What are your biggest complaints about your hair salon/stylist

[Anonymous]

It sort of galls me that on top of the $110 for a retouch that my stylist charges $45 for a trim that takes her 15 minutes (used to be $35). When I asked why the increase, she told me she was worth it. I've been contemplating finding another one, between this and the always trying to get me to buy product. I like her, and my hair was the one big thing I spent money on, but this is getting to me now. If I could find a place to get a retouch and a trim that didn't burn me or require 4 hours because they work on another client at the same time, I would consider splitting.

I'm in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

4 hours for a retouch and a trim? Are these highlights? That's insane.

[Anonymous]

The fact that my stylist does not understand curly hair. He gives a great cut (on top of wonderful color) and then proceeds to "break" the curl by aggressively combing it. Hate that. Other than that, he's great. Never tries to sell to me, never makes me wait, doesn't pass me off.

The only other thing I don't like is the shampoo person. She's rough, she splashes, she gets water in my ears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 hours for a retouch and a trim? Are these highlights? That's insane.

It's the straightening of type 4 hair (normally African-American). It can range from $50 at a cheap place to $300, I've heard. The $110 I can live with because she only does my hair. It's the trim for $45 that gets me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate the salon I've been going to. I've hated a lot of salons that I've gone to. I do not look forward to getting my hair done.

I'm in the Nova suburbs and what is up with all the pretentiousness? The strip mall salons are some of the worst. How do they manage to always find the nastiest human beings on the planet to work the front desk? Is it a law that hair stylists have to be loud.

I'd love to find someone who listens to what I like regarding the length and color of my hair and just does the job.

Try Elements in McLean. Seriously. Look up their Yelp reviews. You can go to any of the stylists there. I like Jyll or Irving (the owner). Not overly pricey, quiet, VERY nice.

No, I don't work there. I just hate pretentious loud salons too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I go "home" a few times a year, and go to my old previous stylist, years later. The licensing is not strict enough here for me. Anyone can become a stylist in this area. It shows.

Germany? That's where i'm from. It takes a lot longer to become a Master Stylist. Not here.

[Anonymous]

One, that she's never on time, generally because she takes a smoke break when I arrive, and/or when I'm being shampooed. So I intentionally arrive 5 minutes late, and I still must wait, and then I must wait again after the shampoo.

Two, that she complains about her finances all the time. No, I already give you a more than 20% tip, I'm not going to give more because I feel sorry for you.

Three, at the holidays, she always hints about getting a holiday tip. No, I already tip you more than 20% each time I come, I'm not going to give you more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying someone new tomorrow and I'm already nervous about the upsells. A one-process color is x dollars but then $10 more if you want the color down to your roots. I'm already anticipating the extra fee if I ask him to use the extra from the bowl on my eyebrows, which my previous colorist (in NYC) did for free. It's like the airlines. I hate being nickel and dimed. Charged me one fee and include whatever you need to include in it.

I hate it when I go to have my roots done and they don't mix enough color. I have thick hair and this is always a problem. They have to mix more color just to do my roots. I don't understand what the internal politics are of the stylists using color. Do they get docked for using more? I've had it happen at every salon at least once that you can see where this new color ends. It's like I have a band of color in my hair. Why would I go back to a stylist/salon where this happens?

Whoops, I'm the pp above and I meant ends, not roots. I guess some people go often enough for root touch ups only, but I've never met one of those people. I hope they mix enough color for my whole head and can use the scrapings they would throw away for my brows. Not a huge deal, but things like this make a customer feel valued. This is why it takes a while to find a stylist in a new city!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the place is clean and friendly, and they know their work and what they are doing, I stay. If not, or if they try to upsell me, I go.

No way would I stand for criticism. If I ask what would look best on me, I expect kind, professional suggestions. I am not high maintenance, but at McLean prices, I expect McLean service. The other patrons, and their constipated expressions, can shove it.

Once in McLean (McLean prices) this guy (owner) gave me a keratin treatment without heat styling/flat ironing my hair, to seal it in. Even I knew to do that. Never went back. Never looked back. If someone asks, I tell them.

