Alchemy Hair Salon

12/14/08

Cute Building/Horrible Stylists

by angelicasadness at Citysearch

One of the stylists, Leigh comes into the store where I work and handed me a flyer so I decided to give them a try. The Salon is adorable, very punk kitchy which I liked. However, when I showed up there were a few other clients there, what seemed like friends of one of the stylists. They were sitting around drinking champaign and eating cookies and never offered my any. When they finaly took me back 20 minutes later, Leigh was my stylist. She was the only one in the shop that actually spoke to me. I told her that I wanted something extreeme, to chop a buch off and possibly shave it up the back. I wanted somthing punky which, taken thier atmostphere I didn't think was going to be a problem. for $40 I got a trim, one of the most boring cuts i've ever rec'd at a solon. I after asking her over and over again to cut more off she insited that with my face type that I should go to short. In the end she gave me the haircut she felt was best for me, not the one I wanted.

• Pros: Cute Atmosphere
• Cons: overpriced, snotty stylists

11/29/09

worst cut of my life

by asIthappens at Citysearch

I can totally sympathize with the comment below. Butchered is the perfect phrase to describe my cut. Yes I had strands hanging too and Corrine, the owner, cut my hair so it explains why when you complained to her, she didn't think anything was wrong.

Warning to all, Corrine is flighty and rude. She doesn't listen to what you want and will do exactly what she wants with your hair. It would be okay if she knew how to cut hair but she doesn't and even worse, thinks she does. It's obvious why she's owns a salon, because no one would dare hire her she had to open her own place.

I cried for hours too. My hair seriously looks wrong and it's cut so short I can't even put it up. If you have to get your hair cut here see Trish, at least she knows what she's doing. Avoid Corrine at all cost. As for the good review about Corrine, she must have written that herself!

• Pros: nice decor
• Cons: the owner

11/18/09

WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!

by smthndiff4ya at Citysearch

One star equals Poor, but they really deserve zero stars. I went in there and SPECIFICALLY told the stylist I was growing out my layers and wear my hair both curly and straight. She proceeded to shear my hair in awkward strands which left it thin, unsymmetrical and with frayed ends.My hair was so badly butchered that I could not stop crying for hours. When I finally spoke to the owner, Corrine, she was smuggish and told me over the phone, and I quote "You seem like a reactive person. Your hair will probably be fine in a couple of weeks." Corrine refused to give me a refund and when I went in later the same day to get her "professional opinion" she yelled at me infront of other customers telling me she did not appreciate my attitude. I video taped this entire encounter and I clearly had not said a word, I only ran my fingers through my hair when she yelled at me, "Stop arguing with me". When I replied "I didn't say a word to you." She stared at me in my face, huffed and puffed and still did not offer any solution to my tattered hair. I asked her, on camera, what she can do to help this situation and she never said a word. She glared in my face and when I crossed my arms she said she can't work with my bad attitude. I'm sorry, but if the owner of a salon was rude, demeaning and unprofessional would any one else have their arms crossed waiting for a solution? To sum it up, she never provided advice, solution or a refund!

My hair was so damaged at the ends that I had to go to another salon and get 4 inches cut off to make my hair even all the way around! (so much for growing my hair out.) The other salon did an amazing job, however I did not expect to have a mid-length bob ever again!

Alchemy is the worst experience I have ever had and it was made clear that $45 is more important to them than their reputation with customers.

• Pros: none
• Cons: everything

08/09/08

Expensive nightmare that won't grow out!

by snb1201 at Citysearch

I got my haircut there over a year and a half ago- and I am still trying to grow out the horrible cut! I can't remember the hairdresser's name- Jessica, maybe? I told her exactly what I wanted, but unfortunately did not bring a photo. She said she knew what I wanted and started to RAZOR my hair- basically from the ROOT! By the end, I had a huge amount of hair at my scalp and it trailed off to wisps at the bottom! I had thick, wavy, long hair when I walked in and looked like David Bowie from Labyrinth on my way out. I told her halfway thru that this was not going to work for my hair and it was not what I wanted, but she assured me that she works with my hair type all of the time. For some reason I felt obligated to tip her at the end and am still gun shy at getting my haircut again- anywhere. Everytime I have gone somewhere since, the hairdressers comment on the previous haircut. Saying that hopefully the bad cut will grow out in 3 more haircuts! It was expensive and definitely not worth it. Then, the person that referred me there went to the same person and got the same ugly haircut. Her and I have been wearing our hair in a ponytail for over a year!

