Yesterday's post was more of a...background. The pics are pretty old too- the newest pic is from May 2015. I had really been considering getting the keratin again for the last three months, especially because it had been so long since the last treatment and because of all the damage. For the past 2 years I have been getting highlights done regularly. I have seen little to no growth because of all the hair breakage. But it's the constant heat from all the styling tools have continuously damaged the hair and it's very noticeable. I ended up buying some over the counter hair color and did an at-home-DIY dye job. It evened out most of my color and hide the past dye jobs. But the damage is permanent.
So I did some research!
I live in NYC and there are a LOT of options in the city for one to get the keratin done. The prices range from the average $200-$500. I have long, thick, coarse hair (a lot of it too). So the cheapest I usually get quoted is around $300. But I don't want to fork over $400 after process, products and tip. And I also didn't want to get the low to non-formaldehyde formula because the results will only last 2 months, even thought I know its cheaper.
So what about a Groupon deal?
NO. I don't trust getting a Groupon for this type of process. I have had terrible Groupon experiences when it came to hair / salon services. First with a highlights package, where the salon told me on the spot after I walked in that there would be an additional expense even with the coupon, because my hair was "longer and thinker" than the average. So they had me pay an additional $80 bucks, which ended up being the normal price. plus the highlights were chunky and not what I wanted. the second (and last time) was for single process hair color at a different salon. This time I walked in, was greeted ever no nicely and once placed on my stylists chair (recommended by yelpers), I was "recommend" a more natural and healthier single process hair color (henna actually), an oil treatment and a hair cut, to help reduce the damage to my hair. I didn't take the Henna color or the cut, but I took the oil treatment. I will admit, I should have asked what the oil treatment price was beforehand- that was my fault. I was expecting $15 maybe $20 bucks for a TINY vile of oil to be place in my hair- you know? the same treatment that you can buy a sally beauty supply for $2... but no- it was $45. I could have bought a years supply for that much! Needless to say- I have stayed away from both salons, and Groupons for hair services. It was also around this time I became very weary about yelp reviews.
Finding the right stylist/salon.
I needed a stylist that has done this before and wont complain about my long thick hair either. So I hit up Google and Yelp for the most rated (good or bad) salons with keratin treatments and made the rounds (as in actually walked in, saw a stylist, and had them give me a quote. None of it mattered, since I ended up going to a place a friend of a friend actually recommended due to personal experience. but had it not been for her, these were the runner ups mostly because they were direct, honest and very customer friendly:
THE KERATIN LOUNGE
39 West 38th Street, 2 Floor, New York, NY 10018
212-477-2088
They do the LASIO brand. which is highly regarded for its effectiveness.
I was quoted $275 (with a recommended 18%-20% tip, plus products).
Final price would have been between $350-$370.
THE KERATINBAR CHELSEA
175 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011
212-898-0889
I walked in wanting the EZ Keratin Smoothing treatment at their discounted price of $175.
They recommended me they K-Gloss Smoothing Treatment for my hair type instead at $250.
Again setting the final price between $350 and $375.
MIGUEL LOPEZ SALON AT SERENITY SALON
458 W Broadway New York, NY 10012
212-343-2643
I walked in wanting the Keratin treatment that starts at $250, which is what they quoted me. Perfect! But they recommended I also get a hair cut (which would have placed my at $300). After adding tip and products- that would be about $400.
Where I ended up:
HAIR LE PELL - in Chinatown
Somewhere I never thought to look, but found because a friend of a friend recommended it from her own personal experience. "Have Nelson give you a quote", she said.
So I walked in and met Nelson, "Do you want a hair cut too?" he asked. "No, just the keratin treatment" I responded just like I did at every other salon. He gave me a $170 quote, SOLD! With tip and products I was looking at less than $250! I made my appointment for that Saturday.
And it was worth it.
Note- the actual process took a VERY long time, almost 4 hours, because the stylist was very thorough sealing the treatment in with the flat iron. I spent 1 hour under an alien looking heater with the product in, and the another 2 hours between the blowout and the sealing of the product with the flat iron. I received zero complains from Nelson, the stylist, and was charged the exact quoted price. I went home and washed my hair after 72 hours. It air dried practically flat with zero frizz. I curled the ends in less than five minutes, since I need a hair cut badly, I cant wait for the next couple of weeks to go by and the natural curl to start to appear again. Then I get my hair cut!
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