DLNI Hair and Fitness in Louisville, KY

This was my first visit to Nicole. I was very impressed with job she did on my hair. I was very nervous about going to someone new for a cute but Nicole made me feel very comfortable about not only cutting my hair but coming to someone new. My appointment started about 15 minutes after my arrival which I found to be normal when going to a beauty shop. I have very thin hair an Nicole worked a miracle with my style. I will definitely be back!! Thanks for using your appointed hand on my head!!

I went here and got a great hair style. Hadn't had my hair relaxed in 2 or 3 year's. I am happy with the style and the look.

So many things went wrong during my first/only visit to DLNI The Hair Factory, that one star is justifiable only because my hair looked nice (not fabulous, but nice) when I left. Two reasons I patronized this salon: 1) I saw a Groupon for a shampoo/hair growth conditioner/cut/style for only $25, + 20% off for purchasing that day, regular cost $50, & 2) Good reviews on Yelp.

I paid for the deal, called the phone number listed. It was a non-working number (location also wrong). I went to the website (full of grammatical & spelling errors, but looks nice) & found correct number. Nicole answered, & was able to book a same day appointment (on a Saturday)! I called back later to reschedule for the following Tuesday.

Tuesday morning, I called to confirm the time (I had put 9:30am in my calendar, but couldn't recall if I wanted to get there early at 9:30, or if the appointment was actually 9:30. Nicole said that my appointment was actually for 10:30, which struck me as odd, since I recalled agreeing to 9:30 or 10:00, so I could get to work on time without rushing. When I arrived, she texted me, referring to me as "Tikita" (not my name), saying that she's running late. About 10 minutes later, sitting in my car, I saw a woman with a scarf tied sloppily on her head (the kind you see some females go out in public wearing, and sleep in) walk into the building that houses the salon.

Turned out to be Nicole. Her teenaged son was with her. He sat patiently in the salon, which was a room measuring about 100 square feet total, if that large. No big deal, but after seeing the website, the compact size of the salon was a surprise.

I'm a black female with 16 years of chemical-free hair, cut in a wavy/curly bob. I walked in with "yesterday's hair style", not done. I thought I would leave it up to Nicole to do something nice with what I have. She asked some questions about it, & asked if I have any problems. No problems, other than shedding. She suggested either a 2-strand twist or blow-out & flat iron. She said something about doing something besides this "helmet" look that I have. I can take a joke. However, Nicole made too many snide remarks during the visit. That was only the first that I recall. I often get compliments on my hair, even when I haven't been to a salon in months and do it myself.  

For each question Nicole asked about my hair, she either replied negatively to my answer or jumped to some odd conclusion. "What shampoo are you using?" Head & Shoulders. "Throw it away; bad for your hair, blah, blah." Obviously I know that it is not a professional product--I really don't care. It's something I bought during a last minute trip when I had no shampoo and noticed dandruff. "Where do you normally get your hair done?" She responds with negativity. We all know that Fantastic Sams is not tops, but the20-something-year old who does my hair there does as good a job as Nicole did on my hair. I get many compliments after going to her. I only went to Nicole because of the $20 Groupon. I don't go regularly to a salon, and was reminded of why that is during this visit. I'm simply not obsessive about my hair or willing to make it into a bill. I can make it look nice myself. A salon visit is an occasion, not a must. And going to hear a bunch of negative remarks, weird questions, insults, & put-downs of other salons is something I really can live without all year.

Then came the bizarre questions. I  wanted a two-strand twist, because I'm afraid that when I go to the gym, a flat iron job will be ruined. She asks me if I'm a "fitness junkie". Because I go to the gym? I thought staying fit was normal. She asked where I get my hair from, mother/father? Do I like having this kind of hair? What am I "mixed with"? There's got to be something, German or something, she insists. Does my daughter have hair like mine? I told her I have a daughter and son, ages 22 and 20. She asked if I have any grandkids!!! I told her I'm actually growing my hair out (I thought this was normal), she jumps to the conclusion, "What, your husband likes long hair?"

I mentioned the Groupon early in the visit. She wouldn't accept it, saying she hasn't accepted Groupons since she moved in January, (only had them to help her former six employees' business). My fault for not asking at that point what the service would cost. At the end of the visit, after cutting my hair while wet, again after blow drying it, & some more after flat ironing it, to the point where it's not even shoulder length, she hits me with a $75 fine for the service. She said this reflected a $5 discount for her late arrival, no charge for the cut. She said that because my hair is natural, she has to use more product, hence more cost. She should take it as instructive that "most Groupon users don't return." As I started to leave, appalled, one last jab for the road: "You don't tie your hair up at night, do you?" No, I don't. She replies, "I can tell". What was the point? Won't be returning.

If you are looking for a salon where the stylists are knowledgable about hair and are there to help you the best way they can, and make you beautiful, this is the place for you. Nicole is so nice and she was very helpful with any questions I had. Check it out. You will not be sorry!

When you have short natural hair, it can be difficult finding a stylist that can give you a feminine cut/style.  Nicole, the owner discussed not only style and color options but services that she recommended and the cost.  If you are a professional woman and would like a no drama atmosphere, call Nicole.  I love my hair cut and color and I have received many compliments!