Euphoria Salon and Day Spa — Local services in Saint Petersburg

I needed to find a new salon, & spent hours looking at reviews on google & Yelp. Ultimately, I decided on Euphoria Salon because it seemed like the owners really cared about the clients experience, and the stylists consistently got good reviews. My whole experience however, was a disaster- and I am writing this review in hopes of cautioning other people like me who rely on reviews when choosing a new salon.

My appointment was 2 1/2 weeks ago. I was there from 12:30-8:45pm. Bridget and I discussed what needed to be done to get my nasty orange-ish hair to a neutral blonde with shadow roots. I showed pics of what I was ideally wanting, for color and haircut, so we would both be on the same page. She filled out a consultation form, quoted me a price, which I agreed to, then had me sign the paper. For the haircut, I told her I wanted long layers in the back, and some layers in the front. At the end, she took my 'after' pic in front of a fancy professional light. I honestly didn't get a good look at everything until I got home...

When I got home and looked my hair over, I saw that not only did I have uneven front layers, but my haircut in general was uneven, there were NO long layers in the back, & the haircut was very blunt...it literally looks like a bowl cut. Then I saw I literally had SILVER and grey hair in the front and on the sides of my head, while the bottom of my head was super dark and ashy. This was a *wonderful contrast to the YELLOWish/orange hair that I have basically from my ears down to the ends. It looks terrible! I was so upset I couldn't look at myself in the mirror anymore.

**Here is the worst part. Bridget texted my 'before/after' pic 3 days later, & I felt I should discuss the issues with her first. She said she'd get back to me in the next 1-2 days. 3 days later, nothing, so I called the salon. I was told the owner would call me later that week. Never got a phone call. I even sent an email with pics of my hair to show them what I was talking about. By friday at 4:30pm. still nothing, so I called again, was put on hold, then told the owner was 'busy helping clients', (Am I not also a client?) but basically was told they under-quoted me during my consultation, so I paid less than I should have...so if I wanted to get my hair fixed, I could, but they would charge me. Umm...WHAT?! Then it became 'well, your consultation form says it could take 1-2 sessions to get to your goal color, so you probably need to come in 1 more time.' I explained that I did not expect to get my 'hair goals' in 1 session, but I DID expect to get a quality haircut & what we discussed in our consultation.

I sent another email trying to explain that all I wanted was my haircut fixed, and the two tones evened out (which probably would just require a toner), &I didn't think that was unreasonable. No response. A few days later, I even went to the salon. I was told the owner wasn't there. I knew there were 2 owners though, one of whom WAS there, & asked if I could speak with him. I sat and waited about 15 mins, then was told he didnt have time to talk to me. Meanwhile, I'm watching him walk around the salon greeting guests, chit-chatting... I seriously do not understand!! This is such a simple fix, but for whatever reason, they don't care about retaining me as a client, and continue to ignore me. I've already told many people about my negative experience...unhappy clients tell way more people about their experience than happy clients. Last week in a work class, we had to tell a story of bad customer service, so I told this story...to a group of about 30 people, who were all appalled. Many women came up to me after to look at my hair, & all said 'that is so wrong! They should've definitely fixed all that, its very obvious.'

This has been a terrible experience, & my hair still isn't fixed. I guess I should assume that after 2.5 weeks, they're not going to call me to make this right. I'm still holding out some hope that they do, and if they do I will update this...but I just don't think they care about retaining...

My experience was anything but Euphoric. I have long, wavy hair. I normally air dry, place a few curls in, and I'm done. Now, it takes over an hour to hide the heavy, uneven layers.

I absolutely adore my technician on a personal level and know she didn't intend to give me a cut that doesn't work for my hair. The technique she used is something she does with her own hair. I can't tell you the name of it, but I can tell you how my hair looks... ridiculous. My hair is mid back length, but she cut the weight of the layers at shoulder length. They're uneven side to side and aren't tied together front to back, leaving huge gaps in the area framing my face. This technique should be used sparingly to add depth after a well structured cut has been put in place. Because it was used everywhere, I ended up with an uneven haircut that looks heavy in some places and stringy in others.

