Red Flags To Watch Out For When Going To A New Hair Salon

Your hair stylist is moving. Or you are moving. Or you're ending things with your hair stylist and need to find someone new. Whatever the reason for finding yourself stylist-free, there are times in life when you will need to find a new hair salon. And that can be harder than finding a parking spot at the mall on Black Friday. Where to even begin? Well, our expert Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hair Addict Salon in New Jersey, can help narrow down the options by where not to go based on these red flags to watch out for when searching for a new spot.

There are certain reasons you might be inclined to choose a hair salon, such as location and convenience. But as Cleveland tells Glam exclusively, there are more reasons to choose a new salon than that. Of course there's the stylist themselves (here are our best tips for finding the perfect hair stylist), the vibe of the salon overall, the cleanliness and hygiene factor, and of course, the price. Paying attention to some of these red flags might prevent a haircut disaster and help lead you to a long-term relationship at a salon that's perfect for you.

You've found a salon to try, but how does it feel when you walk in? "Salons should be a place where everyone feels welcomed, relaxed, and free of judgement, but that's not always the case," Michelle Cleveland tells Glam exclusively, adding that anyone who "makes a new client feel like they don't belong" isn't worth your time. "One of my biggest red flags when it comes to trying a new salon is how you are welcomed on your first visit." Cleveland explains that at her salon, "it was always required that all stylists say hello and goodbye to every client who walks in or out of the door, even if it's not one of their own. This alone makes everyone feel seen."

She adds that you should feel positive the entire time you're in the space. "If you sit in a hair stylist's chair for the first time and they make you feel bad about your current style or cut, that would raise a red flag for me. As stylists, we are there to make you feel better about yourself, not kick you when you're down." If at any point, whether it's the consultation or 10 appointments into the relationship, you feel like the stylist isn't respecting your requests or listening to you, it's time to hit pause. It's important have realistic expectations, and be direct with them. But if you are actively being ignored, that's a major red flag. 

Listen, some of us are more squeamish about cleanliness than others. But you really should clock how dirty a new-to-you salon looks because it can come down to an issue of hygiene. If a salon looks grimey, you might also wonder how clean the tools are that they're putting on your head, or when was the last time the washing bowl was thoroughly cleaned. If it smells funky, you might wonder about the quality of the products used in the salon as well.

Michelle Cleveland asserts that presentation should also extend to the staff. "If you come to a salon for the first time and you notice that most of the stylists don't look presentable, that could be concerning for me," she shares exclusively with Glam. "It may seem superficial, but we are in the beauty industry and should project an image of beauty to those who sit in our chair."

Who doesn't love the idea of a social environment at a hair salon, à la "Legally Blonde," "Barbershop," or "Steel Magnolias?" But there are lines here that can be crossed, as Michelle Cleveland explains exclusively to Glam. "Another red flag for me when trying a new salon is if the stylist is bad mouthing another client or co-worker to you." It's not professional and will also make you feel like you can't be open with the stylist. You shouldn't trauma dump to your hair stylist anyway, but you want to feel that anything you do say isn't going to become fodder for the gossip mill. "I always say that if someone is talking to you about another, rest assured when you leave, they will do the same about you!" says Cleveland.

We know there isn't a hippocratic oath like a doctor-patient relationship, but a hair stylist and client relationship can feel equally sacred. The environment should feel safe in all regards, and that includes if you want to divulge personal information.

If you can find a salon via word of mouth, then great. But if you don't have that option and are going into the search more blindly, make sure you do your homework first before making your first booking. While Michelle Cleveland tells Glam exclusively that most of the red flags can't be spotted until you walk into the salon, there are a few to look out for in advance. See what information there is online about the establishment. Read reviews that are available, and if there's negative feedback, check that they have responded to it respectfully. Check multiple sites so you get a cross-section of reviews. If the salon or stylists don't have much online presence in this day and age, that could be a red flag.

Has the salon posted photos of their stylists' work on social media? Do you like what you see? Does every client look the exact same and it's not a look you necessarily want? Potential red flag. You want to see a variety of haircuts and colors to show their versatility, as well as see people that have similar hair texture to you, just to make sure that the stylist is familiar with your type of tresses specifically. 

Many of us have had the experience of going to pay for a beauty treatment only to be told about some extras or add-ons that we didn't realize we'd be paying for. The best way to avoid this issue is to have a consultation with your new stylist first. This will establish camaraderie and let you check out all the potential red flags Michelle Cleveland exclusively pointed out above. You can ask what the price is for each service that the stylist recommends at this point.

If the stylist or receptionist is cagey about pricing, this could be a major red flag. Inconsistency in pricing can also result in headaches down the road and require confrontation that you don't want to deal with. Also, if anyone at the salon seems pushy, whether it's with adding a treatment or wanting you to buy products, that's a red flag as well. The world is full of amazing hair stylists, so don't settle when these warning signs come up; you'll find the right one eventually.