AnBrea's Beauty Salon

 

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Ellen D.

Philadelphia, PA

2/6/2009

Let me preface this by saying that outside of the gynecologist's office, the hair salon is one of my least favorite places to be.  I only go when there's a job to be done on my head that I absolutely cannot do myself.  Straightening my hair is one of those jobs.  I went to AnBrea's on the advice of a friend (Cara N.) to see Jamez and get my hair straightened.  Quite honestly, I'd go to any salon where Jamez works, so AnBrea's is going to be a bit of an afterthought in this review.  

Jamez does the one thing that most stylists don't do: he listens.  I made it very clear that I didn't want him to use a hot comb on my hair, and he followed my instructions to a "T".  No bullying me to do things his way, no threatening me with the curse of ugly hair.  Jamez also gives you great advice on how to maintain your style and keep your hair healthy when you're not making regular visits to see him. But what I love most about Jamez is that, unlike most stylists, he doesn't try to ingrain in your mind that the only way your hair is ever going to look decent is by your butt being glued to their chair on a regular basis.  In a nutshell, Jamez makes my hair look the best it has EVER looked straightened.  

As for the salon as a whole, it's a bit cramped, but the people are friendly and keep the drama to the lowest level I've ever seen in a salon.  I'll keep going back for my yearly straightening sessions as long as Jamez is there.

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Lauren A.

Philadelphia, PA

11/22/2009

Went to AnBrea's on Friday and wouldn't recommend it to anyone who values professionalism or their time.

After I read the reviews on Yelp, I thought I'd give it a try. I have naturally curly shoulder-length biracial hair and needed a good cut badly. I called in the morning to make an appointment with Jamez for that afternoon at 4:30 pm. It was imperative I got my hair done that day-- if they couldn't do it,  I would have gladly gone to someone else.

I left work early, fought rush hour traffic and drove 30 minutes to get to the salon. When I got there, I was greeted by a receptionist at the front desk who acted as if I was a walk-in and said she'd, "see if Jamez can fit you in". She asked me if I wanted a "wash and curl" -- and when I asked her for clarification on exactly what that was, she smirked at me as if that was a ridiculous question.

When Jamez, came over, he unapologetically told me that it was going to "be a while". I had to ask MULTIPLE times to drag out of him exactly what "a while" was. Finally, he told me it would be AT LEAST a two hour wait. He said he had other "standing appointments" and that I had been "lucky to even get an appointment at all". (Let's see: I had to leave work early, drove 30 minutes to be there ON TIME, was told to wait 2 hours and at this point it's too late to make an appointment anywhere else...  I fail to see how this situation was "lucky" on my part.)

He suggested that I have another stylist cut my hair. I asked him if that stylist was good with curly hair and he seemed to be offended by my question. He sarcastically responded,  "all of our stylists are talented." I told him that I don't doubt that they are, yet still, not everyone can cut curly hair well. He just kept repeating the same line.

Finally, he went in the back to talk to the stylist he wanted to do my hair. Guess what...turns out that she didn't know how to cut curly hair!!! The two of them then proceed to try to convince me to straighten out my hair! I told them that I wear my hair naturally, and they just kept on about how I should straighten it out for them, because it would be easier for them to cut. No doubt, they'd have charged me extra to straighten it too.

Jamez then tried to get me to come back the next day for services. God knows how long I would have had to wait that time.

This was the most unprofessional salon experience I've had in a looooong time. Their whole attitude is "you're lucky we're serving you." I can't stand this type of mentality amongst businesses.  

I left the salon stuck between a rock and a hard place, since I really needed my hair cut that day and it was now close to 5 pm. Wound up driving to the Hair Cuttery on City Ave, which was a HUGE risk on my part, but Tia, who works there took care of me, and actually gave me one of the best cuts I've had in years. All for $15, go figure. The only good thing about AnBrea's was that it lead me to Tia at the Hair Cuttery who gave me a great cut for less than 1/3 of the price.

Absolutely wouldn't recommend AnBrea's to anyone.

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Michelle P.

Bear, DE

12/1/2009

I have been a constant, faithful client at AnBrea's Beauty Salon for a number of years.  Jamez is my stylist.  When in the atmosphere at AnBrea's I feel nothing but welcomed and comforted by the level of professionalism displayed in the establishment.  

I have read the reviews and was taken aback by Lauren A's comment.  I was, in fact, a client of Jamez' the day she came in there with an attitude that really sucked.  Not only did her attitude change the whole atmosphere in the salon, she made a spectacle of herself.  Not in all my years as a client at AnBrea's have I ever seen an individual display such a horrible, negative, stuck-up attitude.

My stylist was not only professional with her, he was patient (you got that Jamez).  I could never have patience with someone like that; but  I've either grown to have patience or sitting in Jamez chair is just that tranquil, since she came storming in there on my time, taking Jamez ' attention from my all-natural lovely locs, which JAMEZ has tamed and controlled  phenominally.  She was damn lucky she got to even speak with him.  I applaud you, Jamez, for maintaining your patience and professionalism.

If Lauren had stayed and absorbed the positive energy in the atmosphere at AnBrea's, she would not only have had a change of attitude she would have had a better appearance, instead of barrelling in and out of there like the Tazmanian Devil.

Shame on you Lauren for spewing such vicious lies about MY stylist..
Lauren, the world does not revolve around you, okay?  Bye Girl.

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Stacy C.

Philadelphia, PA

2/25/2009

I moved to Philly over three years ago and have struggled to find a stylist who made me want to become a repeat client.  I have had more than my share of  "one-day-stands", going in for a wash/blow/curl or maybe a little trim, never to return.  Most stylists made me feel bad for not having a perm or wanting to color my hair, but not Jamez.  For our first encounter he trimmed nothing more than what needed to go, styled my hair like I was going out that night (it was a Tuesday) and gave me clear directions on how to care for it at night AND when working out.   I look forward to returning to Jamez for another dose of premium hair care and lots of personality.

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