Smartstyle

KRecently, I had my hair styled at SMARTSTYLE, located within the Walmart at 2425 South Zero St., Fort Smith, AR 72901. I typically visit Ashley, but when she is unavailable, I seek the services of Jessika.

Both hairstylists are exceptional, and I have consistently received excellent results.

On this particular occasion, I accompanied Kelsey, as neither Ashley nor Jessika was available. Kelsey has previously styled my hair, and for the most part, her work is satisfactory. However, on this day, she performed an unsatisfactory job.

After bleaching my hair and washing my topper, she braided them together without using sufficient gel. This deviated from her usual technique, resulting in a disastrous outcome for my topper.

Three and a half days later, despite being bonded and protected under a bonnet for most of the time, my topper was severely damaged.

It is important to note that this topper is a $900 creation made entirely of human hair.

I have receipts and photographs to substantiate this claim.

The situation has left me deeply upset, and I am compelled to escalate my concerns by pursuing higher management within the company. This level of unacceptable behavior is unacceptable, and I am deeply disappointed with both Kelsey and the company.

So it started in July; I ran in on my lunch break and got a haircut. It so happened to be the manager, so while cutting my hair, she had to keep running to get the phone and make appointments.

This happened several times. Well, she ended up cutting the top length of my hair as short as the length of my bangs. But I didn’t complain; I just grew it out. My hair takes a long time to grow, so I went back in November to someone else.

All she did was complain about how bad the last haircut was and that she would fix it. Nope, not even close; it was also very bad. So I went in a few days later and tried to speak with the manager about how disappointed I was. However, she turned really angry quickly when I told her that she also gave me a bad haircut.

That’s when she threatened to call corporate on me, which I thought was odd. But I was like, good, let’s talk to them together so they can get both our sides. She then called security on me. I left and then went to the cashier to have the Walmart manager talk to me about the situation.

Well, while waiting, she talked to the manager first and told them untrue statements, such as I was cursing and threatening her.

So the Walmart manager believed that and made me leave. Long story short, I will never go back to a SmartStyle ever again.

I showed the picture of the cut I wanted. A very easy layered cut.

The cut I got was not even close to what I wanted. I paid over $40.00 for nothing.

I couldn't even speak with customer service! I won't ever come back and I will tell everyone I know what a poor excuse of a business Smartstyle is!!!

If you are a person of Color, I don't recommend this place! I called days prior to schedule for a "Shampoo & Blow Dry" Only and the clerk on the phone booked my appt.

I mentioned I didn't need a style because my hair is already in locs. Once I arrived, I wasn't greeted properly and once the hair stylist Erica came over, I didn't get a "Hello", she instantly said "I'm going to be honest, I don't know how to do your hair". I mentioned to her I only requested for my hair to be washed and blow dried. Before checking me in, she proceeded to go back and forth me with me about my hair and her uncomfortableness as if she was trying to deny my service on the spot!

I mentioned to her again "I just want my hair washed and if you can't, can someone else". Then she takes me to the shampoo bowl. She never asked How I was or anything about my day during the service, but only mentioned of her now want to do my hair. This was an indication I should have left because I didn't feel wanted.

Mid shampoo, she recommends me to go to someone else next time... "An African lady in Winchester"'this was a racist comment that hurt my feelings!! While she was degrading me, a black stylist kept walking by and looking at me, she not once defended me or reassured her coworker to be more nice. She said she's been a hair stylist for over 12+ years but her customer service was Trash.

While drying my hair she rushed the process by spraying the fast acting solution. Kept mentioning other people's locs and no focus or care of her current client, me. Once done, I gave her only a $5 tip which I should let have and left.

Once I left the building, I felt uncomfortable and called the other store to book my next service, I'm still debating if I should go because of feelings here hurt! 0/10.

P.S my hair is healthy and shoulder length and not an uncomfortable difficulty.

You fired a very hardworking employee for absolutely absurd reasons! Ashley from Escanaba SmartStyle has dedicated 4 years of her life working very, very hard for your company, and the treatment she gets in return by being let go is unbelievable!

She has given up countless hours and weekends away from her family, spouse, and children and has made you guys the most money the Escanaba store has ever seen, and that's how you repay her? It is sick! Meanwhile, the other stylist comes into work hungover, puking in the garbage, takes days off, and leaves whenever she feels like it, leaving Ashley by herself swamped and double booked, and that's the so-called manager you want for your company! That's absolutely disgusting!

Her behavior toward her clients and potential clients, the way she has treated Ashley, the continuous attempts to get Ashley fired— you guys, in my opinion, made a horrible mistake. Ninety percent of your money and clients came from Ashley, not Kristy. If anyone should be let go, it should be Kristy. Ashley deserves that role as manager; she has worked very hard for everything she has gotten and done for you guys!

I recommend you let Kristy go; she is no good for your company! I think you really need to rethink your decision in firing Ashley!

My daughter has been to this location before and had a great experience. That's why we returned.

On September 12, 2025, my daughter was denied service because of the texture of my hair. Wow! I only wanted her hair to be shampooed and blow-dried, nothing else. Unbelievable!

I drove 45 minutes to get here and to be turned away. Scheduled appointment. Really! Now I am trying to explain to a special needs adult why she's unable to get her hair shampooed.

I am looking at this situation in so many ways: racial issues, treating people with disabilities differently. This has affected me and my daughter. I am in disbelief. Simple shampoo and blow dryyour hair has to be a certain texture.

Really! All hair can be shampooed. If stylists are not trained to shampoo any type of hair, why are they working, representing your company and brand? Please explain.

We have visited and been serviced at several of the SmartStyle locations in Florida and Tennessee. My daughter felt comfortable at your locations. This is a big deal for me at this time to try to find services for my daughter. Today, unbelievable!

Wow! 5800 Hwy 98 North, Lakeland, FL 33810.

In here the other day, and they said she was out; she was sick. So I came back today, which is Friday, and I arrived at 10 AM.

There was no one in here but another hairdresser. I asked him if she had anyone; he said no. I asked him where she booked. He said no.

Fifteen minutes later, she walked through the door and said she had a perm and I could come back at 11:30. I asked her if I had to book it online. You would’ve told me not to do it because then you would be overbooked. So she wants to say, oh, she’s not going to argue with me; I’ll be argumentative about it.

And then her, oh, I’m leaving at 11:30. Here it is 10:36, and you are here sitting in your car getting food, but you have a perm to do. And then you’re gonna say, oh, I’m leaving at 11:30, but you told me to come back at 11:30. So I’m not understanding her situation or her problems.

Every time you look up, there's a problem with Chris. I like her hairstyles; I like her work, but her demeanor and all the things that she has going on up here at this beauty salon are ridiculous, and I’m getting tired of it.

I went in to get a hair cut Im handicapped and was in an electric scooter wasnt able to walk and they told me the scooter wasnt allowed so I was forced to get in a chair to get my hair cut. The next time I went no chairs were available so I asked if I could sit down on one of the barbers chairs and they told me it wasnt allowed yet a person was sitting on one and I asked why I couldnt and they told me no and I told them I couldnt stand for long .

They got mad and banned myself and my wife. And refused to cut her hair also. Manager was very rude and so was the hair cutter After 20 years of getting my hair cut there. Fixing to talk to an attorney.

And see what can get done.

Both times sally the manager never heard my side. Had a hair cut elsewhere.