Studio 200

I will not be returning to this salon and do not recommend it if you have long thick hair.
I have my hair professionally washed and styled on a regular basis. Because I have lots of hair and wear it long whenever I schedule an appointment at a new salon I ask for an experienced stylist. Some salons will charge an additional fee for the services of their «Master Stylist» and that’s okay, I get it.
I needed to have my hair done in Ocala so naturally, I turned to Unilocal for reviews. Studio 200 had some excellent reviews so I decided to give them a call. When I arrived my stylist Ashanti promptly greeted me and seated at her station. There was no exchange of pleasantries nor did she ever inquire as to my preferences. Something that all professional hair dressers do. I explained what needed done and we moved to the shampoo chair. As we all know, the shampoo routine is a 3 step process… always the same. two lathers followed by a light conditioning UNLESS the client request differently. I KNEW something was wrong when she only did 2 steps which I assume were lathered my hair once followed by conditioning, neither of which was very well done. Ashanti seemed more agitated during the process than anything else. Against my better judgment (I should have gotten up right then and there) I went with the flow and sat back down in her stylist chair. My scalp itched (it still does as I write this review 12 hours later) not once did she mention my scratching. Instead she proceeded to add product to my hair. Once she was satisfied with the level of product in my hair (while I kept scratching) she started looking through her drawer for what I thought was going to be several hair clips to begin the sectioning process. To my amazement she pulled out two large flat hair pins — needless to say they did not hold up my hair. So my hair kept falling and she kept having to interrupt her blow drying to pin the hair back up. At one point she tried using the nozzle to help concentrate the heat of the blower. I thought… Now we are getting somewhere! But when the nozzle refused to stay on the end of the blower she excused herself and I heard her say to another stylist that she did not know why «it was not working». Of course I have no idea if what was not working was the nozzle or her attempts at drying my hair but when she returned that’s when she started holding the end of the hot blower up against MY HAIR — and I do mean AGAINST MY HAIR!!!
All I care to say is it went downhill very quickly from there. I could keep adding to the details suffice to say she did not have the tools nor the skills you would expect from a professional and her attitude was so negative that it was a blessing when she passed me off to another stylist.
Scott (not currently pictured on the website stylist team) did everything he could think of to salvage the situation. He went the extra, extra mile and although my hair looked good when he had finished — he used so much product that it feels gummy and has no shine. All in all, what should have been a 45 minute pleasurable experience turned out to be a 2.5 hour nightmare! We all have our good days and our bad. With the exception of Ashanti, everyone there was very nice and even if she was not able to provide the service, no excuse for not having the proper tools, I made it a point to tip her anyway. After leaving I called the salon and left a message for the owner asking her to call me. I did this because if this were my business I would want to know. I have not heard back from her. Maybe I will… maybe I won’t. If Unilocal allows I will update this review should she call me.
In closing… while trying to make the best of this nightmare I noticed several things that I think Unilocal readers will find helpful… EVERY client I saw was a senior with short hair. Many had their hair teased following the blow dry. Some were having color. Point is not a single client had long hair. If you have short hair this is probably a good fit for you — Ladies who wear their hair long and are accustomed to a professional polished style should look elsewhere Studio 200 in Ocala is not for us.

First time haircut. Very please with the energy of the business. Will return :)

Jimmy is a true artist! Great salon with great people. The place has super vibes emitting from the hair processionals busy working with you for you best cut. Put your best face forward and make your next appointment at Studio 200!

Love this place. We have been going here for years. We always ask for Katie B. and she does an excellent job whether it is a cut for me, my husband, or my kids. This is a great place.

Great atmosphere… great service… very professional… very clean… totally satisfied… stylist Mary Jane is incredible… the best in Ocala