My First Seattle Gene Juarez Experience

adora721

New Member
Finding a good stylist for African American hair in the Seattle area has been difficult for me. The woman I've been going to for about 5 years is a nice person and a decent stylist, but I'm often left waiting for 1.5 hours past my appointment time and then spend another 2 to 3 hours in the salon just for a touch-up. She's on her own and she overbooks. She's often in a rush and she uses a fine tooth comb to comb my hair, which ends up tearing out some of my hair. I then pay $100 for the privilege.

So, when I saw that Gene Juarez now provides relaxer services at its spa and salon, I decided to take a chance on a caucasian stylist. I asked my sister and my mother to pray that it went well, and I prayed a lot, too! I went to Alderwood Mall.

Before the appointment, I asked if they used a lye relaxer; yes, they use Mizani. I'd never used Mizani before, but I have read the great reviews many of you have given. I asked about the stylist's training and years of experience. Gene Juarez has a training academy and the stylist has been doing relaxers for 2 years. I was scared about the 2 years, but took the chance anyway.

I got to my appointment on a Sunday (12/14) at 3:45 pm, which is way more convenient for me. My other stylist did not have weekend or weekday hours that worked with my schedule. Usually I had to take off time from work, losing pay in the process, to get my hair done.

I was greeted promptly and offered a robe (ooh la la!). I was told to wait until my stylist came for me. I was about to get comfortable for a long winter's wait by the fireplace with a magazine, but the stylist came to get me after a five minutes!! Believe me, I was watching the clock.

She had an assistant who based my previously relaxed hair. I was offered some tea - new experience!! The stylist came to talk me about my hair goals and trimming. I simply stated that I was trying to grow it long and didn't want a trim. Although she disagreed about not trimming, she didn't push it either.

Then the retouch began. My hair was parted in two and then the stylist and her assistant did my retouch at the same time!!! Before I knew it, the smoothing began and I was headed to the sink to rinse. I didn't even have time to take one sip of tea. They were not going too fast. They were steady and methodical. They were not tearing at my hair like my other stylist often did in a rush. I had no burning. It was weird to feel four hands in my hair, but the payoff was worth it.

The stylist shampooed my hair three times and then conditioned. I decided to test her to see if she would recommend some short retouch schedule just to get more money. I asked how often I should get a retouch, she said about 10 weeks. I was impressed. I asked her a lot of other questions and she was very knowledgeable about African American hair. She only recommended one Mizani product for a daily hair dressing, but she did not pressure me to buy it or anything else.

Because I color my hair, she used the mild Mizani and my hair came out perfectly. I don't like bone straight and it was just as I'd prayed for. She then blew it dry without a comb attachment like my other stylist did. When my other stylist used the comb attachment with the blow dryer, it caused some hair loss because it tore at my hair.

I was done in 1 hour and 15 minutes.:grin: Didn't even get to drink my lovely tea.:lachen: And the cost was $115! It was totally worth every penny and I will be going back.
 

MichL

New Member
Awesome! I'm so glad it came out well. I know there is nothing like finding that ONE stylist/salon you feel comfortable with.

And get ready for the "This thread is worthless without pics" smilies :)
 

BostonMaria

Well-Known Member
A robe? Tea? They didn't force you to trim? My God I would love to visit a salon like that. It sounds like you had a fantastic experience. It must've been all that praying LOL

There is a Aveda salon near my house and I'm afraid to go in there. Maybe one day I'll venture and see what happens. Thanks for sharing!
 

Stiletto_Diva

Well-Known Member
I live in Seattle and I know how you feel about finding a stylist. I heard a few thing about Gene Juarez, but I was skeptical about then knowing how to do AA hair. I'm glad you found a good stylist!! Do you know if they can deal with natural hair? I'm scared to go to them and have them try to tame these kinks
 

adora721

New Member
I live in Seattle and I know how you feel about finding a stylist. I heard a few thing about Gene Juarez, but I was skeptical about then knowing how to do AA hair. I'm glad you found a good stylist!! Do you know if they can deal with natural hair? I'm scared to go to them and have them try to tame these kinks
I'm not sure about natural hair, but give them a call to ask. There are two primary stylists that do relaxers. My stylist was Jessica at Alderwood Mall.
 

adora721

New Member
A robe? Tea? They didn't force you to trim? My God I would love to visit a salon like that. It sounds like you had a fantastic experience. It must've been all that praying LOL

There is a Aveda salon near my house and I'm afraid to go in there. Maybe one day I'll venture and see what happens. Thanks for sharing!

It was the praying, because I'd called other caucasian salons that made me terrified. When I asked one woman if she did relaxers her answer was, "Yep. Just slap it on, wait until it burns, and then rinse it out!" I told her I'd get back to her - I didn't call back, of course.

With Jessica, at Gene Juarez, she was willing to answer all my questions and knew what the process should be.

Just give Aveda a call, ask a lot of questions, and if their answers are good, take a shot. If you get a bad feeling about the answers, keep on looking...
 

TeaKyoo

New Member
I went to Gene Juarez for waxing one time and my DH worked at Apple around the corner (Alderwood Mall). I saw this lady stylist in the window with curly hair (BIG) and he found out her name for me. Aliyah, I think. I wonder if she does natural hair. I live in Bothell/Mill Creek and I am looking for someone to do my hair every once in a while as a treat. A girl can dream, right? --TQ
 
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