Shear Xpectations

Just moved to Columbia in November and I was in desperate need to get my color done. I found great reviews about Shear Xpectations so I thought it was worth a shot. When I called, the receptionist was very friendly, and set me up with a great colorist Blair. She was super friendly, listened to what I wanted, and very informative on what I could do to maintain healthy hair. Like many other experiences that I have had she was the first stylist who didn't over process my hair. The outcome was PERFECT! I def have rebooked with her! So she's officially my go to no matter what!! more

I love Shear X and I especially love my stylist Blair! I am very picking when it comes to my hair and Blair always knows just what to do. I would not trust anyone else with my hair. I always like to change up my styles and go from one extreme to the other by being really blonde or dark brown long or short and whatever it is I am always satisfied with the work that she does. I have a hairstylist for life. Pros: null Cons: null more

Love this salon!- Pros: null Cons: null more

Blair is the best!!! Been looking around for a salon for awhile. So glad I found her! She is amazing at color! Pros: null Cons: null more

If you're looking for Shannon, you'll find her at Salon Bella on Forest Drive. The phone number is 790-7375. more

BEST SALON EVER! I started going to Shear Xpectations from reading all their reviews on citysearch and almost everyone was right!.....(Not really sure what that benblalock was talking about). My number one person there is Blair. She is amazing, very sweet, and knows her color! I had my hair colored and cut there and dont think it has EVER looked this good. She is the BEST!!!!! All of the girls there are great. Very, Very nice! Couldn't have ask for a better place to go to get my hair done. Everyone better start going there!!! 10 STARS********** more

I have had my hair cut here one other time by Erica. She was very friendly. I was pleased with her work. Erica was why I decided to return to this shop, however, they actually do not take walk-ins. They claim they do. I came into the shop around 10 a.m. this morning. There was no at the front counter. The massage therapist came out from behind the curtain and offered to help me. I told her I would like my hair cut, and that I was a walk-in. She spoke with a female with dark hair that was pulled back. She seemed to have an attitude. The massage therapist told me that there was nobody to cut my hair, but at 10:30 she would have someone. She gave me a card for $5 off my return visit. I showed up right prior to 10:30. Blair (a stylist) and the female with dark hair were at the front counter. I told them I was told I could get my hair cut at 10:30. She told me she would see if she could find someone to do it. She and the girl with dark hair started whispering. Very rude. They left me sitting up front. Meanwhile, the stylist were in the back talking and cutting up. One was even cutting her bangs. The two snobs at the counter left me sitting. I asked for the owner. I told her what had occured and that I would not be back to her place. I informed her that just because a person is dressed a certain way does not mean they don't have money to spend in her shop. I was dressed down in jeans, a cap, and my old Army jacket from when I was enlisted. Make sure your dressed to the hilt to get good service at this place. The owner told me she was sorry, however, I just want others to be aware. Make sure you look like your somebody before going here. I guess money talks? Clothes or something does......... Customer service sure does not. more

In response to your comment I shall say that I already apologized for what you felt was a bad experience to our business and I even called you after you left and I left you a message on your phone apologizing again and welcoming you back to our salon. I was shocked when you commented on your clothing because I thought that you looked fine. Most of all our clients wear jeans and we get lots of military in our salon so?in no way, shape or form do we discriminate against anyone especially based on how people dress. Our staff would NEVER refuse someone based on clothing. We have such a wide range of clientele form all over the Columbia area. From what I recall of the situation we made an appointment for you welcoming you to our business. We never told you that we could not cut your hair. You have been to our salon before and you stated that you were pleased with your service so I am confused why you would want to write something like this about us. Sometimes our front desk staff has to step away from the desk from time to time to do other work related things for our business like sweeping hair etc., so our massage therapist was filling in for our receptionist for a minute. And YES!!! We DO take walk-ins. Any one is welcome to walk-in to buy product or to speak to our front desk staff or any of the other employees to discuss haircuts , color etc. We don?t like for people to have to wait if they don?t have an appointment so if you are a walk- in with out an appointment and need any service that we offer, we will let you know at that point if we can or can not take you at that time and schedule a time for you to come back. So we scheduled for you to come in at 10:30 so yes, you had to wait for a couple of minutes. I am sorry about that, it was the best that we can do. The reason why the girls let you sit up front and wait is because they knew that you were waiting to be seen by one of the other stylist who was not ready to see you yet. Trust me to say that the girls that were whispering up front were not whispering anything negative about you. And about the people in the back that you said were cutting up..i am confused about that comment because if you were referring to my cleaning staff, nail tech and esthetician. ?they don?t have a license to cut hair so they couldn?t have taken you for a haircut and yes they are fun girls to talk with so they were just chatting with each other. Trust me to say that we definitely wanted your business and I feel like this was a big misunderstanding. I can?t change your opinion on our salon but we do care about our clients and that is why we gave you a coupon when you walked in and that is why we called you and left a message on your phone. Sorry for your troublesome experience. ?Shear Xpectations management more

