I made an appointment by phone explicitly stating that 1) since moving to the area from S. CA, I have not been able to find someone who can cut hair and 2) I need an all over color and highlights. Money seems to be an issue at this salon. I was informed that if I had an all over color and highlights, it would count as two coloring services and be about $105 starting and may be more, in addition to the haircut cost.
I get to my appointment and waited 16 minutes because they were running over the time limit with the previous appointment.
I was directed to the back of the salon, my stylist was not assigned to one of the larger more professional looking stations. I indicated that I wanted a haircut, a color and highlights. I left my hair natural to dry, to give the stylist a better indication of my hair type, and how it hangs. She stated she would get to what I wanted in a haircut after she coloured my hair, right now she wanted to discuss color.
I stated that I wanted an all over color with highlights, and to get away from the reddish tint it had, go in the direction of brown, but not dark brown, and highlights. The woman pulled out swatches and asked me what color I was leaning towards. In S CA, it has been my experience that the stylist looks at my hair, plays with it, we talk about the cut first, once they establish about the cut, they usually recommend a color that works well with my skin tone. It's never been an issue before, and I stated that I was hoping that in this consultation, that she would recommend a color based on the first sentence in this paragraph - all over color, brown, not too dark, with highlights.
She selected two reds, I stated that I had previously stated I didnt want red. I stated that I didnt understand what the issue was. I pointed out one of the other stylists hair who had brown with highlights, and the stylist stated oh, she has "_____", I said well it looks good. I was then told that I would have to have my hair bleached, and some other stuff, which was really complicated and she started to explain the technical side of it. I asked why I couldnt just get a color, over my old color, and highlights?
She left and brought back a laminated chart and erasable crayon, put the chart in front of me and tried to hand me the crayon, and asked me what my PRICE POINT was. Really? It was degrading and creepy.
I asked to consult with another stylist, I did, we seemed then to have an understanding of basic color with highlights. The original lady came back again, this time with a piece of paper, asking me to sign it. I inquired what it was for. She stated that she was explaining to me what she was going to do with my hair, and before she could start, she wanted my signature on the paper. I told her she didnt explain anything, that the other stylist had an idea of what I wanted, they both walked away together, she came back with her paper, and now she is asking me to agree to what she wants to do by signing a piece of paper, and I dont know if she knows what she's doing.
I've never been asked by ANY professional salon to sign a paper. I essentially stated that I dont think that we were communicating too well and I would prefer to take my business elsewhere.
The name Gigi also has Aveda in its name. I used to get my hair cut and colored at Aveda Hair Salon in Huntington Beach California and never ever had this type of poor and unknowledgeable service as I had today at the Gigi Aveda salon located at Washington Square.
Despite the glossy surface, I would not recommend this establishment, the service is extremely poor, the staff doesnt listen to what you want and they dont know what they're doing. It's very shady. Requesting a color with highlights and a haircut seems very straightforward, so I couldnt really tell you what the problem was. read more