Barber Salon Review - A Mixed Bag of Haircuts

My Love-Hate Relationship with the Barber Salon

summarizeEditor's Summary

I've been going to the Barber Salon for a while now, and my experience has been a real mixed bag. On the one hand, I love the value for money – it's so much cheaper than some of the other salons in town. But, on the other hand, the quality of service can be hit or miss. I've had stylists who are complete pros, but others who seem like they're still learning the ropes. The cleanliness and organization of the salon are always top-notch, though, so that's a definite plus. I've had some great haircuts, but I've also had a few that were just okay. Overall, I'd say it's worth giving the Barber Salon a try, but be prepared for some ups and downs.

settingsSpecifications

Fiyat8/10

Kararİyi

Kalite7/10

Servis6/10

Mimarlık4/10

My Intro

I'm so glad to be writing this review – I love the Barber Salon!

I'm not one of those girls who freaks out over every single hair on her head. If a stylist accidentally cuts off 20 centimeters instead of 5, I won't lose my cool and make a scene. I'm not obsessed with having super long hair, and I opt for a simple, easy-to-maintain cut – just a straight cut that anyone can do. That's why I see no need to overpay for the service or travel across town to a specific stylist – I just get my hair cut at any nearby salon.

Today, the star of my review is the Barber Salon.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm not one of those girls who freaks out over every single hair on her head. I've been to my fair share of salons, and I've never been one to get worked up over a bad haircut. But, I have to say, my experience with the Barber Salon was a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

General Info

The Barber is a nationwide chain of beauty salons with 538 locations across the country, according to their website. I've noticed their 'aggressive' advertising – those massive billboards and flyers handed out by their staff – and their low prices. I was skeptical about trying out the Barber Salon at first, but I decided to give it a shot and see what all the fuss was about.

Interior

The interior of the salon was a bit of a letdown. The standard reception area was pretty standard – you've seen it all before. The main room was a bit of a letdown – it's all very budget-friendly: the wallpaper, the artwork on the walls. I mean, it's not like I'm expecting a designer makeover at a place that charges 300 rubles for a haircut.

The branch I visited had three rooms: a huge men's area with multiple workstations, a tiny women's area (think 2x2 meters with one workstation), and a nail salon that I didn't get to experience.

My Experience

My experience with the Barber shop started back in 2019. At that time, I'd never been there and hadn't heard anything about it from friends, only seen the outdoor ads. I couldn't believe that a haircut could be so cheap, so I decided to try it out. Back then, the Barber shop was offering haircuts for 250 rubles, while the average price at other salons was around 450-500 rubles – that's more than twice as cheap.

I decided to go for a bob with some length added, and I wanted really long bangs in the front. Now I realize it looks pretty bad, but at the time, I thought it was cool. I didn't have any issues with the stylist – they cut my hair exactly as I asked, and it was all neat and tidy.

Here's the same hairstyle from the back. I was happy until they charged me 500 rubles at the checkout, instead of the 250 I was expecting. When I asked why, they told me that the haircut was 250 rubles, and they also did a 250-ruble styling that they do as a matter of course for this type of haircut.

I'm still not sure what the styling involved, because they just cut my hair and dried it with a hairdryer. They dampened my hair to cut it, which is standard procedure.

It was a bit of a disappointment, but I'd expected some kind of catch, so I just paid and left. The bob looked pretty bad on me, and I quickly got tired of it. It just didn't suit me. I realized that this was a one-off promotion, and I wouldn't be able to wear it on a regular basis. I needed to come up with something else, but I wanted to keep my hair at a medium length, as both long and short hairstyles just don't suit me.

This time, I brought a picture of the hairstyle I wanted, 500 rubles, and headed to the barber shop. They cut my hair perfectly, and I was thrilled, but the real surprise was when I saw the 250-ruble charge on the receipt.

I've been going to the same branch for a second time, getting my hair cut, and I don't feel like switching up yet. They always take a fixed amount from me, which is clearly displayed on their signboard. As of 2024, the price has gone up to 349 rubles.

