Beauty treatment gone bad? Suffer in silence and you'll just end up a sucker. Here's how to deal with the six trickiest characters at the salon or spa.
1. The Toe-Tapper
OPI Vampsterdam or Essie Mink Muffs? With a testy nail tech breathing down your neck, you feel pressured to grab a trendy green and convince yourself you love it. (You hate it.)
What to Say: Nothing. Stay strong, and take your sweet time, says Jin Soon Choi, owner of Jin Soon Hand and Foot Spas. "Problems start when you rush," says Soon. Our regret-proof method: Go in with bare nails, and test out a few shades before the mani begins. If you're chronically indecisive, take a BYOP approach — you'll save yourself stress and leave with a mani you love.
2. The Chatty Cathy
As soon as the lights go down, this facialist or masseuse wants to know your life story.
What to Say: At the first sign of convo: "Just a warning — I may fall asleep. I've been so looking forward to some quiet time." Or if you need to break out the big guns, pull the syndrome card — say you have a migraine.
3. The Novice
Has this person actually done this before? You could give yourself a better mani/wax/dye job — for free!
What to Say: "Sorry, but I'm in a rush. Is there someone who can do this faster?" says Cindy Barshop, founder of Completely Bare spas. Denied? Tell a manager the treatment feels a little off. If it's botched, demand a refund.
4. The Spray-Tanning Terror
From the details (like lotioning up your hands and feet) to the big stuff (creating giant streaks!), this tanner's asleep at the wheel.
What to Say: It's hard to be assertive when you're standing naked in a shower cap, so disguise criticism as breezy conversation. "Say, 'Do you think we should blend that out?' or 'Hey, do you think this looks too dark?'" says spray-tan pro Anna Stankiewicz. Questions are less intimidating than demands and allow the tech to remain in control.
5. The Misinterpreter
You said "long layers" but left with The Rachel.
What to Say: First, try not to freak, then ask for a fix. "A good stylist will do anything to correct the damage," says celeb colorist Rita Hazan. If the solution requires a total overhaul, don't leave without a credit slip.
6. The Product Pusher
Your hair's not even dry and your stylist has $50 worth of stuff waiting at the counter.
What to Say: "Thanks, but I love what I'm currently using." Or say it's not in your budget — people get funny about money.
To Cry or Not to Cry?
Save the tears (if possible) — crying can cause a scene and typically makes the other person super defensive, notes Hazan. If you feel a meltdown coming on, our experts recommend taking the manager to a private area to resolve the issue ... and to be direct about a refund (if you want one). E-mail can also be effective. "When I get complaints, I always take care of it," says Choi. And if all else fails, there's always Yelp (or Twitter)!
