What are your biggest complaints about your hair salon/stylist

[Anonymous]

I hated it when my color didn't come out right (as in like GREEN?) and the colorist of many years blames in on MY hormones. And that I should have told her that something was up with my "hormones" (nothing was up with my hormones). "It's your homones" was her "go to" argument with anyone who had a problem with her work (I heard her use it on others while waiting, waiting, waiting). I had to inform her that hair was dead. It was not something live that changed every six weeks due to hormones. If my hair was green when she usually made it blonde, then it was her job to take responsibility for the green and git rid of it.

[Anonymous]

My stylist is allergic to precision cuts. My latest looks, well, odd. I'm naturally strawberry blonde but she has covered my gray roots with the most drab and dark brown color. It does not blend. The color is awful and I asked her not to do this. During this enjoyable process I got to listen to a loud, endless spiel about the organic hair product line that she she is pushing. Yep, organic. I asked her if the usda certified it was organic. She didn't laugh. Yes, my dead hair is going to make great use of the organic fruit and flower nectars that have been combined with 14 different chemicals in a plant in China.

[Anonymous]

One person I saw would accuse me of cutting my hair myself in between sessions with her. I don't cut my hair. I couldn't believe she would point out uneven parts not realizing she was loudly broadcasting her own incompetence. What was worse was that I went to her for at least a year.

[Anonymous]

Went to a salon where the owner was my stylist. He had been recommended by my friend, cuts were pretty good, but he did annoying things, 1) frequent stepping away from doing my hair to speaking to walk ins,and once another regular who dropped in to schedule and he fawned over her while ignoring me in the chair for a bit. 2) had a relative/assistant simultaneously blow dry my hair along with him. I kept thinking 'wtf?? Am I supposed to tip this second guy too?' 3) once forgot my appointment and had taken the day off. Receptionist contacted him and relayed apologies, agreed to schedule me the next day before hours. I followed through the next day but was still pissed that I'd wasted 2 hrs to get there and back the previous day because he wasn't in my neighborhood. He gave me a hug after that cut like we were close, and I thought it was so fake. Cuts were $60ish.
I tried a salon near work and got a decent cut once for $40 thereabouts. Second time, not as satisfying and after the third 'meh' cut I left. I had also become tired of this new male stylist's know-it-all banter.
I switched to a new stylist/salon near work, also about $40, great stylist, very in tuned with what I am expressing that I want, and also seems really knowledgable about the biology of hair. 1 block from my office.
I liked the PPs advice about speaking up but in some situations I am not that quick to formulate how I will respond. Instead I just vote with my feet. Finding stylist #3 made me glad I didn't accept the uncomfortable vibes and non-impressive experiences with the first two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went to a salon where the owner was my stylist. He had been recommended by my friend, cuts were pretty good, but he did annoying things, 1) frequent stepping away from doing my hair to speaking to walk ins,and once another regular who dropped in to schedule and he fawned over her while ignoring me in the chair for a bit. 2) had a relative/assistant simultaneously blow dry my hair along with him. I kept thinking 'wtf?? Am I supposed to tip this second guy too?' 3) once forgot my appointment and had taken the day off. Receptionist contacted him and relayed apologies, agreed to schedule me the next day before hours. I followed through the next day but was still pissed that I'd wasted 2 hrs to get there and back the previous day because he wasn't in my neighborhood. He gave me a hug after that cut like we were close, and I thought it was so fake. Cuts were $60ish.
I tried a salon near work and got a decent cut once for $40 thereabouts. Second time, not as satisfying and after the third 'meh' cut I left. I had also become tired of this new male stylist's know-it-all banter.
I switched to a new stylist/salon near work, also about $40, great stylist, very in tuned with what I am expressing that I want, and also seems really knowledgable about the biology of hair. 1 block from my office.
I liked the PPs advice about speaking up but in some situations I am not that quick to formulate how I will respond. Instead I just vote with my feet. Finding stylist #3 made me glad I didn't accept the uncomfortable vibes and non-impressive experiences with the first two.

Was this salon in Oakton? I had a situation very similar to yours at one on Miller Road/Hunter Mill Road in Oakton. I waited for 45 minutes for the hairstylist to arrive (he never did, nor did he answer his cell phone). The receptionist said this was typical of the guy! His family is well-to-do and started a chain of salons in the DC area. His brother owns Beloved in DC. Many salons state that the customer must pay the full price for the appointment even if she doesn't show up and does not give 24 hour notice. What about when the stylist fails to show up?

[Anonymous]

I don't like the attitude of most stylists or salons but, on the other hand, I don't always trust the skills of Hair Cuttery type places. If you can find someone good there, they are fine, and I have at various points in my life, but if you don't go for someone specific, you just don't know what you are going to walk out with.

