Salon Refine — Local services in Seattle

Emily Ladiges license expired as of 2017/12/30 (see screenshot)

Salon Refine and Emily are both in violation by conducting unlicensed practice. The complaint is still under investigation, but hope it helps prevent more people from the same suffering I went though.

Unfortunately had a horrifying experience last week with Emily and had to go on a business trip and vacation with my embarrassing haircut. The was the worst $80 I have ever spent and Emily blamed everything on the fact I CROSSED MY LEGS a couple of time during the appointment!! Below is the whole story.

It was my third time visiting the hair salon and the previous two times (Lexi and Mellisa) were honestly satisfying. Both stylists who cut my hair before didn’t have any availability so they matched me with Emily.

I went after work as usual and had a good time chatting with Emily, during my appointment. I told her all my requirements: volume and lots of layers for my long straight hair. She curled my hair into big soft waves after the haircut which looked okay at that time. It was the curling that covered the fact that my layers are extremely steep, uneven and unnatural. I should have checked more carefully but I thought the haircut should be similar to the previous two so I didn’t. I didn’t realize that until I got home and pulled my hair into a pony tail. The problem became more obvious after I washed my hair and straightened it. The layer was very steep at the top, discontinued in the middle, with the bottom part awkwardly long. There are a few long strands sticking out throughout as well. Usually after a haircut, my pony tail should look like a smooth water drop. This time, it looked like a 5-year-old directly cut my pony tail with a pair of scissors. It looked absolutely ridiculous. I chose to get a haircut before my business trip so that I could look more refined but it did the opposite. Even my male coworker asked me about it.

Now is the fun part. I asked them if I could have a short makeup appointment with someone else and they refused. They still wanted me to pay $20 for a trim session or full price for another full appointment, even after seeing the pictures of my hair. Emily didn’t apologize, instead, she blamed me for crossing my legs and checking my phone during the appointment. She still claimed she is “one of the best stylists for all types of hair.” I admire her confidence, but with this service and attitude, really???

I don’t lack the $20 they asked for but I would rather pay another salon the full price to stay away from the...

I went in for a cut and color and walked out $300 dollars later with my forehead stained with hair dye. Yes, you read that right.

Hair Coloring Service: I have south Asian hair and am very aware that my hair when bleached can be 'brassy' or have 'orange red' undertones. I wanted to very simply tone or deposit a plum/mauve or chestnut color onto my hair. The hairstylist decided to use someone else's color line (I had no specific preference) and later told me that it might fade into what I was looking for. She also specifically said "Sweetie, next time we stick to my color line". I'll admit that left me confused, because I didn't suggest or insist on using someone else's color line. It's unfair to defer blame like that when you can offer to fix it. I didn't mind the dark color too much since my primary goal was getting rid of the red my hair had faded into.

Here's the part I'm pretty upset about. My forehead is stained with dark dye!!! No vaseline or protectant was applied to it before applying the hair dye! BASIC!!!! I was later told, "These dark shades always tend to do this". You can do 1 of 2 things. Feign ignorance or sound knowledgeable. You can't do both at the same time. If you knew they stain, you also knew the preventative actions to take. If you are unaware of what a dark dye can do, you could simply state that you are more comfortable working with lighter hair tones and I would have found a stylist who had more experience with dark hair.

Hair Cut: I loved my haircut and have no complaints about this. My scalp did hurt a bit with the brushing, but I should have mentioned that I had a sensitive scalp.

Note: I didn't mention these things after my service to my stylist yesterday, because I struggle with close contact and am awkward with social interactions. I avoid going to the salon unless I absolutely need to, and don't mind paying $$$ for a...

Do yourself a favor and don’t go there. Worse service ever!!! Went twice first time stylist was running a half hour behind and wanted us (partner and I) to pay cash so she doesn’t have to report her income. Second time I asked for a specific service and she said she didn’t have time and service was cut short. Made a third appointment which was cancelled twice asked to reschedule and was told Emily was having personal issues and was unavailable and there was no one else available now I know something is definitely not being explained to me. Had a friend call afterwards and receptionist informed her they had plenty of openings!! lied to me!! Completely unprofessional. My partner then informs me after I told him was what happening and he informed me that Emily stated I was intoxicated which was shocking hence I had just farmed for five hours of volunteer work and was exhausted due to a new blood thinner medication and farming!! I am so disappointed they lied -did not have the courage to discuss this plus over charged me!! I would give them a negative ten stars if I could!! Do yourself a favor and book and a professional salon that doesn’t pressure you to pay cash - lie about your mental well being and throws you under the bus!! Awful service/rude owner and over priced!!!

Owner rude and stylist Emily wants you to pay cash so she doesn’t have...