Alchemy: a hair salon

Lexi Popa _{on Google}

Mar 15th, 2023

Ok Ive never been one to leave a bad review, even when Ive been disappointed in a service cause youre not going to be satisfied 100% of the time. BUT, my experience at this salon was so terrible I just needed to share it for the sake of warning future clients. Rachel was pretty cold right off the bat, I sat down and she immediately took out her phone and began taking before pics of my hair without asking for permission. Thats fine, I wasnt really bothered by that initially cause I wouldve consented if shed asked. The salon itself was really dirty, covered in clients hair and clumps of dried bleach, even on the chairs. Once she started actually brushing and prepping my hair for the bleach, I started to get a little irritated because I have never had someone handle my hair and my scalp so aggressively. I have a hard scalp and have never had this issue before, but I was literally on the verge of tears for the full hour it took her to prep my hair even though I asked her multiple times if she could be more gentle (she didnt). But the untangling process?? Insane. She literally ripped hair from my scalp and broke so many strands in half. Ive had my hair bleached before, and NEVER has it been so damaged and broken, which I mainly contribute to how she actually handled my hair and had no regard for my hair health (which Ive worked really hard to maintain and I KNOW that I did not have this much breakage before our session). My scalp was literally sore for days. After all of this, the final color was pretty but definitely not what I had asked for, and when I tried to voice this to her, she basically told me that she thought it looked pretty and we can fix it next time. Like what? Id like to have the results that I payed $400 for.
I left pretty frustrated, but wanted to give myself some time to cool off and get used to my new hair. After a week, I finally reached out to her to voice my frustrations and she left me on read. Never responded to me or acknowledged what I had to say. So unprofessional all around.
A few other details to add:
- she got toner all down the back of my new sweater
- all of her supplies were SO dirty and unhygienic, she literally took a towel to wipe bleach from the floor, and then used the same towel to wipe her bleach brush off in between applying the bleach to my hair Service: Hair coloring

Sophia Coyne-Kosnak _{on Google}

Apr 27th, 2021

I cannot recommend Alchemy highly enough! From the start of my consultation to the end of my session, Rachel's attention to detail and personal touch were amazing. She asked me helpful questions about my goals for my hair throughout the coloring process to make sure that my hair goals were achieved, and she explained each step. She also gives a fantastic scalp and neck massage! I'm feeling like a new woman after my session with Rachel - if you want to achieve your hair dreams and bop to fun music with a fun and extremely talented stylist, book with Rachel!

Brooke McAllister _{on Google}

Nov 28th, 2022

Rachel is simply the best. After moving across the country from Ohio 5 years ago and having terrible luck finding a new stylist who actually knew how to do blondes I FINALLY found Rachel at Alchemy and have been incredibly happy ever since. Not only is she personable and great to talk to/get along with, but she absolutely kills it every time she highlights, tones, cuts my hair or puts extensions in, making me feel beautiful.
She is also super sweet/kind with my 16 year old son who wanted highlights and was apprehensive about coming to a woman's salon. She made him feel super comfortable and was so welcoming she even brought him his favorite snacks one time We both love Rachel and highly recommend her to all our friends and family. Services: Hair straightening, Hair glazing, Bang trim, Haircut, Hairstyling, Blowdry, Curly hair, Gloss or Glaze, Hair extensions, Hair highlighting, Hair coloring, Ombre hair color, Hair hydration treatments, Balayage

