Pros 
Cons A Camberwell Favourite: What Customers Are Saying About Zanik Hair Design
Zanik Hair Design, located at 1170 Toorak Rd, Camberwell, consistently receives a strong 4.5-star rating, indicating a generally positive customer experience. However, digging into the reviews reveals a more nuanced picture, with exceptional skills praised alongside concerns regarding communication, particularly for male clients. The salon appears to cater to a broad clientele, welcoming families and offering accessibility features like wheelchair-accessible parking. Zanik operates with varying hours throughout the week – 9:30am to 5:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 9:30am to 5:30pm Friday; 8am to 2pm Saturday – and is closed on Mondays and Sundays. Appointments are highly recommended, though options for walk-ins for men seem to vary (see below). The salon accepts a wide range of payment methods including credit, debit and NFC mobile payments.
The Expertise on Display: Skilled Cuts & Attentive Service
The overwhelming consensus highlights the skill of Zanik Hair Design’s staff. Numerous customers rave about the meticulous and experienced professionals who "really know hair." Reviewers frequently use terms like "expert staff" and "great hairdresser," indicating a high level of technical proficiency. Beyond just cutting, attention to detail is often mentioned, suggesting a dedication to client satisfaction with the final result.
Here's a breakdown of commonly praised aspects:
- Haircutting Precision: Multiple reviews emphasize the quality of the cuts themselves, often using "good haircuts" as a descriptor.
- Experienced Stylists: The term “experienced” appears repeatedly, indicating clients feel confident in the stylists’ abilities.
- Attentive Staff: Customers note the staff are "very attentive & helpful”, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
- Salon Ambiance: The salon is frequently described as “beautiful” and “well setup & ran”, indicating a pleasant physical environment.
- Small Touches: The complimentary coffee received a noteworthy mention, adding to the positive overall experience.
One customer even felt strongly enough to state they were "always very content with both the cut and the service", dismissing an initial accidental negative review.
A Note for the Gents: Appointment Clarity is Key
While Zanik Hair Design shines in many areas, reviews suggest a potential point of confusion for male customers. The salon now primarily operates on an appointment-only basis, including the barbershop, but this isn’t always clearly communicated upon arrival. One customer experienced frustration, stating they were inadvertently skipped in favour of those with pre-booked appointments, despite arriving earlier.
This highlights a crucial need for improved communication. Better signage or clear verbal communication upon entry regarding the appointment-only policy are essential. However, some reviews do specifically mention a “quick trim upstairs in the shed” where walk-ins are apparently accepted for men (at least at times), contributing to the ambiguity. It’s advisable for male clients to clarify appointment requirements when booking or before visiting to avoid disappointment.
| Customer Type | Appointment Recommended? | Walk-in Options? |
|---|---|---|
| Women | Highly Recommended | Limited (likely depending on stylist availability) |
| Men | Recommended | Sometimes (upstairs "shed" area, but inconsistent) |
Addressing Concerns: Quality Control & Communication Gaps
While the positive reviews are abundant, some negative feedback warrants attention. One customer had a particularly poor experience with a stylist from Ukraine, stating the haircut was "not proper" even for a basic cut and required a follow-up appointment at another salon, resulting in a $35 AUD loss. This suggests a potential inconsistency in skill level amongst stylists. Although isolated, this points to the importance of robust quality control measures within Zanik Hair Design.
Beyond the quality control element, the recurring theme is communication. Not just regarding appointments, but potentially ensuring every stylist meets a consistent standard of competency. Zanik Hair Design should consider:
- Reinforcing Stylist Training: Ongoing training and development to maintain consistent quality across all staff.
- Proactive Communication: Clear messaging on their website, social media, and phone line regarding the appointment-only system, especially for the barbershop.
- Intake Process: Consider a detailed consultation process to ensure stylist understanding of the client's desired outcome.