Aspen Salon and Spa

After multiple calls back and forth to get scheduled, I had an appointment today with Kristen… and 4 hours before my appointment time, I got a text that said, «I can’t keep our appointment. I’ll be in touch if you’d like to reschedule.» IF? I had made arrangements so that I was able to go to this in the first place and was a little annoyed that as a professional service, I don’t get an explanation or even a personal phone call… or even an offer of another date! So, I responded that I had a groupon, so I do have to reschedule. I explained that I was disappointed with the late notice, as I made arrangements. Now, the response I get blew me away. «I’m sorry that I had a death in the family and that I can’t accommodate you. Feel free to get your Groupon refunded since this death is such a disappointment to you. So sorry.» What!!! Wait, WHAT??? I don’t think I’ve ever dealt with someone that was so unprofessional in my entire life. Yes, a death is a perfectly good reason to not make someone’s appointment… however, to belittle someone that didn’t know your situation (and was not rude in response, but simply explained their feelings), this was WAY out of line. After this, I said sorry for the death in her family and mentioned that I was not meaning that in a rude fashion… to which she responded that I was rude and to get my groupon refunded. I understand being upset with a death, I get it… but to handle it this unprofessionally is amazing to me. IF you are going to send a text to a potential client, how hard would it have been to just say, «I had a death in the family, I need to reschedule»? It’s understandable. In a world full of flakes, professionalism and honesty go a long way. I would NEVER make someone feel bad about cancelling anything because of a death, and now I get treated like I’m some awful person… for no reason. There are plenty of people that get massages in the area, I’ll stick to another one… and oddly enough, I was going to a funeral right after this myself… WOW is right…

Wow, I mean Wow, what a really great massage and I’ve had lots of massage. In this day and age with so many types of massage, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point and so much more it’s easy to forget that a good Swedish Massage can be just as effective! I had a wonderful, skillful, flowing massage with perfect pressure that yielded the same benefit as a Deep Tissue massage would provide. I would very highly recommend Kristen for her well honed skills and ability to get relief for my knots and twists without any discomfort and plus, it was quite relaxing!

I actually looked them up to get a massage. Kristen Gum is the massage therapist on site. Her prices are fair and her technique is awesome. She gave me enough pressure to loosen things up, but not so much that I left in more pain.
Also, she was quiet and focused which I prefer as it allowed me to relax.

I just had my 2^nd hair cut with Lucy at this salon. After my first cut all of my friends were asking me who styled my hair because it was so cute. Lucy is not a «straight out of beauty school» stylist! She has over 10 years of experience with a variety of clients. From chic to classic, she can do it!

Leah is my go-​to girl. She does the BEST highlights in town. Subtle, sun-​kissed and gorgeous. Just started going to her for cuts too. She’s great at interpreting those torn-​out magazine pages and transforming them into something that will work for your hair and look great. Prices are reasonable and she has a great magazine collection.
One of the other booths @ Aspen offers eyelash extensions and yet another offers threading. Lots of services in one place!

Husband got me a spa giftcard for a massage and body treatment. I opted for the sugar scrub and a relaxing massage. I saw Beth Newman for my massage. She had the whole process down like clockwork. The door to the massage room was in the hallway where people were walking around, so I was worried about my naked self getting seen by someone walking by. I never was uncomfortable though. Anytime there was potential to expose myself because of moving around or changing, she was in the adjoining bathroom (complete with shower — which was nice because I had to wash off after the sugar scrub) or I was good and covered. If you are worried about this aspect of the massage, no worries here. It was a very relaxing experience, which is the whole point of massage to me. I’ve done the «helpful» deep-​tissue massage and then left in total pain before. I’m sure if you want that, she would be fully willing to inflict pain on you.
I also thought the overall space for waiting was rather small, and I didn’t dig that. There was a family of three in the spa area too, so I just had to stand while I waited for Beth, because there was no more room for me to sit (and only two of them were sitting).

This salon/​spa is a «booth rental» style place, so I am just going to speak to my experience with the stylist I see there.
The salon/​spa is very pretty inside, though I will say the waiting area up front is pretty small, and I think a lot of the stylists/​colorists have their own chairs in their area for their clients.
Basically there’s a long hallway lined on either side with small rooms which have glass walls facing the hallway, and glass doors. It’s pretty classy, and it’s nice because when you are having your hair done you can focus on YOUR gossip rather than hearing the gossip from the stylist and client in the next chair. Each room has it’s own sink, so everything happens there in your stylists/colorist’s room.
If you go to the very back of the hall way and to the left, that’s where the day spa area is, and it looks really peaceful and relaxing.
Ok, so I see a stylist named Sha (pronounced Shay), and I’ve been seeing her since 2003 when she was the head stylist at Mario Tricoci Too at Oak Park Mall, then to the one in Leawood before she struck out on her own. She’s SO nice, and she’s awesome about telling me when something is NOT going to work for my hair and suggesting an alternative. AND she’s fast. She books haircuts in half hour time slots so you are not going to spend half your day there. I recommend her to everyone I know because I really trust her. She made growing out a terrible pixie cut I should have never had bearable, and I always get comments and compliments on my hair. She also does some awesome up-do’s, for the record.
If you get your hair colored, there’s a colorist across the hall from Sha named Adriene, and she’s awesome. When I had highlights she did an amazing job and never fried my hair.
If you’re looking for a stylist or colorist, go see Sha and Adriene. They are talented ladies!