Serenity Salon

Been coming here for years. My hair always looks great when I leave. Thanks for listening to what I wanted and giving me the perfect look.

I have had treatments by two stylists at this salon, Angela and Natalie; and I left pleased and feeling pretty, both times. The ladies asked a lot of questions, were very patient and attentive, and the hair! Oh my locks were LOVELY! I got a cut twice and a full color with highlights the second go-​round. The salon itself has a (no frills) comfortable and casual atmosphere but the stylists are engaging and make you feel welcome. And that is the important part. I was very grateful to them for being so sensitive to my requests and questions; and for being nice and friendly because both days, let’s just say, I was NOT having a «good-​hair-​day» and they turned my frown upside-​down each time like pros. So, I now have two «go-​to» stylists near my home that I can count on for a quality hair cut and great color at a price that doesn’t drain the color from my wallet. The salon is in a strip mall and one might be turned away by the Great clips-​ish (it’s not that bad lol) casual atmosphere and attire, because face it in a salon optics are everything! But, I hope you don’t pass them by because Angela and Natalie, for sure, are hidden gems.

I have hemmed and hawed about writing this review for 6 months now. I don’t want to throw the stylist under the bus because I do like her as a person, so I won’t name her, but it’s something that is still bothering me so I decided to go ahead and write the review.
PULL UP A CHAIR, KIDS. IT’S A LONG ONE.
I moved here from out of state and needed a new stylist. Serenity was close, so I went there. I’ve had black hair for 10 years and wanted to gradually go back to a dark brown/​auburn. She decided the best way would be to put highlights through the length, and color my roots lighter as they come in.
So, she did that the first couple times, and then at that point I realized because I don’t know anyone here, and have no social life, there’s really no point in spending so much money when I don’t go anywhere anyway (despite being in a strip mall, the prices are less like the typical shops that occupy these spaces, and closer to actual spa salons.) So, from ¹¹⁄₂₀₁₃ to ¹²⁄₂₀₁₄ I just let it grow again (from a badly botched haircut a few years ago, of course) and colored my roots at home.
In December I decided to start, you know, making an effort to get out of the depression this move has put me in, and went in to start getting my hair done again. I still wanted to end up closer to natural, so she put fresh highlights in and while she was doing my color I asked if she had any recommendations for someone I could go to for a Brazilian Blowout, since I knew they didn’t do them. She didn’t, but asked why I didn’t just get a keratin treatment, because they do those. I said I hate the 3 day waiting period. She said their keratin treatment is only a 24 hour wait before being able to wash it out. I decided to go ahead and make an appt for that for 2 weeks later.
On Christmas Eve I showed up for my appt, super excited that my hair was FINALLY back to the really long length I was trying to get back to, and that I was well on my way to getting the end result I was aiming for. I had been really paranoid about the damage highlights and the soap cap would do to my already-​weirdly-​textured hair, but I ended up pretty happy with it, and there was no noticeable damage at all (HOORAY!) My hair loves keratin treatments and I knew it would be even better after this appt, and I was finally getting out of this 1.5+ year long funk this move had put me in.
So, my hair was clarified, and the treatment was put on. Then she said it was time to go rinse it out. Er. you don’t rinse keratin treatments out. And then she put a neutralizer in.
I asked what brand it was, because all the keratin I’ve done (and I’ve done many) do not have rinse-​outs or neutralizers. You clarify/​dry/​apply keratin/​dry/​flatiron and don’t touch for 3 days.
She said it was Matrix. I said that years ago I used to get the Matrix Opti-​Smooth. She said «That’s what this is, with keratin.» THIS IS NOT A KERATIN TREATMENT. And what popped into my head immediately was how years ago when I used to get it done I had to have highlight extensions put in when I wanted highlights, because you shouldn’t do them both together because your hair will break. But I figured she knew what she was doing, even though this wasn’t a keratin treatment— it’s a chemical straightener.
One coats and improves hair’s texture. The other breaks the bonds, and essentially destroys it.
After it was dried/​styled it was sooooo dry and crunchy. It was awful. I went home and it was snapping off everywhere. My highlights were completely elastic. I spent a lot more money on strengtheners and deep conditioners.
After a bit, I called and said my hair is fried, and I realized that I had paid someone to DAMAGE my hair. She said we must’ve had a ~miscommunication~ because she looked into keratin afterward and it’s like a Brazilian Blowout– CONVENIENTLY FORGETTING THAT *SHE* SUGGESTED THIS WHEN I WAS ASKING ABOUT BRAZILIAN BLOWOUTS. She already knew this!
Long story short (loljk), she refunded my $ 100 for the second appt, but I am still out what I paid for my highlights and color 2 weeks prior, along with all the conditioners and treatments I’ve tried.
I drove 5 hours back to MI to beg my old stylist to see what she could do. Her treatment (more$) helped, but not enough. She cut off 8 inches of my finally-​newly-​long-​again hair. It should’ve been even more, but I couldn’t bear to have it any shorter. I need it long enough to clip up, because that’s what I have to do every single day now.
Every 10 weeks I drive the 5 hours back to her and she cuts a couple more inches off, because with each cut I just get new completely fried, scraggly ends, since the entire shaft is damaged.
Half a year later I still have broken pieces everywhere. It’s still breaking off.
It’s going to be another 4 years before I have long, healthy hair and all of this is gone. Again.

I loved Serenity Salon, I went right after work and they weren’t crowded and my appt. was right on time. This was my first time here and I saw Kaitlin… she was awesome! She had me laughing the whole time and gave me a great cut. The products she used on my hair smelled great and made my hair so soft. I went in looking for my new «place» and I definately found it. =) I would recommend this place to anyone in the area!!!

I looked all over Indy for a good hair dresser and I’m so happy I finally found this place! The women here are amazing and Christy Rabbitt is phenomenal. I go to school at IU and will drive up from Bloomington any time I need my hair cut. I highly recommend coming here!

I was in town over Thanksgiving, and Kaitlyn gave me perhaps the best haircut of my life! If you want someone to collaborate with you, especially if your clueless like me, she is your girl!!! After a long while, my bangs are finally perfect. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in town.

Heather is awesome! I’ve gone to her since I was in middle school. She’s great at anything I need whether it be highlights, cut, up do or my eyebrows waxed, she does it all!

Kim is the greatest. Does an awesome job of color and cuts! Check her out!