Choosing a New Hair Salon ft. The Apiary
Something that I didn't think about at all when I was moving was the service people that I interact with regularly. Now that I was in a new city, who was going to do my nails, be my dentist, or cut my hair? After almost three months, it's time for a haircut. I couldn't put it off any longer.
Here are some tips on choosing a new salon, as well as why I picked the one I did.
1. Find a person with good hair. Ask them where they got it.
This one is easy. Find someone...an acquaintance...with great hair, and ask for a referral. This is the easiest way to choose a new place. You already have walking proof that they do a good job. If you don't have anyone, do the next best thing: google. I checked Yelp to find the top rated hair salons in my area and went from there.
2. Make sure they're within your budget.
Every city has an array of salons of varying price points. For me, I want to be in the mid-range. In my city, that means something in the $30-50 range for a basic haircut, or the $80-120 range for color. Most salons have a website or facebook page with at least some guidelines on how much things cost.
3. Research their staff.
What are the stylists like? Do they mostly do alternative cuts or color? More traditional? How old is their usual customer? Is there a stylist you want to see above all the others? I chose a stylist named Jackie based on her reviews, and the small blurb about her on their website.
4. Pick something low-risk to try.
If you're unsure, try a low risk cut. This isn't the time to try a new color you've never had before, or make drastic changes. Think of this first cut as a job interview, and the second haircut as their time to be creative.
5. Think about add-ons or perks.
What else does the salon offer you? A glass of wine at your chair? Loyalty programs? For us bangin' girls, a free-bang trim is a must. I liked the salon I chose because of the easy reservation system as well. I can text in a reservation and receive a text back with a confirmation instantly, and all payments are done on Square, which I love.
My choice? I went with a little place inside a renovated house in Saint Paul called The Apiary. It fits my aesthetic really well...a little hipster, a little bright-white mid-century modern, a little shabby chic. I love my stylist, Jackie. She had great suggestions on how to cut my hair, and was quick to offer styling and maintenance tips. She also scheduled in my next appoint, as well as my totally necessary 4-week bang trim. When I mentioned to her that I'm thinking about color, she also had some excellent suggestions.
At the end of the appointment, I felt like I'd made the right choice.
Why do you love your salon?
