5 Things to Look for in a Salon

Trying to find your new favourite salon in Calgary is a big task – one that would take you from McKnight to Midnapore and everywhere in between. The bigger question is, how can you decide what makes a great salon? What combination of talent, products, and customers is the best?

Today, we’ll go over five of the most important things to consider when choosing the best hair salon for you.

Finding the Best Salon in calgary

1. Check out their online reviews.
   
   In the age of the internet, this one seems pretty obvious. What better way to get a sense of a salon’s reputation than to read testimonials from people who have gone there already? And if the business has no reviews, that could be a red flag on its own (not always, though – for example, they might be fairly new).
   
   Look for clues as to how satisfied their customers were, how the salon dealt with difficult situations, and whether prior guests recommend the stylists or not. It’s also a good idea to take these reviews with a grain of salt, because a lot of context may be missing – and as we all know, people are more likely to leave bad reviews than take the time to write good ones. All in all, this is just one helpful way to get an idea of what to expect when you walk into, and out of, their doors.
   

2. Has the salon won any awards?
   
   While not a prerequisite for great service – after all, there are only so many awards to go around – it’s always a good sign when a salon has some outside recognition. These can be local to Calgary, or bigger in scale to the province, country, or industry as a whole, and some of them are quite prestigious. You never know when you’ll run into an internationally known stylist or hairdresser!
   
   For hair salons, some respected awards include the Alberta Hair and Beauty Awards, International Hairdressing Awards, Contessa Awards, or even the Best of Calgary. Have a quick Google and see if any of the salons near you have picked up anything of note.
   

3. Is the salon clean and hygienic?
   
   Once you’ve got your fill of creeping the salon online, it’s time to look a little closer at their actual location. While hair salons have always had high standards of cleanliness, it’s even more important to be hygienic in the time of COVID-19.
   
   You can look at their COVID protocols (which should be detailed on their site or social profiles), but also go to the shop and look inside. Are the work areas clean and tidy? Are the tools sterilized and put away properly? Are the hair cuttings swept up and disposed of right away? There are plenty of little clues that should tell you whether they actually follow health guidelines, or just say they do.
   

4. Pay attention to the culture, staff, and vibe.
   
   You can get a feel for the culture and mood of a salon based on their Instagram presence and customer reviews, but nothing beats going in person. Look at the décor, colours, and overall vibe in addition to the demeanour of the staff and customers. It should be a welcoming place full of happy people who are looking and feeling their best, not a dark room packed with angry guests. Even if it’s a small business, that’s okay – it’s genuine care and TLC that makes a room inviting, without a lot of extra space.
   
   The amount of care put into their people and presentation is directly representative of the care they put into their work. If one is lacking, the other probably will be, too – so keep that in mind if you book an appointment.
   

5. Do they take pride in their work and guests?
   
   Related to the last one, look around at how the staff approaches their work and clientele. Do they seem like they enjoy what they do? Do they post enthusiastic photos on social media to show off, as soon as they’re finished? Their pride in their work and customers should be apparent.

If it seems like neither stylist nor the client wants to be there, or is bitter about the experience, that’s a certified red flag that you should be aware of!

South Calgary’s Best Salon

We can’t speak for neighbourhoods beyond Canyon Meadows, but we already know of one exceptional place here in Silverado: Rush Salon! (Ok, so yes, we’re a little biased.) Our master stylists, colourists, and balayage artists are here to deliver amazing results in a fun and inclusive environment. Come on in for a cut and we’ll be happy to show you why we’re one of Calgary’s top salons!