Jon Richards Salon

Let me just clarify that this review is SPECIFICALLY about lash extensions (LE) I had done at this salon. I have not used their other services, which very well may be their strong suit. While the staff was very pleasant, it comes down to the fact that I'm not paying $300+ for people to be nice to me. I'm paying for an expertly provided service that I can't get anywhere else.
I happen to be a LE junkie, getting them done every 2 weeks for the past 2 years, until I recently moved to the TC area. I went to JRS because their reviews seemed great. Now I realize that people who reviewed before most likely were just so in awe that they had long lashes for the first time (I've been there!). There are a few problems I had with the application and the main reasons why I will NEVER get my lashes done here again, even though they offer the first touch up free: 1. So FEW lashes were applied. Back home, for $100, I had 80 lashes applied PER EYE. At JRS, I got no more than 30-40 and was charged $300. There was no layering done at all. I didn't look like I had full natural lashes. I looked like I had one row of long, spidery lashes and a few rows of short ones. 2. The glue/lash application, for one was so uneven you could see chunks as if I had flakey mascara all the time! 3. Another issue with the glue was that it was applied unevenly to each hair, and very little at the root of the extension, a BIG problem when the extension shifts and is now laying at an angle horizontally along my other hairs, but I can't pull it out because it's still connected (at the midpoint) to my natural lash. Also a problem when you blink, the root of the ext pokes your eyes and your soft tissue around your eye (double ouch when it hurts to close your eyes and sleep). It also looks horrible when the lashes twist because they're not glued securely and now curl horizontally rather than vertically. 4. He did not take special care to glue each lash individually. On the outer corners of both eyes, a bunch of hairs (5-7) were glued TOGETHER, looking totally weird and actually hurt. BIG problem when one was supposed to fall off (as you lose hair naturally) but it is dangling in my eye because it's a conjoined hair in this cluster. 5. If he would have teased my natural hair with the glue tipped LE, he would have created a stronger glue base and also a little bit of a coat so that when it grew out, the glue line wouldn't show so much. 6. Normally, when I get LE, I lay off doing anything, even moisturizing for 48hrs after (they recommend 24) and then I curl maybe once a week and apply mascara every other day. I COULDN'T even COMB my lashes without them hurting (from being tugged from their awkward clusters) or falling out, let alone curl or coat them. So I left them as natural as I could. And here I am, less than 3 weeks later and NOT A SINGLE LASH IS LEFT! When I first went to JRS, I had not seen my previous LE stylist for 6 weeks, and I still had at least half of my lashes, even though I curled, combed, coated and washed my lashes on a nearly day-to-day basis (NOT recommended but if you're EXTREMELY gentle you can get away with minimal lash loss).
I'm extremely disappointed with the turn out on such a pricey service. Again the staff was very friendly and polite, and it bums me to write such a bad review but in the end, it's just not worth it to spend SO MUCH for awkward looking lashes. I am still on the hunt for a new LE spot in the TCs, keep your eyes peeled for my user reviews to see if its worth going to or please, fellow LE junkies, throw me a bone! Obviously my standards may be a bit high, but at $300 + tip a pop, they ought to be!
PS- for other NYC snobs like myself, consider this bargain: I could buy roundtrip airfare to NYC, get my lashes done at Ebenezer, tip the lash stylist AND the masseuse generously and still spend less than $300! Honestly!

Pros: Funny, personable, polite staff, convenient location

Cons: Truly NOT skilled in lash extentions, overpriced & wasted $

Posted 07/01/09

John is the BESt of the BEST! He cut and colored my hair for years, and since I moved to NC I have never found a match! He is always being asked to be on TV, in magazines, do local celebs, live on radio, and has been/is on many global design teams...Nexus, Scruples, and more. These are BIG NAMES PEOPLE!!! I saw him win the Master of The Craft Award years ago, and he only gets better and better. Hair extentions and eyelash extentions, his own product line -this man has it ALL - this solo attention ROCKS!

Plus he is funny , hot looking, and you will LOVE HIS LAUGH!

Pros: trendy area with easy parking lot even for downtown

Posted 05/13/08

Jon Richards is a start to finish guy!!!! What does that mean you ask...Well, have you ever had a great cut but terrible style or what about a cute cut but bad color? Jon is AMAZING start to finish...great color cut and style. So I advise you all to make an appt with Jon and plan on going out after to show off your hair! I just came in for hair extensions and love, love, love them. I will be a client for life!!!!!!!!!!!

Pros: Seriously...Everything

Cons: ???

Posted 11/15/07

Jon Richards Salon is AMAZING! I called to set up an appointment for several services that at another salon would have literally taken all day! Jon was very friendly when I spoke to him on the phone. He answered all of my questions and was seemed very excited for my visit. He gave me a time frame and an approximate cost for the services I requested and was able to schedule me within 4 days of my calling! When I arrived at the salon he was alert and very personable. He completed all of the services in a short amount of time and did a fabulous job! He also gave me tips on hair care for my particular style and a free gift.

I was very nervous going to a new salon, but he made me feel very comfortable & I intend on being a loyal customer and will definately send him business whenever the opportunity arises. The salon is very clean and professional. He actually cares about his clients. I heard him on a call with a client and he was very thoguhtful & thorough with them. I am so glad that I found this salon. I haven't stopped talking about my experience there.

Pros: Talented Stylist, Easy to get to, fast & friendly service

Posted 01/22/07

I visited Jon Richards Salon for Hair and Eyelash extensions. What a great concept! My eyelashes were nearly non-existent and now they are absolutely beautiful. As to my hair . . . what can I say? Long and gorgeous! I've never been able to grow my hair long so what a treat. Needless to say, my husband loved it! Thanks again, Jon. You're the BEST!

Posted 01/10/07

John is truely an expert at applying eyelash extensions! I heard about him on Showcase Minnesota and had to try them out. They look so natural! I love them! He really knows what he's doing. I'm coming back for hair extensions now!

Pros: John

Cons: None

Posted 12/21/06

Thanks Jon for great service and a great cut. You're the Best. You always pay close attention to ALL the details the way EVERY stylist out there should! Why go anywhere else? Jon has it all.

Pros: one on one service and attention to detail

Cons: none

Posted 06/12/06