Scott J. Salon & Spa / East 86th

Doesn't Recommend

magnolia9

Joined 6 years ago

Worst haircut I've ever had. I had been to the Aveda Salon on 86th Street one time before, for a blowout, and it was a good experience, so I decided to get my hair cut there this time. Big, big mistake. Huge. Let me say that the lady who washed my hair did a great job - she spent a lot of time massaging my head and shoulders and it was very relaxing. But the stylist herself did a terrible job on my haircut. Why is it that even when you tell a stylist exactly what you want, they do what THEY want instead? I told her specifically that I did not want to lose much length (it had taken me a while to grow my hair to this length that I liked) and that I simply wanted to trim the dry ends and clean up the layers a bit. When I looked at the hair in my lap as she was cutting, I saw pieces that were 3 inches long!!! That is not a trim. She cut my hair so short and in such weird layers that I can't even put it in a ponytail without all these pieces falling out. My curly hair does not handle such choppy layers well. She should have listened to what I wanted. My pet peeve is stylists who do not listen to their clients and this stylist was one of those. I will not return.

Doesn't Recommend

clnarosff

Joined 5 years ago

no more Laura. i have been going to Scott J for years, and Laura has always been my aesthetician. I followed her from west side to east and was very disappointed when I called to make an appointment with her and was told she no longer works there...but no worries ladies (and gentlemen) I found her at the Skin Spa in midtown. Just google the spa and any loyal clients of Laura can find her there!!!!!

Doesn't Recommend

delilajones

Joined 5 years ago

FIlthy and Inexperienced, avoid, avoid, avoid!!!!. I made an appointment for the first time at the spa for a wax. i have received this treatment numerous times, and i went to this location because they use all aveda products. as we began the wax, i noticed the esthetician was double dipping!!!!! she apologized when i asked her about it, and stated that they didn't have enough supplies to go around. For an $80 wax, you would think they would come up with a few lousy wax sticks. The service was very painful and it was obvious she had no experience or business performing this service. Afterwards when i went to complain to the manager, she was rude and incompetent and continuoulsy addressed me in a condescending baby voice. the entire place is disorganized and filthy (including stained towels and sheets for spa services). i would recommend everyone avoiding this place like the plague. what a rip-off and a joke. aveda should be ashamed to work with them.

Doesn't Recommend

marysellz

Joined 5 years ago

Bad Experience - Customer Service. A co-worker referred me here and my review will be short and not so sweet. I made an appointment for a 1/2 head of highlights. The appointment was at 2:15 and I got there at 2:25. They wouldn't take me - I was too late they said and they had tried to call me. Are you kidding me? I am not proud of being late, but at less than 15 minutes and not honoring the appointment, I will never go back. The colorist, Gina was right there at the front - I don't know if she wanted to leave early or take another existing client. I was totally turned off to this place. Their customer service left a lot to be desired. Good luck if you go here.

Doesn't Recommend

nysail

Joined 5 years ago

Bad Haircuts, Bad Service. Hi. I've actualy gone to Scott J several times over the past 2.5 years. The haircuts were sometimes okay and sometimes terrible. But I kept going back because of the low price. However, enough is enough. The last time I was there, I had made an appointment and when my stylist came to get me she saw a regular customer of hers sitting next to me. The customer had walked in earlier and was booked with someone else, b/c my stylist was booked. Well guess what! The stylist I had an appointment with, asked me to wait and switch to the other stylist so she could take this other customer. I left. I've never been back. I was considering today to go back becuase I really don't know anywhere else to go, but after reading others bad experiences and knowing I've had more bad experiences than good, I'll just keep letting my hair grow until I can find some place better.

Any suggestions? I'd love to know of a good reasonable hair place for short fine hair.

Doesn't Recommend

gymgalnyc

Joined 5 years ago

Terrible Customer Service. I had never been to this salon but was looking for a place where I could get my hair done cheaply before an event. When I called to see if I could change my appointment from a blowout to an updo, the girl at the front desk was a complete nightmare. She had a terrible atttude and seemed put off by the fact that I would even consider asking her to accomodate me. I ultimately cancelled my appointment because of her. I guess it really is true that you get what you pay for.

