The Damn Salon is a business that promotes itself as a natural hair salon. I first heard about them a year ago when I saw a video clip of their work in a hair show. Their website is very polished and their attitude towards natural hair seemed legitimate. They are based in Atlanta, GA and I have been following their work on Facebook. They also travel to different states to set up shop and provide services. The salon recently announced their dates for their DC visit. I have yet to visit a salon since I cut my hair back in March and with the change in seasons I have been thinking about what to do next in terms of styling. I checked out their services and I decided to try “city twists.” I have never gotten twists done and they did look pretty on the pictures they provided. So I decided to make an appointment. Little did I know the nightmare that was about to begin.
City twists cost $250 and up. There is a $100 deposit required to make the appointment. Everyone I spoke to on the phone were very nice, understanding, and helpful. They usually end their statements with “get ready for your damn experience.” It did seem a bit expensive to me, but I figured this could be my special treat for the year. So I was excited and looking forward to it.
About a week later they announced on Facebook a request for models for a hair show they would be doing in DC. I called in to be a part of the show. They asked for me to send in my pictures and measurements. A short time later they accepted my request and asked me to meet them at 4:00pm at the Westin Hotel at the National Harbor in Maryland the next day, which was a Friday, to see my hair and do an “afro-fusion”.
A week before I had registered with Zipcar (which is another ripoff story). I had noticed their advertisements on campus and online for a couple of years, but had never approached the idea. I figured I should have the option to drive if I needed to. So on that Friday I had to take the metro to the Zipcar office to pick up my “Zipcard” and reserve a vehicle. I found one parked at campus and reserved it from 3:00pm to 8:00pm. The trip to and from the office took me about an hour.
Once I got back to campus, I called the lady from the salon whom I spoke with yesterday. She did not answer. So I left a voice mail and a text message confirming our meeting at the Westin Hotel. I then proceeded with my GPS and rented car to Maryland…during rush hour. This was my first experience driving in DC. Coming from Texas, it was a little traumatizing. Eventually I got the hang of it.
It took me about 45 minutes to get to the hotel and find parking. There was no response to my call or message during that time. I entered the lobby of the hotel and called her again. This time she picked up and asked where I was. I told her I was at the hotel. Turns out they were at Pentagon City Mall. She said they had been waiting a little while and decided to go to the mall and that she did not check her phone. She then asked if I could come to the mall. So I returned to my rented car, paid the fee for parking in their parking deck, and made my way to the mall. I missed the exit on the highway a few times and had to do a few U-turns to find the entrance to the parking deck for the mall. I find the two salon ladies shopping at Forever XXI. Not for the show or with other models, but for themselves. They had to change back into their own clothes before talking to me.
I asked for details about the show, since not much was given to me the day before. At first they said I would need to be there at 9am. Then they decide that 12pm would be better. Then they explain that they won’t have to do my hair that night, but probably do some cornrows on the side and have the rest of it sticking out. I then find out that it is not a runway type of show. Instead I would be a mingling-mannequin wearing their hairstyle and passing out their brochures. I decided this was not working for me and told them I couldn’t do it. So I ended up not participating in the show, paying $80 for using a Zipcar for 4 hours, paying for parking at two different parking decks, and going to sleep with a massive headache.
Due to this unfortunate incident, looking at the possible hair style in real life, and a little reflecting on my part, I decided I no longer wanted my hair done by The Damn Salon. So, I called their DC number and told them I would like to cancel my appointment. The person who answered said she was not “stationed” at the time, but will call me back. Two days passed. Then another lady called me back confirming my cancellation. She asked for my reason and I said, “I no longer want my hair done.” So she explained I could put my deposit up for an appointment in February when they will be in DC again. I said I did not want to make another appointment. She then explained I could use the deposit to purchase some of their products. I asked if I could have a refund. She then said that they don’t do refunds when the salon visits other states and continued to repeat my options for another appointment or products. I told her I didn’t want either. So she said she will take me off the calendar because there are “so many people” waiting for a spot and that I can call her back when I decide what I want to do.
I proceeded to search their website for a cancellation and refund policy. I could not find either. There was no mention of exceptions with out-of-state visits nor literature on how to go about canceling an appointment.
I am very disappointed by this experience. I was really looking forward to trying something new and possibly making new friends. I have read a few reviews about this salon and the majority of their comments seem to be pleased with the end product, but put off by the price or location of the out-of-state visit. I am sure they know how to do hair well and maybe they do have a professional operation at the Atlanta salon. However, their lack of consideration for my time and decency towards a client was completely out of line.
I just wanted to share my experience to prevent others from falling in the same trap. Before you submit your credit card number to anything online, make sure you find the fine-print and read all of it. I know I will.