So, for the past 15 years or so, I've been going to a salon school in Arlington. I love them. They have no attitude b/c they are still students (senior students) and they must run everything by their teachers first. The prices are reasonable b/c you really are only paying for the products and a tiny bit for their (student) time.

I took a "break" once a year or so ago and decided to try a "real" salon again, thinking, "I am an adult. I will not be cowed by their upselling, by their attitude, etc. Maybe it's time for a "real" salon b/c I am in my 40s and need help with gray coverage. Maybe it's time." And I went to a salon in Herndon. I thought, "Whatever, it's Herndon, how much attitude could they have?" NOPE!!! Totally wrong. Thought they were God's gift to the Herndon area. I spent $300 on a bad highlighting job and I went right back to the Arlington salon school the next time. I usually get out of there spending approx. $100. That's the most I will pay for cut and highlights! (and now, gray coverage)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like the attitude of most stylists or salons but, on the other hand, I don't always trust the skills of Hair Cuttery type places. If you can find someone good there, they are fine, and I have at various points in my life, but if you don't go for someone specific, you just don't know what you are going to walk out with.

So, for the past 15 years or so, I've been going to a salon school in Arlington. I love them. They have no attitude b/c they are still students (senior students) and they must run everything by their teachers first. The prices are reasonable b/c you really are only paying for the products and a tiny bit for their (student) time.

I took a "break" once a year or so ago and decided to try a "real" salon again, thinking, "I am an adult. I will not be cowed by their upselling, by their attitude, etc. Maybe it's time for a "real" salon b/c I am in my 40s and need help with gray coverage. Maybe it's time." And I went to a salon in Herndon. I thought, "Whatever, it's Herndon, how much attitude could they have?" NOPE!!! Totally wrong. Thought they were God's gift to the Herndon area. I spent $300 on a bad highlighting job and I went right back to the Arlington salon school the next time. I usually get out of there spending approx. $100. That's the most I will pay for cut and highlights! (and now, gray coverage)

PS Also, the salon students are living on a dime also, so they don't mind one bit if you say, "No thanks," when they suggest products to you. And they also suggest things to help you save money, or they say, "You could also get this at a place like Sally Beauty Supply. Just look for ____." Etc. LOVE suggestions like this! LOVE it when they are coming from the same mind-set and are accepting of the fact that I don't want to spend $500 on my hair!

[Anonymous]

Tipping. I hate tipping. Finally, I started going to the no tipping salon in Clarendon, but they charge $80 for a really mediocre cut, so I just can't make myself go back. Last time, she spent less than 10 minutes cutting my hair straight across and I got charged $80 for it. The Hair Cuttery could have given me that cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unload here...

After he knows I've become a loyal client he passes me on to his "assistant" but still charges me the senior stylist price. EF that!!

[Anonymous]

Where to start.

Paul Mitchell School in Tysons -- Would not honor a gift card my husband purchased for me as an anniversary present. I paid for my appointment with a credit card and my husband had to file a complaint with our credit card company since they refused to use the gift card he had purchased for me the previous week. Have never been back and have shared my negative experience with anyone who mentions to me that they are thinking of trying the place.

Can't remember the name of the place in Fairfax City area, but I had an appointment with a stylist who had assistants standing in a circle around your chair. An assistant would step in and hand him something and then step back. All assistants looked at the ground. If I spoke to an assistant, they looked to the stylist before responding to me. I kidded with the stylist a little about something and one of the assistants laughed too. All of the other assistants gave the laughing assistant a death stare and she stopped laughing. The stylist laughed and then all the assistants laughed too. It was weird. Went only one time. Never again. Too tense and creepy.

Went to one stylist for years in Vienna. Years. They changed locations and the salon grew much bigger. I got invited to a big event at the last minute and called the salon to see if she could squeeze me in for a blow out. Nope. Not enough time in her book. I asked if they could ask her instead of just looking at the schedule. "I don't need to ask her. I can see she doesn't have availability." Next time she cut my hair, I told her about the issue and she was furious. She ended up leaving the salon and going to another place, but it was too far for me to go so I ended up moving on.

[Anonymous]

My stylist is great but I feel like I should charge HIM when I leave after spending 2 hours as his therapist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The wait. The fee. The non-stop chatter. Last time she charged me $500 for highlights, I walked. Best thing I've done in a long time.

$500 is a mother fucking car payment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

TBH, I'm not impressed with long hair that can be "thrown" up in buns and ponytails.

[Anonymous]

Attitude

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

TBH, I'm not impressed with long hair that can be "thrown" up in buns and ponytails.

She said she grows it out in the summer. I'm assuming that's not her usual style.