I went back hoping for a resolution. My stylist felt badly that I was unhappy, but she spent the scheduled time defending her technique and showing me the safety perimeter rather than attempting to blend it or help me figure out a new plan for my hair. After 45 minutes, I ended up with a partial refund.

Every day I dread doing my hair, and it will take me years to grow the layers back out. I'm heartbroken. The refund doesn't even begin to make up for this.

A side note about my experience: The spa is beautiful and airy, convenient location and plenty of parking. Everyone seems fun and friendly, you get a great vibe going into the place. However, it's not a place I'd go for a spa experience. I was left alone while having my hair washed, head still in the sink, so the tech could check on another guest. She returned with another tech and her other guest who was placed at the sink right next to me. The co-workers joked amongst themselves the entire time I was having a conditioning treatment done. Even the other guest commented, "Isn't this supposed to be the relaxing part?" During my cut, the stylist again left to say goodbye to the other guest. Twice different techs came over to chat, one even complaining about her hair. I was terrified to ask who cut it as a scissors was being taken to my hair. When I used the restroom, I was walked in on because the door didn't latch properly. A technician acknowledged it happens all the time.

If I had received an amazing haircut, I honestly wouldn't have cared about any of these additional items. However, I went there because I've been stressed and wanted to do something kind for myself, relax and feel beautiful. All of this just added to the misery of my entire experience.

Reply to the owner: It was never conveyed to me that I would be receiving a "non-traditional" cut. I came to your salon and scheduled my cut with your educator and 10 year veteran for a "professional" haircut. If I wanted someone to make an artistic attempt at layering my hair, I could've asked a friend or gone to Great Clips, rather than paying $63 plus non refundable tip for a "non traditional" hair cut. The fact this technique is used all the time at your salon speaks volumes. Your stylist, who knows I always air dry my wavy hair, actually dried my hair straight after the initial cut and then proceeded to cut more layers into it as it was draped out over the tent. I'm 47 and have had long layered hair my entire life, and this technique is the lazy way out for a stylist. It takes zero professionalism or skill to do what was done to my hair. Maybe you should consider renaming the "Talked Out" technique to the "Played Out" technique. I'd be happy to provide before and after pictures. However, I'm certain if you REALLY cared about my hair goals or my experience, you would've requested them rather than just providing a public response offering a more...

My rating is based upon how we were deceived and manipulated by pricing. I thought I found a salon that I could trust however, I won't be returning. I gave the salon three tries and bought my daughters packages as gifts and the same thing happened every time- we weren't given a clear price up front when asked, when a price for something was given at the start, it would always change midway through due to the stylist suddenly saying she needed to add products or services on due to running out half way through. I always ask at the beginning how much a hairstyle will cost and expect to be given an accurate price, but all three times, I wasn't. Even when I asked why the prices were so different from what is in their pamphlet and what is hanging on their wall- I was told oh, that doesn't apply.

I returned after the first and second time each hoping again to give the stylist the benefit of the doubt. As she got more comfortable knowing me, she kept up the practice of adding services without letting me know up front. By the third time I returned I insisted on knowing and then I felt like I was a bother for doing so.

The problem isn't the salon pricing and services. I understand and know that an establishment can charge whatever they want to. The problem is that they must be clear up front with what the cost will be in advance and not change mid-way through or even at the end without notice. That's just unfair and I felt deceived. I would think a stylist would know by feeling my hair and seeing its condition and length, how much product they will need and which type of other products may be needed. I don't expect it added on as she's going along as an afterthought when I'm the one paying for it.

In all fairness, the salon is clean, has a pleasant atmosphere and the stylist's work was good two out of the three times I went (the last time the cut was off and coloring was uneven).

This ploy to trick me by upcharging for unapproved services will not have me returning. I was looking for a salon with honest upfront prices and to let me be the judge of what I want to spend my money on before the work is done- not midway through when I don't have an opportunity to say no.

I realize that stylists work hard for their money and must be compensated accordingly, but I work hard for my money too and I want to be the one to decide what I want to pay for. I don't want to be told one price and then have it switched at the end when I go to pay. That's just not a fair...