dolce vita salon - winter park — Local services in Winter Park

This salon does not treat every customer with professionalism nor do they have any decency. Be warned if you do not fit the “type” you won’t be shown any respect. For all minorities beware of this place. The sad fact is they have minorities working for them that also discriminate; it’s a very sad reality. My mother and I both went into the salon for a styled haircut which we scheduled a month in advance with a Bumble and Bumble representative (this salon is a sponsor of Bumble and Bumble), it was a mutual favor- they get to practice on our hair and we in return get a free haircut. Well, we came extra early to check-in and a Caucasian woman (I believe she was the receptionist or who knows even a manager) attended to us and marked us down the list. She told us to come back in 30 minutes since we were too early. We walked around the block and finally came back on time. Other women started to arrive and check-in, others came in past the required time to check-in, but nonetheless she still accepted them to check-in. Then, this woman starts to inform everyone that they are overbooked and they will not be able to cut everyone’s hair (aka my mother and I), she even asks “who here would like to leave with just a hair sample because you figure this event is not for you?” She looks directly at my mother and I, that’s the moment I knew she was referring to us. Keep in mind we came all the way from the Lake Nona area (southeast Orlando) to Winter Park for this event. Also, in the email the requirements were for the “models” to have hair below the collarbone (about 4-5 inches) and clean, dry hair. The other ladies who walked in AFTER us had short hair above the shoulders, previously styled (meaning not clean) hair. Oh, and a big difference between us and them- they’re Caucasian as well. The stylist comes from the back and begins placing girls to the back to have a seat, everyone gets called but us and this girl who had short hair almost like a bob, it was understandable she wouldn’t have been picked. This was explained to the girl, too. The receptionist explained very politely to her why she wasn’t picked and the girl understood because she was given an explanation and she used reason to accept that she didn’t make the requirements. We on the other hand, were never told why we did not get picked, not once did she say why but instead said I will give you two samples (only me) from Bumble and Bumble and gave my mother only one (even though she waited the same time as me?). By the way, she announced earlier this is a first come first serve service, and my mother, very hurt at this time, asked her if it was a first come first serve event why weren’t we picked? Our hair wasn’t different from anyone else’s there, and she responded to say “you’re just not what we are looking for, this is not for you”, again very vague and no explanation (better stated a horrible response she gave us). Well, to say the least we were very upset and confused when we left (we did take the samples by the way since they came directly from the rep at Bumble and Bumble), but we couldn’t believe such a high-rated establishment would treat anyone like this even if it was a training/free event. Discrimination is very real in this salon, so please to all my Latinas and other minorities be cautious when coming here. Don’t be surprised when they stare at you up and down and pre-judge you with their prejudices. I hope they resolve this issue instead of replying with a snarky, belittling comment to invalidate our experience- PLEASE DO BETTER, HIRE BETTER PEOPLE!

To the Owner: I didn't assume anything, that is what happened. I see you changed your response from earlier to renting your salon out to now hosting the event? Anyways, the fact that it was held at YOUR establishment, and the woman I spoke to explained how she has future events taking place at YOUR establishment, I believe it's only right to let you become aware of what happened at YOUR salon. No thanks, I would not like to be in touch with anyone, only to be treated poorly once...

Tl;dr: Booked with Nataly for my first curly cut. I got an amazing cut and great advice for styling (I have thick and coarse curly hair). I enjoyed the salon and working with Nataly, and I will definitely return in a few months for a trim! Thanks Dolce Vita and Nataly for the cut and newfound confidence. 🫶🏽

I came in for my first “curly cut” after a friend recommended Nataly to me. I’d done my research about curly haircuts and was excited to have my first done. I checked out Nataly’s Instagram (NatalyNewLooks) and saw that she clearly had lots of experience cutting curly hair of different textures, lengths, and curl types, ranging from fine to coarse, thin to thick, and wavy to kinky.