Oh wooooow!!! I’m sooo glad I read this!! My friends and I were just about to book our appointments, but thank you for saving us from a “set up”!! I thought it was quite odd when I called asking specific questions and the lady repeated herself over and over about everything else. When I asked her about the price of the style, she started explaining about the quality of the hair and how it’s supposedly “imported” and how they have a particular technique and all of that stuff… it’s crazy how she tried to “pump up ” the other stuff to hide the steep price– AVERAGING $375. I found another salon in the atlanta metro area, though that does the exact same styles for way cheaper. Go to their website: http://www.wix.com/edenscornerhair/edenscorner
Hello Natalia. I’m glad I was able to help. Thank you for the salon reference. Take care.
Hello, This is Dionne from Eden’s Corner. Natalia just shared this post with us and I want to say that I am sorry for your experience with the Damn Salon. You are not the only one with complaints however, many people are very caught up in the “Damn” hype. If you would please contact us at 404-919-8682 or follow and inbox us on twitter EdensCornerHair because we would love to offer you a discount. I used to be a stylist there and its not all peaches and cream working for them either so I understand where you are coming from. By the way tell them you want your money back or you will call a lawyer they have no right to keep your money considering they did not tell you before hand about the refund policy. Do not let them take advantage of you. Their trick is to ignored the situation till it goes away. Be persistent and be fierce.
Hope it all works out and I hope you contact us.
Eden’s Corner
Hello Dionne. Your salon and services look so beautiful. I spent my first year of college in Georgia. When I come back to visit, I will definitely check your salon out. Thank you so much for the advice. Take care.
I am so embarressed about this I don’t want to even use my name. But I went to The Damn Salon to get Loc Extensions in 2006, they charged me $1100!! Yes I’m an idiot who wanted them very bad and to be first in my hometown with them, I was in young, and in college and had a residual check! Lol.I traveled 7 hours to get them after seeing them online. And then when I left and had problems with them (hair slipping on the braids, gaps, lumping), I couldn’t get my call returned, I had to email her and she corresponded back and forth me. I found a friend here in my hometown who went with me to buy some human kinky hair and firgured out how to fix them for me. I let my own real locs grow into them, continuing to get my roots twisted, and have gotten most of that cut off now. Price I paid for instant gratification
Wow! Never heard of this. I get my hair done religiously at the damn salon. It’s not hype. I gave seen gurls w/ “city twist knockoffs” trust, you get what you pay for. The damn salon layers hair oases on ur preference and your face shape, the knockoffs do not. The end result is looking like u have too much hair radomly placed in top of your head. My friend compromised and got knockoffs and discribed them as heavy and hard do manage. I’m sorry for your bad experiAnce, I would call and speak to the owner about that but I wanna let you know I have never had a problem do this may be the exception rather than the rule
Tiffany,
. I asked about her and no one told me she was still doing hair. I kept going to DAMN every 3 months and based on Diones original stlye, I referred at least 7 people, NO LIE! even though I did all that I had to fight to get my discounts and only got $10 off 3 times. The other stylists techniques were satisfactory at best. the last time I went (2/12), despite requesting the owner or a more experianced stylists, I got some chick who just started. Also, they did not tellme they moved so, I went to their old location (Douglasville) and upon arrival was told I had to go to Sandy springs (this is at least 50 minutes away!) no appology, discount, nothing but a cursory “how come you didn’t know we moved?” WTH, how was I supposed to know. That girl did an aweful job on my hair. After a few months of research and thanks to facebook, I saw a pic of Dionne doing hair and got in with her. We discovered that “the new girl” broke my hair of A LOT. She sused small sections and added very heavy hair, eading some of my twists to come out from the root. I was psisse. Ive spent 3 years struggling with my hair to keep it healthy and growing only to have a patchy fro allo over again. Dione fixed those heavy twists and probably saved the remainder of mty hair. My advise to anyone considering DAMN, call Dionne. She is honestly a great stylist and person and she really is passionate about healthy hair. Who doesn’t love that!
I’m glad you had a good experiance, I did not. i’ve been going there almost a year. The first time, Dionne (now owner of Edens Closet) did my hair. i loved it! my hair grew almost 2 inches in 3 months (im a tight 4 a and a slow grower so thats huge)! I was hooked but after that thee was no more Dionne
honesty, from one tiffany to another
Hello ladies I to had a crazy experience at the Damn Salon, won’t go into details but to get a retouch just the edges did not get a shampoo, stylish dropped the comb on the floor, did not even wipe it off just continued to use it wow . The charge a bigg 125. Not including the deposit.
