Kimarie Teter/Hairlocs
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Category: Hair Extension Topics Forum Name: Hair Extensions Forum Description: Hair Extensions can be the quick fix for short hair. URL: /forum_posts.php?TID=19516
Printed Date: Dec 26, 2024 at 10:04am
Topic: Kimarie Teter/Hairlocs
Posted By: RaverGirlAlyssa Subject: Kimarie Teter/Hairlocs Date Posted: Apr 5, 2004 at 8:40pm
I am considering getting Hairlocs extensions from Kimarie Teter of Hairlocs. I ahve never gotten extensions before, and her prioces are expensive, but it may be worth it. Does anyone have experience with her or the Hairlocs method?
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Replies: 87 Posted By: RaverGirlAlyssa
Date Posted: Apr 5, 2004 at 8:40pm
I am considering getting Hairlocs extensions from Kimarie Teter of Hairlocs. I ahve never gotten extensions before, and her prioces are expensive, but it may be worth it. Does anyone have experience with her or the Hairlocs method?
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Posted By: nikki40274
Date Posted: Apr 9, 2004 at 10:16am
Have you got your hair extensions yet?? I wear hairlocs, and I love them, but I hate the price. I was wondering how much she charges. I have to get mine redone about every 2 months. Please let me know if you got them yet!
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Posted By: Tiffany_Q
Date Posted: Apr 9, 2004 at 10:55am
I removed a lients hairlocks for her and there was quite a bit of damage done to the hair underneath. The locs pinch the hair in a little metal clamp and cause the hair to break in that spot.
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Posted By: Astra2000
Date Posted: Apr 11, 2004 at 5:35pm
I got hairlocs from kimmarie, and I would not recomend it. She charged 2000 for less than 200 strands, they sliped out alot, and when they got removed the damamge was just as bad as GLs (also very expensvie). The hair qualitiy was about the same. I've tried lots of methods--and all of them cause damage--you might as well not pay top dollar. Dont get the chepeast extentions, but don't pay more than 1,000. All of them wil damage your hair.
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Posted By: IBK
Date Posted: Apr 28, 2004 at 10:38pm
this comment was brought to my attention, FYI all of my clients have a signed guarantee of satisfaction while in partnership with my company, please contact me personaly to address any complaints, questions or concerns you have from your service.
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Posted By: amm
Date Posted: Nov 17, 2004 at 9:31am
Hairlocs causes lots of damage. I know plenty of women who've lost quite a bit of dimension to their own ponytail weight after removal.
Hairlocs stylists are rapidly losing credibility because of their false claims of "no damage." There's plenty of women on the Internet who are getting their story out.
Beware of the ones who don't come here to help but keep pushing their products and always link to the same web site.
No, you do not get what you pay for. Hairlocs is one of the most expensive and also the most damaging.
Anyone who pays over $1000 for extensions is getting seriously ripped off. $- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.!( ),))%!,,%$<"b .4
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Posted By: amm
Date Posted: Nov 17, 2004 at 12:51pm
Cait, long before I came here, several people voiced their unhappiness with your peddling. I can see why they did now. You don't help anyone at all - you're just here to sell something.
I call it like I see it and I will continue to do so. Deal with it. $- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.!( ),))%!,,%$<"b .4
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Posted By: Jenny_R
Date Posted: Nov 17, 2004 at 7:05pm
I'm not suprised to hear that so many people have had trouble with Kimarie. She totally ripped me off--for close to $3000. She makes you sign a "client contract," which supposedly protects you, but it's really designed to protect her in case you want your money back or want to sue her.
I didn't know anything about extensions when I went to Kimarie, and she had a great website and a good sales pitch, so I believed her. But soon after she applied the hairlocs, the locs rusted (turned green!), the hair wasn't at all what we had agreed upon (it tangled constantly and the texture sucked), and they slipped out all the time. They looked good when she put them in (she flatirons everything, and you're just so thrilled to have long hair!), but it's a nightmare in a matter of weeks, believe me.
I've since learned what everyone in the industry seems to know: that hairlocs (or eurolocs or microrings, which are all the same thing, by the way) just aren't secure with human hair, because when you wash human hair, it shrinks, so the hair slipps out of the locs like crazy, and before you know it, they're all gone--thousands of dollars down the drain. (This has nothing at all to do with shedding, by the way.) It's a bad system, unless you use it with synthetic hair, which isn't good for long-term use but can be good for temporary streaks, etc.
Like all extensions, hairlocs can be damaging (I still don't think they're as damaging to the hair as glue/fusion, though). But the paint chips off the copper bonds within days, the copper starts to rust, and the loc part starts to break down your real hair. You're also brushing your hair constantly to get out the knots, which will start to break off your hair in the process.
Kimaire will say she charges outrageous prices because the hair is from Italy or France or wherever (a total lie, it's from Asia, like everything else). And she'll say she's an expert, but in reality anyone can get a certificate in this process in an afternoon (it takes a whole lot longer to learn braiding and weaving, which aren't nearly as expensive).
