I got my first Deva cut and...

sixelamy

I went to Posh Salon and Color Bar in Wheaton, IL and saw Annette. Before I get to the actual review, I'll say a quick piece about the recent history of my hair.

I've been searching for a decently priced Deva stylist, but I can't get to one unless I drive into north Chicago, which would take about 2 hours to get there. I don't have time for that, and I was in a panic, so I opted for the more expensive salon closer to me. There are a group of Deva stylists about the same distance in this area, and they are all priced the same - $150 for the first visit, and $85 for visits thereafter. To avoid this huge cost initially, I decided to try out a stylist that my friend recommended who works from home. She ended up totally butchering my curls with thinning shears. She didn't tell me she was going to use them, and I told her to only touch the front part of my hair. She didn't listen to anything I said, and I felt like she lied to me previous to my appointment just to get me in her chair. She claimed to know about curly hair, but does not have the slightest clue what to do with it!

So I was scared to death going into Posh Salon after having been butchered just days before. I had emailed the salon previous to my appointment to ask questions and set it up. I am gluten free and can't use the majority of Deva products due to the wheat ingredients. Annette was willing to work with me and just do the cut minus the stlyling aspect of it. She charged me $85 instead of the regular $150 for the first visit.

Now onto the actual cut -
We discussed my hair... she asked how I got to the point I am at now with my hair, what I don't like about it, and what my ultimate hair goal is. She said I came in with quite a challenge, which is why I alerted her beforehand and asked what to do - is it fixable now, or do I have to wait for some hair to grow back in? She wanted me to come in for a consult to see it in person. I was unaware if she was actually going to cut it or not. At first she didn't think she would be able to cut it, but she could do a bit with the back, and some spots here and there to make me feel at least a little bit better walking out of the salon. I agreed, and she ended up cutting more than I thought she would (but I hoped she would). There was the same amount of hair on the floor that I would have if I got a regular trim at a regular salon. Yes, it's a fast cut, but it's a very functional one. She snipped here and snipped there, and I was in awe of the whole process, it was very interesting to see my hair cut the way I imagined having it cut. It was so gentle and there were no combs! No hair roughhousing. After she was done she was amazed at how much of a difference it made. She really didn't think that a small cut like that, with my hair as thin on the ends as it was, was going to do a whole lot for me. She prepared me beforehand and said I wouldn't walk out with a great cut, but it would be better. I personally think I walked out with a great cut!

Annette as a stylist -
I walked in very nervous, and left like I have known her for a while. I literally wanted to hug her after my cut was over. She was AMAZING! I could tell right off the bat that she really knew and understood curly hair, and I trusted her pretty much right away after she started talking. She's so personable and very honest, and has a real passion for people with curly hair. She cares about her clients, and she takes pride in her curly girls walking out of the salon feeling a whole lot better about themselves, after having cried over an awful haircut - like I did. She made up a plan for me to get to my goal. Currently I'm on the 3 month plan while I transition, then will go to 6 months. She wasn't pushy about this at all, it was her recommendation, which I completely agree with. She said if I like my hair in 3 months, keep growing it and cancel the appointment. Knowing how fast my hair grows, I think I will need to keep it.

The moral of the story, and I can't stress this enough!! It's totally worth it to pay for an overpriced EXCELLENT cut, than pay to get butchered only having to pay extra to get it fixed after the fact.

I give 5 / 5 stars!!! Oh, and the salon is super cute and Wheaton has the most uppity cute downtown area ever.

Here are before and afters. They were both taken today, and I have not washed my hair yet. And yes, that's my cat in my face. lol

Curlini

So glad your ordeal has ended so happily!
After all of this don't be surprised if you have some post traumatic hair issues - so try not to get anxious if you don't get your styling technique down right away with your new cut. I know my hair sometimes takes a few days to settle down after I get it cut.
Your new cut looks terrific! :sunny:

sixelamy

Thanks!! I am prepared that I might have to make some changes to my styling. My hair always has an adjustment period for about a week or two. I'm curious to see how it will react after my first wash.

ETA: No styling changes necessary!! It is reacting SO well, I am super happy!!

rbb

the cut looks great! glad she was willing to fix what she could even if she could not do an entire cut at this point. and i love her advice about the nexgt appt -- if you are happy with your hair, cancel the appt and go for longer. in my opinion, it's worth the money. look how much it costs to have to have a cut fixed, if it can be done. and, i always figure out hair costs on an annual basis, never per cut. i come out way ahead.

sixelamy

Yes, I definitely will cancel and reschedule if I feel I need to go longer. I can definitely see how this cut will last a longer time than a regular cut. My hair gets so thick, but the way she cut it, it just has a really good shape and don't foresee the thickness I usually get. But as soon as I can get the thin ends completely out of my hair, I am going to.