Over the past five years, they've never once charged me extra for any styling services. Honestly, I think the first branch might have pulled a fast one on me, telling me something that wasn't in line with their company's regulations, but I could be wrong. If anyone has any information about this situation, please share it in the comments – it'd be interesting to get to the bottom of it.

Staff

I'll add a bit of criticism. Every time I go, which is about once every six months, I see new faces. I've never gotten the same stylist twice. It looks like there's a high staff turnover rate in the salon.

Another thing that puts me off is the makeup of the staff. Most of them are from neighboring countries, or they look like they've been partying a bit too hard. One time, I got a stylist who was still hungover, and she had so much hair product on her head that it looked like the 'Winter Berry' hairdo from that viral video – it was terrifying to think what she might do to me if she was like that.

They also love to chat with customers during the haircut, talking about their work, kids, and so on. To be honest, I hate that. It's just not my thing.

Convenient location, easy to book an appointment (I usually book for the next day or the day after), affordable, good quality.

Price didn't match the advertised rate, staff makeup, salon design and atmosphere, payment methods (the admin used to aggressively ask me to pay in cash – find some cash, take some cash out, it'd be better for you if you paid in cash. I hardly ever use cash, and I'm not about to go out of my way for the admin's sake).

My Verdict

I'll be the first to admit, my first experience with the clippers wasn't exactly smooth sailing. But I'd still highly recommend this barber shop to anyone with simple haircuts or just looking to tidy up the edges. Even high-end salons can mess up sometimes, so why pay extra?

I'm a regular here, and I've been coming back for 5 years now. I've never had a bad experience – my hair's always been cut to perfection!

I hope my review was helpful.

Thanks for reading!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the deal with the varying quality of service?

Honestly, it's just a matter of the stylists being in different stages of their careers. Some are complete pros, while others are still learning the ropes. But hey, at least they're willing to work with you to get the look you want!

How long does it take to get an appointment?

It really depends on the day and time you're looking to go – weekends tend to be busier than weekdays, and mornings tend to be busier than afternoons. But don't worry, the staff is always willing to work with you to find a time that fits your schedule.

Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied with my haircut?

Yeah, the salon has a pretty standard return policy – if you're not happy with your haircut, you can ask for a refund or a redo. Just make sure to communicate clearly with your stylist beforehand so they know what you're looking for.

Do you guys offer any discounts or promotions?

Actually, yeah – the salon often runs special deals and discounts, especially during off-peak hours. Just check their social media or website for the latest info.

Can I get a straight cut or do I have to go for a fancy style?

Totally – the stylists are happy to give you a simple, easy-to-maintain cut if that's what you're looking for. Just let them know what you want and they'll work with you to get it done.

Do you guys use any special products or techniques?

Yeah, the salon uses a range of high-quality products and techniques to get the job done. Just ask your stylist what they recommend for your hair type and they'll be happy to help.

Can I get a haircut with a male stylist?

Absolutely – the salon has a range of stylists, both male and female, who are happy to work with you to get the look you want.

Do you guys offer any services beyond just haircuts?

Yeah, the salon offers a range of services, including color, highlights, and waxing. Just check their website or ask your stylist for more info.

check_circlePros

•The price is super reasonable – I'm talking a fraction of what I'd pay at some other salons.
•The salon is always spotless and organized, which is a big plus in my book.
•The stylists are friendly and seem to know what they're doing most of the time.
•There's a nice little rack for hanging your clothes while you get your hair cut.
•The location is super convenient – it's right in the heart of my neighborhood.
•The staff always seems to be willing to work with you to get the look you want.

cancelCons

•The quality of service can be a bit all over the place – some stylists are pros, while others seem like they're still learning.
•I've had a few instances where the stylist seemed to misunderstand what I wanted, so be prepared to communicate clearly.
•The salon can get a bit busy, especially on weekends, so be prepared to wait a bit.
•I've noticed that the stylists tend to be a bit more chatty than I'd like – sometimes it's hard to get a word in edgewise!
•The chairs could use a bit of an update – they're a bit creaky and uncomfortable.
•I've had a few issues with the billing – make sure to double-check your receipt before you leave the salon.