Pros 
Cons A Tale of Two Experiences: The Good, the Bad & the Amina at Blondes & Brunettes
Blondes & Brunettes, located in Bankstown, NSW, presents a fascinating case study in customer experience. With a current rating of 2.8, it’s clear the salon evokes strong opinions – both positive and negative. Whilst the salon boasts convenient facilities like wheelchair accessibility (including parking and entrance) and accepts a range of payment options (credit, debit, and NFC), the reviews paint a picture of inconsistency, with one stylist consistently shining through: Amina.
Here’s a breakdown of what customers are saying about their visits:
- The Rollercoaster of Reviews: From horror stories to rave reviews, the feedback is strikingly varied. Many comments highlight the salon’s frequent staff turnover as a potential source of the fluctuating quality of service.
- Price Point: A recurring theme is the affordability, with several customers noting the ‘reasonable prices’ are particularly welcome in the current economic climate. This is viewed positively – a budget-friendly option.
- Facilities: Blondes & Brunettes clearly caters to a broad audience, offering a children-friendly environment.
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Wheelchair Access | Yes |
| Payment Options | Broad range |
| Kid-Friendly | Yes |
| Price Range | Affordable |
The Nightmare Cuts & Disrespectful Conduct
Unfortunately, a significant number of reviews detail deeply disappointing experiences. The most concerning allegations involve rudeness and aggressive behaviour from staff.
“Worst haircut experience ever. The staff was rude and aggressive...she blamed me and said, 'This is what you get for $35', then started speaking in her own language, which felt really disrespectful.”
This particular incident, accompanied by photographic evidence of a botched "butterfly haircut," is a stark warning. Other complaints highlight:
- Poor Communication: Customers reporting stylists beginning haircuts without confirming the desired style, leading to unwanted results.
- Negligence: A particularly alarming situation involved a customer suffering a burnt scalp due to hair dye being left on for far too long.
- Lack of Professionalism: Reports of staff simply grabbing hair without greeting the client and carelessly throwing products around.
- Extremely Long Wait Times: Customers describe waiting upwards of 30 minutes to even begin their appointment, despite being told availability existed.
These issues raise serious concerns about the salon's quality control and staff training.
The Amina Effect: A Star Stylist Emerges
Amid the criticisms, one name consistently surfaces as a beacon of excellence: Amina. Customers repeatedly and enthusiastically praise Amina’s skills, professionalism, and customer service.
Here’s what people are saying:
- Exceptional Cuts & Colour: Amina is lauded for her ability to deliver precisely the hairstyle requested, across a range of services from colour to cuts to blow waves.
- Relaxing Experience: Customers rave about her gentle blow-drying technique and, particularly, the incredible head massage during washes.
- Warm & Welcoming Demeanour: Numerous reviewers describe her as “lovely,” “welcoming,” and possessing exceptional customer service skills.
- Reliability: Many customers specify that they exclusively request Amina when booking appointments, demonstrating her considerable value to the salon.
One review states: “if you ever do visit this salon ask for Aminah otherwise run for your life.”
Multiple reviewers suggest Amina deserves a promotion, with calls to “Make her Manager!”
Management Concerns & Internal Issues
Beyond the direct customer service experiences, several reviews point to issues with salon management. While affordability is valued, it appears to come at a cost.
- Poor Staff Management: Observations of the manager speaking disrespectfully towards staff, and reports of apathetic junior stylists simply “brushing their hair” during busy periods, suggest a lack of effective leadership.
- Unprofessional Conduct: Witnessing staff vaping inside the salon is mentioned and flagged as highly unprofessional.
- Lack of Supervision: The lack of activity from junior staff during peak times points to inadequate training or supervision.
These internal problems appear to be impacting the overall customer experience, even for those clients lucky enough to be serviced by exceptional stylists like Amina. With a little focus on its internal practices – particularly staff training and leadership – Blondes & Brunettes could significantly improve its offering.