Deva cut - is this pretty standard?

sixelamy

There is only 1 salon within reasonable distance that offers the Deva experience, that I would consider going to. However, the whole thing costs $150, with $85 for subsequent visits. I asked if I could just get my hair cut dry and skip the whole Deva style thing, and they say no.

Is this something standard, or is this a salon taking advantage? I have pretty short hair, and I can't justify paying $150 for it. I need good shape, but I'm not sure it's worth that much money.

Korkscrew

OK, that's steep. I'll put it this way: I have a huge mane of very curly hair, not the normal amount, and whenever I've flown into San Francisco - one of the most expensive cities in the country with some of the best Deva stylists - the most I ever paid for a FANTASTIC deva cut, when my hair was waist length, was $120 plus tip.

If you asked them to cut your hair dry, they probably scoffed at you because the Deva cut is already a dry cut.

OK, they offered you $85 for subsequent cuts. Well that's all nice and good, but what if you aren't satisfied with your initial $150 cut? And for me that's a potential red flag: If they were confident they'd get repeat customers, they wouldn't be asking for you to empty out your wallet upon your first visit.

If I were you I'd call up the Devachan salon in New York and ask if they know of any qualified, esteemed stylists in your area. There's also a specialty curly salon in San Fran called "Medusalon" who might know about someone across the country in your area. Also, I will assume you checked this website, using the "Salon" feature at the top of the page. I will further assume you checked Yelp. Whoever you want to see, I'd make sure an online search ensures their reputation is good. I'd also set up a phone consult to make sure they can give you what you want.

sixelamy

The salon is located in an uppity suburb of Chicago. There's another lady who charges $60 in the same city, but I wasn't impressed by her work on her Facebook (her only business website). So I'm pretty iffy on that one.

I sent one of those "I will have to look elsewhere and this is why" emails to this salon. They emailed back and said they would do the dry cut only. I'm curious to know how much she's wanting to charge for that. I can only use a select few Deva products, due to wheat ingredients, so I guess the was the game changer for them. I thought $150 sounded awfully high. I got this salon off the Deva salon finder. I'm just outside of the suburbs in the middle of cornfields, so I have limited choices of salons without having to drive into the city.

Korkscrew

I would find out what (for them) is the difference between "just a dry cut" and their version of the "Deva cut" (which, as noted, is also a dry cut). And yeah, I'd get a quote for "just a dry cut". I'd want to know the name of the person who will be doing it, in case their online reviews can be located. They should have no problems answering your questions since they're willing to charge a lot for stuff.

The best thing you can do though, Sixelamy, is trust your instincts girl. If you don't get a good feeling about any salon or hair dresser, run don't walk IMO.

Another option to consider: You can also see if there's a Ouidad-certified salon in the city. If not then might try someone who has a good reputation for cutting hair in general and lots of experience, and then ask them if they'd be comfortable and willing to experiment with cutting your hair dry instead of wet. Often a great hair stylist is just a great hairstylist, whether Deva trained or not. You can even opt for a wet cut from that reputable stylist. I've had success with that. Either which way, I highly recommend you bring pics of the cut you're looking for, from several angles.

Firefox7275

They adjust the cut after styling so I guess you won't get that so higher risk of being dissatisfied. If the cut is done right it could last you six months which makes either a higher cost or travelling further to get a better price more realistic. Plenty do travel to their curly stylist: I have heard of US citizens making a day of it in a city. To the best of my knowledge we only have one Deva trained stylist in the whole of the UK!

Luuuuucy

The deva cut is more than a dry cut. They (should) spend a significant amount of time with you walking through the process of styling and caring for your hair. My initial cut took 2 1/2 hours. There are stylists who cut corners but the idea behind them should include styling help. That's what you're paying for.

That being said, $150 is a little steep. I paid about $100 for mine and $75 for later cuts.

sixelamy

Yeah, I've thought all of these things through, thank you for the responses! Ive decided to go with a stylist my friend recommended who sounds like she could be a good fit and understands what I want. I think I'll go get my "Deva Experience" when I have more hair in a couple of years. The salon I am looking at got great reviews, and their pictures of their work look outstanding. Just right now it's not worth it to me.

