Divine Designs Salon & Spa — Attraction in Brandon

I had such a great experience the first time I went to your salon. I got this amazing full highlight from one of your top stylists, and I left feeling super happy with how it all turned out. They even nailed my inspiration photos!

I’ve been a hairstylist for over 5 years, so when my highlights needed a touch-up, I didn’t think twice about coming back. I was recommended to your business by family and friends and even received a gift card, so I thought it was perfect to let another pro take care of my highlights again.

However, my second visit didn’t quite hit the mark. No one asked for inspiration photos like before, and the consultation felt a bit rushed. I was hoping to get the same beautiful, light look on my dark brown hair that I got the last time.

When I left the salon, my hair looked a tad lighter but not the visible change I was expecting, especially after spending over $400. I obviously know about hair color, and it seemed like my hair went from an all over level 4 to an all over level 5, which is not what I was aiming for. So, I felt I had to speak up about it.

I came back and explained my concerns, hoping for a simple fix, but the stylist suggested redoing the service for another $350 which seemed unprofessional. I didn’t mind paying for product, but this was too much.

Later, a different stylist called me up, thinking they could help, and she was really nice. She explained that a full highlight could not be achieved and that balayage would be my best result. I did inform her I wanted an all over lighter dimensional color, as I am trying to grow out my grays. I simply wanted what I initially paid for. She said she could achieve the look I wanted in multiple visits. I explained I did not want to do multiple visits and have to pay more, as I’m already paying more. My understanding was I was getting a foilyage balayage. Which is a balayage with highlights. But after discussing, what I got was more of a balayage, not the all-over lighter look I wanted. And, it ended up costing me an extra $130 on top of everything.

The balayage is pretty, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not what I was after. My hair’s still darker at the top, which is the opposite of what I wanted. After spending $600 and lots of time, I’m still not where I wanted to be with my hair. I did lie and say my hair looked good to the salon in order to leave without issue, as this was my second time not achieving a simple full highlight that I know as a stylist myself only takes one session. I apologize.

I really wanted to love my experience like the first time, but unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be coming back. I just really hoped for that same wow effect I got on my first visit.

Customer reply to business response: Good day, thank you for your reply. This is an honest review of my experience at this establishment. If the salon owners or manager would like to contact me directly they may do so and I have no problem discussing what occurred during my multiple visits. This way to ensure an understanding of both sides of the visit. I have nothing against this salon. Again, I am only reviewing based on my experience which is what reviews are...

I have been a customer of Divine Designs since at least 2011. Brandy has been cutting my hair there since before her kids were born, and she has always done a great job. But then COVID wrecked the world in 2020. Like everyone else, Divine Designs lost staff, and the new folks at the front desk became surly. (Maybe because for a year there, management didn't provide them with any CHAIRS, so they had to stand all day!) I put up with the front desk until this year, when they started demanding that I regularly complete a form to populate their marketing database. I refused, but I did tell them that all the information they had about me was correct -- I just didn't feel it was worth my while to retype it all into their form. I also pointed out that I agree to their Terms of Service every time I make an appointment via their website, so from a legal standpoint, they're protected.

Well, last month, I got an email from Sam Rashid, Corporate Administrator, Guest Services with the subject line in all bold, "REFUSAL TO SUBMIT CLIENT INFORMATION - SERVICE PRIVILEGES SUSPENDED". The email goes on to say, "Federal regulations with respect to a mandatory annual Privacy Policy Update as well as our governing policies and insurance requirements require us to obtain, to the best of our ability, current client information on an annual basis in digital format. Our records indicate that any such form you may have completed in the past has either expired or has not been provided in a digital format." Rather conveniently, I have a friend who runs a salon, and he confirmed that this is utter BS. This is all about FORCING their customers to maintain their marketing database, and Divine Designs actually FIRED ME over it! Can you imagine? After over a decade?? Customer...

I thought I was purchasing my wife the perfect birthday gift package through Divine Design, but I was mistaken. The “Divine Birthday Special” included “$49” off their $250 spa, facial and nail experience. I purchased the gift card in-store and schedule the appointment (which is online only).

After setting this up for my wife’s birthday, she became ill and was not going be able to make it. I called the day before her appointment, and the business was closed. I called again the morning of the schedule appointment and spoke with a staff member who advised me that I was unable to cancel or reschedule and I would be fully charged for this.

I asked to speak with a manager and got a team leader who reiterated the same. The team leader said she would speak with a superior and have them reach out to me to maybe work something out. I never received a call.

I called back and spoke with another call taker and they read off the notes associated to my account that this appointment was a no show and the account would be charged and closed. I was told that I would “definitely not be getting a refund or reschedule” because I didn’t cancel within their policy of 24-48 hours. And because this was a “special” it’s non refundable.

I will NEVER return my business to Divine Design and will be encouraging my family and friends in the area to avoid this business as well. This is a terrible way to do business and not work with your customer. I was willing to reschedule for my wife. Now I’m out of $200 and my wife got the backhand from this business because she was avoiding contaminating their work place.

There is a small link that I was referred to for their cancellation policy with “fine print”. This was no where to be seen at all during their advertising...