If you still insist on trying the hairlocs process, do yourself (and your pocketbook) a big favor: Go to http://www.drlocks.net/micro.htm - http://www.drlocks.net/micro.htm and buy the kit for $65, and get 200 strands of Remy hair (better than the quality Kimarie uses) for $200. Then do it yourself, or get a friend to help (believe me, it's really simple--anyone can do it, there's even demo online). Or if you really want to splurge, throw in the video tutorial http://www.drlocks.net/kits_&_videos.htm - http://www.drlocks.net/kits_&_videos.htm for $29.99. That's a $300 investment, and you're an expert, with supplies and hair to spare (all for the price Kimarie charges for a few hair supplies and a sateen pillowcase).
To anyone else who's been ripped off, I feel for you--I've been there. I'm still want my $3000 back....
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Posted By: Jenny_R
Date Posted: Nov 17, 2004 at 7:57pm
Oh, yes. I communicated with her. And she refused to give me even a partial refund. You see, she makes you sign a contract which includes a "no-refunds policy" before she puts the hair in. So if it falls out a week later and you're dissatisfied, she's legally protected. It's garbage. NEVER SIGN A NO-REFUNDS CONTRACT for hair extensions; that's just crazy. I was an idiot to have trusted her.
Anyway, she knew that the hair was falling out, that the locs were tarnishing, that it looked horrible, and she said she had no idea why it was happening--that none of her other clients had any problems. What a lie! She said she'd just replace the ones that fell out at our next appointment (meanwhile I would just keep dropping the money...).
The locs and hair were falling out on a daily basis, so unless she was going to move in with me and redo them every morning, that wasn't a solution. I just wanted my money back--I still do--and she refused.
Regarding the celebrities, those are B-level celeb clients that she's done for photo shoots or movie parts--not people who need to wear them on a daily basis. What do they care if they fall out? It's just a bad system for long-term use. Also, most of those pictures on the site are quite old; it's obvious her clients don't stick around very long (unless they work for her).
And about the company, Kimarie actually said she would contact "the company" (she's actually their "director of education" or something, so there's really no difference between her and the company) about the probelms I had had (as if she didn't know these things happen all the time).
In any business, you need to be fair, honest, and ethical, or it will catch up with you in the long run; it's just karma. Kimaire should do some serious soul-searching, and think about the clients she's swindled out of thousands of dollars. Then, she should give them all refunds.
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Posted By: Jenny_R
Date Posted: Nov 18, 2004 at 6:22pm
No, that's OK--I don't want anything to do with the Hairlocs method or company ever again. But I'm glad the method is working for you.
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Posted By: janinemyers
Date Posted: Nov 26, 2004 at 6:48pm
i had a consult with kimmarie last year and she quoted me $2400 so i shopped around and found another hairlocs stylist who did it for $1850. i had the same problems everyone desrcibed and i found out i could do it myself so I got the kit with the rings and the needles and the closer for about $100 and a full hair of pretipped remy for about $250. ive been wearing them ever since. i agree with jenniferR but i like the hairpiece extentubes better than doclocks microrings. teh paint doesnt chip off as fast.
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Posted By: amm
Date Posted: Nov 27, 2004 at 2:31am
Cool Janine! I'm a Do-It-Yourselfer too!
I can't believe the price quote you got. That's so outrageous. $- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.!( ),))%!,,%$<"b .4
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Posted By: AfroPuffs
Date Posted: Nov 27, 2004 at 8:40am
You can also make your own pre-bonded hair. Just buy the remi hair in bulk or cut it off the weft and dip it in the glue. I use the fusion glue.
So 20 bucks for the rings, $200 for good quality hair and another $25 for misc. supplies,
And one can save a few thousand dollars.
They're so easy to apply it should be a sin.
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Posted By: Nicholle
Date Posted: Nov 28, 2004 at 12:20am
Hello, I work with Kimarie, and the only thing I can say is... you get what you pay for. I was amazed at her knowledge in hair. She does everything custom, so it's not cheap. The quality of the hair, and her experience with Hairlocs is awesome. Very few hair extension artists guarantee their work, and she is one of them. I am proud to work with her, and her love for people is amazing. I also wear 350 hairlocs in my hair. No damage what so ever. My clients have followed me for that past 11 years. Do your research, and make an informed decision on who you think is best suited to work on your hair. Happy Hair to all. In Christ, Nicholle www.hairangel.net!!( @he, pep` !(0 @ '$,
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Posted By: Nicholle
Date Posted: Nov 28, 2004 at 12:25am
Kimarie is awesome. I work with her in Santa Monica. You get what you pay for. Her experience and love for people is worth every penny! In Christ, Nicholle www.hairangel.net!!( @he, pep` !(0 @ '$,
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Posted By: janinemyers
Date Posted: Nov 28, 2004 at 8:01am
i have to disagree with you there...you don't get what you pay for when kimmaire charges you $2400 for the same process that you can get and maintain your self for $400...and the hairlocs bonds rust because theyre copper...the ones you can buy from hairpiece.com dont rust because theyre metal...kimarie never did my hair but just search these boards and youll see a lot of horror stories...and no offense but if you work with her and use hairlcos youre probably not the most objective judge...charging $2400, sometimes $3000, for these things isnt a love of people, imo....
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Posted By: Nicholle
Date Posted: Nov 28, 2004 at 4:17pm
Just because someone is "certified" doesn't mean they have hair extension experience!!!!
