Ulta Beauty — Local services in Gainesville

I used this salon previously for basic wash and blow dry and the experience was great, that is why I contemplated on writing this review at this time. However, my emotions are all over the place and I haven't been able to get myself settled down. I came here and requested full, permanent hair coloring. I wanted to try something bold and decided to leave it to the professionals at Ulta Salon. After paying over $100 to have may hair colored, I left the salon felling very disappointed, sad, angry, embarrassed, and wounded. I asked to have my hair colored DEEP, DARK, PURPLE. I provided a few pictures of the type of purple I was looking for. I specified that I did not want anything light. My stylist did consult with a lead stylist to collaborate on choosing the color blend. So my stylist isn't totally to blame. I was told my dark brown hair needed to undergo bleaching first. I asked why lighten my hair to achieve the dark color I wanted. I was told "so the color would adhere and produce better results" for what I wanted and it would look better with the roots dyed black.. Naturally I agreed, since they were in their area of expertise. It turned out the way I thought it would...... very light! After the 1st unsuccessful attempt the stylist reapplied color. It came out a little better, BUT,,,,, still NOT the color I requested. By this time (after 5 hours) my main concern was whether my hair was going to fall out because of all of the chemical processing. I was told I could come back for a washing and another layer of color could be applied at that time. I've waited 4 weeks and have since washed my own hair only ONCE. I know that's sad.:( ...... After experiencing a shower full of purple dye, I did not want to take a chance. The permanent hair color seems to be Temporary! I look even worse!!!! I don't go out with my hair open; I wear a bun wrapped towards the back of my head. I'm even more embarrassed and upset. I'm afraid other salons may not want to try and correct this. I'm thing of redoing the color myself. Since I'm a layperson, I can't be too upset about the result if it does not turn out as expected. I've attached photos of the various pictures depicting the color I was looking for that I showed the 2 stylist and the processing of my hair, the final result, and the results after washing hair one time, and the hair wrapped in a bun. You can clearly see the array of colors in my hair. SAD, SAD, SAD!

P.S. 2 stars were given for the stylist... she was very personable, nice, and sought help in the beginning before starting anything.

• Update with photos - Finally I made the decision to correct the horrendous color and after effects of the original salon coloring. I purchased a $12 "SPLAT" hair coloring kit in the DEEP PURPLE which I originally requested. I could only find semi-permanent in the local Walgreens. At this point anything lasting more than a washout from permanent coloring was an acceptable risk and I was willing to take it. The packaging says it's good for up to 30 washes..... I can deal with that! The color darkened the previous color and lightened very slightly on the overbleached ends, lending to the more precise coloring I initially sought. In all honesty, I did get dye on my scalp edges and scalp as well. My 13 year old granddaughter scolded me and told me she could have applied the dye so I would not have been so messy. How sweet of her. I would trust her to do a good job. It's slowly coming off, and I...

(Before and After Photos posted)

Melissa P (just got married so may change to Melissa C) at the Salon at Ulta Beauty is by far the best hair stylist I have ever frequented. I have been seeing her for 5 years now and honestly have not let anyone else touch my hair since I started seeing her. :)

I began seeing Melissa P in 2012 when FIVE of my friends from work recommended her. I started with her at different local salon before she began at Ulta and loved her work so much that I had to follow her to the Ulta location. I did not know what to expect as I had never been to Ulta Salon, and have been pleasantly surprised by Ulta's products and atmosphere.

I cannot say enough good things about Melissa P. I have frizzy semi-curly hair that dries out easily and that I like colored. Melissa P not only helps provide advice on products and treatments (that have been very helpful!) but provides excellent guidance on style, color, and cut based on client needs and preferences. She is the ONLY stylist that has ever been able to style my hair in a way I love with a blowdryer alone without needing a flat iron to calm frizz; although I love when she uses a flat iron to curl my hair (see pictures; I am in love!). Melissa P is helpful, patient, and takes the time to really get to know her clients and make the haircut a relaxing and good experience. She attends trainings and keeps up on new techniques and products, which I appreciate.

On a personal note, Melissa P is a wonderful person that I have gotten to know over my 5 years of receiving her service. She is easy to talk to and has made an effort to get to know me as a person and know my lifestyle and my family. If I told her I was anxious about something or was going on a trip, at my next appointment 2 months later she remembers and asks me about it. But for those that prefer silence and pure relaxation during service, she respects that too.

Thank you Melissa P!

Side Note: You can join Ulta's free rewards program and earn points for money spent on hair service as well that you can then put towards products - I have done this over the years and have purchased Hot Tools products (hair dryer and straightener) basically free with my points. :) Definitely a great perk from Ulta as I am not that into makeup/other products but can still benefit from the program with...

Professionalism is dead and customers service is on life support. This location is awful when it comes to consistency and management. The only thing consistent is the excuses of why something or some offered service isn’t up to par. Recently I made appointments with the salon at Ulta for my two daughters, these appointments were made about a month in advance. The appointments were for color services. 10 am was the scheduled time on a Sunday before the first day of school we arrive on time for the appointment and as we are walking to the salon area one of my girls phones receive a text saying the appointment has been canceled, confused and already having reached the desk I inquired if this was surely an error. The salon manager says the stylist had an emergency which is fair enough because life happens but as soon as my younger daughter offers my eldest her spot with a stylist the manager says she also was out with an emergency. I’m a very reasonable person but when you know you’re being blatantly lied to and taken for a fool it sparks a need to let others know the kind of business being run. So you couldn’t call the day before or even an hour before I drove there. You (the salon manager) didn’t offer any recourse for your company or stylist not providing what was scheduled, not a we’ll try to fit you in or any normal contrition for the nonsense. So really what was the real reason service wasn’t given because no interaction with anyone as we walked in and up to the counter. Honestly it felt like some sort of discrimination because the excuses didn’t add up and the nonchalant demeanor was disgusting. Those little girls didn’t deserve that, shame on you salon manager and all those at that store complicit in allowing behavior like...