I also had a terrible experience at a salon in McLean. Stylist colored my hair and the highlights came out purple (supposed to be blond). Hair also started falling out from my extensions from the coloring process. They said that it was because of my extensions, but I'd been getting extensions done for 6 years at that point and highlighting blond and NEVER EVER had hair fall out, or, of course, had my hair turn purple. Needless to say, I didn't return.

I think we are all talking of the same salon that charged me $500 for highlights. I complained to the male owner "D___" on the way out, but he didn't offer to refund part or all. Never went back. AND I left wet with no blow-out. I said "Does this look like $500 to you?" He said "NO, but that so-and-so was an independent contractor leasing her station so she could charge whatever she wanted". Never returned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the place is clean and friendly, and they know their work and what they are doing, I stay. If not, or if they try to upsell me, I go.

No way would I stand for criticism. If I ask what would look best on me, I expect kind, professional suggestions. I am not high maintenance, but at McLean prices, I expect McLean service. The other patrons, and their constipated expressions, can shove it.

Once in McLean (McLean prices) this guy (owner) gave me a keratin treatment without heat styling/flat ironing my hair, to seal it in. Even I knew to do that. Never went back. Never looked back. If someone asks, I tell them.

I also had a terrible experience at a salon in McLean. Stylist colored my hair and the highlights came out purple (supposed to be blond). Hair also started falling out from my extensions from the coloring process. They said that it was because of my extensions, but I'd been getting extensions done for 6 years at that point and highlighting blond and NEVER EVER had hair fall out, or, of course, had my hair turn purple. Needless to say, I didn't return.

I think we are all talking of the same salon that charged me $500 for highlights. I complained to the male owner "D___" on the way out, but he didn't offer to refund part or all. Never went back. AND I left wet with no blow-out. I said "Does this look like $500 to you?" He said "NO, but that so-and-so was an independent contractor leasing her station so she could charge whatever she wanted". Never returned.

Outside of places like Hair Cuttery, most stylists are independent contractors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the place is clean and friendly, and they know their work and what they are doing, I stay. If not, or if they try to upsell me, I go.

No way would I stand for criticism. If I ask what would look best on me, I expect kind, professional suggestions. I am not high maintenance, but at McLean prices, I expect McLean service. The other patrons, and their constipated expressions, can shove it.

Once in McLean (McLean prices) this guy (owner) gave me a keratin treatment without heat styling/flat ironing my hair, to seal it in. Even I knew to do that. Never went back. Never looked back. If someone asks, I tell them.

I also had a terrible experience at a salon in McLean. Stylist colored my hair and the highlights came out purple (supposed to be blond). Hair also started falling out from my extensions from the coloring process. They said that it was because of my extensions, but I'd been getting extensions done for 6 years at that point and highlighting blond and NEVER EVER had hair fall out, or, of course, had my hair turn purple. Needless to say, I didn't return.

I think we are all talking of the same salon that charged me $500 for highlights. I complained to the male owner "D___" on the way out, but he didn't offer to refund part or all. Never went back. AND I left wet with no blow-out. I said "Does this look like $500 to you?" He said "NO, but that so-and-so was an independent contractor leasing her station so she could charge whatever she wanted". Never returned.

Why isn't anyone naming the place? Warn the rest of us!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, nothing except the cost... $110. But I'm so pleased with everything else... my stylist, the damn near perfect cut she gives me every time, the shampoo ladies, the friendly vibe, the cleanliness, the location... that I'm willing to pay that price.

Oh, and the salon never tries to sell me products. She (my stylist) never berates me about how long it's been since my last visit. I only go about 3-4 times a year. Usually in late August, right before Christmas, in then in April. I grow my hair out over the summer (fairly long) so that I can throw it up in the summer in buns and ponytails.

Where is this magical place?? I'm willing to travel!

I'm hesitant to state the name. Don't want hordes there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I go "home" a few times a year, and go to my old previous stylist, years later. The licensing is not strict enough here for me. Anyone can become a stylist in this area. It shows.

I do the same! Where are you from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go "home" a few times a year, and go to my old previous stylist, years later. The licensing is not strict enough here for me. Anyone can become a stylist in this area. It shows.

Germany? That's where i'm from. It takes a lot longer to become a Master Stylist. Not here.

OMG! THe German stylists were the WORST! I loved there 2 years and only had one halfway decent cut.

[Anonymous]

Double bookings.