Innovations 2000 Black Hair Salon — Local services in La Mesa

I work for a nonprofit program that works with children who have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care. Amidst the pandemic and salons now slowly reopening, I contacted the owner of this salon, Deidre, after finding Innovations 2000 Salon on Yelp. I messaged the salon to see if they could possibly offer a complimentary service for a little girl in our program who desperately needed services. Deidre was absolutely amazing. She worked with me and coordinated with me for over a month until we were finally able to make the appointment happen.

Not only did Deidre shampoo & blow dry this little one's hair, she brought in one of her stylists to braid her hair. Deidre and Drusill are amazing women! They both donated their time and limited space in the salon to help support the mental health, self-esteem, and healthy hygiene of this little girl out of the kindness of their hearts. They also have strict Covid safety procedures, the best I've ever seen at any business. The salon was so clean and well-sanitzed, I was extremely impressed!

This little girl's hair came out so beautiful and she loved it so much! I took her out to lunch after the appointment and she made sure to tell the cashier that she had just had her hair done. It was amazing to see her confidence soar when she got up out of the salon chair. Both Deidre and Drusill provided me and the little one with maintenance information and Deidre even emailed me the care info, so I could pass it along to this little one's caregivers. Deidre told me that her position is to empower girls and women who sit in her salon chair and it was very obvious to me that she did just that with this little girl.

Not only are these women talented, but they are truly amazing people in the community who do good for others despite all the craziness going in 2020. These talented, community-oriented women have donated their time (3 hours!), space (they limit the salon to 2 clients at a time), and hearts to help this little girl in our program and I am so grateful to be able to...

We booked wedding appointments at this place and we booked for all 6 of us. When I book an appointment there she said, send me a picture of what kind of hairstyle you want, I asked her for the price but she didn’t give me one. She said she had to see my hair first. The morning of the appointment, me and my two daughters went there first, before the rest of the group came. I showed her my hair but she STILL didn’t tell me a price and then she told me to go buy my own hair extensions, she told me to leave my eight and eleven-year-old daughters there. To get started on them and save time. So, I told her I want both my daughters to have shiny beautiful curls with hot metal combs so that the hair shines and stay in place. I left, thinking that everything was under control but when I came back I was in shock... My daughters hair was so dull and just had absolutely no shine or volume and not only that BUT she charged me $55 for hair. That even my eleven year old could’ve done it. I asked her why the hair looked so dull and if she used the hot metal comb and she answered no and, I asked her why? And she said, we didn’t need to use that and I said, but I asked you too and she said rudely and furiously if you don’t like it just pay me and leave. I was shocked to hear that. I said, before I pay you is there something you can change to make this a little bit better because I am paying $55. and she said, no if you want me to make it better you have to pay me more money. I was very angry and disappointed, so I just paid her, left and called the rest of the group to find another salon. Booking an appointment here, cost me my time, money and we almost didn’t go to our own wedding. My lesson was IF YOU GO TO THIS SALON EITHER HAVE A PLAN B OR...

Yesterday was my second visit to Innovations. I come from the South Bay area but I feel safe with their Covid protocol, reasonable prices, and multi brand hair products and are experts in hair care. The first visit was couple months ago to get a perm and my hair back in order from damage of a perm from a different salon.My second visit I chose Tonette to do my hair. I previously viewed photos and really liked her styling. Tonette greeted me at the door and very friendly, explained the Covid protocol for the salon. When Tonette started on my hair, I realized the perm smell was not the one I thought she was going to put in my hair. I guess a mix up in communication from what I thought was put in my hair the first time from a different stylist on my first visit to the salon. Since Tonette didn't have that perm another stylist did and offered to borrow it to her. Tonette was more than willing to stop. She listens to the clients concerns and made sure I was satisfied before continuing. Even though she assured me that it would be okay and that she could still put in the perm I wanted, I decided to try the one Tonette had already started putting in my hair. I guess you could say that I had immediate faith in her that my hair was still going to look beautiful. Guess what? She was right! I love my hair style! Tonette was very friendly and enjoyable to talk with. She made me feel really relaxed and answered any questions I had. She new exactly what I was looking for in a body wave style and gave me professional advice on what products I could still use and what I could do with out. She even threw in a bonus service. I am looking forward to my next visit with Tonette. I am happy I found my...