Ursula Stephen The Salon

I came to this salon twice, the first time was to see if they accept walk ins and their prices they told me they were about to close. So I tried back on a Tuesday I called and they said they don’t except walkins. So I wrote them on Instagram they said they did, they acted as if they were only able to deal with more than one client at a a time. if you accept walkins and are in this business to make money, A potential client should not have to come back twice and be told well call you, when The customer can sit and wait until their done with the one and only client that have. This is a company that honestly doesn’t care to obtain more money if their shooing away potential clients that are in search of a good salon.

I should have written this review 10 months ago when I actually went to the salon so apologies that this is a delayed review. On Oct 14, 2014 (on my birthday), I went to this salon to get my hair straightened and add some beachy waves. I stopped by the salon a few days prior to consult about what I wanted and the price (I read the other review that said they were surprised about how much they were charged and I didn’t want that to happen) and also wanted to make sure they understood what I wanted. I spoke to the owner who understood the simple style I wanted and she gave me a quote and told me who would be doing my hair when I came back (I believe my stylist’s name was Anna). A bit about my hair: I’ve been natural for 8 years, but the past two years I have stopped straightening my hair in the winter. So I’m curly/​natural for 95% of the year. I usually only straighten once or twice a year max now. So straightening my hair at this time for my birthday last year was like a treat for me. The day of the appointment, I was running late and they accommodated a change in my appointment time and everything. Salon was a little slow that day so I got almost full attention. Everything seemed to go pretty well the whole time until it was time to style. Now I was really excited about coming to this salon because I’d walked past it several times as I was always in the neighborhood and I had a friend who frequented the salon and had good things to say (note: she is not natural). So when the stylist began styling, she blew my hair out (heat contact #1), then flat ironed it (heat contact #2). She then proceeded to style (remember I wanted easy beach waves and had shown numerous pictures of what I thought was a simple style). She used a rod curling iron (heat contact #3) to make the curls. As she was doing them, it didn’t look like what I wanted but I assumed there was something other step to style it that I didn’t know of (like finger style, etc to get what I want). After she finishes styling my whole head, I look like Shirley Temple. NOTHING like what I asked for. So I tell her, this is completely not what I wanted. Showed the pics again and she was kinda confused at how to fix it. Now I’m annoyed because I went through all the right steps to ensure this did not happen (stopped in before my appointment to ensure they could do what I wanted and brought pictures). At that point, the owner tells the stylist, oh you did her curls wrong, you were supposed to do them like this (and demonstrates for her). Mind you, the owner was sitting there the whole time as the stylist did my hair and never told the stylist she was doing it wrong. I’m like if you saw her doing it wrong the whole time, why didn’t you say something before she finished my whole head! They asked me if I wanted them to do it over, and although in my gut I was hesitant (because of all the heat), I also did NOT want to go out to my birthday party looking crazy. So she re-​curled my whole head (heat contact #4). It came out better, but it still wasn’t what I asked for. I was annoyed by the time I left because of the whole process and now I was late for my party. The price was decent because they had some weekday deals going on, but at this point it didn’t matter because I was just completely annoyed, esp since I thought I was going to a place that was a leader in hair care.
Fast forward 6 weeks, when I start wearing my hair natural (curly) again. I see that where my roots/​new growth was is COMPLETELY STRAIGHT AND WON’T CURL AT ALL. My hair looked crazy! I was hoping it would revert back after while, but here we are 10 months later and it hasn’t. (SEE PICS ATTACHED). She burned my hair so bad from all of that heat contact that where my roots where last Oct is a perpetually straight section now. It’s not like I can cut that out bc it’s at the roots and middle of my hair. Catastrophe! This is the worst issue I’ve ever had since being natural and I’m upset it happened at what was supposed to be an upscale salon. I was actually hoping that my appt went well because I was looking for a replacement salon to go to, but clearly I am never going back here.
Moral of the story is, when you feel like something is not going right, speak up. Regardless tho, I would assume that this salon is not just about styling, but about health of your hair too and it would have been nice if when the issue happened someone told me well we don’t recommend we keep putting heat on your hair to fix the problem so let’s think of something else to do. They totally didn’t. In addition to the fact that the owner watched her do my whole head wrong and didn’t say anything until it was too late. They put so much heat on my hair it was insane. No one was concerned about the natural state of my hair. This salon is in the dead center of Ft. Greene, Brooklyn so I would assume 70% of the women who go there would be natural. I do not recommend this salon if you are natural!

