10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Salon
There are a number of things to consider when deciding upon a salon including, location, reputation, availability of appointments, types of services and products, friendliness, atmosphere, communication, cost, and bonuses. This article explores 10 important things to consider before making an appointment.
Location
The difficulty of choosing a salon can vary depending on the number of choices within your town. Which is to say, that if your town has one salon, you’ve got to be willing to go there or willing to travel somewhere else. Size of your town or city aside, proximity to your house is not reason enough to choose a salon, although convenience is definitely a factor for many. If a salon is not convenient, think about whether you would be interested in traveling there regularly to maintain your look. If the distance is too much of a hassle, consider combining your salon trip with some other activity in the area (shopping, errands, visiting a friend) or having the stylist take a photo of you with your new look so that you can have another stylist replicate the look in the future.
Reputation
How did you hear about this particular salon? Ask around and try to get opinions from family, friends, or co-workers. Try looking the salon up online and see if you can find any reviews posted. Reputation is especially important to higher end salons that are part of a national chain (like Aveda or Red Door). Most salons know the impact of word of mouth and customer satisfaction. A negative review from a friend or online should be considered, but should not be the only factor in your decision. Evaluate a salon by the other criterion of this article before ruling it out!
Availability of Appointments
At a quality salon, Saturday is a busy day, but so are most other days. Flexibility with the time, date, or stylist you choose is often rewarded with a quicker appointment. If you know that you will be traveling and would like to visit a salon, don’t hesitate to make your appointment several months in advance. If your look requires regular maintenance, make an appointment for your next session when you check in with the receptionist.
Type of Services Offered
Most salons offer a variety of services from hair and nail treatments to waxing and massages. Consider having your hair and nails done in the same trip to save some time and to pamper yourself. Most salons will discount a pedicure if it is done at the same time as a manicure. Be sure to ask the receptionist about treatment packages and discounts when you call and make your appointment or when you first arrive and are checking in.
Products
A trip to the salon is a great opportunity to try some new beauty products and to ask your stylist about up and coming products that you may have heard or read about. If you have questions about the brand of products that are used in your salon or would like a recommendation for an item specifically suited to you, ask your stylist. A product from a national chain may be available online and in other salons, which is both convenient and exciting once you find something that really works. The ideal salon offers a wide variety of moderately priced products to meet the varying needs of their clientele and at the same time their stylists are respectful and helpful, but are not aggressive salespeople.
Friendliness
Call a prospective salon before making an appointment. The treatment you receive while scheduling an appointment and asking any necessary questions will speak volumes about the treatment you will receive once you are in the salon. Regardless of how busy the person who answers the phone may seem, you deserve to be treated courteously and politely. Take the time to ask all of your questions and if the answers you receive are not to your satisfaction ask to speak with a manager or leave a message for one to call you back. While you are in the salon, you are the VIP. A great stylist will make you feel welcome and will not rush you regardless of her schedule that day. The ideal salon will not overburden their stylists and will ensure that each treatment is scheduled for the appropriate duration of time.
Atmosphere
The ideal layout of a salon is one with multiple sections. Walls and hallways are a great way to break up the noises associated with hair and beauty treatments. Areas with specific designations (for example, a section for nails and another for tanning) will help you to relax and to be able to chat with your beauty professional. Other aspects of a pleasant environment include soft music, softer lighting, comfortable chairs, and good ventilation. Look online and see if you can locate a picture of the salon before making your appointment, or feel free to ask the receptionist for a description when you call to make an appointment.
Communication
The ability to communicate with your stylist is extremely important. It can be hard to trust someone new. If you are nervous, call the salon ahead of time and chat with your stylist about what you would like to have done. If she seems competent and friendly, keep your appointment and remember this helpfulness when you are tipping her. Upon arriving at the salon and meeting your stylist, first impressions are very important. Is this person really listening to what you want? A good stylist should be repeating your requests back to you to make sure that she understands what you would like. Do not be afraid to repeat yourself if you think that she may not have heard or understood you. In the worse care scenario, you can decide not to have a beauty procedure done that day. The time that you may have wasted is a small price to pay for your comfort and to ensure that your treatment is carried in the fashion that you desire. A true professional will be able to meet your needs and make innovative suggestions about the style that will look best on you. Be open minded when you enter the salon doors!
Costs
Costs will be higher in major metropolitan areas and smaller trendy resort towns, but salons in these areas have a lot riding on their ability to offer fair prices and their reputations should precede them. Consider all of the other aspects discussed in this article along with cost when making your decision. The right treatment will be relaxing and will help you to feel great about yourself and your look, which is worth a lot to most people.
Extra Bonuses
Who doesn’t love the little extras? Be on the lookout for advertised extras when making your salon decision—a leg massage during a pedicure, a scalp massage with aromatic oils during a haircut, a gourmet pastry and beverage before or after your treatment. The ideal salon realizes the importance customer satisfaction and recognizes that thoughtful touches will be appreciated and remembered by their patrons.
Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making an Appointment:
• What do I know about this salon or stylist? Ask friends and co-workers and do a search on the internet.
• Does this salon offer services that I would like?
• Is the person who I spoke with friendly? Does the communication style and method of this salon meet my needs?
• Does this stylist seem too busy? Will I feel rushed?
• Are these services reasonably priced for my budget? If these costs seem high am I ready and willing to splurge for the right salon?
Important Questions to Ask the Salon’s Receptionist or a Prospective Stylist:
• Are there any discounts on treatments or packages?
• What kinds of products are for sale in the salon?
• What is the atmosphere of the salon like?
• Do you understand my treatment requests and needs?
• Do you have ideas about what styles may look best on me?