SmartStyle Hair Salon in Pine Bluff, AR

I recently had my hair cut here. I have to say the service was phenomenal. It had been almost 3 years I'd had my hair cut last. I had an appointment at 9, the first girl opened up a little bit late but that was alright. I waited while she cut an elderly woman's hair and washed someone else's hair. Mind you, I was going from long hair to a short choppy bob, the girl who was already there admitted she did not entirely like she would be able to cut my hair they way I wanted as well as her co worker, who was coming in later, would be able to. I was fine with this, I appreciate when someone can admit they are out of their comfort zone and I could tell she really wanted me to be happy with my new cut. I waited about an hour before the other lady arrived. She got there and cut my hair exactly as I had envisioned. I'll admit I was slightly annoyed with the wait but I really liked both of the girls who were working and am very happy with my cut! Would recommend but only if you have some time to spare.

My grand daughter and I have both had our hair cut at this salon several times over the years. The manager is brass to say the least! I have heard her be very hateful to her employees and also to her customers. Well today was my time.
It all began over wearing the mask. I have copd and am on oxygen 24/7. When I got to the salon I went in and signed up. The manager said it would be about an hour before they would be able to get to me. I left and went back an hour later. My husband walked right inside the salon to see if there was a chair that I could sit in while waiting my turn. The manager started screaming for him to get out he didn't have a mask on. So he left the salon. She said "no one could come in the salon without a mask on". I said I can't wear a mask, I can barely breathe with the oxygen. She said no one could come in without a mask. I said there's a state mandate that says if you have a medical reason you don't have to wear the mask. So I called the health department and said I was in Wal Mart at the beauty shop she was screaming this is not Wal Mart.  The lady from the Health Department said "you're right, but private businesses have the right to decide if you are required to wear a mask in their business."  And then she said "If I were you I would leave and never go back in there." Bottom line, I thought why am I doing this... I would not let her touch my hair ever whether they have a mask mandate or not!

Went in for a slight trim. I told the woman cutting my hair to take some length off the sides but just thin the top and leave most of the length.  She then proceeded to do whatever she wanting taking almost 8 inches from the top and barely touching the sides. Felt like what I wanted was just treated as a suggestion.

I called shortly after 10:00 am and got an appointment Saturday, 6/13/2020, for 4:30. The person who normally cuts my hair was out and I desperately needed a haircut, so this is what I was stuck with. I arrived at 4:30 and the gate was partially closed with a very disinterested employee sitting in a chair playing on her phone. She glanced up at me and went back to her more Important phone things. Another employee came around and asked if she could help. I gave her my name and answered all the COVID questions through my mask. The energetic employee then called out to "Krista" and said her 4:30 was here. The phone was put away and the chair was vacated as I was directed to sit there. Krista asked me how I wanted my hair cut so I explained as best I could. Obviously in a hurry, she cut my hair and shaved my neck. I'm not sure if her electric razor was dull of if she was just digging in but she got my neck shaved and a layer or 2 of skin along with the hair. At least I wasn't bleeding when she got through. I tipped her $5 so maybe her mood would be a little better for the next person. I won't go in there again.