Earlier this year I bought a Groupon for Kearns & Co. The decision to try this salon was based on all the positive reviews I read on Yelp. I felt confident that I had made a good choice and looked forward to having a positive experience. Unfortunately, things did not go well, which is why I have decided to write my own review.
THE PROS:
Upon arrival I was greeted warmly by reception and was quickly introduced to my stylist named Soo. I was seated so that we could discuss what I wanted to do with my long hair that fell half-way down my back (below my bra strap). I had spent the last 2 years growing my fine-textured hair long and decided I would like to shorten the length by 3 inches (total) and add some long layers for extra volume. My bangs that once looked like Taylor Swifts had grown out and I asked to have them reshaped. I clearly articulated how I wanted the bangs to frame my eyes and face and asked Soo for confirmation that she understood what I was asking for. She said yes, she did.
Soo appeared to be listening attentively to all my requests and repeated back to me what I asked for. We measured 3 inches of length to cut off and did this not once, but twice, so that we were both clear on the exact amount to shorten. I was then taken to have my hair washed and a deep conditioning treatment applied (part of the Groupon deal).
While the treatment was soaking in I was placed under a hot dryer and offered tea & biscuits and magazines. So far everything was going very well and I was feeling comfortable and pleased.
After a final rinse I returned to Soo's chair and she began cutting my hair. Soo is a lovely woman who engaged in a lot of conversation. She told me she is from Korea and had left a salon in the downtown Toronto core to join Kearns & Co. in December. We talked about neighborhoods and various other topics - including the best cuts for different hair textures. I was given the impression that Soo is an experienced stylist, so I relaxed and didn't keenly watch everything she was doing. Looking back, this was a BIG mistake.
THE CONS:
I believe Soo went into auto-pilot mode while she was talking to me and lost track of how much hair she was supposed to cut off. Instead of cutting 3 inches off (that we agreed to and measured TWICE), she cut 6 inches off. Yes, 6 inches!!!! To make matters worse, she did a horrible job of layering my hair and left multiple areas jagged and uneven. My bangs were not carefully shaped around my eyes and were so badly cut that I had to go to another stylist to fix the mess.
My fine hair was also damaged in all the areas that Soo used a vertical scissor technique (running the scissors down/through the hair). This left my hair looking severely frayed and dry. I have NEVER had a haircut with so many different problems to correct in my life!
CONCLUSIONS:
I was told my appointment would run 1.5 hrs but was rushed out of the chair after 1 hr when Soo's next client arrived. I wasn't given a chance to discuss my concerns with her because she was so focused on starting her next appt. In fact, she was so distracted that she never offered any finishing/hair spray at the end - I had to ask the receptionist if I could have some. Terrible last impression to leave a new client.
My hair does not grow very fast so it is going to take more than 1 year to grow out the hacked, frayed, layers on the sides & back. And another 6+ months to grow the 3 extra inches that was removed from the length.
The ambiance of this salon is lovely and the tea & biscuits are a nice touch. But the damage this one haircut has caused me is not worth the Groupon deal and the niceties. I was hoping to find a professional stylist at Kearns & Co. and instead found the opposite. Soo is a very nice lady but her attention to detail and her cutting techniques are sorely lacking. I cannot in good faith recommend her to anyone - especially women with long fine hair!