I have been doing hair extensions for 16 years. I also wear a full head of HAIRLOCS. If done properly, braided hairweaving, and Hairlocs are the safest method to use. I personally work with Kimarie Teter, and I think she is one of the most experienced Hairlocs artist there is. You get what you pay for. She isn't cheap, but I see the "behind the scene" work she goes thru to satisfy our clients. She guarantees her work, and very few of us do that. I do research in everything I do, and when I met Kimarie, I knew she was the type of stylist I could work with. We both love hair, and love people. I am sorry for those who have had a bad hair experience, but it's up to YOU to get the facts, and to make the decision that is best for you. Me personally, I don't mind paying for the best! Service, quality, experience, atmosphere, and integrity. In Christ, Nicholle www.HairAngel.net!!( @he, pep` !(0 @ '$,
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Posted By: IBK
Date Posted: Nov 28, 2004 at 6:17pm
Image By Kimarie here - these comments were brought to our attention and we thought we should reply. We know some of the people posting the negative messages on this site. Kimarie, or our studio, have nothing to hide. We also have over 50 satisfied clients in LA and another 40 in New York who will be happy to speak to anyone serious about getting extensions. Couple claims to debunk: 1. Kimarie is not currently teaching for Hairlocs or part of the "company". We buy hair and supplies from hairlocs just like many other certified stylists. 2. The hair we use is not from Asia or India. However that texture is available if you need it. 3. All extensions can damage hair - loc-ing, linking and braiding are the safest options in our opinion. It does take a partnership with your stylist to ensure success which is the purpose of our client agreement. 4. We do have several repeat celebrity clients and some ask to remain private. This should not be why you choose a stylist though. 5. We also fix bad hair extensions done by other salons quite often - we know we do quality work and stand behind it - our karma is just fine thanks.
If you want your hair enhanced, keep doing your research as there are many false claims on the market as well as many options besides just single strand extensions.
We currently do about 15 new clients a month plus maintain about 100 repeat clients so we are not looking for new business here but felt the need to respond to the negativity and claims made here. We agree with cait, some people should lighten up.
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Posted By: amm
Date Posted: Nov 28, 2004 at 10:25pm
It's very telling that none of these repeat customers have photos anywhere showing the amazing length and thickness they acquire between maintenance.
Everyone who raves about this technique are either sellers of Hairlocs or people who are posing as satisfied customers.
Hairlocs is one of the most damaging extensions on the market. The shells leave rust on the hair. If not tightened down enough, they slip out. If they're too tight, they break the hair off. The tool that opens the locks goes inside the shell and spreads it open taking your natural hair with it and ripping it apart.
If people want to spend $2,000 - $4,000 to ruin their hair, Hairlocs is the way to go.
$- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.!( ),))%!,,%$<"b .4
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Posted By: IBK
Date Posted: Nov 28, 2004 at 11:42pm
So much for lightening up. We actually have hundreds of photos of repeat customers at all stages of wearing the extensions that show the hair healthy and longer. Several clients have actually stopped wearing extensions because their own hair has grown out to their desired length and it's now healthier than it was prior to the extensions because they've stopped cutting it and minimized the chemical treatments. Now they come back now and then for chemical-free highlights which is another cool use for extensions.
If you (amm) would like see client photos at different stages of grow out, send an email to hairparty@imagebykimarie.com and we will reply with several, real, examples.
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Posted By: amm
Date Posted: Nov 29, 2004 at 12:07am
I also wanted to address Nicholle's statement:
Just because someone is "certified" doesn't mean they have hair extension experience!!!!
That's true, Nicholle, and it proves Hairlocs does nothing to insure their "certified" stylists have any experience or expertise.
Hairlocs will "certify" anyone who pays them the money to attend their class. Hairlocs does nothing as far as quality assurance.
There comes a point when you go to several Hairloc's stylists and each one ruins your hair that you decide it's not only the stylist that's at fault but the method of application is flawed, too. $- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.!( ),))%!,,%$<"b .4
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Posted By: amm
Date Posted: Nov 29, 2004 at 12:10am
IBK,
Send me photos in private mail? Why? Doesn't that seem odd that a company would not post them on the Internet for all to see? I'd think you'd be proud of the fact you may be the only stylists who are able to successfully have repeat Hairlocs customers with fabulous natural hair.
Post them publicly. Please. No really. Please?
I'm sure all the people with broken hair from Hairlocs would be pleased to see them. $- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.!( ),))%!,,%$<"b .4
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Posted By: janinemyers
Date Posted: Nov 29, 2004 at 6:23am
I dont think people can be expected to lighten up when they feel theyve been ripped off for thousands...why should they?...and i agree with amm about the process...if ibk wants to be helpfyl, aside from providing photos (cause every stylist has good-looking photos) they should address the rusting problem and the fact that the locs slip out...fyi: a "client agreement" or "guarantee of work" doesnt mean much unless the client can get at least a partial refund if theyre unsatisfied...interesting that now hairlocs stylists are saying there method is "less" damaging--for years ive seen it advertised as "nondamaging"...also interesting that kimarie is not teaching for hairlocs anymore...maybe too many complaints about the process not working well???
everyone needs to make their own decisions about extensions, but if this many people are complaining about a method, its clear there''''s a problem with it...you just cant charge that much money and expect people to be happy when they wind up with damage, slipping, and rust...fyi: my hairlocs stylist told me the hair was from india (not that thats a bad thing, but you can get the hair much cheaper than the $9 or $10 kimmarie charges a strand)...
amm: i''''m curious about some of your diy methods, how youre bonding the hair yourself instead of buying pretipped...will start another thread...
