Katie Wood

Review of Joseph Anthony's Retreat Spa a...

For a business "recognized as the premiere day spa...

For a business "recognized as the premiere day spa in the region" (as it says on their website), I expected a whole lot more.

A few years ago, I went here for balayage. During my consultation before the process began, I explained the color I wanted & the stylist seemed quite enthusiastic. Turns out, me explaining the color somehow conveyed to her that I wanted that color all over instead of as balayage even though I repeatedly said "balayage" and "at the bottom" while motioning to the tips of my hair. I'm a laid back person so I actually just let it go. I paid and went on my way. When I got home, I decided I had to speak up & I emailed Joseph Anthony, explained what happened & I asked if I had paid the balayage cost, or just a one color cost and they said I paid for one color & sent me a copy of the receipt that literally said "Hair color" with the cost. According to the prices listed on their site, though, I had paid for balayage.

A few months ago, I went to Joseph Anthony for a manicure after having a less-than-stellar experience at another salon. It was the morning of my engagement photos & the manicurist nicked the index finger on my left hand and I bled the whole time. She literally painted the blood into the polish, then did another coat over it so that you didn't see it. Also, I mentioned my previously bad manicure from another business & said the person there didn't even paint to the edges of the sides of my nails. She said "why would you not cover the nail?" and then proceeded to not cover the nail. I felt like I was hurried along because we didn't pause for enough time for my finger to stop bleeding. I offered to hold my hand up, to help the bleeding slow, and she said "no no. If my boss saw you with your hand up..." and trailed off. She was already onto her next appointment while my nails dried & I left, so I ended up paying full price. I don't know if I would have gotten a discount had she walked me to the register, but I wasn't going to be like "hey, she cut me, give me a discount" because it was an honest mistake but ... come on.

I want to like this place. I really do. All of my friends who have gone there rant and rave about how amazing it is, but I just do not get it.