Recommends

fireflyny

Joined 5 years ago

??????????. never been here but live in the area and didn't even know this place was here. how does somewhere like this really mixed reviews getting in the top 15 for best priced salons? with only 5 reviews??? some of which are very bad! this rating system stinks.

Recommends

makeuplady

Joined 6 years ago

Consistantly Great!. I have been going to this salon for about 2.5 years now and I have never had a bad experience. Every time I walk in I am greeted, asked if my coat can be hung for me, and offered tea or water. The only stylist I have ever seen is Jose and I have never been disappointed. He is AWESOME with those scissors. My cut is always perfect and I can grow it out for months and it still looks good. I don't even have to tell him what to do anymore because I trust him that much. I have also had single process color and highlights done by Jose and I have been very happy. He does exactly what we agree on. In the beginning he always showed me a color swatch of the hair so that I knew we were on the same page. A few times while I was waiting for my color to process, I was offered a relaxing hand massage with some wonderful smelling Aveda product. I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes for my appointment. And to top it all off, the nice man who does makeup (sorry I can't remember his name) offers to freshen me up before I leave. The whole experience makes me feel comfortable, well cared for and beautiful. Thanks!

Doesn't Recommend

ekm81

Joined 6 years ago

Awful cut and color!. I came to Scott J because I love Aveda products and I was looking for a new salon. What a mistake! The entire staff seemed like beauty school dropouts. I seriously thought the stylists were training.

My cut and color were awful! I'm a blond and when I mentioned how annoying the brassy tones can get, she insisted on highlighting it an ash. After i told her numerous times that ash does not work well with my complexion and I simply hate ash blonds, she became really snotty and informed me that the only way not to have brassy tones is to add ash. I've been a blond my entire life and know that this is not true (it's called purple shampoo for one). I finally gave up and let her do her thing. Color can be fixed, but the cut..

All I wanted was a trim and asked her to clean up the layers but not cut any length. I walked out of there with over 3 inches cut off (my hair was not that long to begin with). I have fine hair, and lots of layers do not work. I was in tears by the time I got home. Thank god it still fits in a ponytail.

No one offered me water/coffee/etc which is fine at a mid level salon, but I paid $235 for everything and was a little disappointed to not even have the famous aveda tea offered. To top it off, a "manager" called me the following week to see how my hair turned out. When I told her I was very disappointed, she offered an apology and told me I could come back in and the same woman would "fix it" for me free of charge. I told her that would not be ideal since I didn't want to lose anymore length. Her response was a long "yah". Wow, what customer service.

I usually don't write reviews, but wanted to warn everyone before stepping into this salon.

Doesn't Recommend

uestulips

Joined 6 years ago

Poor Massage Experience. I recently went for my first massage at Scott J East 86th Street - and I will not be going back. First, when I arrived Leanne was waiting for me outside, but when we go to the room it was not ready. Then she was rather unfriendly, which made me hesitant about the message. She never asked if I have problem areas, and never asked about the pressure, which was not strong enough. I had booked a deep tissue massage (or so I thought - see below) and it was not very deep, but I did not want to complain during the massage as she already seemed annoyed to begin with. My neck and shoulder bothered me before the message, and although it felt slightly better afterwards, within an hour it was back to the same pain. At the end, she was friendly - but it was too little too late. I have had many massages before and this was the worst I have experienced - by far. Also, when I went to check out, it turned out they had me down for a regular massage, even though I asked for a deep tissue massage. I go to this "spa" for waxing (and the waxers there range from good to great, depending on who you go to), and they often screw up the appointment - once they had me down for a back waxing (I have never heard of women waxing their backs!) - so I should have known to double check when I got there. Also, the place is really not suited for massage - I heard constant noise during the massage ranging from people talking loudly to toilets flushing to sinks running - not a relaxing environment for a massage. All in all it was not an enjoyable or relaxing experience and I would not recommend it.