On November 12th, I decided to get my hair relaxed. I was 10 weeks post relaxer! (Yay! I thought I would not be able to stretch so much!) and well it was getting really nappy and really nasty!
It was not the first time I went to Scissors Hand, therefore I was not too nervous.
I booked a appointment for about 5:00 pm, and never again! The last time I went, it was in the morning, at night, things get quite strange.
The relaxer they use is Design. However, you can bring your own if you like. I forgot to ask if the price will be affected, so make sure you call and find out.
On my hair, I used the normal Design relaxer, and she overlapped on hair that was already relaxed. This kind of ticked me off, but when you go to a stylist it is expected. This is why it is so good to stretch as long as possible to have more growth, therefore reducing the relaxer to be overlapped by your stylist.
After letting it stand for what seemed to be 10 minutes, we rinsed off. Now, after she applies the shampoo, make sure to ask to get a Deep Conditioning treatment. She would have just rinse it off, but I insisted and told her I wanted it to be wrapped and to be place under the dryer.
She did so, but left the dryer on cool... Yep, I got up and put it on Medium. I got a look for this. A oh-she-thinks-she-knows-more-than-me look. And you know what, sometimes I do! A lot of these stylist don't even have credentials!
Anyway, at this point I was relaxing and hoping I will look somewhat decent after my hair was styled, then three people, who were the stylist friends came in and smoked up a joint! I couldn't believe it! The girl was swearing and had piercing all over and they reeked of the smell! Now, I am not a snob or a prude, and you can do whatever you want in you own time, but hey you are running a business here! Then two girls got into a screaming fight, and I was left alone, since the all ran outside!!
My stylist came back alone and asked, can we continue, in a quite rude voice. I nodded, and we rinse off my hair.
I asked after wards to get a roller set for my hair, but she said that she will not straighten it if I did. I said it was fine, and she said she will have to charge me more. So, I shrugged and said, alright blow-dry it. BIG MISTAKE! Ladies and gents, if you go to Scissors Hand, get it roller set no matter what!
She was yanking my wet hair and pulling so hard! I was so traumatized! Why the hell would anyone pay for this treatment?? And worst is that she used a VERY hot iron on my strands, and kept going up and down on it! It came to a point that I told her to stop it and to just past it once.
When my hair was straight and burnt, she added hair sheen and this very heavy moisturizer, which made my hair look greasy. She tried to style it, but I told her not to bother, since I am tying it up.
It would have cost me 90$ but I told her that when I called it was 70$ and that's all I got. Yup! But seriously, call before, cause I think this is a way to maybe scam for a bit of money.
Overall, I would give a 2/5. My hair was properly relaxed, but the styling, atmosphere and service was crap.
I would suggest going in the morning, and bringing your own moisturizer if you go.
Lol, I love how you describe things!
Posted by: Jesse | November 20, 2008 at 07:51 PM
hey, I went there too a couple months ago because I was new to Ottawa and they were recommended by someone online. Never again. I had an asian stylist with long fingernails who scratched my scalp and manhandled my hair. The whole treatment and hair cut was pretty mediocre too for what I paid.
Mama Cee's is also pretty poor - they put a novice to relax my hair and she wasn't even applying it to the roots until a more senior person told her to. In the end the relaxer (Design again) didn't take and I'm not thoroughly fed up with the lack of professional afro hairstylists in Ottawa.
Posted by: Gigi | December 26, 2008 at 10:56 AM
@ Gigi:
I had the Asian hairsylist, too! And I also went there because someone suggested them!
I am also sorry to hear that Mama Cee's is also not so great! *Sigh*
I will try to find a salon that can properly deal with black hair!
If ever you find one, please come back to post your experience!
Posted by: Tainna | January 05, 2009 at 04:20 PM
Scissors Hands holds at times an unprofessional, dishonest & stressful environment. Unfortunately they're one of the best places in Ottawa due to our lack of pro afro hairstylists.
Posted by: Ticia | December 21, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Try Cameo Salon Spa!!! They are really good, professional, modern, and very good knowledge of all types of hair. I was absolutely pleased when i left. Their stylists are equipped with the best techniques and latest trends to provide you with your own personal style .Check out there website!!! www.cameosalonspa.squarespace.com/
Posted by: R.Baskin | March 06, 2010 at 04:12 PM