Terrible haircut!!! I asked for long layers and what i got was big chunks...It looks like Edward Scissor hands got a hold of me. Instead of gradual layering it looks like one giant step on the back of my head. She used a razor the entire time (no scissors, no texturizing scissors) to butcher my beautiful, long hair. Now I will have to battle the frizzies everyday and wait months and months for my hair to look good again. The only thing I left the salon with was shear disappointment and regret! more

I went to different places constantly trying to find a stylist that actually listed to what i wanted and made my hair look great. I finally found that in Blair! She's very consistent in remembering what i want every 6-8 weeks. She's also honest enough to tell you if she thinks a certain style will look good on you or not. Decent prices: I get color, highlights, and a cut for about $130. more

I went into Sheer Xpectations off of a recommendation from a friend. I had previously received a terrible cut/color from another salon and went into Sheer Xpectations and said, "FIX IT." Shannon not only fixed my cut, but the color is amazing. I have received nothing but compliments since the visit. She was a great conversationalist and the ambiance in the salon was just great. This is by far the first hair cut that I have ever LOVED. I will be going back. For $150, I got a superb cut and 3 colors. It was awesome and priced decently for the service. more

It was my first ever visit to any of saloons here and Im so glad that I went to the right place.\r Thanks to Erica for giving me a perfect look.\r I really appreciate her for doing that hair cut \r for me. The staff is very nice . I enjoyed visiting the place. more

I would recommend Shear expecations to anyone. I have been to several uptown salons in Columbia, and this is the only one that I feel comfortable in, and don't leave feeling I wasted a part of my paycheck! Pros: Price, employess Cons: none more

Stacy always takes the time to ask questions, look at photos, and she listens to what your likes and dislikes are. Pros: location, price, parking Cons: cancellation fees (without 24 hours notice) more

i've gone to this salon for years now cause i'm the type of person that once you find someone to do it then you stick with them well now i'm going somewhere else because the place is so busy that it seems like they don't have time to figure out what you want before you start then when their done and it's not what you paid for they are like i must have misunderstood. and i hate that the prices change everytime i get my hair done if i'm paying $130 for color i expect to get what i want . but i'm no longer a customer there so girls be careful more

I am from the East coast so, I AM accustomed to High prices for Hair Salon services but!\r \r $65.00 for a SINGLE color: no highlights, no frost, no blow dry, no styling???????\r \r C'mon Columbia Gals you are being over-charged!\r Nice personnel & Real Estate but that is not why a discriminating customer selects a Salon!\r \r Check prices for the services BEFORE you sit down in the chair. more

I paid $16 and got a $16 haircut; she worked way too quickly, missed spots on the sides with the clippers, and cut my hair far too short. When you get your haircut by someone for the first time they typicaly cut conservatively and ask if you would like more taken off, this was not the case. The stylist seemed in too much of a hurry to go through that process. In the end what I got was a decent looking Caesar style cut, the problem was I didn't want, nor have I ever wanted a Caesar style cut. However, something tells me no matter what you want with this stylist at this salon, thats what you're going to get and if thats what you want then go here. However, if you're looking for something a little more sophisticated or specific, I suggest paying more money and going to a higher end salon or at least one more knowledgeable in men's cuts. Pros: Cheap, nice on the inside Cons: Cheap, hurried staff more

After moving from Massachusettes and leaving the only stylist I have ever know, I came to Columbia to go to USC. I was very nervous about having someone new do my hair and not only that but someone from the south since I am a northern girl. I read all the good reviews on Shear Xpectations and then decided to go for it. I had my highlights done and my hair cut by Jenny and it turned out fabulous. She was very nice and did exactly what i said I wanted. She listened to all my concerns and made sure I was satisfied. I would have to say I even like it better than when Connie did it. I loved the atmosphere in the salon and all the girls that worked there were very nice and made it an awesome experience. They are all pretty too. I would definately recommend this place. I give it a 10. Pros: staff services and environment Cons: none more

Shear Xpectations is a great salon if you are looking for great color & cuts. The staff make sure they stay up on the latest trends in styling, and they live the lifestyle, so they "get it". My stylist is Blair. She is GREAT!!! I always love my color and cut. And she is great to talk to......As is everyone there. I wouldn't go anywhere else. more

I have been to a lot of salons and this is the best, no question. Artana is a master of the salon arts. Her cut and color job is the best around. This salon is not the cheapest, but the quality of service given is well worth the price. I would not go anywhere else. Pros: Ambience, Staff, Service, Quality Cons: A little expensive, but worth it. more