Here is a better picture, more from the side. I was so ecstatic when I left, I haven't smiled since I had my good hair, so it was very refreshing!

curry curls

Hey, that's really cute! So glad you were able to find someone.

Firefox7275

I'm glad you got a great cut in the end, sometimes I guess we all have to make a mistake for things to work out well. It's great you feel more comfortable with the cost and see how it can be more economical than it first appears.

sixelamy

Yes, absolutely. I did the math a couple days ago and was surprised to see that if I go 6 months between cuts, it would be almost $30 more expensive to get a regular (good) cut. I definitely learned a lot, and I'm glad in a way to have forced myself to do it.

[email protected]

sixelamy wrote: »

Yes, I definitely will cancel and reschedule if I feel I need to go longer. I can definitely see how this cut will last a longer time than a regular cut. My hair gets so thick, but the way she cut it, it just has a really good shape and don't foresee the thickness I usually get. But as soon as I can get the thin ends completely out of my hair, I am going to.

Here is a better picture, more from the side. I was so ecstatic when I left, I haven't smiled since I had my good hair, so it was very refreshing!

It looks great! I'm happy you had a good experience(:

natstar

ITA it looks great. I live in Forest Park IL and I went up north for my deva cut but I wasn't super impressed :-/ I will have to check out your stylist. She did a great job

sixelamy

natstar wrote: »

ITA it looks great. I live in Forest Park IL and I went up north for my deva cut but I wasn't super impressed :-/ I will have to check out your stylist. She did a great job

Thanks! Where did you go? I was thinking of trying a salon up north, but it's too far away. I wondered if it was the same one. I highly recommend this salon!

natstar

I went to Callys and got a cut by Laneeta. The cut wasn't horrible but I felt like my old stylist did better in terms of listening to me more. My old stylist also took off a lot less. The only reason I left Hamony Hair(Westmont) is because my stylist left without notice.

I want to give Cally's one more chance but I will def. keep your place in mind. I say if you like what she did (and she did a good job) stick with your stylist u have. IMO

curlicious13

Sixelama your hair looks amazing. I can't wait to get mine. I hate the process you had to go threw to get a good cut.

sixelamy

natstar wrote: »

I went to Callys and got a cut by Laneeta. The cut wasn't horrible but I felt like my old stylist did better in terms of listening to me more. My old stylist also took off a lot less. The only reason I left Hamony Hair(Westmont) is because my stylist left without notice.

I want to give Cally's one more chance but I will def. keep your place in mind. I say if you like what she did (and she did a good job) stick with your stylist u have. IMO

Yep, I was gonna go to Curls and Company, same place, and looking online I would have gone to Laneeta. Glad I picked the place that I did then!:). Thanks for the feedback. Always good to know people in the area and exchange experiences. I am definitely sticking with my girl Annette!

sixelamy

curlicious13 wrote: »

Sixelama your hair looks amazing. I can't wait to get mine. I hate the process you had to go threw to get a good cut.

Thanks! I hope we get to see yours when you get it!! Bad cuts happen.. we're all bound to go through them trying to find the "right" stylist for our hair.

LeanneM

Just wanted to say that your new cut looks great -- and how fantastic that she was able to fix it like that! I've had so many bad haircuts in my life, and know what a relief it is to find a good stylist who can work wonders. The length and shape of your new cut are so flattering on you, too!:sunny:

sixelamy

LeanneM wrote: »

Just wanted to say that your new cut looks great -- and how fantastic that she was able to fix it like that! I've had so many bad haircuts in my life, and know what a relief it is to find a good stylist who can work wonders. The length and shape of your new cut are so flattering on you, too!:sunny:

Yes, big relief! Thank you, I appreciate it

WavyMaur

Love, love, love your new hair cut! It's just so cute, So glad you were able to find someone you like and TRUST. I'm going for my first Deva cut today, so excited, certainly hope I have the same results you do.

sixelamy

WavyMaur wrote: »

Love, love, love your new hair cut! It's just so cute, So glad you were able to find someone you like and TRUST. I'm going for my first Deva cut today, so excited, certainly hope I have the same results you do.

Thank you!! I had a very great experience, and I really hope that yours is the same! It really depends on a good stylist. I hope you'll post a picture of your hair after the cut

WavyMaur

Not good with pictures, but what a great experience, went to Curls Rock and Katrina was the best. Not a lot of cutting, more education and technique and product.. Now to be able to duplicate this myself, ha
She said my hair is really dry and it might take up to 6 months to hydrate, but oh my, the curls and waves she was able to get out of my hair:icon_smile:

sixelamy

Great!!! So happy it was a good experience! If you go back, they won't focus on the products so much and give you a cut. I skipped the product intro, because of my avoidance to the wheat ingredients in their products. It may take a while to hydrate, just be careful of Deva product buildup. I started out with their products but ended up disliking them in the end for buildup reasons.