Princeton Salon

I recently moved to the area and am still looking for a stylist with less than stellar results. I was dubious about trying yet another salon but liked the look of the place and so gave it a shot. I’m SO glad I did. They were able to give me an appointment right then with a Master Stylist — Nadene. She was amazing! She really listened to what I wanted and did a great job. At first she didn’t cut enough off the back as I’d asked but when I asked her to cut it a little shorter she did. I’d rather have to ask for more to be cut than have a stylist whack too much off! She was very good to work with me and make the adjustment to get it just the way I wanted. It’s a great cut, looks good and I’ll definitely be back! The reception staff were very friendly as well and the atmosphere was pleasant. Parking on the square can be challenging depending on when you go but that’s hardly a big deal for a stylist who listens and does such a good job!

I called and got a same day appointment. Which I thought was great. Got there and the salon looks nice and modern. I like that. When my stylist came and introduced herself (Amber) I showed her my picture. I was going from long hair to a bob with bangs. She seemed to understand. After the shampoo she said she started cutting. Then she said she would blow dry and finish cutting then. I said including the bangs? She said yes. Ok blow dry over. She starts cutting again, meanwhile talking about my color over and over. I need my grays covered but I knew that and I do it myself. Which I told her. Another half hour of cutting, suddenly her next customer was there an she says done. No bangs, a hundred layered bob later I am done. Doesnt remotely look like my pic. The second worst haircut I’ve ever had. Sent my daughter there hoping it was just the stylist. Nope she had the same results. Steve did not remotely cut it like she wanted. Don’t bother going here if you actually want a specific style. They will cut the way they want. We will not be going there again.

I’ll preface this by saying I am ridiculously picky about hair salons. I was spoiled growing up with an amazing stylist, and I’ve had a very difficult time anywhere that I’ve lived finding someone who lived up to my expectations. I may be too picky, but this is one area on which I really have no space to compromise…
The salon is located in the square, and parking is very limited especially during normal weekday business hours. So be aware that you may have to park and walk from a bit of a distance. It wasn’t a big deal for me, but I wanted to throw that out there, as I know it can be an issue for some people.
The ambiance of the salon is nice. Lots of stylists chairs, lots of people working, not too noisy, and seemed to be clean. It wasn’t super bright, which looking back now maybe should have been an issue for me. They have nice chandeliers, but they don’t provide a ton of lighting.
I went in for a cut (locks of love donation), and style. I did not have any color done (I never ever have color done until I’ve trusted someone to cut my hair a few times and been pleased with it), so I can’t attest to the color skills — this is strictly cut/​style.
When I called initially, they had three tiers of stylists. Since this was supposed to be a pretty simple whack 13″ off, even out, and style — they were confident in the skills of their bottom tier (i.e., newly graduated from beauty school and not enough experience yet for 2^nd tier, still under supervision of the top tier/​managers). I went with this (I’ve had fine experiences at my old salon with new hires in this situation). When I arrived, the girl I was assigned to called me over pretty quickly — no long wait. We did the big cut first (all well here), then washed (fine as well) and began the shaping/​trim segment. The stylist seemed to struggle a little with how to shape my hair, but her manager came over and gave her a few pointers and then moved on to his next appointment. When she finished, I checked the mirror, but between the fact that it was scrunched a bit with gel and such, and the lighting — it was hard to tell how it really came out. It wasn’t until I washed it the next day that I noticed that it was pretty uneven. I trimmed the really long ones myself — the obvious ones — and the rest I left. With a scrunched look/​gel, it didn’t look terrible. And when pulled into a ponytail I could ignore the uneven. I probably could have gone back and asked them to fix it, but I would rather have someone I trust do that — so I waited until my next trip home and had my old stylist take care of it for me. Her first comment when she started to trim it was about the uneven cut — asking where I had it done at. I hadn’t even mentioned the fact that I thought it was uneven yet. So that tells me that it definitely wasn’t just me being over-​picky.
Anyhow — I guess lesson learned here is find a good salon first, then when you’re comfortable, let the bottom-​tier people do the easy stuff if you are comfortable with them. I saw plenty of people with nice cuts walk out of the salon, so I would imagine that the higher-​tier stylists probably have a good skills, but I haven’ t had the nerve to go back. Again — I’m skittish with new stylists. Sadly, I do need to find someone soon, so if I do brave this one again, I will update my review with the results of my return visit. But I haven’t decided on that yet.

I called Monday and got a Tuesday afternoon appointment. I will update my review after I visit the salon.