SP HairCare — Local services in Atlanta

Pros: • Shampoo and detangling service were excellent. Best shampoo I have ever had • The stylist was very accommodating with my service, even though it cut into hers schedule • She helped me detangle about 10-15 severely matted twists after I had been very ill and unable to manage my hair myself. This took extra time, which she worked into her day around other clients, and I truly appreciated the effort. It was done very gentle.

Cons:

• She didn’t show me or confirm with me how much she planned to cut before cutting. My layered hair was cut blunt instead of maintaining the layers , which caused different lengths in different parts of my head— from 12 inches (boob length) down to around 6 (collarbone length) in the back of my head, and from 13 inches to 8 inches in the middle of my head. The result was much shorter than expected for some parts of my hair. The haircut was $70, I did expect clearer communication and better results. (I’ll attach before/after photos—“before” dated July 4 of this year, hair is not blow dried in photo. my service was on 8/20)

• When I said the blow dryer was too hot and drying my hair before the coils stretched enough, she insisted her negative ion dryer was the right tool and claimed the issue was my hair being internally dry. Not sure why you would use even more high heat on dry hair though. Regardless of the ions though, high heat is still high heat—I literally have a physics degree lol so you can trust me that I do understand what an ion actually is. I cannot speak for others but on my 4C hair, high heat from the start will dry the coils out before they fully stretch, causing unnecessary breakage because you have to comb through dry hair now. Medium heat first achieves the same result with less damage and is healthier long-term.

• We went back and forth about this, and she kept insisting on “the professional way” to stretch hair. But for long hair, especially long 4c hair, stylists need to listen to the client’s lived experience too. I’ve grown my hair long multiple times, including past mid-back, sometimes after years stuck at shoulder length. So at this point, one can trust that I know exactly what works to avoid breakage on my hair.

I am not a professional for everyone’s hair, but after many years of retaining length, I am certainly a professional of my own hair now. No stylist will have years of experience with my hair at our first appointment together, but I do, so when it comes to my hair, they should be willing to listen to the person with more experience. At a $400 total service, I just do not want to debate about basic things like how to blow dry my hair to be honest. I go to a stylist when I don’t feel like doing my routine myself. So, I would prefer to form a relationship with a stylist who actually takes my routine into consideration so we can maintain the results of my routine.

• She also told me my hair “couldn’t do” flexi rods—the style I originally wanted—even though I’ve done them myself many times for years. There are endless examples of 4C flexi rod sets online with beautiful results. To say it “can’t be done” suggests inexperience with natural, non–heat-trained 4C hair, since it only requires different products and a slightly different technique.

Edit for my response: I never told you my hair was air dried, I do not air dry it ever. We were debating about how I blow dry it, so how did you conclude that I air dry? I specifically said that I do medium heat first, and high heat at the end, and it will stop my hair from drying so fast. You insisted on high heat the whole time because of the negative ion dryer. We then went to chat GPT which stated that negative ions dry hair faster.

I also detangled over 200 of the twists myself, with no moisture issue due to treatments I do, most of them were washed/moisturized regularly and redone @ least 3 times. When I arrived, you did the last 10-15 of them that had not been redone ever, those were pretty dry. You also didn’t respond to the fact that you cut layered hair into a blunt cut & now it’s all...

