At last!

I found a wonderful salon right by where I live.

I have been wary of going to salons since my last experience with the one in my neighborhood. Where I kept giving chances to some young woman who I swear was blonde even though her nationality was Lebanese and she had dark hair - she was ditzy and every time I went to her she never listened.

The last time I had a decent cut (which was glorious) - I went with a friend all the way out to Chesterland - which is a drive even for me....

So...one of the girls here at work has a mom who owns a salon. I had heard good things from one of our other co-workers about the place, so last Saturday, after teaching my Yoga class, I decided to go try to get an appointment.

At first I was not really thrilled with the way I was treated by the girl at the reception desk - but I made an appointment anyway. When I asked who was good with cut and colour - she claimed 'We're all good' - I don't like answers like that...

When I cam into work yesterday I asked again the name of the girl to ask for. They told me her name was Amy - I called the salon and told them I wanted Amy instead - unbeknownst to me, they put the lady on the phone who was to see me that night:

Rather snotty she says: 'You will be fine with Holly - she is a colour expert too'

I said: 'Well that's fine but I've been going to salons for years now and we all know how it can be in a salon where you get put with one stylist and you try to go to a different one in the same salon - I don't want to experience problems if I decide to go with Amy at a later time'

'You won't' she assured me 'we trade off all the time'

Now for those of you out there that have to have this explained to you, it's pretty simple. Salons seem to be hornets nests of catty women (sorry but it's true) - it's the only experience I can think of where you go someplace, you are paying for very personal INDIVIDUALISED care and typically (unless you pay a fortune) - they refuse to listen to you...it's crazy. If I could cut my own hair I'd do it...

So I show up about 15 minutes early and I am greeted by the ENTIRE salon - as if I am a friend. Holly comes over, says hello and winks and tells me not to be nervous that she knows I asked for Amy. (This made me feel kind of uncomfortable). I sat down and grabbed a book and tried to think about what I wanted her to do...

She brought me over to her chair. She brought Amy over and introduced us - we then began a consult about my colour. It was wonderful. She was down-to-earth and wonderful. The entire experience was wonderful. It cost less than any other visit to a salon for 2 different services. They washed my hair before the colour, washed it and conditioned it afterwards, and I got a cut AND product for under $70 - that's a deal. And I left knowing I would go back to Holly and we would be able to 'tweak' things and she would not mind nor ignore what I wanted. I felt like I had gone to a pricey salon and didn't have to spend an arm and a leg. Also, I was extremely impressed with how they treated their other clientele. While I was in there, a man in a wheelchair came in and they not only accommodated him but they lavished him with care and concern. Also there was a woman in a walker and they treated her like a queen. You can't buy this kind of service - either a place has it or they don't...this place was a shining example of how a salon should be.

I am not into 'vanity' I try very hard to stay natural looking. I do a lot of my own stuff. For years and years, I've used hennas, or coloured my own hair, but sometimes, you need a haircut and sometimes you need some pampering and last night fit the bill.