My experience with that damn salon wasn’t great either. First they charged me 525 for city twists! Wth! Their site says 350 and up I dont see how my city twists went up to $525. Plus I wanted them a little larger! If anyhing it shouldve been exactly 350. I ended up looking like a mop after it was done (the owner did my hair i must say she is fast tho) They try to tell you the hair is imported but its that same damn hair you can get from any beauty supply store. I’ve examined. Ask them for the site they get it from, theyll most likely be stuck. Overall very overrated. I respect the sisters for their grind but you never get far with deception. Theyre not honest with their business techniques Im sure theyll get their karma one day. Until then SAVE YOUR MONEy
Dionne is awesome!! She did my baby’s hair and it grew 3 inches. She’s on maternity leave, but I’m waiting. She’s genuine, and she’s GOOD! Give this single mom business ladies!!
I also had a horrible experience at the damn salon! Pricing was misleading and at week 5 my city twist look horrible! I will never return!
Sooo! This was some good insight ladies. I was looking to go the Damn salon but with these reviews I think I’ll stay clear and wait for Dionne to have her baby. I’ve been working overtime just to make sure I can cover the hidden charges that I’ve been hearing about. I didn’t want to go there and be surprised nonetheless embarrassed. However, to the ladies that have been serviced by Dionne Is the hair used similar to hair at the Damn Salon?
Hi A Bear! The hair is similar. It’s the same. She worked at Damn Salon, so it’s the same without all the extra nonsense…
Too bad I didn’t see your blog prior to scheduling my appointment on 08/24/2012 at the DAMN Salon. I will be commenting on my experience soon. It’s taking a minute for me to calm down so have to gain my composer then document the details. Until then, I will just say search for another salon with out all the HYPE!!!!!
It’s me again! Update on my city twists! I got the twists last week, 08/24/2012;(six days ago) was getting out the car today and notice something black on my light grey car seat! I just be……it was one of my city twist. Not sure how many I’ve lost but it could be a bit embrassing if they falling out and I’m not realizing it.
Interesting, I haven’t wash my hair nor trying any styles that would put a strain on my hair.
Wow!!! There’s another young lady that does them from The Damn Salon as well. She does a great job and the hair she uses is the exact same kind as they do. It’s soft and everybody thought I’d went to The Damn Salon!! Nope!! I looooove my hair and she’s SOOOOO sweet!!!
Do you have her contact information?
Shon
Thank you all for your valuable insight. Reading each post saved me money. The styles look great and I was eager to pay my deposit. But I wanted to know more about the Damn Salon. I’m in Charlotte, NC if anyone of you know of a place here that I can go to please let me know. And Thanks again for this site, it help me not through away my hard earned money.
My cousin and I just went to “The Damn Salon” event this past Saturday night, They put a lot of hype on not only natural hair, but making friendships and encouraging women! I have read some other reviews which were not good either…My cousin came from Alabama last week, first they said they changed her appointment to later in the day so she went shopping and came back…They ask if she could come back another day…My cousin said that she came from Alabama and would being going back that day.
She stated that the lady told her that they are not doing people from out of state but concentrating on building their clientele in Atlanta! My cousin is a humble and sweet person so therefore she left and didn’t argue…. I thought this was very bad customer services b/c I would have been elated for a client to come ALL the way from Alabama to get their hair done…needless to say it only seems that cater to the clients who continues to come on a consisted basis like every two months or monthly.
The small get together they had was nice, but reading these negative reviews…Its seems as if they are all about the money and not the customer service. THE DAMAN SALON WILL NOT BE GETTING ANY OF THE MY DAMN MONEY!
I can’t find her card with her # on it, but the email addy is: Twisted2Tresses@gmail.com You’ll LOVE her!! And tell her Mia referred you, please!! She gives referral discounts!!
So I must join the chorus of “thank god I read this post” because I was getting ready to buy a plane ticket and fly down to ATL and pay wayyy to much money for the Damn Scam (or so it would seem). I’ve also seen a few Youtube videos describing skin irritation and read (literally) hundreds of comments on different blog posts that state the entire experience was dreadful. I will look for hair options and find an alternative. I live in DC, if anyone has any suggestions – I am open!
Hi Miki,
I’m glad you were saved from that experience. You might want to check out Djama’s Hair Braiding (http://djamabraids.com/index.php) I went to college in DC and went there every year for my winter-braids-look. They are professional and don’t waste time…and their styles are good quality and last. Hope that helps. Take care.
I want to thank you all so much for your reviews on this salon, I just found out about the damn salon today while looking for a hairstyle to transition to natural.., and I must say the pictures on their website are off the chain, it “appears” they can do damn good work HOWEVER I decided to look for reviews because I went through a similar situation with another stylist with a 300 ( which ended up costing almost 500.00) after I had to go to another stylist to repair the fuckery that Journey did to my hair … And I refused to go through that again… I am a single parent that recently relocated to Georgia and 300 plus may not be a lot for some but for me it is, and I don’t want to waste my money and thanks to you all I will not fall into the madness of the damn salon !
a lot of the pics on the website are mostly dionne hamm’s work, some of hem are even of Dionne. She is now the owner of Eden’s closet and does an awesome jobm at a significantly smaller price. If you want her contact info go to facebook. She has a page on there (both personal and Business). Please tell her Tiffany McCollum sent you!