• Pros: Cool decor
• Cons: Expensive, did not listen to what I wanted

07/13/08

Great place, I'll be back

by mogness at Citysearch

Best experience I've ever had in a hair salon. Made a same day appointment, staff was warm and friendly. Sit down, they'll give you a drink while you wait. Yea, it's little edgy indoors (punk rock music, tatoos, etc...) but to me, that's part of the appeal. Definitely worth the $40. My stylist, Jamie, was very patient with me even though I had no idea what I wanted to do with my hair. I'd recommend anyone looking for a new salon, try it at least once.

• Pros: Great service, great staff
• Cons: none

06/23/07

BEST SALON ON ORLANDO

by jojam at Citysearch

Absolutely the best! From NY and have been looking for the best salon in Orlando for 17 yrs! I have alot of hair and it is hard to cut if you don't know your stuff. Corrine took one look at my hair and knew exactly how to cut it --told her what I wanted and she did it! She did amazing color and everwhere I go I get compliments. The whole staff is talented and their technique is state of the art. Only the best hair products are available.The staff is warm and friendly from the receptionist to the shampoo-apprentice. Corrine is an exceptional stylist and she also puts so much energy and detail into Alchemy- from the retro stylist chairs to the great plants, lighting and music it is easy to relax. The atmosphere and staff at this salon is outstanding. I will never go anywhere else!

• Pros: Everything about this salon rocks! Corrine is awesome!

05/04/07

the worst experience

by specksgoor at Citysearch

I have heard there are some great stylists there but I went to Corrine & it was the worst experience I have ever had getting my hair done. She kept me waiting while she was on the computer, even after I told her I didn't have tons of time because I was nursing my 3 month old. She must have been hung over or something because she looked totally out of it and yawned constantly. Because I had just had my first baby and I told her I wanted a simple cut - a bob - even showed her pictures of myself with the haircut I wanted and she still cut it how she wanted to (obviously not a bob). I had several very short chunks of hair throughout my hair from where she attempted to razor. It was horrible - Cried over my hair for the first time ever. Highlights were ok - nothing fabulous but they weren't terrible or anything. I told her about the haircut - she didn't care - said it was better than the bob - I'll get used to it & love it. yeah right! DO NOT GO TO CORRINE!!!

• Pros: noe
• Cons: corrine

04/26/07

The worst hair salon ever

by jaimiec at Citysearch

Do not let a few good comments fool you! Alchemy was by far the worst hair salon I have been to. Everyone there was so infriendly, especially my hair stylist Corrine!! I came in two weeks before my wedding, hoping to get one of the best hair coloring and cuts and it turned out to be a nightmare. Corrine listened to nothing I wanted and did what she thought would look best(and believe me it was a disaster)! She completely ignored me when her friends came in and left me for about 2. hours with foils in my hair to go tend to theres. Finally when she washed out my hair it was YELLOW. Then she put the wrong type of toner in and a section of my hair turned green! On top of this, I was there for 4 hours and not once did she offer me a drink or really say a word to me she was completely rude.To makes matters worse, she had drinks waiting right in front of me that she had gotten for her friends. I just cant believe someone could be so unprofessional. Im sure there are a few good stylists there but please stay away from CORRINE!! For the sake of your hair and sanity!

• Pros: NOTHING
• Cons: CORRINE

01/12/07

Donia is great.

by gingerjenkins at Citysearch

I've gotten my hair cut three times at Alchemy: first by Leigh, then Donia, and then Donia again. I wasn't particularly fond of the haircut Leigh gave me, but he was VERY nice and friendly (possibly too friendly for some people, but I enjoyed the attention, haha). The first cut I got from Donia was AMAZING. The second time, not quite as good, but overall a nice job. No matter what, these are some of the most stylish and fun haircuts I've ever gotten, and I will be going back the next time I'm in need of a cut.

• Pros: friendly staff, drinks while you wait, great results
• Cons: almost overbearingly "hip"... unless you're into that ;)

05/03/06

The only place I trust!

by vettey at Citysearch

I live in NY and go to this salon for a cut whenever I make the trip to visit my mother in Orlando, which is sadly only 1 or 2 times a year. I am very picky with my hair and have never found a person I trust as much as Dania at Alchemy. She always does a wonderful job and is very professional... It is SO worth it to pay a little more to get a beautiful cut - I am always thrilled with the results and have to spend less time styling it.