ANOTHER bad Devachan cut!!

Charlotte33

My first mistake: I signed up to be a hair model for a three year Devachan apprentice. I've been a model before for Ouidad and Ted Gibson and it is a very communicative and positive experience overall. I honestly didn't think this would be different and was looking forward to getting a Deva cut. Especially since I'm broke student who can't afford $100 for a haircut and had major split ends.

This three- year apprentice for the NYC location posted online seeking models with long curly hair. I had shoulder=length curly/chest-length straight hair. Before the cut, she took pictures and videotaped what I wanted for my cut which was short round trim cut all around to keep my hair length. The stylist didn't say or comment on what I wanted. 90% of the appointment was spent shilling the Devachan product line and their method of drying/setting curls. Halfway through the cut, I realize I am getting a SoulGlo - lion mane haircut. 14 inches was cut from the top of my head and my original hair length was kept at the nape of my neck. It's not just a different cut than what I expected, it's a cut that was never mentioned to me during the videotaped response. The stylist was overjoyed that she got the cut she wanted and took after photos - "such a dramatic change!" I could barely talk, let alone hold back the tears. Noticing I was upset, she grabbed my coat from the closet and quickly said goodbye.

Overall, the Devachan experience felt very deceptive. As a hair model, I am exempt from formally complaining about my cut. As the stylist, she had a specific cut in mind and never informed me. On that same note, I'm not sure why she videotaped my hair request (liability, maybe?). As a potential client, I am really turned off and pissed about the experience. My stylist did not communicate with me on the cut after she heard what I wanted. Even if she didn't cut 14 inches of my hair, the whole experience felt like I was trapped in an infomercial for their product line and methods. It was very awkward and for paying clients, no one wants to feel like their getting shaken down for more money.

If anyone is seriously interested in getting a cut at Devachan, please speak up at every step in the process. These stylists are trained to believe the Devachan method is THE ONLY way to cut and treat curly hair. All the Yelp reviews and forums complaints have the same thread - the stylists are supremely confident and always refute a client's dissatisfaction.

Lesson learned. The money I should have spent on a real hair cut will now be spent buying Hair Growth products. Here's hoping the Monistat approach works (crossing fingers).

sixelamy

I hate to say it, but when you sign up to be a hair model, they always have some specific thing in mind to do with your hair and you pretty much have no say. She did keep your hair length, which is what you asked for. Yes, she probably should have told you the process beforehand and what she had in mind - that doesn't make her a great stylist as an individual. I was a hair model once and what they did to my hair followed what the instructor was "teaching" that day. I'm not sure what exactly you modeled for, but that's usually how it goes. At least now you know what to expect from these types of situations. I really wouldn't form an opinion about the salon or the type of cut based on this experience.

Charlotte33

Most often, stylists will advertise what kind of cut they hope to get from models (see salonapprentice.com).

I've actually been a hair model before at two other curly hair salons in the city (Ouidad and Ted Gibson). They advertised for curly hair and worked with what I wanted to get a certain cut. The stylist for Devachan 1) advertised simply for long curly hair (not a specific cut) 2) asked me what I wanted and videotaped it. 3)The cut was not in a class setting and there was no teacher. That led me to believe that the cut would be like with all my other curly hair model experiences - communication would be open throughout the cut.

I understand the "you get what you pay for" mentality. My experience however is not unique. It's apparent to me that the salon is overly confident on how to cut and style curly hair. Many online complaints show that clients requests have been shut down by their stylists. That mentality trickles down and it's reflected in how my stylist apprentice behaved.

multicultcurly

I have never been a hair model, but I have never had a pleasant Devachan trained stylist experience. More so than the cut, the approach to haircare and individual haircare seems to be lacking. I explained to one stylist that my hair doesn't like a lot of styling products. She put so much product in my hair that it took me two weeks to get it all out. I went in with 3b/c curls that hung down with some frizzy/kinky areas that lacked definition. I left with Sideshow Bob hair. I never went back. The stylist followed a routine for fine 4a curls. My hair is coarse, low porosity and needs a lot of moisture. She never listened me. I have gotten much better results from Ouidad. The stylist was better, but he also listened to me. I also think with my thick, coarse hair, the Ouidad method is better suited to me, while Devachan is better suited for fine to medium hair of any curl pattern.

It seems that many Devs trained stylists learn the method but not how to apply it to different types of hair.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using CurlTalk App

rbb

Charlotte33 wrote: »

Most often, stylists will advertise what kind of cut they hope to get from models (see salonapprentice.com).