Wow! Where do I start? After losing (breakage, thinning, shedding & all that is imaginable) my beautiful head of hair to medication, I began searching for someone who could give it life again. As a “hair girl” this new, unimaginable journey has been very devastating. In my quest and desperation to find a quality stylist, I stumbled across SP HairCare; and without hesitation or any real expectation, I scheduled an appointment. After reading at least 20+reviews, I was excited about what was to come. However, on the day of my appointment, my excitement was quickly shattered. This, after seeing all the beautiful women and their beautiful hair. You heard me correct; every woman was beautiful and had beautiful hair. I immediately thought to myself, what happened? In this moment, I did not feel beautiful or confident. Why did I have to lose my hair? My hair has been my glory, who am I without it? With my head held down, I secretly admired every client. I prayed that my glorious hair would return. Of all the things that could happen, hair loss. (Foolery) Moments later, the tears started. I tried to gain perspective, but it was elusive. As I tried to keep my composure, a kind voice (Aaliyah) leaned in to say, “it’s going to be ok.” I understand your hurt. Hair loss can be traumatic. I have a history of hair loss too, so I know the feelings all too well. Here I am, this strange woman in a strange place, breaking down over hair. How silly I must have looked. Without pause or judgement, Aaliyah reached in to give me a hug. Yep, the unexpected embrace from a stranger. A brief time following, Shawon walks in asking “what’s going on here?” Through my tears, I said “I am having a moment.” “I hate my hair.” Shawon immediately walks over and gives me another hug. Could it be, these people care and can sympathize with my situation? I was completely blown away. Their response was a pure example of the best that humanity can offer. Shawon also reminded me, “that I am more than my hair.” With the same intent, Aailyah says “stop looking at all those old pictures.” They are preventing you from moving forward, accepting where you are and living in the moments that you have. After much back and forth and discussions about what to do with my hair, we agreed to cut it. For me, short hair has never been my preference. But now, I have no choice. While I remain indifferent about short hair for myself, I am over the moon about the care, attention, and kindness that Shawon and her team have given to me. My hair is starting to come alive again. In fact, just today (3/26/24), I told Shawon, I thought it is growing. It looks and feels silky, it is bouncy, and it smells incredible. SP HairCare has been a Godsend. I could not be happier. Thank you for then, thank you now and thank you for what is to come. Shawon and Aaliyah, I am forever grateful for your kindness and willingness to share your hair care knowledge. Run Do Not Walk to SP HairCare. At any cost! BTW, if everyone has long beautiful locks, Shawon must be doing something great. I decree and declare, my locks will be just as beautiful, long and flowy. Kindest...

I was a first time client of Shawon. I researched colorists and I had a few conversations with her. She seemed knowledgeable. I decided I'd trust her with my hair. My goal was blond & platinum highlights to lighten up my natural brown and bring in more platinum to blend the white that is rapidly coming in around my crown and edges. I did have some older color that had to be corrected. My hair is super thick, shoulder length and natural, 4a & b type. The comb out after shampooing was done with a brush which I would never detangle my thick locs with a brush. There was way to much pulling and tugging by her shampoo person who insisted that they only use a brush. I would use a wide tooth comb and the follow up with a brush. I honestly had several moments of discomfort the throughout entire experience. My scalp was tender from the base color and Shawon chose to highlight my hair but not get close to the scalp. Had she consulted with me in advance of making that decision, I would have suggested she rechedule me for the highlights considering it was a $700+ service. I was not going for ombre & did not intend the result to produce a gap between the base color and the highlight. During the highlight session, she had developer on 3/4 of my hair, the back and the left side. Once she started on the right above my ear, whe decided to stop and make a phone call and chat for a few minutes with a client about booking an appointment while I sit with developer actively bleaching my hair. She could have easily delegated the booking to her assistant who was right there with nothing to do, available to handle a phone call. Or she could have waited until she finished the highlights. So the one side turned out more highlighted than the right side. Shawon did a beautiful silk press, trimmed my ends and the result was beautiful. Several weeks later after reverting back from silk press to natural, it was apparent that one side was more highlighted than the other and the highlights begin a 3 inches away from my scalp. That is disappointing especially in the front where the platinum is naturally coming in. I think Shawon really knows color and she is a very good stylist. I do think that she is challenged at multitasking and focus. She is very easily distracted will stop in the middle of an important chemical process to do any number of things . I was there over 9 hours. I can understand 5 hours maybe 6 when you're juggling other clients. But when you know you have a advanced service like mine, you might not want to over book. Maybe she treats here regular clients with more care and the new clients as an after thought. I don't know. I can only report on what I experienced and how my results turned out. But I don't think I'll return to get the highlight retouch. Clients know when we matter and when our business is appreciated. The difference between a good salon and a stellar salon is always service. Put your...