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Posted By: AddictedToHair
Date Posted: Nov 29, 2004 at 3:25pm
well, the facts about hairlocs are out. the prices are outrageous, and there ar e major probelms with the locs.
but in the company's defense, maybe when they say the hair is italian or french or russian, and thats just the name theyre giving it. some hair on hair websites is called italian minx or french bodywave, but that just describes the style of the hair, the actual hair is from india or asia. hairlocs probably doesn't mean women in rome and paris are cutting off their 30-inch hair and selling it to the company.
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Posted By: janinemyers
Date Posted: Nov 30, 2004 at 5:44am
no, i think theyre saying the hair is actually from italy or russia. GLs also makes ridiculous claims about their hair--that its "virgin" or whatever, even though it's been bleached, colored, straightened, and permed 1,000 times.
amm, did you ever get those pictures from ibk?
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Posted By: IBK
Date Posted: Nov 30, 2004 at 10:04am
Well -amm - we didn't think it was appropriate to "advertise" a site on the but since you insist...there have been pictures of healthy grow out and long wearing clients on www.kimarie.net on page 16 - they have been there for over 6 months.
You've given us a good idea however and we will now add a new section to the main site, www.imagebykimarie.com, that shows several examples of healthy hair grow out with hairlocs. Thanks for the tip!
Also, Kimarie is not teaching for hairlocs to devote all of her time to the new studio in Santa Monica.
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Posted By: MissBliss789
Date Posted: Dec 1, 2004 at 1:15am
I looked at your pictures and the 'growth' they show but doesn't three inches in a year seem rather low? I'm just wondering.
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Posted By: janinemyers
Date Posted: Dec 2, 2004 at 6:13am
i agree, three inches in a year isn't fast, but it's better than no growth at all or damage. to my understanding, hairlocs (and microrings, eurelocks) will break the hair if clamped too tight, but slip out if theyre not clamped that tight. any opinions?
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Posted By: giamarie
Date Posted: Dec 2, 2004 at 1:44pm
Hair from Hairlocs is from vendors in Spain, Russia, and Italy. It comes through customs just like other imported products. You cannot successfully maintainance yourself while wearing the hairlocs method. Being certified is an important step in any education process but like beauty school, you learn theory and some practical-the rest is hands on in the real world where everyone gets their experience. Skill is not something you achieve in one day..it takes practice. You can color with a cosmetology license that doesn't make you a master colorist. Their is no rust on the copper locs. The only negative side effect of the "previously used" one side-coated locs is that they would tarnish the wax bond when products leaked inside like shampoo conditioning and styling products. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove residue. There is a reason why a clients hair could be damaged during an application and that is if that client has recently(within 72hours) had their hair serviced:colored/permed/straightened. These services leave your hair suspetible to breakage until the cuticle has closed and hardened. If there are any other questions reagrding hairlocs or if your are looking for a certified stylists please call: 877-395-6136
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Posted By: Unbelievable
Date Posted: Dec 2, 2004 at 3:08pm
Oh, I get it--the hair is from VENDORS in Spain, Russia, and Italy. VENDORS who sell Asian and/or Indian hair, which comes through customs. What a joke! You see, when I hear "Russian hair"--and I'm being charged $9 a strand--I just assume that the hair originated in Russia, from an actual Russian woman. But thanks, Gia, for clearing that up. It's all coming together for me now. By the way, if I cut a horsetail off a Russian horse and tried to install it in someone's head, could I also advertise it as "Russian hair." That wouldn't be misleading at all, would it?
Gia is right, you can't do hairlocs unless your licensed, but you can get a full starter kit of almost exactly the same products (extentubes from hairpiece.com and microrings from drlocks.net) for $99. (It's the difference between Q-tips and cotton swabs--one is a brand that's sold to salons, the other is sold for home use.) A full head of hair from either vendor should only cost a couple hundred (that's Indian or Asian hair by the way--not the very rare, highly coveted, amazing quality "European" strands that hairlocs sells). Tell me, Gia, does it improve the quality of Asian hair to make a stop in Europe on its way to the U.S. Just curious....
Clarifying shampoo will not fix the rusting problem--it will only continue until the locs are replaced. Many women have suffered damage fron hairlocs, and it has nothing to do with coloring or any other chemical processes.
Fortunately, the microrings/extendtubes method (the exact same as hairlocs) requires very little skill or experience (and that's exactly why hairlocs "experts" are certified in one afternoon): here's the online demo: http://drlocks.net/microring_demo.htm - http://drlocks.net/microring_demo.htm
You don't need a cosmotology degree to figure that one out!
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Posted By: amm
Date Posted: Dec 2, 2004 at 10:05pm
Unbelievable,
YOW! You go girl!
