After arriving at the appointment and sitting through a two-hour hair coloring session, Maybelline began to dry my hair to reveal a gothic brown color which was several shades darker than my natural shade!
When I expressed my concern, Maybelline reassured me that the color would lighten after several washes. Maybelline never informed me that she put in permanent, rather than demi-permanent color, in my hair, and that at Mode Aveda, "all-over color" was code for "permanent hair color." She then proceeded to give me a lackluster blow-out which was a far cry from the beautiful blow-outs that I regularly received when I do my hair at other salons. Dubiously, I paid $130 plus a 20% tip and left.
Two and a half weeks and approximately 7 hair washes later, my hair remained the same dark, gothic color. When I called the salon to complain, I spoke with the salon manager, who had a condescending tone and seemed annoyed with my dissatisfaction. She instructed me to schedule a hair consultation to evaluate what could be done.
At the consultation, I was seen by another stylist, who informed me that because the hair color was permanent, I would either need to strip out the hair color with bleach (a 6-hour procedure that would substantially damage my hair) or highlight my hair to break up the dark color (a 4-hour procedure which also damages hair) . She then asked me when I would like to schedule another appointment with Maybelline, to allow her to "fix" her mistake. When I told her that I did not want Maybelline, a junior hair stylist, to redo my hair again, she appeared taken aback that I would not give her a "second chance." I then requested and scheduled an appointment with John, a senior hair colorist.
At my appointment, John seemed rushed and annoyed that he had to redo my hair and told me that I didnt need to bleach out or highlight my hair, but would be fine with a light bleach shampoo wash followed by a new hair color. I agreed and after two hours sitting in the chair, looked up to see reddish/copper hair at the top of my head. When I voiced my disappointment, John told me that my hair would always "draw." red and that he could try making the hair darker, but that it could look gothic brown as a result.
Defeated, I agreed to keep the hair with the red roots and tipped John $40, and bought a $12 bottle of shampoo which I didnt need ( they wouldnt let me pay a tip with a credit card without buying something). Two weeks and $200+ later, I still have red hair at the top of my head.
This is the first and last time I will be coming to Mode Aveda. I am very disappointed with the level of overall service at the salon, the lack of courteousness of the staff, the wasted money, and the lost time. I would not recommend this establishment.
Left to right: First two photos-my natural hair color; remaining photos-the gothic brown color in which my hair was dyed with the red roots of after the second appointment where the hairstylist attempted to fix the first stylist’s color application.
