Dear Krissy,
When I moved to TX I brought my hair formula with me. My hairdresser in TX and I tweaked the color and I'm very happy with it. My hairdresser retired and I went to another hairdresser in the same salon but I decided to leave that salon and asked for my formula. The owner of the salon said she would not give it to me. Do I have any recourse in obtaining the formula?

Thanks,
Peggy


Dear Peggy,
I am sorry to hear about your situation! Unfortunately in this business this can be a common problem. Salons sometimes feel that if they refuse to give you your color you will remain a client to keep the same formula. By trying to keep one client they may end up losing more depending on who that client knows that goes to that salon. Our belief here at the Esterra Spa & Salon is that if our client wants their formula we gladly give it to them no matter the circumstance.

You can continue to ask for the formula, but the good news is even if they keep refusing to give it to you, a salon that specializes in color will likely be able to match it.

My advice to you would be to ask some questions before choosing a new salon, like what their policy is on color - are they there to make the client happy (will they give you your color if you request it)? If so, you have probably found yourself a great salon that strives to please all clients!

Good luck!

Labels: Hair Color, Hair Dye, Salon Etiquette

Dear Krissy,
I have been getting my hair done at the same salon for a while and I am not happy with my color lately. Should I go back and see a new stylist or try a new salon altogether?

Hannah, Fort Myers Beach


Well, I am a firm believer of sticking with the same salon. You should always give them another opportunity because I am sure that they will want to do their best to retain you as a customer. They may even offer you an incentive to stay. Go ahead and ask for a new stylist. Sometimes just by seeing something in a new perspective, you may get just what you were looking for...and better!!

Labels: Hair, Hair Color, Hair Dye, Salon Etiquette, Salon Services

Dear Krissy,
I'm nearing "middle age" and am finding that my hair is starting to really thin. Would getting hair extensions help or will I have to resort to wearing a wig?

Sue, Fort Myers

Thinning hair in women is very common. Depending on the salon you go to, there are some hair extension systems that offer a piece specifically designed to be placed at the top of your head where you are thinning. It looks very natural and clients love it. We offer it at the Esterra Spa & Salon and it sounds like it may be the perfect fix for your problem.

Labels: Hair, Salon Etiquette

Dear Krissy,
My teenage daughter decided to have a professional straightening treatment done to her hair. She was told that it would make her hair straight enough that she would not need to use a flat iron on it. After the treatment she still has wave in her hair and we are unhappy with the results, especially because she paid several hundred dollars for the treatment. We have decided that we do not want it redone because we are worried that an additional treatment may further damage her hair. I was thinking about just requesting a refund. As a business owner in this line of work, what would you offer the client and what do you think is fair?

Wavy Hair, Fort Myers Beach

This is a touchy situation, as I do not know how they are marketing this straightening procedure. If they truly did say that your results would be straight hair without the use of a straightening iron and it is still wavy, then I would say you did not get what you paid for. The wonderful thing is by telling the salon that you are not happy with your treatment, it gives them the opportunity to correct the problem. I think they should understand your concern with over-processing your daughter's hair, so the only other option is to refund your money. If you are a regular customer at this salon, they may even offer you a gift certificate for the dollar amount you spent to use in the future. As the saying goes (as does my personal belief), "The customer is always right!" While we are human and sometimes we all make mistakes, and sometimes the products we use for certain procedures do not work the same on every person, it is the way that we handle the problem that makes the difference! I believe that every customer should leave my spa and salon with a smile on their face and feeling extremely satisfied with their treatment, at whatever cost to the business. A happy customer is a returning customer, and that is what my business is built on!

Labels: Hair, Salon Etiquette, Salon Services

Dear Krissy,
I have been going to a salon that I love, but my hair stylist and I have hit a crossroads. I want to continue going to the salon, but I do want to change who I see for my next visit. Can I do that or is will it create problems?

What to Do, Fort Myers

Absolutely, by all means, please talk to them about switching hair stylists! Usually if you, as "the client," are feeling uncomfortable about things, chances are that your hair stylist is feeling your discomfort also. A good salon should try to continue to please you by making your transition as smooth as possible, so you should not have to worry about feeling uncomfortable around your old stylist. We are all professionals and know that these types of things happen from time to time. Our ultimate goal is always to make the client happy and comfortable with her decision!

Labels: Salon Etiquette, Salon Services