::applause:: $- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.!( ),))%!,,%$<"b .4
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Posted By: janinemyers
Date Posted: Dec 3, 2004 at 1:23am
ditto unbelieveable and amm. that's enough to keep me laughing for a long, long time.
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Posted By: janinemyers
Date Posted: Dec 3, 2004 at 1:25am
gia, is it true that kimarie has been banned from hairlocs for "unethical practices"--that's what it says on the keratin boards. (is everyone who works fo r hailocs a "marie"?)
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Posted By: IBK
Date Posted: Dec 3, 2004 at 7:30am
I am addressing the very slanderous gossip running as a vengeful smear campaign on all the chat chambers, I find this ironic and very well timed on Tara Mattarazzo's part making sure people with hair issues never find their way to my site to choose like adults for themselves whether myself and my hair enhancement techniques are a fit for them. all of these ladies know the truth and are hiding many of my repeated generous offers and interactions with them, thanks to all of my loyal friends and clients who are piling letters of satisfaction in defense of these very unusual claims against our business, for you all to know my attorney will be addressing all of these slanderous remarks and the moderators, supposedly keeping chat chambers in integrity. for those who are scorned, every single aspect of our interactions have and will continue to be fully documented, this I have found is one's only recourse against people and situations that are not on the up and up or are unwilling to play fair.
as for hairlocs and those rumors, no such claims of unethical practices have been presented to myself or my husband. we worked very hard and were a part of the arroyo family for years, we love them and appreciate all they have done for our clients and hairdressers who really want better hair for everyone. we spend allot of money with hairlocs every month I would hope they respect us equally. as for why I am not listed on the website, you'll need to contact Maria.
on the final note: as always we have an open book policy, we do what we say, we treat everyone equally, we empower, we hide nothing from anyone, that being said, anyone truly interested in the facts of these claims I invite you to contact me directly.
Kimarie
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Posted By: PimpHand
Date Posted: Dec 3, 2004 at 4:34pm
This is the thread that wont die! Its getting real boring now and should end soon. But a few important points. People can voice their opinions online about products and services. They can share there experiences, their concerns and their stories. Thats what bulletin boards and consumer reports are for. This is not grounds to sue, unless the informatin is blatently false, and given the amount of people complained about this stylist, it would be hard to prove the stories false. So its not grounds for slander. If they were lying, it would be libel (written) not slander (verbal) anyway. the overall concept is "defamation" and saying that someones products and services are bad cant be defamation; it has to focus on the person's characteer. These posts are business oriented. In a defamation case, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to prove that they've been purposely lied about by specific persons--very hard to prove in any case, almost impossible on the internet, i dont think its ever been done.
Next off, and im no internet law expert, the moderators of these boads are only required to intervene if the content posted is vulgar or offensive (cussing, porn). So i doint think theres a case their either.
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Posted By: Nicholle
Date Posted: Dec 5, 2004 at 2:49pm
Ok Ladies, let's all give this subject a rest. It's beginning to remind me of Jr. High.
Just do your research and you will get all the facts.
Happy Hair to ALL!!!!( @he, pep` !(0 @ '$,
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Posted By: janinemyers
Date Posted: Dec 5, 2004 at 4:49pm
Ditto. And make sure to include this thread in your research: http://talk.hairboutique.com/forum/viewthread.asp?forum=AMB_AP934431446&id=1275 - http://talk.hairboutique.com/forum/viewthread.asp?forum=AMB_AP934431446&id=1275
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Posted By: miamigirl
Date Posted: Dec 6, 2004 at 11:46am
I'm a little curious, since Kimarie feels the need to invade all of the hair loss websites to defend her work.
Kimarie: You previously wrote on this site the following- "We also have over 50 satisfied clients in LA and another 40 in New York who will be happy to speak to anyone serious about getting extensions."
I'm just curious to know how many unsatisfied costumers you have? I can count myself, Tara, & a few other women from the various hair forums, but how many are unaccounted for? How many unhappy costumers do you have that don't use the internet as a forum to discuss this, but instead suffer silently or just pass on the word orally instead of in writing? Can you provide us with those figures as easily and you have with the amount of satisfied costumers? Then maybe we can truly weigh in the legitmacy of all the "slanderous gossip" as you like to call it. Oh...and please don't bother to invite me to discuss this with you privately. You've brought your defense into a public forum, so keep it public.
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Posted By: hairloc user
Date Posted: Dec 8, 2004 at 1:18am
My heart goes out to the women who have had bad hairloc experiences and more specifically to those who depend on various cosmetic methods to cover up hair loss. I also have thin coverage on top but enough to move around and disguise my hairlocs as much as possible.
I am a very satisfied hairloc user and I'd like to share some of the reasons I feel I have had success with them. Perhaps these points can help.
1. I had realistic expectations. Yes, the claim is that hairlocs is the safest method around but common sense tells me that I should expect some of my own hair to come out because of tension. Even a little tension can cause loss. I made the decision to take the risk because of the immediate coverage that I can enjoy. The hairlocs were meticulously and painstakingly put on with an eye towards camoflauging the locs. During application I was asked to shake my head, move it up and down to simulate everyday movement that can "uncover" the locs underneath. I have to say that 93% of the time I am confident that nothing is showing but give me a sudden wind, a door closing fast behind me or an unexpected fan and I reach for my hat. This is the nature of our situation. Thank God most of the time I have great coverage but to expect 100% coverage is putting a heavy burden on the system and the extension artist who is doing their best. This is not my natural hair afterall and a heck of a lot better looking than what I have.