I've actually been a hair model before at two other curly hair salons in the city (Ouidad and Ted Gibson). They advertised for curly hair and worked with what I wanted to get a certain cut. The stylist for Devachan 1) advertised simply for long curly hair (not a specific cut) 2) asked me what I wanted and videotaped it. 3)The cut was not in a class setting and there was no teacher. That led me to believe that the cut would be like with all my other curly hair model experiences - communication would be open throughout the cut.

I understand the "you get what you pay for" mentality. My experience however is not unique. It's apparent to me that the salon is overly confident on how to cut and style curly hair. Many online complaints show that clients requests have been shut down by their stylists. That mentality trickles down and it's reflected in how my stylist apprentice behaved.

did this cut take place at a devachan salon? it almost sounds like she just advertised for a 'model' to practice on, her own decision, not part of the training????? do you think that is possible?
and i agree that if she is going to cut sooo much length off any area (and 14 inches is a lot!) it would be a good idea for her to say that! i personally think they should always say this is what i am going to do, this is how it will look.

Corrina777

This doesn't sound anything like my experience as a hair model for the Deva Academy, which was fantastic. This sounds like an independent stylist.

sixelamy

It might have been for her own practice, or maybe it's one of those things that they have to do to keep up with their license or certification. Did you give her any feedback at all?? You said you just walked out. If you don't give proper feedback, she will keep doing this. Usually if someone is requesting a model, if it's not part of anything else, they are in it to learn. Doesn't sound like she learned anything, other than a client who wanted a free haircut and couldn't wait to leave once it was done and didn't get what she wanted. I'm not trying to sound harsh, but it doesn't sound like it was a good experience for the stylist either after she knew you hated it.

Charlotte33

It actually took place at the NYC Devachan salon on Broome Street - their flagship store. The stylist advertised on salonapprentice.com for a hair model. So, the experience of the haircut was bad but the everything else was legitimate.

Quite a few salons in NYC seek curly hair models for cuts and blow drys - Ouidad, Ted Gibson, Rare Salon and a few others. Sometimes Sally Hershberger. It's not a terrible thing to do if you're looking to try a high-end salon to find a go-to stylist.

Sixelamy - you're absolutely right. Once she saw I was not a happy camper for the After photos, she couldn't get me out of there soon enough. I did speak a salon rep this morning and suggested that apprentices seek more input from their clients. The rep said "thanks, I'll let the floor manager know." So, at least feedback was relayed.

Korkscrew

I'm truly sorry about what happened. What I'll say next is in no way meant to make you feel bad. It's a basic observation that might help you not find yourself in a similar situation again IMO:

We train people how to treat us. Reading your post, there were several times when you could have spoken up for yourself and told the stylist what you were and weren't ready to tolerate, rather than waiting for her to ask you what you wanted. In fact, from the start you'd have done well to set your ground rules for what was alright or not, and then reminded her of those rules if she began to spin off in some other direction.

I don't care if it's a top salon stylist or a newbie cutting hair out of a tin shack in the public square: The word "no" is a wonderful, protective tool. The moment something doesn't feel right, the moment you notice someone isn't asking you what YOU want (whether you're an unpaid model or a paying customer), the moment it seems someone isn't listening to something you want or don't want, the moment you just don't feel comfortable for whatever reason, you have the right to get out of the chair and spare your hair.

As for Deva cuts in general, you're going to find people at this site that agree w/your impression of all Deva stylists, and some who don't. Whatever the approach to a curly cut, I've found a huge part of the equation is how skilled, observant, thoughtful and flexible a particular stylist is. One thing I would warn against, is making a decision that all Deva (or Ouidad etc.) stylists suck for everyone, based on one personal experience.

Charlotte33

Definitely going to speak up more next time I'm in a salon. After so many years of great salon experiences, it's easy to take for granted the times you don't interject during a haircut to correct the stylist.

Deva is certainly a hate or love brand, understandably. However, I think the mentality at that particular Deva location is overly confident and allows these kinds of mistakes to persist since they're the "experts".

I'm not denouncing all Deva stylists, though. Everyone is different and their method makes many curly women happy. The "expert" thinking at their salons, however, is a pervasive problem.

sixelamy

Charlotte33 wrote: »

It actually took place at the NYC Devachan salon on Broome Street - their flagship store. The stylist advertised on salonapprentice.com for a hair model. So, the experience of the haircut was bad but the everything else was legitimate.

Quite a few salons in NYC seek curly hair models for cuts and blow drys - Ouidad, Ted Gibson, Rare Salon and a few others. Sometimes Sally Hershberger. It's not a terrible thing to do if you're looking to try a high-end salon to find a go-to stylist.

Sixelamy - you're absolutely right. Once she saw I was not a happy camper for the After photos, she couldn't get me out of there soon enough. I did speak a salon rep this morning and suggested that apprentices seek more input from their clients. The rep said "thanks, I'll let the floor manager know." So, at least feedback was relayed.

