Darlene's Hair Stylists in Duluth, MN

A friend went here in order to get a wig as she was going through chemotherapy. When she went to pick up the wig she was simply handed a plastic bag with the wig inside. No one offered to help her try it on or style it. When she got home and tried it on it was completely wrong I would hope that a store supplying wigs would be more supportive of people going through cancer treatments

I cannot say enough good things about Darlene's, specifically my stylist, Char. I went to see her about a year ago after a terrible haircut. I inquired about extensions, which I had never had before. First of all, Char was so understanding of how much a bad haircut can affect your self esteem. She has a heart of gold and the care she puts into her client's hair was obvious to me upon the first time meeting her! Char gave me all the options for hair extensions and thoroughly discussed the pros and cons of each option as well as price. I was ready to pull the trigger and purchase the most expensive package and she encouraged me to go home and think about it. What a thoughtful stylist to protect my wallet as well as my hair! I ultimately went with hairdreams extensions, which I have now repurchased 4 times over the past year. Char has also colored my hair and has done phenomenal at both the extensions and the color. I have been beyond impressed with the service and heart that Darlene's offers!

I would like to start by saying that the rating I am providing is solely about the hair experience, and result and not the people. I came to this salon as I am about a 6 hour round trip from my normal stylist. Prior to my appointment, I called Darlene's to explain my situation (I have alopecia, and not only have delicate hair, but also extensions). I was given a quote and a rough estimate. It sounded promising and affordable, so I booked. Char was exceptional when it came to understanding my tardiness, as I had run into construction and was running behind. She was also really cordial and nice. I was looking to have a full foil and tape-in extension maintenance. I will start with the foil. I have been getting my hair foiled for the better part of 20 years. Char began by asking a few questions for me about my hair. I appreciated that she was asking, but what she asked me not only did I assume she should know, but there was no way I would know these things (and I had never been asked by any other stylist before). Thankfully, my stylist was available for me to ask. When my hair was "finished" it was mostly blended, except in the front where I had what I will call "tiger stripes" or the chunky highlight look from the early 2000's. It very clearly had not finished processing, as this happened only in the front, and most noticeable part of my hair. She had also made the comment that I would be "done no matter what" when the timer went off. The foils themselves were also about a half inch in places away from my scalp, and it was brassy in the front and brassy splotches on the top. The whole process took 4 hours (including extension maintenance- which I have never had take that long, because my hair is fine and thin, it is typically 2 - 2.5 hours total). I didn't have time and was running late to another engagement so I couldn't have it fixed then. Char was also raving at how well it looked, and I didn't have the heart to tell her, and was quite surprised she didn't notice it, having been a stylist for almost 30 years. Now, onto the extensions. Char was supposed to be an extension guru. Firstly, I wasn't told I needed to bring my own tape- and in the 10 years I have had extensions, have never been asked. So, I had to wait for them to be delivered from another location, and was charged $1 per piece of tape. The extensions were butted right up to my scalp, which meant they pulled when I put my hair into a ponytail. I have been counseled that you always leave a little bit of space. On top of all of this, I was charged $190 (plus tip, totaling $220). I was quoted $60 for a full foil and extensions $60 per hour. $190 is what I pay at a premier salon in the cities. Overall, I would not recommend Darlene's. My guess is that Char is not used to doing foils (and had mentioned how she does a lot of retirement home hair). While she was able to do extensions, they certainly weren't done the way they are supposed to be. Given my hair-state, when someone makes a mistake, I lose trust in their ability to do my hair, and will not make a request for it to be fixed- rather, go to where I know. So, I have made an appointment with my stylist, and will be making a 6 hour round trip plus appointment time to have it done properly.