I love this salon! I’ve been coming here for a year now and everytime I’ve had a good experience. They are very professional and really take the time to care for your hair. There’s not a long wait or a bunch of people hanging in the salon therefore you can relax and enjoy your experience. The pricing is reasonable and the quality of service is superb. Ashante is my stylist and I simply love hair.

Pros-​they can really do hair and make it look professional
Cons– won’t give you a quote or estimate over the phone, so when I went and got a wash/​press and 3 tracks sewn in I ended up spending $ 300 and wasn’t given price until I was done. Stylist (not Ursula) also had a MAJOR attitude problem and kept heavily suggesting services to up the price. I went 3 times and now go to time hair studio where I was welcomed when I walked in and my stylist always has my best interest and not price in mind.

I moved to Brooklyn from Boston and my beloved hairdresser of more than ten years. Been to a few salons in Brooklyn and been very disappointed… not only that but my hair and I suffered.
I love this place. Was quoted an exact price. Me and my hair were treated exceptionally and most importantly PROFESSIONALLY. I paid more than usual but was happy to do so. I’m going back!
Anne did my hair; I got a weave. It looks amazing. And I had a great day. Thank you Ursula!

Best experience I have had at a hair salon by far. I had an appointment for 12 pm and Ann my stylist was already waiting on me when I arrived. I was highly satisfied with the end result as well as the professionalism– my time there was not rushed at all like most places. Ann did it exactly the way I wanted it, she’s the best! I will definitely be returning. Thanks Ursula Stephen salon for everything.

I thought I would support a local business but was extremely surprised when payment was requested at the end of my services and it was almost 50% more than what I was quoted earlier in the day. The services were fair, but should you get a consultation as I did and make an appointment make certain that you ask them to write the total fee as proof of price. There are certainly other places in NYC and the Fort Greene neighborhood that can do hair equally as well and for much more reasonable price. Be cautious, everyone works hard for their dollars and no one likes to feel like they’ve been robbed.

I love the salon and the stylists who greet you upon arrival and ensure that you are comfortable during the entire experience. Ursula Stephen assisted with the styling of me hair which was surprising as this is unheard of in most high salons. The staff was professional and made sure I recieved the hairstyle that I wanted. The cost is totally worth it.

This is quite simple for me, I love it. I am very particular about my hair and even more particular about my weave. I have been in New York for a little over a month and have been to the salon twice. All of the stylist have their own personalities that seem to mesh together creating the urban posh salon that is Ursula Stephen. Everyone is knowledgeable about hair making it easy for consultations and selecting what treatments would best suit you. They are very accommodating to almost any schedule making it easy to set appointments after your initial consolation. Not only do I walk out of the salon feeling great, I feel that same sense of excitement for everyone around me who is getting their hair done. The stylists in that salon, as cheesy as it sounds, are pure artists. I have not seen a head that did not fail to amaze me. From cuts, to color, and blow outs, everyone leaves looking like a celebrity. Lastly, the staff is very professional and personable. I’ve gotten lost and had to speak with the receptionist (hair fairy-​godmother) for almost an hour even then she was patient and kind every step of the way. It is very easy to get to I am just terrible with directions so please do not let that discourage you.
I will not lie as a college student my mother has to still sponsor my visits because it is a little pricy, but it is all in the name of healthy hair!

I have been coming to this Salon for the past three weeks and I must say the experience is exceptional. I’ve had my hair styled by Dereq and he is absolutely amazing. It is $$ but it is worth it. I’ve spent no more than 2 hours getting my hair done and that is a welcome change. Everyone is professional and helpful. I would give this place more stars if I could.