Nina Schrank _{on Google}

Dec 11th, 2021

I saw Rachel for the first time to do a total transformation on my virgin brunette hair. I wanted to go fully blonde. She set the time commitment and pricing expectations well so I understood that the look I wanted would take 6+ hours. Though I was unhappy with the end result, I really appreciated her transparency with time/cost. We got about 90% through and were approaching hour 7 and thats where the three stars come in. She didnt blend my roots in with the rest of my hair so it looked like there was a straight line between the color and my natural hair. She had another appointment so I followed up after my appointment to see if I could come in to get it fixed and she gave me some dates and times that worked for her. I responded back with a time in the range she gave me and then I never heard from her so I texted two hours before my appointment and she told me that she couldnt make it. I was frustrated because I had to rearrange my entire work schedule to come out and its also a 30 min drive so her canceling last minute was a huge inconvenience. I understand that things come up but not even reaching out to me to tell me is unprofessional. I desperately needed to get my hair fixed for a work event so I had to find someone else that could get me in. I asked Rachel for a partial refund for this and she never responded to me.
I paid a lot of money (even tipped her!) for the look I wanted and then was completely ghosted. When customers are paying that type of money, they expect the service to be completed. Very disappointed in the customer service and the lack of professionalism. Services: Highlights, Hair coloring, Haircut, Hairstyling, Balayage

Monica Garcia _{on Google}

Nov 6th, 2021

I am writing this review after my unpleasant experience earlier this fall. Writing out the whole experience to help anyone make an informed decision.
Short version:
Unprofessional service, overpriced, sub-par products, the cut and style that makes you cry at home
Whole experience:
I was initially impressed by the multiple 5-star reviews on Google and even more so by the website which is well done and seemingly tells a great story. However, it was smoke in mirrors for me. There were honestly a few flags prior to even getting my haircut that I should have taken at face value and walked out. I didnt.
To begin, I scheduled an appointment a couple of days before the actual haircut. There is an awesome survey that you fill out RE:your hair goals which I thought was a great way to get information about clients. As a data analyst, I was excited and impressed that someone would take the time to create a tool to get to know their clients needs in this way. This was one of the only positive things/tools I encountered.
When you request an appointment you are required to put a card down for reservation and it states that no-shows or cancellations will be charged. It also states that you have to wait for the stylist to confirm your appointment. Up until the day of the appointment, I hadnt received any confirmation or communication. I called the number listed and left several voice messages to find out if I had an appointment or not. I was never called back. Then about 30 minutes before my actual appointment I received confirmation via text message that my appointment was accepted. I was annoyed at the logistics, but was excited to get my haircut by Rachel as there was nothing but glowing reviews and great styles pictured. Plus, I lived 10 minutes away and had taken the day off.
When I arrived, (remember as a FIRST TIME customer) I was told by the other stylist that works there that Rachel was taking pictures of a clients hair. I sit in the hallway and I wait. And wait. And wait. 25 minutes after our scheduled appointment they come back from taking pictures and she begins to tidy up the space without ever acknowledging that I was waiting. A quick, Ill be right with you, etc. Would have been fine. So I pop my head in and introduce myself and let her know (though she saw me) that I was there. I felt quickly dismissed as she stated she wasnt ready for me yet. She never apologized for the delay or acknowledged that she was the one running behind.
To be honest, the minute I sat in the chair she appeared annoyed. From the questions she was asking I realized she hadnt read a lick of what I had written in that survey days before. We agree on a style and she takes me to the sink to wash. At the time, my hair was long (almost to my waist) and its very thick and wavy.
I ask her a few questions about my hair and products and again just appears low energy or bothered. She asks how I typically style my hair and I tell her I leave it natural and show the side I part it on. As she is working on my hair (she had already cut some hair or I would have walked out at this exact point), she lets me know that she used the last of her product on the client before me and unfortunately couldnt blow out my hair as requested. like what!? 1) why would you ever say that 2) why did you accept my appointment if you didnt have the time, tools, or materials to provide the service advertised on the website?
Fast forward lots of other unpleast things. My hair looked like a puff ball with a few nice curls here and there. I had frizz all over. This was about $100! I walked out horrified and immediately put my hair in a ponytail. I kept it tied back for several weeks as I didnt have the budget for another expensive haircut to fix the mess in the same month. The haircut was just terrible and much more was cut off than we discussed. I was too mad to argue and decided to leave a review once my intense anger had subsided and I could leave a better, more thoughtful review in hopes that this may help someone. Service: Hairstyling