This is going to be a long review--buckle up! (I am not the type to feel the R card, but this place had my spidey tingle of "R-ism" all over it.) This is the first time in my life that I felt it at a hair salon, and irony; it is in Fort Lee, where I have lived for years, as this is a multicultural neighborhood.
I was looking forward to my visit to a local hair Salon. I have been going to the salons in Manhattan forever, but I decided to stay local and support the local business. I came across the FB page of a colorist who works at this Salon. Her work looks amazing and clean, so I made an appointment.
The morning of the appointment, I called and asked if I could have a wash and go after the color consultation as I am still recovering from my surgery and have not been able to wash my hair on my own. The receptionist confirmed they were able to make the accommodation.
I have been bleaching and coloring since I was 12, and now I am 43 years old. I am very well aware it is not easy for Asian hair to go blonde, Note: 3/4 of my hair is already blonde. The colorist seems very knowledgeable (There has been no fee discussion yet.) At the end of the consultation as she was walking me out. I informed her I had a wash-and-go appointment. She seemed confused and said they were very busy (1/2 the salon had empty chairs, only 3 active clients) and I had a spidey sense she wanted to rush me off. I told her I was sure it was a misunderstanding and could easily be cleared with the receptionist.
I went downstairs to the receptionist to ensure she had reserved my wash-and-go appointment, and she confirmed again. So, she suggested that I make an appointment for the color process first before returning upstair for my hair wash appointment. I was informed the total all-in to color corrected is $1,050 (yes, you read it right - 7 hours/$150 per hour), and with a 20% Tip - I am looking at a $1,300 total all-in. I am very happy for the stylist; she can charge her client this amount for her creativity and skill set. Unfortunately, I would need to sleep on it. Normally I pay $500-$600 (excluding tips) in manhattan for a 6 hours hair correction. The receptionist understood that I would need time to think about it. She and I walked up to the stairs for my wash and go.
When we reached the 3rd floor, the receptionist told the lady I had an appointment to wash my hair. Very quickly, the lady whose job was to wash the client's hair and assist the stylist pulled the receptionist's arm and whispered to the receptionist on and on. it was getting awkward, as I didn't need to BEG someone to wash my hair. I don't know what they are talking about nor want to be eavesdropped on, but her body language and facial expressions suggest she doesn't want to take me as a client. They simply wanted me to leave; I told the receptionist, "It's okay, I don't need it anymore." I walked down the stairs and thanked her for her help.
Conclusion:
Receptionist: lovely people, very informative and curious, and professional.
Colorist: She's no doubt very good at her job, but a part of me wonders if the price she quoted me is so that I would say no and she won't have to take me as a client. I pray that this is not the case.
Hair Wash Lady: Your role and responsibility is to assist the stylist with washing clients' hair and providing other services. It's RUDE and UNPROFESSIONAL to complain in front of a client that you're unable and unwilling to honor my appointment. The professional way of handling it is to quote me a waiting time, and then it is up to me to decide whether I want to wait. But complaining in front of a prospective client says a lot about your attitude and professionalism.
Owner: Your establishment has been in FL for many years, and I am sure your business is doing well. But as a new customer who's been living in FL for years, this is the FIRST time I question if the treatment I received from your establishment is due to my race. This was the FIRST TIME I felt I was not welcome and should take my business elsewhere. I am shocked; FL is a mixed-culture neighborhood, and I wasn't expecting to experience such uneasiness from a neighborhood hair salon. read more