Good! I'm glad you said something later on. I really hope it gets relayed. It's really hard to sit there and get a bad cut. And it's really hard for a stylist to know she gave a bad cut. That was totally wrong of her to get you out of there quick. I guess there's obvious reasons that she is doing this lol

rbb

i might even go further (who knows if it was reported to higher ups at devachan or not, or their reaction. altho i am sure they do not want bad reviews.) i'd definitely do a review on that particular stylist on the salon review section here. it's not really devachan, it's a particular stylist. and, of course, if she's still in training after 3 yrs???? what's that about? it is their responsibility to make sure anyone cutting hair knows what they are doing.

you know, she was waaaayy off cutting off 14 inches without mentioning how/what she was going to do. sometimes we aren't pleased with their vision for us, but it's really about how they listen to us and inform us BEFORE they pick up the scissors!! the fact that she rushed you out of there says volumes! i've been going to my stylist (who, btw, used to work at devachan and train stylists for devachan and left so i followed him) for over 8 yrs, and still, each and every time we discuss what i want and what he will do.

Charlotte33

Wow, I may have to write a bad review for poor taste/behavior with this stylist.


The message I left for the floor manager at Devachan was not returned but it seems they spoke with the stylist. She texted me to ask if I needed any adjustments, which I declined because my hair is too short for more cutting. She doesn't respond but she does post my before and after picture on her personal twitter account to show the great dramatic change in her cuts. I politely asked her to take the post down.

Korkscrew

A review is a great, powerful idea. You can mention the stylist by name too. Yelp is one place I leave reviews and this site is another. It's a nice way to blow off steam and sound the alarm for other curly heads too IMO.

Cris.G

I am a 35 year old with 3c hair. I've been natural for 20 years. I cut my dreadlocks 7 years ago and grew my hair out from scratch. My family's mostly curlies as well.  I want to share that I LOST 3-4 YEARS OF LENGTH TO A DEVA CUT.

While the Deva Cut is widely popular, it misses a few very important points everyone needs to consider.

1)      Every time we wash our hair it "clumps" (forms curls) differently. We don't get the same strands of hair forming the same exact curl day after day. The individual strands of hairs that clump together to form a curl change every time we wash and style our hair.

The Deva Cut cuts curl by curl but those strands of hairs that are getting cut together today will NOT be the same strands of hair that form that same exact curl tomorrow. So, what happens is that next time you style it (i.e. braid it or blow dry it for a special occasion) you will notice that your hair is EXTREMELY uneven in length and asymmetrical in shape (to the point of chaos). Certain parts will be longer than others by a significant amount and it the ends will appear “stringy”.

2)      Also, the Deva Cut does not get to cutting off all of the damaged ends because by cutting curl by curl at a somewhat superficial level (for shape) the stylist doesn’t clearly see the split or damaged ends as clearly. A lot of damaged ends will be overlooked.  

I had to get a second haircut to make my hair somewhat symmetrical to the point of not being obvious and also to address all the split ends. In the end I lost about 7 inches of 3c curls. People, that’s at least 3-4 years of growth. EASY.

For me, the problem wasn’t the stylist, it was the Deva Cut technique.

Curly92

Today I got my first Deva cut, I've been growing my hair out for a couple of years and take good care of it (no heat, gentle products, deep condition once a week) The first thing I told her when I sat down was that I loved the length and wanted to keep it as long as possible. She assessed my hair and we agreed on cutting about an inch since I hadn't had a trim since the very beginning of the year. She cut over 6 inches of curled length (Not sure how much it was stretched out) off my hair. At one point she said she wanted to go a little shorter really emphasizing the word "little" but otherwise didn't ask me. When it came to styling, after rinsing it she squeezed most of the water out with a towel before adding products and then proceeded to finger comb it for 15 minutes. Maybe that could work on a tighter curl pattern or more textured hair, but on my fine 3A hair, if you sit and stretch it out by combing it until it's over 50% dry it's just going to be limp, stringy waves. It was bizarre, I've never seen anyone comb that dry of curly hair and expect good curls, but I also have never had any kind of curly cut or styling so I thought maybe she knew something I didn't. She left me under a dryer for twenty minutes while she started someone else's hair and then came back and started to diffuse it but it was already so dried and frizzy that she stopped after about 30 seconds sayin that it was just making it frizzy. She squirted water on the section she had started to dry and then sat there mumbling about what to do with it. At which point I just volunteered to let it air dry and got out of there as quickly as I could. It was the very worst salon experience I've ever had. I was really excited to finally be getting a curl cut and had seen all the before and after pictures online of hydrated, frizz free, defined curls, and I walked out with years of growth hacked off and the worst curls I have had in years. I'm never getting a deva cut again.