Birdhousenyc

It's taken almost 3 months to write this review, still traumatized, stressed and very upset. After growing out my hair for over a year and a half from a previous bad haircut at another salon, my super-trained hair stylist, Harley, at the Birdhouse Salon, butchered my hair with the worst haircut of my life. I've been devastated, feel violated, am embarrassed, my self-esteem, confidence shattered and still distraught after getting the haircut from hell. I cried for days and this cut was also for my birthday celebration. Every time I look in the mirror I am angry and emotionally broken. My hair which was originally below shoulder length, was hacked off at least 6" in the back to the base of my skull, the front maybe 4 " to chin length so it's a steeply angled bob that is super short in the back. I never asked for this, I never would wear short hair or a bob. The cut is uneven and lopsided, shorter on one side it's chopped up into a million pieces, scissored so the ends look fried, ends are raggedy and uneven, pieces are sticking out everywhere in the back. The texture of my hair is ruined, there is no shape, hair is breaking, damaged and falling out. Styling products and treatments haven't worked.

I look like an insane person or a deranged clown. My beautiful hair is gone, it looks like someone took a chainsaw and massacred my hair. It's impossible to fix, will take a year and a half or more to grow out. I have barely left the house, only with a wool cap that covers what is left and of course its now spring. I had canceled my birthday plans, business networking events and meetings with clients and mostly stay inside. The very few who have seen my hair including my boss are horrified. I work as a straight commission realtor for a hi-profile luxury global real estate firm and my image is tied to my business success. My hair has always been greatly admired and tied to my identity. At 73 years old, it's something I treasure and makes me feel youthful. This cut has severely impacted my business and financial situation.

How did this happen? After heading to the salon for a haircut with specific instructions to shorten my hair a couple inches and add some fullness, meaning a little more body but not excessively chopped. She did not shorten it, said it should stay long for the winter. When asked if she chopped it up a lot she said just a little. Since it was styled curly I had no clue until I washed it. Too long, scissored (which always destroys my hair and that's what we grew out), lots of straggly uneven pieces, etc. Going back for a recut, there seemed to be a disconnect, she seemed defensive, frustrated since I was unhappy, didn't seem to understand what she had done and why I didn't like it. For that reason when she offered me a recut, I said no, the trust was gone. Finally she asked if I would agree to should length, I said fine, I just wanted to leave the salon. In a fit of frustration, she absolutely deliberately and maliciously hacked off my hair. Butchering someones hair is a very aggressive act, especially when I was always very nice to her and appreciative since up until then her cuts were good. I saw long pieces on the floor, did not want to start a scene there and only when I got home and looked in the mirror did I see what she had done, since she did not offer me a mirror, obviously to hide the result.

After speaking with the owner Nicole, I was given a refund and she begged me to see the head hairstylist for a free haircut. I reiterated multiple times nothing could be done. But I wanted them to see what had been done. Even the head hairstylist seemed shocked and didn't really know how to fix this. Since I couldn't go shorter, she did a few tweaks which really didn't help with many pieces still sticking out.

Texting with the owner, I said the hairstylist should be accountable for her actions and pay for hair extensions. This is what Nicole texted to me: "I'm sorry Susan. I'm doing my best to hold space for your hurt and for our stylists point of view as well" And then she said she would no longer be texting me. What hurt, are you kidding me? Does she think I'm lying? You can see the attached pics for proof including what my hair used to look like. Unfortunately the most incriminating photos loaded upside down but you get the idea. And I don't appreciate the owner's fake compassion and sympathy, she really does not care about me, she is just trying to protect her business and reputation. And I dont care what they say at the salon, this was absolutely deliberate and anyone who sees my hair agrees. And there will be more online reviews and complaints to business bureaus on the way.