Drybar - The Domain in Austin

Not the most pleasant Drybar standard and experience. I added a scalp exfoliation treatment which was supposed to include a scalp massage. I had to remind the stylist of the add on and even then I’m not sure I properly received the service to its fullest. The stylist had super long nails so wasn’t able to properly scrub or wash my hair. I’ve had salon hair washes before where the stylist had long nails but was still able to wash properly using her fingers instead of nails. It was painful and not done thoroughly. I also don’t thoroughly enjoy the blow dry process and kept getting burned by how hot it was on my scalp. In general the entire experience wasn’t pleasant. Paying a premium for hair blow outs you expect a certain level of service and attention to detail when wanting to feel pampered and this just didn’t hit the mark.

I had to admit, the 1 star reviews left me a little hesitant booking my hair appointment for my sister in law's last weekend. Honestly - I am glad I made the right choice and gave this place a chance. It was a busy day on Saturday morning but I only had to wait 5 minutes after my scheduled time. The stylist Tori is really nice and is extremely talented. I asked her for advice on which hairstyle will be best for the chilly windy day since the ceremony will be outside. She recommended me to do the old fashioned because she is confident my hair will stay despite me telling her that my hair is too fine to have any curls or waves stay up. She proved me wrong in the best way possible. She gave me the best blow out I've ever had at drybar and my hair stayed in place the whole wedding. I was completely blown away. Even my husband loved my hair which was a bigger plus to me. Overall - I believe communication and REALISTIC expectations set the place because I booked for the extended blowout despite the hairstyle I received and it was worth every penny. The stylist even got my hair done in less than 1.5 hour (a little over an hour) which gave me SO much relief because I thought I would be short on time to drive back to the hotel and then to the venue. Nope! Gave me the best blow out, got me out on time and we even had a nice convo afterwards. Drybar Domain - you won me over completely. Thank you again for helping me look amazing for my SIL's wedding day!

If I could give zero stars I would. Definitely do not recommend this location. GO TO THE DRYBAR AUSTIN LOCATION!!! To start this off my mom schedule for herself, myself, and my sister to get our hair done on Valentine’s Day over the phone with Val. We show up bright and early that day to only be told they didn’t have appointments for us. Lo and behold they accidentally booked us for April 14th. As my mom is asking what they can do to fix the issue they created Noelli the manager proceeded to say we can’t work you in today. Then said or I can do one of you at 7pm UMMM we have a dinner at 6:30pm that’s why we booked for 9am. She then made it sound like we were inconveniencing her and said “I will go out of my way to work overtime and fit yall in at 5:30-5:45pm” WHAT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A DINNER AT 6:30PM?! As all of this is transpiring the other FD lady was making faces in the background. I then asked Noelli if she could see if we could get appointments at the Austin location. She then proceeds to fire back with I don’t know anything about their schedule or their franchise. You would think after making such a big mistake she would go out of her way to call them and ask if they could fit three appointments in that morning but instead, she was very combative and not very helpful. We ended up leaving. I proceed to call later in the day to ask, who the two ladies were that were working in the front and who booked the appointments where I kept getting the response “I can give you that information, but my manager really wants to speak to you on the matter.” So I kept asking OK give me the names and the manager can call me back whenever it conveniences her today. Again whoever took the phone call kept saying “I can give you that information but my manager wants to speak to you.” OK then give me the names. What’s the delay here? I never received a call back from the manager that day like they said they would. I proceed to then call again on Sunday, where I am then told that the manager has been on vacation and won’t be back until Wednesday. That’s funny because yesterday I was told that she was in the salon but she was just busy and she would give me a call back by the end of the day which never happened. When Noelli the manager finally called and I asked for the other FD ladies name who was making faces, homegirl couldn’t even remember who she had working at the FD with her. She kept saying it was just her at the front handling the situation (which wasn’t handled at all). Like ok I guess we’re just imagining people now. So clearly this location is very disorganized and can’t put stuff together. Don’t waste your time making an appointment because you may not even get booked for the right day and then you may get attitude for it when you show up for the correct day and can’t get in.

I left my appointment at Drybar Domain with my hair still wet, which was extremely disappointing. I asked for my hair to be pinned curled, and my stylist responded with, “I’ll try,” then later told me my hair was “too straight” to hold them. I’ve never had an issue curling my hair before, so that explanation didn’t make sense. This isn’t my first negative experience here, which makes it even more frustrating. I’m paying for a service, and I expect to leave with my hair finished and styled properly. Instead I had to go straight home to fix my hair, having to reschedule plans I had made afterwards. I attempted to contact the manager to discuss my concerns but never received a call back. At this point, I’m seriously considering canceling my membership after multiple disappointing visits. I understand new stylist need to start somewhere, but when clients are paying premium prices, the service should reflect that.

Part 2 (extra fees for extended services) I also just remembered the acting manager also told me... It is simply luck of the draw... all stylist work at varying pace.... ok I get that.... but I may get a stylist that takes longer.... which mine has admitted to... so therefore I will have to pay extended prices because of this....! I've explained and left messages on my account... I do not want extended services.... but yet they keep assigning the same lady to my services that we have all agreed from my previous service I no longer wanted if I would charged due to her lack of swift efficiency!