I got my hair “Damned” this summer and it was a horrible experience. I quoted one price on the phone, charged $200 more afterwards. I was pressured to buy their hair butter, my hair looked like crap and my twist started falling out a week later.
I will NEVER return!!
Wow…I won a free urban twist from the Damn Salon. I’m scared after reading all the posts. I’m going to hope for the bests! I keep you posted!
Hi everyone! Thanks for posting this, Dagny!. I’ll try to be brief with my comments. I had an issue with The Damn Salon initially refusing to return my deposit after I saw the irreparable DAMAGE done to my hair from using them the first time. I hadn’t yet taken out the twists, but once I did, I cancelled my follow-up appointment. My hair was breaking off, thinning, you name it. I filed a Better Business Bureau complaint to get my money back and Mushiya very amicably resolved the issue in my favor once hearing of my issue. She has a great attitude! I suggest looking into filing a BBB grievance if you want to take it further. It doesn’t take too much time and is free. Sadly, I got my natural hair done by them ONCE, and it RUINED it. I took care of my natural hair prior to having TDS style it, and it was soft and lush and really beautiful prior to getting their “urban twists”. My advice to anyone considering having your hair done by TDS: Do yourself a favor and RUN! Some of the ladies are very nice people, but this style will damage your hair beyond repair, and it may take a LOT of time for your tresses to return to their former state.
PREACH. TDS tore myu hair up. they ndo not properly train their new staff. My stylist is ithe best thing thar cam out of that DAMN place. i loved my hair when she did it at TDS and it grew. Th next time a new girl did it and we are still working (a year later) to return it to its former glory. Save yourself the $ and damage and go to Eden’s Corner.
I hope Dagnyzenovia was able to get her money back. Thank you so much for this post. What I can’t understand is why people of color try to bull other people of color with these high prices. Why not just make the service afordable for us. We want to support our people! If we are happy with the service and experience we’re coming back anyway, and bringing friends with us. If the white man can make so much money off of us then so can you DAMN SALON but with something afordable, fair and honest. I new it was something up with all this wanting to be noticed, here I am, look at me, come on make my ego biiiiiiiiig show. If the owner is going to shop at forever xxl then why in the world does she need to charge that much? The name fits, DAMN SALON!!!
Diva Style thank you for the advice. I will definately contact the BBB if I get cheated by any businesses.
Anybody know how to reach Dionne at Eden’s Corner?
I stopped going to Dionne after WAITING forever for her to get to the salon and her smart commment after I mentioned I was tenderheaded. I go to another girl that used to work there.
Does anyone know a good professional tree braider in the Atl Area. Please help .
4049198682
Dionne does AWESOME hair and she’s personable and friendly. Check out her styles on the website and give her a chance in your natural hair journey. You will be pleasantly surprised.
So this is not actually a review of their services as much as a rant about a bad day that wasn’t all their fault? TMI…
I’m glad I read everyone’s experiences…I’ll pass on TDS..I was looking forward to getting my afro fusion done
Anybody got a number for Dionne? I want her to do my hair so badly, been hearing a lot of great things?
She is awesom,
UI have an appointment to get right for my wedding day nex week!!!! It is 404-625-7660 or you can use the link on her facebook to book you appointment. PLEASE TELL HER TIFFANY MCCOLLUM SENT YOU.
After Reading All these post I am truly amazed by what woman of color go through with our hair, and we think we are getting it right going natural . We are taking advantage of by almost every hair care company black owned or not as well as every salon. We just cant seem to get a break from anyone. But I do have some advise. Take a pic of the style you want to your local African Hair Braider and get it done for a fraction of the cost. I did a style that cost over $300 in Khamit Kinks here in Brooklyn NY and got it done for $90 by the African.. You may have to tell them exactly how you want it and show a pic.. But it is worth it.. If I could upload a picture of my hair I would
The Damn Salon is a “damn” mess. Mushiya is greedy & corrupt. She gave me the Urban Twist and it pulled my hair out!!! I arrived at my appointment on time, but I waited 4 hrs. to get my hair done because she over-booked…GREEDY!!! With careless haste she twisted my hair, and then turned me over to an amateur apprentice to finish the final phase of my style. My hair was braided skintight, and the hair she added for my style was matted into my own hair which caused irreparable damage to my hair and scalp. The aforementioned tribulation as a result of Mushiya’s negligence has left my hair bald at the top of my head extending pass the occipital area of my scalp. I called The Damn Salon receptionist to tell her my tale of woe. She informed me that Mushiya would call me back to help resolve this matter. I never received a call, an email, or any correspondence. I am wounded, angry, disillusioned. She does not take responsibility for negligence…client beware!!!!
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