Design 1 Salon Spa

As soon as I walked in I was given a warm welcome and offered some water while I waited. I had the cucumber water which was delicious. Once my name was called I met Harley, she was fantastic! My hair hasn’t felt this good in forever! I love how she layered it and curled it afterwards to style it. Harley was great and I will be returning!

To many hidden fees! I went in for high lights & a cut and the stylist cut it the way SHE thought would look cute, NOT how I had asked her to. After she finished my high lights she did a deep conditioning treatment & added a ton of products to my hair without asking me. When I went to pay my bill was almost $ 200.00!!! The deep conditioning & extra products cost extra $$, of course she never informed me any of that! I should have protested the bill, but I was so exhausted and angry I just paid it and left. To top it all off, you could not even see my highlights!!! VERY disappointed, do NOT waste your money at D1!

Amazing day at Design 1! I drive all the way from Cadillac it’s that good! My hair always comes out looking gorgeous thanks to the beautiful Sami and Skylar was dead on with my skin care needs! Everyone was so sweet!
I booked an appointment for highlights and a facial with my mom for Mother’s Day! Can’t wait!

You pay way to much for how you are treated at this spa. If they have any sales, specials, discounts running they will conveniently forget to give the discount properly and hope you do not call them on it. If you do, they are very unapologetic. It is mainly the front desk. It is unfortunately because many of the stylist, facial, and massage people are really good.

I’m starting this review now. I have been sitting in the lobby waiting for 30 minutes. I am aware it’s the holiday so a wait is expected. I asked at 20 minutes and they told me 5 more minutes. I would have left but I have a gift card. They offered a discount but I don’t know how much yet. Will post more after my shellac is finished.
Now that I am done, I am impressed. Jody did a great job! She even had a fun personality. I received a discount and a parrifin wax/​dip! Even though I waited forever I feel they made it right.
I am changing my original 1 star to a 4 star.

I started going to this Design 1 salon not long after it was first in business and really liked it. Sadly, the decisions the couple who owns the salon have made in the past couple of decades and the greed of stylists who overbook and then use «assistants» to do half or more of their work have led to me go elsewhere.
I used to always get pedicures there — then they went from private pedicure rooms to out-​in-​the-​open pedicures where you may be surrounded by a few strangers sitting right next to you and their nail techs working on them right there as well– no privacy, no relaxing one-​to-​one time to chat with your nail tech, no quiet time alone for a few minutes afterwards while the polish dries. I told the nail tech I used to book regular appts with if they went to that format I wouldn’t return, and haven’t. She told me at the time many nail techs were communicating with the owners that clients were upset with the then-​upcoming change of pedicures being done out in the middle of things, but it seems they didn’t care about hearing this feedback from their staff and did it anyway.
Someone recommended a stylist to me at this salon who was quite loud and brassy, but seemed to do good work. They have that system I find annoying, telling clients who call, «Well, she’s an X-​17-​B so you have to pay this amount for her…» This stylist was quite expensive, and she didn’t even do her own work — she had young girls — one of whom was chomping gum like mad the whole time — do half her work — all the stylist did was cut. The «assistants» washed, then did the blow dry and style. Not worth paying the «X-​17-​B» stylist price for «assistants».
One day I waited 20 minutes after my scheduled appt time which really turned me off — my time is important, too. The next time I came in, the stylist said she wanted to talk to me before she did my hair, and had the salon mgr sit in, and then this girl (the X-1−7B), proceeded to get mouthy with me. She was snippy because I had tried to call for an appt and couldn’t get in for a few weeks, at which point I had said to the person on the phone, «I’m just going to have to find someone else if I can’t ever get in to her.» The first thing out of her mouth to me that day was, «Are you unhappy with my services?!» — in a very confrontational manner. I was startled, and said I wouldn’t be there if that were the case. She continued to tell me what I said was «mean.» That was the last time I went there. No way on earth am I going to put up with that kind of mouth from someone — especially when I’m the one on *this* side of the debit card.
This used to be a really nice business. Private rooms for pedicures, comfortable, quiet environment. Now it feels too conveyor-​belt-​ish for my liking. It is a large place and they always have a lot of staff working, so the good thing is you can usually get in to someone, especially if you don’t want in to a specific person.

The class and service of Design 1 is top notch. You get greeted as you walk though the door and are offered a drink. Its nice to sit and relax while you wait for your stylist. The stylists are professional and know what they are doing. I like to change my hairstyle from time to time and they were helpful in helping me pick out new styles and do them as well.

I’ve been going Design 1 for a couple of years and for some reason I never felt the need to write a review, until now. I would just like to say how great Lo is, an awesome stylist and an amazing person; I will definitely be back!!!

I haven’t been at Design One in some time now. I felt as though things were not as great as it once was and started looking elsewhere. I found and met some great stylists, but many of them have left. There are so many great salons popping up around GR that I can no longer say that D1 is the best in the area. Many great stylists are still there, but I am not sure I like the corporate feel I get from them now.

I’ve been to Design One several times. I used to go more frequently when Jessica, my massage therapist was still on staff. She was excellent! I’ve also had manicures and pedicures at both this location and the location at Rivertown.
For a spa, Design One tends to be quite busy. If you’re looking for total relaxation, the atmosphere might be a little intrusive as it is also a full service hair salon. I go to another salon for my hair care, so I’ve never tried their stylist.
The staff however are always very attentive and accommodating.