Plus, how to make sure it never happens to you
Going to the hair salon can be an intimidating experience—especially if you're seeing a new stylist or going in for a major cut or color change. So it's totally logical to do some digging to find a great, reputable salon that seems legit. And if it's one that's known for their A-list clientele, that's even better, right? But unfortunately for Myrella Ikeda, an aspiring Brazilian model, all these precautions didn't save her from a seriously nightmarish experience.
The New York Daily News reported earlier this week that Ikeda is suing J. Sisters salon in New York City (a salon frequented by celebs like Cameron Diaz, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell) after an experience she had there in 2011. She's suing for a whopping $1.5 million after a "treatment" went horribly, horribly wrong, leaving her with chemical burns on her scalp, bald spots, and an abrupt end to her modeling career, according to the suit. The lawsuit claims that Ikeda walked into the salon for what she thought would be a routine conditioning treatment prior to a photo shoot with a Brazilian magazine. Stylist Antonio Luis Rosa applied what he called a "natural organic product" on her hair and scalp to hydrate her hair. According to the lawsuit, the product was left on her hair for half an hour and started burning her scalp.
Despite her complaints, Rosa insisted the sensations were "normal"—but after he started using a flat iron on her hair, it immediately started to fall out, "burnt and crumbled." It turns out the supposed conditioning product was actually Naturlite White Lightening Powder (essentially, hair bleach) and the stylist was revealed to have been on drugs at the time (um…what?!), according to the New York Daily News. The lawsuit goes on to describe Ikeda's emotional trauma and subsequent depression over the last two years, which made her feel like a "monster" and kept her from pursuing modeling.
As someone who worked briefly as a hairstylist and trained at a few incredibly reputable hair salons with equally impressive celebrity clients, I can greatly sympathize with Ikeda's story, but I know it's not entirely unique. Obviously, there is absolutely no excuse for being irresponsible on the job, ignoring your client's complaints, or destroying their hair. But even though these high-end salons have a good reputation—and you can generally expect well-trained, qualified hair technicians—mistakes unfortunately can happen. So how can you avoid a hair disaster of epic proportions on your next salon visit? Here are some tips to keep in mindbefore you get to the point of no return.
Do Your Research (Your Hair Will Thank You)
Are you going to a salon you've never been to before? What made you pick it? Just because your favorite celeb goes there, it doesn't mean you will walk out of the salon looking just like them. A better option would be to ask that friend/neighbor/co-worker who just got a killer new style where theywent, and if they'd suggest a specific stylist. Read reviews on Yelp (and leave reviews as well!). Then stop in to the salon to make your appointment in person rather than over the phone. That way, you can gauge the kind of clients who go there, as well as the overall vibe of the salon and its stylists, to make sure you feel like they will understand the look you are going for.
Select Your Price Point Wisely
Every salon has various levels of stylists—and while Beyoncé might get her locks done by the head stylist at your chosen salon, you might end up booked with a junior stylist who only has a few years of experience. This might be totally fine if you want a simple haircut or you're just touching up your grays, but if you want a radical change or know your hair is tricky to work with, you might want to spend the extra cash to make sure you're booked with a more seasoned pro.
Be Completely Honest
Once you are in the stylist's chair, the first few minutes of conversation are crucial. A good hairstylist knows their consultation will help determine exactly what their client wants—but that means you need to be open and honest about your hair and your expectations. Make sure you tell your stylist what your daily hair care routine is like, what products you use, how much time you are willing to spend on your hair, etc. If you are getting hair color or another chemical procedure done, make sure you tell your stylist exactly what your hair history has been—even if it was "a long time ago." If you have previously colored your hair, used henna, chemically relaxed your hair, or used a keratin treatment, your stylist needs to know to avoid any potentially disastrous chemical reactions. The same goes for any allergic reactions you might have had in the past to any hair products, or any issues you may have with the health or condition of your scalp (dryness, dandruff, oiliness, etc.). In short: Chat it up before they go to work!
Ask Questions. Seriously.
Your stylist should be communicating with you about what products are going into your hair throughout your visit, but if you're unsure about what that weird mixture is that's about to go on your head, ask. If your stylist gives you a vague response, like "a natural organic product," ask what it's used for. If your curiosity (or apprehension) still isn't satisfied, ask to see the label.
While it's true that stylists may not like revealing all their secrets, if you are genuinely concerned about a product, they should not have a problem showing it to you. And if they do, ask to speak to a manager. It should be every salon manager's goal to make sure their clients walk out of their salon feeling 100 percent secure and happy with their service—so if you are having problems communicating with your stylist, don't be afraid to have someone intervene. And if you're still uncomfortable with how the appointment is going, it's completely fine to request another stylist or go somewhere else.