So I booked my “first visit” appointment, which was 90 minutes (1.5 hours), including the consultation, cut, and styling. It cost me $125 for the appointment, which is more than I’m used to paying for my barber since I have shorter hair. But let me tell you that it was worth every single penny!

Nataly basically gave me a Masterclass on caring for my particular hair, which is thick, coarse, and curly. She helped me determine shape, styled my hair, and gave me recommendations for products and tips for styling at home. She even filled out a card with products and styling advice, which I found both helpful and cute. 🥰

Nataly was so friendly and kind and put me at ease (I’m a shy, introverted, anxious person by nature). She not only listened to my vague ramblings about what I wanted and made it happen, but she also gave me valuable haircare advice that is life-changing. Is that a little dramatic??? Maybe. 😂 But as I’ve been on my curly hair journey, I’ve tried so many products (and spent so much money on them) trying to figure out what works for me. I would’ve saved lots of money had I come to Dolce Vita to see Nataly earlier in my curly hair journey.

The salon is also gorgeous! And all the staff were super friendly. 😊 For anyone with curly hair, I cannot recommend Nataly highly enough. Since getting my haircut and learning about products and styling, I have not had a single bad hair day—legit not one. And for my curly heads out there, you know that everyday is a whole new adventure when morning comes. 😅

The products Nataly suggested were sold at the salon, but I didn’t feel pressured to buy them there. The products were also relatively inexpensive, which was a relief to find out. Dolce Vita price matches competitors, and I found the recommended products at Ulta for $2 less each, so the salon wasn’t charging a massive premium.

I will definitely be returning in 3 months for a trim. I’m the type of person that, once I find a stylist that is experienced and that I like, I’ll follow them to a different state for a haircut if necessary. 😌 Nataly is definitely my new go-to stylist. Thanks so much for the haircut and styling advice, and above all, for instilling within me greater confidence about caring for my...

I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!! Overpriced and bad experience!!!! I recently moved to Florida and looked for a new hair salon where there was a person who specialized in blonde hair which is a big requirement for me, I needed to touch up my hair color. I googled and I found this salon in Winter Park. I made the appointment for June 2, to make the appointment they asked me for a deposit of $93.75 the total value of the service was $350 for full aluminum, color and blower . I traveled 2 hours from Ocala, which is where I live, I chose the “stylist” Eric because on the website it appeared as “a specialist in blonde hair” and that is what I was looking for. I have dyed my hair blonde for several years with an incredible stylist but because I moved I had to find someone else. I explained to Eric what I wanted and showed him a photo of my hair with the color design my previous stylist had done. I did not like that repeatedly it seemed that the product he applied to me did not bleach my hair and he forced the blower over and over the aluminum.

I was suffering because I silently prayed that my hair not be mistreated. When my hair finally accepted the product, it continued with the color process and so on. He began to blow-dry my hair, while he was doing this his next client arrived. So he asked a girl to continue doing his work because he already had to attend to his client. The girl looks like she didn't know how to do this and was improvising. I didn't like that at all. When my hair was somewhat dry and the girl finished doing her impromptu work, I could see how damaged, burned, dry and split ends of my hair. He came back and saw my hair and began to cut the burned hair that was most visible, that is, the ones in front.

I didn't say anything regarding the other awkward situations because the hair color was fine. When I went to pay, they charged me a total of $460.20. It was the first time I had paid so much for my hair. I had to give a $70 tip because it was the only option left and I didn't have the option of not leaving a tip, otherwise I wouldn't have given nothing. I got out of there fast because I had to travel. Days later I checked my email and saw the invoice for this service and I realized that they had charged $85 for a haircut that I never asked for unless they considered the cut of the burnt ends that the same stylist caused with his work. My other fear was washing my hair because I don't know if it would change the color, so I waited 5 days to wash it. I washed it and my hair turned yellow, I have parts of my hair that are stained, I use professional hair care products ALWAYS! because it is super important to me. I never go back to Dolce Vita again....