RAE BEAUTY CO. — Local services in New York

This review comes after going to the salon for 5 months (from May 2021 - October 2021). I originally went to the salon to get Microlinks and enjoyed the installation and overall outcome. When I first received my kinky curly Microlink install, I got a full wash, deep treatment, blowout and trim. I trim my hair every 3-4 months at a professional salon. The trim I was given was ok/standard, but not how I prefer it/my regular stylist does it, hence I planned to not get a trim from here again, but would continue for Microlink maintenance. I informed the hairstylist of my hair history given I had heat damage in a certain section of my hair and was provided a set of hair products by my regular hairstylist that would reconstruct the hair. Keep in mind, no product will fully revert heat damage, even if it's a reconstructor treatment (i.e. Olaplex, which I use). I'm aware that it will have to be cut off over time, thus the reason for trimming every 3-4 months (plus for overall hair health I get trims seasonally).

When my hair was initially being analyzed, after the deep treatment was wash out, I was informed that my hair is heat trained. I did question this analysis given I'm very aware of my hair state, but continued to let the hairstylist analyze and proceed with the service. Since this analysis, I have gone to my regular stylist (Noel New York) for my routine trim and another hair salon that specialize in curly/kinky hair (Renaissance Salon in Harlem) and was informed that my hair is not heat trained, rather it was most likely dehydrated (lacking moisture) at the time of service. Thankfully my heat damaged ends have grown out since my installation in May 2021, albeit this was expected, to about 25% heat damage/75% natural curl and is in a much better state than it was 6 months ago.

The outcome of the microlink extensions was great and I was very happy. I continued to go to the salon every month for maintenance as this is part of the service. In between maintenance visits, I took care of my own hair and had a diligent wash/style (braid-outs) routine. I made sure my hair was moisturized and did reconstructing treatments, as needed. I received many compliments throughout the duration of having the microlinks installed, I attribute that to the installation process and how I took care of the hair at home. I also recommended this hair salon to whoever asked me about microlinks.

The overall salon is very clean, plays an awesome catalog of music and provides water and snacks. The commute was a pain point for me, given where I commute from, but overall was worth the travel given the microlink maintenance service was always quick. I do wish that during my maintenance I was able to leave with my braid-out fully dried and taken out, but due to the volume of hair extensions, this was not possible and I left with my hair in braids. Please see my other review for the microlink...

I had initially paid around $2,000 to get the micro links (to pay for the hair $500, the $900 install fee, $350 deposit, $250 for a horrible highlight job, $70 for halo relaxer and a $10 late fee [lol]). The install wasn’t super spectacular and in between maintenance’s the expectation was for me to wash my hair minimally and be back to pay another ~$500 for maintenance every about 6 weeks. I originally got my hair done in November to have a long term style and I was very, VERY excited and willing to front the investment. The I-tips fell out very easily and got greasy extremely fast. The highlights looked like they were from the early 2000s and Rae does a poor job of styling outside of cutting your hair.

My first maintenance appointment was the first time I actually liked my hair and third appointment Rae waited until I arrived (I live over an hour away) to share that it had been too long since my appointment prior (I canceled because I have a job and worked that particular weekend as she doesn’t realize people work during the week and sometimes weekends in my case). Then she canceled on me. The night of my appointment was my best friends birthday event and she took all the extensions out (an easy and fast process) and had her assistant de-tangle my hair for $215. This was after about 8 weeks since my last maintenance. She was being “brutally honest” that my hair grew out too much and she doesn’t have time to do any sort of new install that day (I got there at 4pm after work). She chopped my hair pretty much completely off (my hair was so thin after the I-tips) charged me $180 for full head of relaxer and a total of $475 for a detangle, flat iron, jet black rinse and of course relaxer.

At no point did Jen (Rae’s assistant), who is extremely sweet and professional, let me know that by rescheduling my appointment the first time NOR after Rae canceled on me I would have to pretty much re-pay ~$1500 for a re-install which is significantly more expensive than the cost of maintenance. I’m very disappointed to have been made to feel like it was my fault that my hair grew out too much with no warning that the 6 week mark was approaching. I pay way too much money to not even get that. If you’re charging luxury prices for a “luxury service” you should probably have better follow up with your clients. I won’t be returning to have my hair done by Rae. For what she’s charging and what you’re getting it’s not worth the price because you can get your hair done for less or even just do it yourself. Rae appears booked and busy so she won’t miss me as a customer but I’m sure her other clients feel similarly and a few of them will get screwed over as I did and then be expected to shell out another 2 grand. I wish her business all the best but I will no longer be...

Late review but wanted to make sure I shouted out Hair by Rae for the awesome service.

For my wedding in Nov 2019 I knew I wanted longer hair and wanted something that I could wear naturally being that my wedding was a tropical destination wedding. I did a lot of research about micro hair extensions and felt that would be the best way to go. After visiting a salon in person, I was astounded by how much not only the hair cost but how much the service cost as well. Something just didn't feel right. After doing some Google searches I came across Hair by Rae and decided to book a consultation. After speaking with Dezzera over the phone I felt so completely at ease. It was like talking to an old friend. I told her about what I was looking for and she was very transparent about costs and the different options I had. She wasn't pushy and I loved that she listened and had many different recommendations so that I didn't feel stuck with going with any one thing. In the next days or so I sent over pictures of my hair in it's natural and straightened states so that she could accurately pick which hair type would be best for me. She then sent me a picture of the hair she would use and the costs for everything...which mind you was WAY cheaper and seemed more reasonable than what the salon I went to quoted me.

Flash forward to the week of my wedding. Dezzera came to my apartment and proceeded to add in the tips. The process the smooth, comfortable since I was in my own home, and very relaxing. It took about 5 hours total with washing, drying, styling all included. It came out beautifully and exactly what I envisioned for my wedding.

Thanks so much to Dezzera for the service and finished product. You...