2. I am low impact on the hair. I wear my hair in a natural wave as much as possible, scrunching my hair to match the body wave hair so that I do not have to do a full blow-out that of course will encourage my locs to loosen and come out quicker. I save my blowouts for special occasions. and then I use my brush to straighten very gingerly and slowly and use one hand to hold my locs securly against my head. I use a diffuser to dry my scalp area and waves and use my fingers lightly to detangle my hair. I rarely touch my hair or brush it. I use my fingers first before I subject it to a brush. Personally I prefer the look of straight glossy hair and have the kind of hair to do it but it is a trade off. I want my investment to last. Again, I adjusted my expectations and even my look to maximize my success.
3. I wash my hair only 2x per week. This took some adjusting to from my everyday habit. The less water weighing your hair down in the shower, the less pulling on the locs. Ditto with conditioner and shampoo that can cause"slippery conditions." Shampoo only on my scalp and conditioner is used only on the bottom half of my hair. I baby powder dry shampoo in between. I sacrafice? You bet. I love fresh smelling hair but I love a full head of beautiful hair more. Admirers can do so from afar.
4. I loosely braid my 18" hair for bed and use a satin pillow that discourages hair from getting stuck under you. It helps my hair glide while I sleep.
5. My hair has stayed in great condition because of these practices and is not overly dried out or frizzy. Again, I have the liberty of curling, blowdrying, crimping, flat ironing my expensive 100% human hair but in my opinion, doing this more than 1x per week is only going to dry it out and encourage it to come out. I use a light stay in conditioner on the extensions every couple of days to help.
My hairlocs have been in for nine weeks and I have lost only 7 locs. I am going in for maintenance in one week with Kimarie. My experience with her and her staff was excellent. I appreciated her honesty when I showed her a photo of my fantasy style and she told me very kindly that it could never be a reality with the low density of hair that I have and then educated me as to what I could expect to achieve. She spent at least 10 minutes on one tiny area on the side of my hair that had low coverage for the locs and expertly layered the locs to cover eachother thus eliminating my problem. Then she asked me to shake and moved them around again till she had it as perfect as possible.
Kimarie is an artist and perfectionist. I came in with realistic expectations and confidence in her ability. I didn't get the impression that she is about money, but everyone deserves to make a living. Expensive? Yes, but its a factor of supply and demand. She has more people requesting her service than she can take causing the value of her time to rise. Moreover, I got the impression that she has great pride in her work and covets her client's patronage and satisfaction. That is really what most true artist prefer anyway.
Evaluate her work for yourself. We all take to heart other peoples reports good and bad. When it comes to something as personal as our lack of hair and self image it is worth investigating. You may be passing up a great opportunity. Good luck!
A former keratin bond user.
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Posted By: Jennifer_R
Date Posted: Dec 8, 2004 at 6:00am
Thanks, hairloc user, for your thoughtful and detailed reply. It is true that various methods work differently for different people, and it's always beneficial to hear various sides of the story--postive and negative--so people can make informed decisions based on the full range of information. As a former keratin-bond user, too, I can certainly understand that hairlocs would be appealling to you on some level. In my experience, the removal with bonds (GLs, Cinderella) was excrutiating and damaging; I wouldn't recommend them to anyone (but some women love those methods, too).
My experience with hairlocs, unfortunately, which I outlined earlier in this thread, was also quite negative, and you've raised a few points that I'd like to address (this is not at all to challenge or discount your experience, but again, simply to offer another point of view).
I, too, had realistic expectations when I went to Kimarie/hairlocs. I was actually quite pleased with the results at installation and for a few days later; after that, the trouble started, and it continued through the weeks that followed. In my case, I was losing locs on a daily basis; the locs themselves tarnished, leaving a green debris in my hair; the texture, after washing and drying, was not at all what I had agreed to, based on the photos I was shown; and the placement was way too obvious and haphazard (which the stylist, after reviewing her own work, admitted was the result of her "rushing"). I wasn't asked to shake my head or simulate normal head movements, but again, my appointment was rather rushed (and that's a whole separate story).
Although Kimarie attempted to fix the placement at our follow-up, the visibility remained an issue (it is difficult to camoflauge locs if they're staining your surrounding hair in green), and the slippage and staining only accellerated. Many of these took my real hair with them when they slipped (there are photos on the other hairlocs thread that look similar to the way mine looked); the rest just sort of slid out of my hair, without taking my real hair in the process.
I, too, followed all care instructions, including Nioxin, hair vitamins, Bumble and Bumble prep, satin pillowcases, wearing a loose braid to sleep, very careful brushing only on dry hair, and the like. I did not wash the hair every day either. Nevertheless, the problems remained.
As far as Kimarie being an artist and perfectionist, this was not my experience, but to each her own. And it is absolutely true that everyone deserves to make a living and charge the prices he or she wants to charge. However, if you charge $2500 for extensions that are staining, damaging, and slipping out of a client's hair after a few weeks and you are unable to fix the situation and your response is, "I can't understand why you're having all these problems," surely your client is entitled to a refund. In my case, I obviously could not wear my hair given the way the hairlocs looked--so that was $2500 down the drain--and getting someone else to fix the job would cost me, too.
