I consider myself to be a low maintenance girl, which means my hair often goes uncut for months at a time. For my last hair cut about five months ago I went to a Long Island hair salon called Bangz: Hair & Color Lounge, in Bellmore. I was so happy with the job they did that I decided to make this hair salon the first stop in my excursion assignment. I was happy to get the chance to learn about all the services they offered. The hairdresser Anthony, who had done such an amazing job on my locks the last time I visited, was not in at the time, but the receptionist Jennifer and shampoo girl/hair dressing apprentice Valerie were very helpful. The very first thing I noticed upon walking in to Bangz was that they had a number of employees, 99% of which were female, all beautiful. All of the girls were dressed up in black, in tight leggings and low cut tops. I did not see an un-manicured nail, although the salon itself is strictly a hair service salon. The manicure of choice seemed to be the ever-popular French manicure. As I walked toward the bevy of beautiful blondes I could not help but wish I had put in a little more effort into my look. It is strange to walk into an instantly feel like a inadequate. Dodging the disapproving glances, I made my way over to the front desk where a very perky receptionist named Jennifer immediately asked if I needed assistance. I was grateful for her seemingly genuine smile. I casually asked about the price of a wash, cut, and blow-out, when she informed me that normally the price begins at $40 but at the length and thickness of my hair that I would be paying $50. I am used to the price spikes due to my lengthy mane. I then asked how much it would be to do a wash and blow-out without the cut. She priced it starting at $25 but about $30-$35 for me. When I asked about the price of a man’s haircut she appeared puzzled. After informing me that men cuts start at $25 she curiously asked what I was really up to. I came clean and told her I was researching an assignment. She practically leap from behind the desk and rushed me over to two empty seats in the waiting area to continue with my interrogation. She ran through the list of services, $65 for an up-do, $35 for curls, and special high school student discounts on select days. She took me around to the shampoo area and asked Valerie to inform me of their coloring processes while she made her way back to the front desk. Valerie had straight black hair and a face full of make-up as well. I could tell that Valerie was an apprentice by the way the other girls ordered her around. I also caught their dirty looks as I stood awkwardly in the shampooing “lounge” equipped with mood-lighting and soothing music. Valerie explained the more popular coloring treatments like partial highlights for $70, or a full head of highlights for $110. Bellmore is sort of a nice area so I expected some high prices but I knew that around the corner other hair salons were asking much more. Men highlights, which Valerie explained are not as high in demand, are $50. The more I chatted with Valerie, the more I found myself on the receiving end of not-so-nice looks from the other girls. I began to feel out of place again and made my way toward the front. Jennifer asked if I had gotten all the information I needed and before I left I asked her some follow up questions, like whether they saw a lot more men or women. I was not surprised to hear that their main clientele were women. She was adamant that the men were beginning to flock.
The atmosphere was a bit different when I went to Big Teeze Hair Lounge in Wantagh. It was a lot smaller then Bangz, but offered pretty much the same services at slighter lower prices. I spoke to an older hairdresser/receptionist named Sue. Women’s hair cuts were a flat rate of $35, while the men paid only $20. A full head of curls would cost $60 and a basic blowout was $25. Sue talked about a “special” blowout for $27 that was basically like a regular blowout, but flipping the ends of the hair out. The coloring processes were pretty standard, $75 for partial highlights, again $110 for a full head. Sue was very nice and I did not feel one bit like an outcast. She came off like a telemarketer when she talked about her make-up services that range from $50-$100 depending on how many layers you wanted caked on to your face. When she talked about $45 eyelash extensions I got a sudden urge to leave. The salon was clean and quiet. There were just 8 hair cutting stations, where Bangz seemed to have doubled that amount. I quickly glanced at the two small sinks set up for shampooing and decided that I would much rather be in the serene shampoo lounge of Bangz. After thanking Sue I left realizing that I would rather go to Bangz for a haircut although I would likely pay more.
I began to think, was it the fact that I felt so inadequate in the presence of the Barbie-like hairdressers that made me trust their styling judgment? I felt more at ease with Sue but also felt like she would not make me look or feel my best. Was it the fact that the Bangz girls looked so picture perfect that a little part of me inside said, if you’re going to a salon, go to that one? As much as I would not put in the effort to look like that every day, it just seems silly and overdone to me for a day to day basis, I can still acknowledge that if I were getting ready for a special occasion I would definitely want the Bangz Barbies on my side.
This is a great post, I really had an idea of your excursion. I wonder why it is that you would choose to get your haircut at a salon in which you felt uncomfortable as well. Is it really only because the women there were young, beautiful and well-manicured? Could we, as women, be that brainwashed to be willing to pay higher prices and be looked down upon just to finally be acknowledged by one we see as prettier than ourselves? Sad to say, I agree with you that it might be the case.
ReplyDelete