I also figure it's a good time to find a stylist while my hair is short, so if someone messes it up, I wouldn't have put all that time in to grow it out only to get it fixed and lose length. I have an appt on Tues, so here's hoping it goes well! I will have to find some pictures.

rbb

prices vary greatly across the us -- depending on where you live, of course. if your friend recommended someone and you like your friend's haircut, then i'd try it.

i travel into the city (ny) for my cuts. tried a local person, who was 'deva trained' once, never again. and she had recommendations on this site....
because his cuts are so good, i only need to go once every 4 months, can stretch it to 5. i make 9 a.m. appts on saturdays so travel into and out of the city is easier. i never go in during the week. sometimes a friend goes in with me and we may have brunch at a local place, walk around in the city a bit.

short hair can be tricky as you don't have too much to lose. make sure whoever cuts your hair cuts it dry as it looks similar to mine and i have many different curl patterns and have many times ended up with a mullet from a wet cut. the crown curls are tight, the back bottom is not. :-( make sure she understands shrinkage and differing curls on your head.

hope it turns out well!!!

Corrina777

rbb wrote: »

prices vary greatly across the us -- depending on where you live, of course. if your friend recommended someone and you like your friend's haircut, then i'd try it.

i travel into the city (ny) for my cuts. tried a local person, who was 'deva trained' once, never again. and she had recommendations on this site....
because his cuts are so good, i only need to go once every 4 months, can stretch it to 5. i make 9 a.m. appts on saturdays so travel into and out of the city is easier. i never go in during the week. sometimes a friend goes in with me and we may have brunch at a local place, walk around in the city a bit.

short hair can be tricky as you don't have too much to lose. make sure whoever cuts your hair cuts it dry as it looks similar to mine and i have many different curl patterns and have many times ended up with a mullet from a wet cut. the crown curls are tight, the back bottom is not. :-( make sure she understands shrinkage and differing curls on your head.

hope it turns out well!!!

I agree completely. My first Deva cut was at Devachan in White Plains, NY. I did see a senior stylist, which I know increased the price, but I did pay about $150 for my cut. More recently Deva trained stylists have been appearing in my area, so I was able to get a cut at a local salon back in April (I'm a commuter train ride away from NYC). That one was $70. Trying a different salon for my next cut- didn't ask about pricing yet, so I can't compare, but it was a stylist who came very highly recommended to me by another curly that I know.

curlicious13

$150 does seem a bit much. Where I plan to go, my cut will be $105.

curlicious13

Will a deva cut help with curl formation?

rbb

curlicious13 wrote: »

Will a deva cut help with curl formation?

absolutely! that is whole point of it. of course, i cannot vouch for individual stylists, deva trained or not. if they are good, you can see the curls pop out as they cut.

sixelamy

Well, I called another salon in the same town as the one I originally spoke to. They didn't have the option listed on their site like the other one did. They charge the same price, so I guess that's looking like the standard price in the area. The suburbs are super expensive, so I'm curious to see if it would be cheaper IN Chicago. I understand they need to get paid for their time, but geeezzz...
Subsequent cuts will be $85, so that's not sounding all that bad.

Makes me want to move..lol

sixelamy

Sure enough, I found a salon IN Chicago that actually every stylist is trained in Deva cuts is a LOT cheaper! The range is from $56-86. So much better than $150! Looks like they have some excellent reviews as well. It's quite the drive, but I'm sure it would be worth it.

[email protected]

sixelamy wrote: »

Sure enough, I found a salon IN Chicago that actually every stylist is trained in Deva cuts is a LOT cheaper! The range is from $56-86. So much better than $150! Looks like they have some excellent reviews as well. It's quite the drive, but I'm sure it would be worth it.

Do you mind sharing the name of the salon? I live in the CalumetCity South Suburbs of chicago?

sixelamy

Curls and Company. Have you heard of them? They're up by Evanston.

[email protected]

I have, although i've only heard good things from people who are not kinky curly. I'll check it out for myself though before I form an opinion lol.

Korkscrew

sixelamy wrote: »

Sure enough, I found a salon IN Chicago that actually every stylist is trained in Deva cuts is a LOT cheaper! The range is from $56-86. So much better than $150! Looks like they have some excellent reviews as well. It's quite the drive, but I'm sure it would be worth it.

Definitely sounds worth it. Hopefully as more people embrace their curls, more curl-centric salons and stylists will become available ... so that maybe a salon will eventually open up closer to you one day.

sixelamy

[email protected] wrote: »

I have, although i've only heard good things from people who are not kinky curly. I'll check it out for myself though before I form an opinion lol.

If you try them out, let me know how you like them!

I've wanted to be a hair stylist all my life, but I got a degree and went to massage school instead. Part of me wants to go to hair school still and specialize in curly hair. Sigh.... Dreams....

sdkitty

sounds like you're on the right track. I wouldn't pay $150 for a haircut either. One suggestion - if you don't mind an extra trip, I'd call and make an appointment for a consult. Most stylists will do this with no charge and you can get a feeling for what they would do, how knowledgeable they are, etc. Also enthusiasm. I like a hairstylist who really likes what they do and wants to do my hair.