It is true that I signed a no-refunds contact, but it is a matter of decency and responsibility, in my opinion, to provide some sort of refund--if not 100%, then at least 50%--to the client when you have failed to meet the most basic expectations that you yourself have set, particularly when you claim to "guarantee client satisfaction." And if you didn't disclose important details about your product/service to the consumer (which is certainly true in my case), it is only resonable for that consumer to expect some sort of compensation in return.
I would agree with you that no extensions system or method is 100% perfect. I love my extensions now, but if it's windy out, there's really no way I can hide them. I think the greater issue is that, as a vendor, you must take a certain level of responsibility. Had I been given a full or even partial refund, I certainly wouldn't have such negative feelings toward the vendor; sometimes, things simply don't work out. But when I was told I was entitled to nothing, I thought that was unfair; in my opinion, this is just not the way an ethical businessperson acts.
Futhermore, I think it is very telling that when numerous women have had similar complaints and have documented them on these boards (and when a few stylists have also chimed in with their opinions/claims), Kimarie then responds by threatening those clients (and the board hosts) with legal action, even naming the name of one dissatisfied consumer on the Internet. Surely, the stylist does not feel that after walking away with $2500 of a client's money when the product only damaged, stained, and tarnished her hair, she is also entitled to a glowing review? The logic escapes me here.
The fact is, consumers post reviews--both positive and negative--of products and services all the time. It is their right to do so. And as far as any "numerous generous offers," none were made in my case. I was clear that the stylist was not in a position to offer a realistic solution, so a refund would've been the way to go. When you think about it, if you have more than 50 satisfied clients in L.A. and another 40 in New York and dissatisfied clients are so unusual, then providing a refund wouldn't be a big deal--just something you'd factor into the cost of doing business. Let's see, if you provided a 50% refund on $2500, you'd still be left with $1250 for three hours' work, which in my mind, is still a pretty good deal for any extensionist/stylist.
Again, hairloc user, I thank you again for your perspective. I'm happy to hear you're pleased with your extensions and wish you continued luck with them in the future. All the best.
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Posted By: miamigirl
Date Posted: Dec 8, 2004 at 1:18pm
Hi Hairloc User: Thank you for posting your experience with Kimarie. I think that it is essential that people hear both the positive and negative reviews, so that they can be thoroughly prepared before entering into this process. I'm glad that you had a good experience, because I would really hate for anyone to have to go through what Jennifer R & I have suffered.
Unfortunately, not everyone's experience with Kimarie is similar to your own. I went in with very low expectations, because I understand the reality of my hair. In my opinion, it was Kimarie that set unrealistic expectations for what the outcome would be. She told me that my hair would look great and that it would be effortless to style, among other things. Neither one of these claims proved to be even remotely true and her response to me was the same as it was for Jennifer R. I'm not going to go to far into detail regarding my experience, because I think that Jennifer R has elegantly outlined all of my grievances against her and her business practices. Thanks Jenn!
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Posted By: giamarie
Date Posted: Dec 9, 2004 at 12:52pm
there are some extremely bitter people on this site. I can understand some of this hostility but the pettyiness is unbearable! sorry for all those looking for any honest open answers here-those of us willing to give will no longer want to deal with the harassment of the other people contributing to this site. Good Luck.
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Posted By: miamigirl
Date Posted: Dec 9, 2004 at 3:49pm
Thanks Giamarie....useless as usual. It's amazing how condescending your diplomacy sounds.
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Posted By: amm
Date Posted: Dec 9, 2004 at 6:16pm
Honest answers? You wouldn't know honesty and integrity if it bit you in a broken, green-coated strand of shredded Hairlocs hair.
Here's honesty:
http://talk.hairboutique.com/forum/viewthread.asp?forum=AMB_AP934431446&id=1275 - http://talk.hairboutique.com/forum/viewthread.asp?forum=AMB_AP934431446&id=1275
You're making things worse for your cause, Giamarie.
The difference between us is that we're REAL users of Hairlocs and it ruined our hair and cost of thousands of dollars. YOU sell Hairlocs. Now who do you think has the most sincere motivation here? Hmm?
Hairlocs breaks hair and your pocketbook. That's a fact. Deal with it.
$- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.!( ),))%!,,%$<"b .4
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Posted By: miamigirl
Date Posted: Dec 10, 2004 at 11:40am
Amen to that! I rather here from the people that aren't profiting from this product.
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Posted By: Tami
Date Posted: Dec 10, 2004 at 1:08pm
I am sorry to hear of so many bad hair extension expieriences! My name is Tami Homan, I work in Santa Barbara, CA, and Santa Maria. I have been doing almost every method of hair extensions, for nearly five years now. ( weaving, braiding, fusion, and magnetic hair extensions. ) I would advise anyone interested in getting hair extensions, to shop around, ask to see a portfolio, or get client reference numbers. There is no method of hair extensions that does not damage your natural hair.Remember, glue is the worst, and "protein bond, " is basically a better name for glue. The prices are getting so outrageous mostly because the cost of the hair is. I am a licened cosmetologist, and even wholesale hair is expenseve. Also, everyone is trying to do hair extensions because you can charge a rediculous charge, and get away with it. You have to know what your doing, and have expierience, and have reasonable costs, AND BE HONEST! I heard that the state board of CA, is trying to pass a law that you have to have your cosmetology liscence, to be able to do extensions, so get your licsences! If anyone wishes to contact me, call The Talk OF The Town Beauty Salon. Ask for Tami, me and my family have been in the business for almost fifteen years now.
