Elegance Hair & Beauty - Rochester

Claire M.

Attended the hair salon after booking via fresha a booking app. Booked the senior stylist, but was given a junior stylist. I did find this a bit odd, as when I have used the booking app for other salons I have always got what I booked. Anyway, I thought never mind not what I booked but I am here now. And a saw another lady leave the salon really happy with her hair cut done by the senior stylist.

Alarm bells did ring a bit when I said I like my face framed and was told the stylist didn’t have the experience for it but was qualified to cut and would have to get the senior stylist to do it. During the hair cut the senior stylist came over and I heard her say “you’ll have to start again” and took over at one stage.

Having left the salon it was then pointed out to me my hair did not look right. I could see some of it was shorter when I had a proper inspection. I left bad feedback about it which was met very rudely. Told to take the fact I didn’t get the stylist I booked up with the app when really it is the salons responsibility to manage their diary, although I have emailed the app about it. Another salon member did offer to get the senior stylist to try and sort the problem, which I thought was kind, but I had work at awkward hours on my shifts that week and didn’t feel comfortable returning. Work allowed me time out to get my hair fixed as my wedding is coming up in a matter of days so I have been elsewhere who said a panel of my hair was cut short compared to the rest, which was causing problem. And this has now been rectified.

Lauren M.

Please never use this salon my hair has been left compleatly wrecked I had full head of highlights done by alisha and its the worst hair experience I have ever had my hair is litterally fried and as she was brushing it my hair was falling out in chunks at the ends litterally like chewing gum the colour is awful didn't even go to the root I have 2 different shades of blonds in the front and grey and black at the bottom! I've lost inches just from breakage and my hair is like straw Stacey wanted to be out at the pub for 2pm so she helped alisha do one side of my hair and she also kept trying to tell me there is nothing wrong with it and my hair is fine and it is far from fine multiple hairdressers have contacted me after seeing the state my hair is in and said how shocking my hair is and that the bleach has been left on so long that's why my hair is falling out! And just snapping the state of the salon is not good left over takaways on the side smells like wet dog with dog hair everywhere and genrally filthy! And people seem to just go there and doss and vape in the salon all talking bad about people! I was actually in tears at the salon and got my sister to come and collect me I was so devastated by what they had done to my hair!
I wasn't rude not even once I actually felt sorry the young girl had been allowed to do anyone's hair as this was allways going to happen with results such as mine! But alas they have called the police for harassment I'm not sure who I am ment to have harassed but I'm here for it you don't ruin somones hair like that and expect for them not to spread the word honestly if you value your hair at all don't let them touch it!!

Helin S.

Very happy with my hair treatment and cut - would definitely recommend 🙂 Stacey and the staff were very friendly and reasonably priced too!

catherine D.

Amazing hair salon, I won't go anywhere else for my hair now, Stacy does an amazing job on my hair. Always leave there with a big smile on my face and gorgeous locks

Bernadett K.

Great experience in the saloon. The staff is really nice and friendly. The saloon has a great atmosphere. They all made me feel welcome. My haircut turned out to be amazing, exaclty what I wanted and asked for. Stacey is great, and the other two girls are lucky that they have such a great teacher.

It made me feel really good to finally see people's faces and see their smiles that they were always ready to offer. I finally felt like a bit of normal returned in my life.
I felt anxious since this whole thing going on in the past year, I never really get out of the house, because I hate seeing faceless people all around, and I mostly feel discriminated against, or I keep being asked and bullied if I don't want to cover my own, because of personal issues.

themakaylacoconut

For comparison I normally get my hair done at MidKent College Salon (which has very sadly closed its doors) and have always had a great experience there, but generally have always had great experiences in hair salons. I booked in to Elegance on John St for a full head highlights and a much needed cut. Once I booked the apt over the phone, I immediately received an automated text saying I need to book a patch test. I wish they had arranged this while I booked the initial apt, rather than me having to call back to arrange.

On arrival for the patch test just after opening time, there were 4 staff standing around with absolutely zero PPE/covid protective measures. A lady came over, did not introduce herself, and applied a product for the patch test, with no discussion/info about what product she was applying. I had to ask 3 times what she had just applied for her to finally say it was the darkest shade of "their brand" of hair product. She initially replied it's the patch test for product, then it's the patch test for the brand of product they use. I still don't know what she actually applied to my skin. This set up red flags and I considered cancelling, but I was desperate as I had been waiting over a year for a haircut of any kind, and my usual trusted salon has closed permanently.

At my apt, again none of the staff were wearing any kind of PPE. They invited me to remove my mask. Throughout the appointment, every time they brushed my hair, they complained that it was knotty as they tugged at my long semi-bleached/freshly washed hair from the mid-lengths. As I winced and even said ouch in pain repeatedly, I never once got an apology or gentler treatment, more of them trying to rush through the worst of it. My head hurt for the rest of the evening where they had tugged at it. The owner swore, spoke badly about others and repeatedly seemed to invite me to conversation before rudely interrupting when I was just a few words into replying. The younger lady's long nails scratched me painfully as she sectioned my hair, rushing by this point.

The highlights were okay and they did a good job on the colour result. But the bleach was not applied up to the roots, so there is a line before the blonde starts on each highlight. The toner waiting time took forever while the young lady painted her own toes, but they were definitely eager to get rid of me and end their day by the time they got round to drying and cutting my hair. They took turns rough drying my freshly bleached hair on high heat that was actually painfully hot. Owner forgot I had wanted a haircut at all and began removing the gown. Then she did a blunt cut despite me having said multiple times I want face framing layers. The only question she asked about my cut is the length. When I reminded her I had asked for layers she said "long layers, yeah?" as she began cutting them in quickly. By this point, I gave up expecting the hair cut I wanted and wanted to leave so I let her get on with long layers, not face framing at all and far more blunt than I am comfortable with. Her hands stank of cigarette smoke, which was not pleasant while she was highlighting/cutting the front of my hair. She also forgot to apply serum at the end, despite 2 discussions about it.

Finally, they only take cash or bank transfer to a personal bank account, which I only found out towards the end of my apt from overhearing another customer. This screams tax evasion to me, and was a pain as I had intended to pay via credit card as it was over £100. I transferred money from my savings and paid directly to a personal bank account. I did not get a receipt.

I'm glad I got my hair done finally and I am mostly happy with the colour of my hair. But never going back and recommend avoiding this place unless you're completely out of options.

Kate T.

Hi had my hair done by Stacy today wanted a whiter blonde than what I had already & she did exactly what I asked for & I love it perfection!
Thank you

Courtnie M.

Always a pleasure to come here and get my hair dyed had full head highlights always feel comfortable and Stacy always goes above and beyond to achieve what I ask for I originally booked half head highlights but asked if she could do full head when I arrived she did no problem and even got a cuddle with her dogs she is fab and I won’t go anywhere else love love my hair !!!