1 /5 C M: I recently visited this ulta for a haircut, and while the customer service was amazing and I really connected with my stylist, my experience ultimately left me heartbroken. I showed my stylist inspiration pictures and clearly explained that I wanted lots of layers while maintaining as much length as possible. I understood I had some split ends that needed trimming, and he even showed me how much would be cut—I approved it.
Since I was the last client of the day and my toddler was waiting outside with a family member, I opted for a diffused finish instead of full styling to keep my visit short. However, the appointment never felt rushed on the stylist’s end. When my hair was done, it looked beautifully wavy, and in the moment, I didn’t inspect it too closely. That was my mistake.
Once I got home, I took a good look and was devastated. My hair was much shorter than what we had agreed upon, and it was extremely uneven. The layers were unblended, with the top sections looking heavy and choppy while the bottom looked thin and sparse. My heart sank. I had spent the last four years growing out my hair—it was only a few inches from my waist, thick, full, and perfect for the cut I had originally asked for. Instead, my hair was ruined.
What hurt the most was that my stylist immediately blamed “shrinkage,” but my hair has waves, not curls—it doesn’t shrink like that. I wish I had been told upfront if my desired cut was not achievable or beyond their skill level. Instead, I trusted someone who assured me they could do it. I even opened up about past traumatic experiences with stylists ruining my hair, only to have it happen again.
This experience was incredibly disappointing, and I hope it serves as a cautionary tale for others. If you’re trusting a stylist with something as important as your hair, make sure they truly understand your vision—and always double-check before leaving the chair.
I know that to many, hair is just hair—it will eventually grow back. But to me, it’s so much more. It’s a part of my identity, my confidence, and something I’ve nurtured for years. It’s incredibly disheartening to know that I now have to start my hair growth journey all over again.