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Posted By: Tami
Date Posted: Dec 10, 2004 at 1:10pm
I am sorry to hear of so many bad hair extension expieriences! My name is Tami Homan, I work in Santa Barbara, CA, and Santa Maria. I have been doing almost every method of hair extensions, for nearly five years now. ( weaving, braiding, fusion, and magnetic hair extensions. ) I would advise anyone interested in getting hair extensions, to shop around, ask to see a portfolio, or get client reference numbers. There is no method of hair extensions that does not damage your natural hair.Remember, glue is the worst, and "protein bond, " is basically a better name for glue. The prices are getting so outrageous mostly because the cost of the hair is. I am a licened cosmetologist, and even wholesale hair is expenseve. Also, everyone is trying to do hair extensions because you can charge a rediculous charge, and get away with it. You have to know what your doing, and have expierience, and have reasonable costs, AND BE HONEST! I heard that the state board of CA, is trying to pass a law that you have to have your cosmetology liscence, to be able to do extensions, so get your licsences! If anyone wishes to contact me, call The Talk OF The Town Beauty Salon. Ask for Tami, me and my family have been in the business for almost fifteen years now.
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Posted By: Sirena
Date Posted: Dec 12, 2004 at 2:55am
It is scary and unfortunately, but what all you girls are saying is true about KiMarie. From Fraud, to signing the contract, TO NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE for anything. If I ever was so crazy to pay even 1/10th of KiMarie's "Price", I wouldn't be happy with a ***hair installer than lies about her celebs and takes no responsibility for her actions. You want great hair? You want someone who "trained" under KiMarie and saw her baloney, no matter how finely KiMarie tried to slice it? Easter Carrillo 323-356-5856. Call before she goes to Brasil. She even teaches YOU, the Client how to do your own hair. She said, "I will not ruin anyone's hair...And if I do, I am liable for that and you can seek relief in the courts. If there is any problem with my version of Hairlocs, I WILL REFUND your money immediately. If you like it and want to save money and time and do your own hair, I'll teach you how to do them."
How's that for taking responsibility and just being a human being to another human being...
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Posted By: Jennifer_R
Date Posted: Dec 12, 2004 at 3:34pm
Gia, it's heartening to know that you "can understand some of this hostility." As for the "pettyiness," I don't know what you're talking about. Is it "petty" to compain about hair extensions that cost you thousands of dollars, damaged your hair, turned it green, slipped out like crazy, and looked horrible?
I think those who are looking for "honest open answers" will be grateful to find these threads. I can't imagine Hairlocs and their stylists will be including these stories in their brochures. And as far as your "willingness to give," I don't think blaming clients and accusing them of lying demonstrates any "giving" whatsoever on your part. And thanks for the good-luck wishes, but it sounds most of the women on these threads have found other methods that they're very pleased with. It looks like you and others like you will be needing the luck.
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Posted By: nari
Date Posted: Dec 12, 2004 at 3:43pm
After researching and hearing so much dissatisfaction with fusion and the loc method I've decided on the hair police method.You dont have to worry about glues or metal coils damaging your hair
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Posted By: nari
Date Posted: Dec 12, 2004 at 3:43pm
After researching and hearing so much dissatisfaction with fusion and the loc method I've decided on the hair police method.You dont have to worry about glues or metal coils damaging your hair
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Posted By: leahkim
Date Posted: Dec 13, 2004 at 12:43pm
Hi all. I'm new here. I've been looking into getting some high quality extensions. I was planning on getting Great Lengths, but then I stumbled across Hair Locs. I was going to schedule a consultation with KiMarie, but when I did some research on her, I found this message board. THANK GOD! Thank God for HER, because I'm going to law school and if she tried any of that bait and switch crap on me, I'd call the police, make a report and pay her what I was quoted. She should be reported to the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General if she indeed is doing what I've heard here. Then she'll lose her license to do business in California. She can NOT make you pay for more than what is in the contract. Those of you that can prove that she quoted one price and forced you to pay another, can take her to court, if the Statute of Limitations of filing a claim is not up. That is complete bullsh!t.
Anyway, I called Easter to see if she can do them for me(I'm waiting for a call back). But (and no offense here) there's only one person that is touting her services. My boyfriend is paying for them, but that means nothing if they mess my hair up. I am mixed and have thick hair. I am getting this done because I am tired of getting weaves that don't let me wear my hair in different styles. And then when my boyfriend puts his hands in my hair, he can feel the tracks, no matter how good it LOOKS. My hair is auburn, and I am a bit concerned about the "green effect" of the Hairlocs (not like you can hide green in any color hair).
If anyone here does Great Lengths (or something close to that) well and for a good price, you will have my business forever and the business of all my friends as well. Thanks!
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