Mayssa's Beauty Mark — Local services in Kenilworth

I did not get my 4B/4C hair done here. This review is purely about STYLIST MELISSA. She is the most unprofessional, rude, dismissive person I’ve ever met and should not be working in an establishment calling herself a curly stylist. After researching and wanting a curly cut, I walked in to this salon to see it and decide if I wanted to book. It seemed warm, welcoming, and relaxing and I was pleased seeing curls of different textures. There was a young girl with similar texture leaving and her hair styled beautifully. I didn’t book that minute because of work schedule and their availability. They were pretty busy for curly cuts. I left my info. I received a call that night at 9pm from stylist MELISSA that she had an opening the next morning. I canceled my work appointments and was happy to have a relaxing hair day. I was open to a change and have done wash and gos before. I know what to expect in terms of curl uniformity. I also know how to train the curls to revert as I don’t put heat often but do wear my hair with tension. I really just wanted the moisturizing treatment, a good cut and spa like experience for a self care day.

When I got there, Melissa took a look at me and began to school me on my hair and my past experiences stating other stylist were cutting my hair wrong and asking for their name as she worked at the salon I visited. As I tried to engage and respond to her, she rolled her eyes, looked away, seemed annoyed. Clearly disengaged and had her mind made up. I mentioned the girl that left there yesterday and that would be a nice style as she was stating things like my curls won’t be even etc. She then stated she is not a “wizard” or “magician” disrespecting me as if my hair can’t be styled to look good after a cut with her “proper technique”. It was a hurtful conversation and I pray she never lays hands on a young black/brown girl with tighter curls learning the beauty of her hair. I’m 38 and have been natural all my adult life, I know better. I know what my hair is capable of and not capable of. She is incompetent.

It was obvious she was hesitant to do my 4c hair from her convo, I knew she lacked knowledge of my hair texture. She was more interested in schooling me on the hair growing out my head and her cutting technique. It’s not the first time I encountered a stylist that lacked knowledge of my hair, but it was the first time I felt disrespected by one. Others are honest, open and willing to learn or apologize and book me with others. I’m used to this. Instead of kindly stating her discomfort, she blamed my “energy”, comfortability, and past hairstylist giving me a different expectation and then outright REFUSED to style my hair. I took time off work, was disrespected, and blamed by this incompetent being talking about energy when hers wreaks. It was the most uncomfortable experience I had EVER had at a salon. I asked her several times to do my hair however she can.

“To err is human, to recover is divine!”

I’m giving 4 stars because MAyassa, Stephanie and another stylist were the kindest humans who apologized numerous times and offered to care for my hair when both schedules allow another time. Stephanie and the other stylist were present during the interaction with Melissa, MAyassa was not. I cannot speak for skill, only customer service. MAyassa was not present but handled the situation well calling me after. I’m happy to have her salon in the neighborhood and I know she is more than capable of doing my hair.

Also, MELISSA NEVER APOLOGIZED. I even saw her in the street when I walked to my car and she turned from me. She is not a nice human.

Update: Never received a...

I booked with Deanna last Friday because Mayssa was fully booked until July. I only saw Mayssa’s work online so I knew she was wonderful but didn’t know if Deanna was so I took a chance. I got a trim and blowout which was pretty basic. I noticed she didn’t put any product in my hair besides a few spritz of heat protectant. My hair was dry and it did hurt at times when she was blowing my hair out as it was easily getting tangled with NO product in. When finished, my hair looked great but….once I left the salon, my hair only lasted 5mins until it fell flat and got super frizzy/puffy.

I had made a comment about wanting to dye my hair for the summer so she gave me her number so we could exchange pics of hair color ideas. I wasn’t sure about letting her dye my hair as I don’t know her or her work/experience but I was open to it if we were on the same page. Mind you, SHE asked ME if I’d like to be her “hair model” for the low low price of $175!!!! 🤣. I accepted until I thought about it more and realized I was being scammed. I was a hair model for an upscale salon in Short Hills 5yrs ago and they only charged me $25 for the products used. That’s it. Deanna was obviously trying to make me money off of me by charging me an absurd $175 for PRODUCTS USED. I knew this was off so I asked hair stylists in a forum about this and 99.9% said hair models should either be free or no more than $50-$60 bucks. She was planning on doing a balayage but then I decided I wanted something more subtle so she would’ve used even LESS PRODUCT.

Now, I asked her for a break down of the $175 to understand why the products would be so costly. I also asked her if she could send me pics of her work and how many years of experience she has (ALL VALID QUESTIONS WHEN I DONT KNOW HER). She decided to text me this morning that she asked ANOTHER client to be the hair model so she’s scamming someone else who blindly accepted the $175 rate. I find this exchange to be highly unprofessional. She didn’t like that I asked for information and clarity on an INSANE hair model pricing that she opted to ask another client instead. I will never return to this poorly run establishment and regret going in the first place. Do not trust these stylists. They upcharge like crazy. I understand the owner of the salon who is a master stylist charging a lot but a new stylist who didn’t even successfully give me a blowout, shouldn’t charge people insane prices. Be more...

I had such an amazing experience with Deanna! From the very beginning, she impressed me with her knowledge and attention to detail. She explained exactly how she was going to proceed with my hair, asked clear questions, and really took the time to understand both my needs and my goals.

My hair is usually very stubborn and difficult to work with even I often struggle with styling it but Deanna made me feel completely comfortable and confident. Her professionalism, combined with her friendly personality, immediately won me over and gave me the trust I’ve always had trouble finding in a stylist.

The results speak for themselves I walked out of the salon feeling genuinely happy and highly satisfied. Plus, the aftercare instructions she recommended have been a game changer; I’m loving my hair more than ever and can’t wait to come back.

I’ve often felt that other stylists have only met me halfway in my expectations, but Deanna went above and beyond. She truly delivered, and I’m grateful for her skill, patience, and care. Thank you so much,...