After having read good reviews about Emily from the previous salon she worked at, I went to Lush with high hopes that I have finally found my favorite stylist. At the time I booked the appointment I was told her rate would be $50/hr.. At Lush, I had a very good experience and enjoyed her skill level and expertise. I also booked for a second appointment on the spot. When I returned home and went back to double check my payment, I noticed I had been charged $58/hr for my visit instead of $50/hr - on top of which I had put a 20% tip. Though it was my responsibility to double check at the time of payment I was very disappointed to find out that my trust had been disrespected.
Since I was happy with my hair treatment and assumed that this could have been an honest mistake I was ready to go to the second appointment, when I noticed that Emily does not accept hair products brought to the salon by customers, so I notified her well ahead of the second appointment that I would have to cancel the upcoming visit, because I wanted to try a specific hair color that I had from before.
With NB-NS border closing again around holidays, my old stylist who worked in Amherst and was going to use that product on me, had to cancel my appointment. So a few weeks later I tried to rebook with Emily. She initially ignored my first message and after a second message refused to book "new clients". I honestly do not know what she expects to see in an ideal client. If a new client has been charged an extra 16% percent without notice, has paid 20% tip on top of that, and is still giving her the benefit of the doubt and attempts a second trial,...has given 18 days notice to cancel a second appointment [and explained why], and tries to rebook it a few weeks later... why should the client be receiving that kind of unkind attitude?
I understand that with certain level of skills and professional level there also are certain expectations.. I believe however, that I had done my part as a good client in full. I moved to this area a short while ago from Toronto, and I never had such an experience over there. I have tried many stylists in Toronto over the years, some a lot more experienced and pricy, and was never treated this way. If you are a local going to Lush, I hope you will have a better experience. The salon is not very spacious, but has a nice atmosphere to it and friendly staff.