Hair Vyce Studio ( West ) — Attraction in Philadelphia

TL;DR - extremely long wait time, prices too high.

Let’s start with the positives: The vibe in this salon is unmatched. Nice atmosphere, awesome playlist, friendly conversation without people yelling across the shop at you. Everyone in the salon is very nice and super sweet. The stylists, receptionist, shop assistants, and other clients all felt very welcoming. They have drinks available while you are being serviced, nice touch.

So why am I leaving a 2 star review? My appointment was originally set for 2:40 PM. The owner called last night to ask if I could push back to 1 PM. Sure, no problem. I arrive, am washed by the shop assistants, drain, and wait. And wait. And wait and wait. After the wash, No one touches my hair until 5:15 PM. An over FOUR HOUR WAIT. I could have just come at my original time and I STILL would have been waiting. The owner doesn’t do my hair, instead it’s done by another stylist. I originally was just getting a palm roll retwist ($95) but she asked if I wanted two strand twists. I said sure because getting those meant I wouldn’t need to sit under the dryer. She then says “is it okay if I put a few in the twist instead of just two strand? That will be quicker.” I’m used to have 3-4 locks inside my twists so I said fine. Less than an hour later we are done. I don’t have my glasses on but I walk to the desk to pay. Imagine my surprise when the screen said $240 for my total. A $145 dollar upcharge on top of a $95 retwist is well above what I could have ever expected. I have never been charged that much for a retwist + 2 strand twists. I get home and take a good look in the mirror - these cannot be considered 2 strand twists at all. These are rope twists. It actually should be criminal that I was charged for 2 strand twists. These are Significantly larger and I honestly do not like them at all. I want to take them out right now but I have somewhere to go tomorrow and have no idea what my hair will look like if I do so. Before I left I was considering going back because I enjoyed the atmosphere so much but seeing this work now up close in my mirror at home I’m really upset. I definitely have no plans of ever setting foot in...

I was looking forward to trying this black owned salon especially after speaking with the owner over the phone. When I arrived, there was a bit of a wait to wash my hair but I didn’t mind. However, there were moments myself and even other customers were left in the chair for someone to either finish what they started or for someone to become available to start servicing the next person. They were clearly short staff. However, a simple wash and blow dry shouldn’t have taken 4 hours to achieve. The main reason I rated them so low is because of their pure ignorance of how to handle black hair texture and the slick attitude I noticed from one of the hair dressers, Sha’ron, and at some point, the owner, Frenchie. It was very clear Sha’ron does not know how to detangle hair because she was combing my hair carelessly, starting from the roots instead of the ends and working her way up, and combing out the entire head instead of sectioning it so it’s easier. Then when I asked if she could section my hair because it was hurting due to how rough she was being, she gave the owner this look like, as if she was fed up with my request. I saw here face in the reflection of the mirror - she did a little smirk and paused looking at the owner like, “Girl”. Therefore the owner decided to take over. The owner then decided to ask me a series of questions about if I’ve ever washed my own hair and what products I use in my hair to explain the reason why THEY were struggling to detangle it. I use the same products in my hair all the time. I have washed my hair on my own AND have gotten it washed at other black owned salon with no issues. So I wasn’t sure what point she was trying to make but I found it to be very distasteful and almost condescending. Trying to put the blame on the customer instead of knowing how to work with different hair texture as a professional was ironic to me. I’m huge on customer service wherever I go. That is the reason for the low rating, but your experience may be...

I was very displeased with my recent visit to this salon. The problems started before they began when I tried to book my appointment with the online system, which was nonfunctional in two different internet browsers. When I called to set up an appointment, I received a dozen questions about the online booking system instead of what the client wanted to get. I think questions regarding technical difficulties should be left at the end. The day of the appointment, I was met with a nice staff and friendly customers, but nice service is different than good service. Stopping someone's haircut so you can show and talk about a pumpkin you decorated is not good service. Getting defensive when your client is asking questions about a styling process with which they aren't familiar is not good service. Not having anyone check on you after putting you under a dryer for an hour -- especially when they are not familiar or comfortable with what is happening -- is not good service. This was actually my third time coming, I took a few years pause from it and I had hoped things improved from last time. They did not. All of the special components (consultation, porosity test, etc.) did not occur, and I came away learning next to nothing about my hair type, care tips, anything. Instead I felt dismissed, especially after I began to ask questions about a thing I would be paying for. I will...