This is a nice, complete style salon located in the Barrio de Salamanca. I was referred here by a…read morehip woman who seemed to really know her way around the city, unlike me. I was familiar with the Salamanca neighborhood and knew I'd have to shell out the bucks, however, having recently weathered some pretty lousy, cheap cuts, I was desperate for something good and decided to check the scene. This was 6 years ago. Alejandro gave me a fine cut and style, very precise and pretty. My hair was long and much could have been done with it, as I gave him free reign with style, though not overall length. In the end he took the conservative route and gave me the standard layers that were popular at the time. Ok, like I said, it was a solid cut. Plus, he was nice and professional, precise. He commented on my highlights and made some recommendations which I felt were legitimate. The cut was expensive-ish, but I was happy.
Fast forward to 2011. I went back. My hair was long and I needed a cut and some color. I was primping for a big wedding. Alejandro was there! And we went through the same routine: I don't want short hair, other than that, go for it, and to my dismay.... I got the same cut. This time the shortest layer gave my hair a little mushroom look and he fine layered all of the ends which leaves my hair frizzy (I've got very fine, wavy hair) when I let it dry naturally. My thoughts are that as a professional you should know that and avoid it unless, of course, your client says "I want it frizzy, like the Duquesa de Alba" If I had the time and patience to style my hair perfectly every day....but who'm I kidding- I'd never do that. I'm all about the wash and go. In addition, I was there during wedding high season, on a Saturday. I waited an hour before my hair was washed. And I wasn't too thrilled watching a bride and her giddy wedding entourage swilling champagne and dancing around while I waited another hour after the cut for my hair to be dried-styled. Grrr. And the service cost me 20 euros more this time around. Grrr.
My color session was not much better. It was rushed and unfriendly. The colorist said maybe 2 words to me. I told her what I wanted and she gave it to me, but the effect that I had in mind was something more "visible" than what she executed. It's happened before: I ask for more blonde and I receive something so natural, so subtle that you can't tell that anything has been done. True, my hair might not be as damaged but, I can assure you, my bank account was. For invisible highlights. There has to be better salons here where you can get what you pay for. For now, sadly, I'm in the pelu-wilderness
