Smoak Salon — Local services in Jackson

I normally would not post anything negative about a business online, but after the experience I had this past Saturday, I feel led to do so in an effort to ensure no one else has to go through the same. I was a first time customer, having waited a month for my appointment with Paul, the owner, whom I had been referred to by a friend. I was called Friday by the salon and advised that as he had a cancellation, they could see me an hour earlier if I wanted to; I accepted the new appointment time, and still arrived 30 minutes early on Saturday. He was not there as he had gone to get his lunch; there were two ladies under dryers in the reception area, as well as a gentleman waiting on an appointment with Paul (I overheard him advise the receptionist of this). When Paul arrived, he greeted us as he walked through, and shortly thereafter came back out to look at one of the ladies' hair under the dryer. He stopped to ask me what I was there for, and we reviewed the photos I had brought with me as a reference. I believed he understood what I wanted and he advised me it would be a short while before we could get started. The gentleman was then taken back, and then the lady under the dryer. Finally, 1.25 hours after my arrival (45 minutes after my appointment time), the departure of the gentleman and the lady now in a chair, being tended to by Paul, I was taken back to have my hair washed- 15 minutes later I was in a chair. Paul came over and started to work, and despite my trying to be friendly and speak with him during the process, he remained silent for the most part; I finally just shut up as obviously he did not want to talk. He worked very quickly, and immediately I knew there was going to be a problem (the first cutting of hair that hit the floor was well over 6 inches long, far shorter than we had discussed)... it got worse as he progressed. He stopped working on my hair several times to go check on the other lady's hair (who he seemingly had no issue speaking to and laughing with) and returned, just to quickly cut more. He acted as if he were done, until I indicated uneven portions, so he got the wash technician to come flat iron my hair- while he returned to the other lady- so he could give it a final check. When he returned, he did indeed cut even more off; I was visibly upset and doing all that I could to hold back tears, so I simply remained silent as, at that juncture, there was nothing else that could be done. He advised me he was through and sent me to the front to receive my ticket (returning to the other lady who was still there), which I paid, despite being completely offended at the rude treatment I had received as a first time customer at this purportedly high end salon, the absolute butchering he had done of my hair- now well over 6 inches shorter than it was, which was not intended or wanted- and the audacity he had to charge me for it, and left, in tears, almost 2 hours after my appointment time. it became all the more obvious that it was a complete disaster after I washed out the multitude of product that had been used in an effort to hide the horrors, and thankfully, I was blessed to find a stylist at the local Ulta on Sunday afternoon who managed to salvage what she could... unfortunately, it required her cutting even MORE of it off, but afterward I am at least able to be seen in public. Suffice to say, she is the one who first used the word "butcher" and she was horrified that a PROFESSIONAL could have done that, actually charge me for it and let me walk out of his salon like that. I am now out $120 for a mere haircut, and I've lost most all of my hair. In summary, avoid this salon at all costs where quantity apparently rules...

I am completely distraught by the way I was spoken to and treated by this salon.

I have never had my mixed-curly hair cut professionally and have been cutting it myself for years. I cut it very short (almost pixie style) a year ago and wanted to finally get it fixed up by an artist specializing in natural curly cuts. For the past two months I've researched different salons in the area and decided on this one because it presented itself to be queer, POC, and overall diversity friendly. I chose Lauryn because she is a black woman who specializes in natural curly cuts, and I am mixed and have unique curly hair. I trusted that Lauryn would be familiar with my hair type and would accomplish the short, curly style I wanted. I made an appointment with her last week.

I drove over thirty minutes to my appointment today and the salon was closed with nobody in it. I called their listed number and after a few rings, someone answered it. I told the man that answered that I was there for my appointment with Lauryn and that no one was at the salon. He said, "I can't believe she didn't tell you she's out sick today, but I can be there in ten minutes and take care of you." I said I appreciated it, but I had driven a long distance and it was my first time here and that "I booked with Lauryn because she's a POC as am I and I have mixed black hair." Y'all, I kid you not, this man said, "White people can do black hair, too" and HUNG UP.

I was shocked and tried calling a couple of more times but no one answered.

The artist failing to communicate with me that she'd be out sick was one thing, but having a queer man who's a part of a supposed "inclusive" salon essentially negate the fact that they have a POC artist who specializes in black hair (which they advertise as such) say that to me was honestly disgusting. Being hung up on was the cherry on top.

I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever book with this salon again and implore all other queer and POC individuals to do the same. This is clearly not a safe space like...

Updating this based on my last experience: incredibly unhappy with how my hair turned out and the experience that came with the haircut. During the haircut, I was asked questions like “is your hair always this difficult to brush?”, and heard comments about how long it was taking to blow dry my hair. I did not get the cut that I asked for - face framing pieces short enough to not be tucked into the ears - and ended up with bulky, uneven side pieces to my jaw. Throughout the process, I could tell he (the owner) was getting progressively more annoyed with cutting my hair, and thus continued to rush through it, not giving me what I wanted, and seeming to not care. He wanted me out of the chair and it made me feel uncomfortable to ask a second time for the face pieces to be shorter. I paid for a service. I shouldn’t feel like it’s a hassle for somebody to wash and cut my hair when that is the point of me being there. Maybe create a selection for “long hair” cuts so time can be allotted for that process. I had a great experience with Mallory, but after this experience, I will not be...