A Symphony of Styles: What Clients are Saying About Viju Salon
Viju Salon, nestled on Little Lonsdale Street in Melbourne, boasts an impressive 4.8-star rating, suggesting a largely positive experience for its clientele. However, a closer look at recent reviews reveals a more nuanced picture – a blend of enthusiastic praise and disheartening complaints. The salon operates seven days a week with consistent hours (9:30am – 5pm daily), and accepts a comprehensive range of payment methods including cheques, credit/debit cards and NFC mobile payments, making accessibility convenient. Amenities include a toilet, and while Wi-Fi isn’t currently available, the salon focuses on providing a welcoming environment – even offering complimentary snacks and drinks during longer appointments. Clients appreciate the appointment-focused system and the commitment to recycling plastic bottles. The overall atmosphere is clearly one of aiming to please, but consistency appears to be a key area for attention.
The Moa & Lala Effect: Hairdressing Stars Shine Bright
A recurring theme in the positive feedback centres around specific stylists: Moa and Lala. Several customers explicitly thanked Moa for her patience, care, and thorough consultations. One client raved about their first bleach and balayage experience, stating Moa “throughly explained my options” and that it was “the best service…from a hair stylist." Another simply proclaimed their love for their new colour and style thanks to Moa.
Lala also receives significant acclaim. A customer described her as “sweet and talented”, crediting Lala with turning their hair “into an amazing masterpiece”. Another ecstatic client is already planning their next colour appointment with Lala, highlighting a strong sense of trust and artistic connection. Kaysie also gathers praise for excellent skilled services and a detailed cost breakdown.
Here's a quick summary of what these stylists seem to excel at:
- Consultation: Taking the time to understand client desires and providing realistic expectations.
- Colour Expertise: Particularly in balayage, bleaching, and achieving dream colours.
- Gentle Technique: Handling hair with care, even during potentially damaging processes.
- Client Comfort: Creating a relaxed and positive atmosphere.
Perm Perfection & Sophie’s Skilled Touch
Beyond colour services, Viju Salon also receives positive feedback for perms and other hair treatments. Clients specifically commend Sophie for her accommodating and kind nature, as well as her expertise in delivering desirable results. One review details a first-time perm experience which was a success thanks to Sophie's recommendations.
This suggests Viju Salon isn’t limited to colour transformations – it also caters to clients seeking classic treatments like perms, and that Sophie is a valuable asset in broadening the salon’s service offerings. The staff's willingness to accommodate individual needs and provide expert advice is a consistent thread in these testimonials.
A Colour Crisis: When Viju Salon Falls Short
Despite the overwhelming positivity directed towards certain stylists, there’s a starkly contrasting experience shared by one customer. This individual, a returning client previously satisfied with Viju’s service, expressed significant disappointment with a recent appointment. The core issue revolved around a miscommunication and unsatisfactory colour correction performed by a male stylist.
The client clearly communicated their desire for a subtle evening-out of their hair colour, but instead received a patchy, overly-dark brown result. A subsequent attempt to correct the colour resulted in an "unacceptable orange-yellow shade" and allegedly involved painful bleaching. Compounding the issue, the client alleges they weren’t provided with protective eyewear (standard practice during chemical treatments) and experienced rough handling of their hair extensions.
Here’s a breakdown of the concerns raised:
- Miscommunication: Failure to accurately interpret and fulfil the client’s colour request.
- Poor Colour Correction: Delivering a result drastically different from what was requested and ultimately worsening the condition of the hair.
- Lack of Safety Protocols: Not providing protective eyewear during chemical treatments.
- Rough Handling: Painfully washing hair, particularly concerning given the presence of extensions.
This negative experience serves as a crucial reminder that consistency is paramount in the hairdressing industry, and even a single mishandled appointment can significantly impact a salon's reputation.