Helm Salon — Local services in Kansas City

FYI, this salon requires you to enter a credit card to book an appointment.

I had been to this salon with Angie a few times before and planned on being a regular customer, but not anymore. I had logged into Angie's booking system to check my appointment date and didn't see any upcoming appointments listed, so I figured I was mistaken about having an appointment scheduled.

She called and texted me to tell me I was late for my appointment while I was at home working, which I responded to let her know I hadn't seen an appointment listed. I live down the street, which she is aware of, so could had still made it to 2.5hrs of my 3.5hr appointment, but I didn't think to ask and thought a reschedule made sense. I was charged 100% of my appointment cost, $280.

I understand they "reserve the right" to do this, but I don't find it a fair policy and it also doesn't seem to be a common one. I totally get that if you have someone who is consistently a no-show, you might like to "reserve the right" to charge for the full appointment, but that is not my case. I had been regularly scheduling and making appointments for the past few months and always tipped 20% on top of already premium prices. At worst I made a mistake, not sure what situation would keep me from being charged $280 and getting no service in return.

Instead of having a continuous regular client, I'll no longer be frequenting their salon at all.

UPDATE: I found out through someone that their system had had issues and THE SALON WAS AWARE that all their appointments had been wiped from their schedule. This would have been when I checked and didn't see my appointment listed. After stopping by the salon and being told the owner was busy, I was told I would receive a call from her later that day. I received a call the next day instead, and was told that it wasn't personal, I was the last appointment so the stylist had gone home, and the stylist gets to choose what to do. I had explained my appointment was not there and likely related to the issue they knew about. The owner spoke to the stylist who decided to refund me 50% of the original...

I can’t say enough amazing things about MacKenzie and working with the gals at Helm Salon!! I was nervous about being pressed for time the morning of the wedding and MacKenzie was so accommodating and helped me plan out how many stylists we needed to have a smooth and easy morning. She was so kind and helpful, answering tons of questions from me throughout both the booking process and then leading up to the wedding when I was having multiple random skin issues pop up. And OMG the makeup and hair!! There is a reason she was nominated for KC Wedding Vendor Choice awards Makeup Artist AND Hair Stylist this year! I wish she could do my makeup every day! I was dealing with some rosacea and just general skin sensitivity by the time I had my trial with MacKenzie. She was so attentive to all my concerns and made sure to use only products that were ok for sensitive skin. My makeup just felt so light and natural and I really felt like I looked like myself with my favorite features emphasized. It was such comfortable makeup to wear and it didn’t crease or smudge even after a very emotional wedding day! The rest of the stylists at Helm Salon were also great to work with and Kelli in particular did a great job with my hair for the wedding! I had a very vague idea of what I wanted and Kelli was super kind and willing to tweak things until I was happy with it. I loved how my hair turned out and it was also so comfortable all day long (no hairpin headaches!). My bridesmaids and the moms loved how their hair and makeup turned out as well and MacKenzie and the rest of the stylists were such a chill group to hang out with during my wedding morning! Working with a smaller salon like Helm felt really personal and nice. MacKenzie especially is incredible and I can’t recommend her...

If you’re needing some quality color and cut helm is your place. I’ve been to both Shanna and Caitlin and both do excellent work. I went to Caitlin a few months ago. Not only is her personality stellar but her work is really beautiful. She recognizes that I’m not coming in every 6 to 8 weeks right now and gives my hair just what it needs so it can grow out and look lovely without the maintenance. I’m naturally a light brown darker blonde and she gives such great depth and dimension. I love my hair straight, curled, braided, and pulled in a bun there’s not a time when I pull it back that I think “ugh the color is off here” and so natural if that’s your thing. The photo attached is months post coloring and in natural lighting. I also have high hopes of having hair the opposite of my natural hair :) Caitlin is kind about what my hair can realistically achieve and what I can do to help flatness/ achieve fullness. My appointment got canceled due to weather and then sickness but she was professional and communicated and understanding when either she or I couldn’t make it work. I feel like the price is spot on- I expected to go in and spend 200+ and felt pricing was clearly explained on website during booking. I can’t recommend her...