Podium Hair & Beauty (1045 reviews)

Comment

This is the worst haircut I have ever had. The hairdresser did a buzz cut into the side that is pretty close to a bald spot - as you can see in the photo. I am a professional I have to go to work and meetings looking like this and it's humiliating. I have had a haircut in the last where the hairdos used clippers in the back and to behind the ears to create shape and style - not to make me look bald. What a horrible experience to walk away looking like this! I love used to see Vicki and she was always exceptional, took the time to make sure she understood what was needed. I was out in 40 minutes today and that included getting an eyebrow wax. The hairdresser asked me for 2 minutes during the eyebrow wax what to do with my hair then spent 25 minutes hacking into it with absolutely no idea what she was doing. Hence the horrendous haircut that I somehow need to find a way to improve so I can go back to work...

Comment

Unfortunately I haven’t had a great experience here. Thankful Lisa squeezed me in between her clients and was happy enough with my upstyle however that was after no apology for double booking a stylist, requesting twice to shift my appointment time (which I couldn’t do) and giving me 4 days notice that I’d potentially have to find somewhere else to book an upstyle on a Saturday morning which ended in tears. Didn’t find it a friendly vibe walking in. Compared to all the other local businesses I used for my special occasion and the other local salons I’ve used this experience really fell flat. Wouldn’t recommend.

Comment

The salon is beautiful. The quality of the products is great. The overall vibe of the staff and how they treated my hairdresser in front of me, was passive aggressive and made me uncomfortable. The side glances and looks at her as if she didn't know what she was doing and the way she was spoken to wasn't professional and made me anxious about the outcome. Luckily although it did seem like she wasn't as knowledgeable as some of the other more experienced staff, my hair still turned out pretty good. If at any moment they felt like she wasn't doing a good job, there was a much more professional and kind way to go about it. They could have offered to help or take over too but instead continued working on a mannequin, so maybe my hair was never a priority to begin with. I won't be going back, but I wish my hairdresser all the best, I think she was lovely.

Comment

My stylist was more concerned about supervising the cut next to me, a colour at the basin and excepting another cut than cutting my hair, she only did half the cut I had asked for and said I was finished.

Comment

Very busy and loud salon Water was cold when my hair was washed

Comment

I have been a long term customer of Podium, and the feedback I will provide is only for the professional development of the person that provided me a service this time as previously I have had excellent experiences. Although the outcome of my experience this time was good, how it got there could be better. I received a cut and colour, and eyebrow wax and eyelash tint from Alex on a Thursday evening at 5pm. Alex was lovely in her conversation, however I found her a little "scatty" in her management of time, and a little rough at times in her technique. I am not sure if she was just rushed for time, as she mentioned to one of the other employees about who was to do a particular job "otherwise we'll all be here late". I arrived on time, and my hair appointment was finished at 7:15pm. My foils were put on reasonably, and then the heater/humidifier was placed over my head, however was ceased after about 5 minutes as she changed her mind to do my beauty work whilst the foils were processing. The beauty work application of wax technique was a little awkward, having to dodge the foils, and she had difficulty with the eyebrow wax lifting it from my face. For the eyelash tint, the application was normal, however the removal was a rushed, and different from the consistent experience I have previously had at Podium (not as refined). The outcome, however, was fine. The hairwashing technique was a little rough, with the nozzle of the water hose being banged on my head (and this was consistently occurring, not just one or two times). I had not noticed this occurring in my previous Podium experiences. The hair cut was ok for being freehand - previous Podium hairdressers have used a mat. The advise and suggestions that Alex provided were all good, and the finished product aka colour was lovely, and styling was nice (although I couldn't see the straightness of my bob as beach waves were put in prior to me seeing the cut). The products I purchased were not the ones that I had previously bought. I wished to buy the same shampoo and conditioner that I had previously purchased, and one of the employees said that they'd look up on the system which ones they were as I couldn't quite remember. Unfortunately when I arrived at home and checked I found that what I had purchased was not the same, however I am sure that they will be fine to use anyway. So to summarise, Alex is a lovely person, however for customer retention I would recommend a senior person supervise Alex with regards to technique, and ensure that the customer experience is to the level that Podium normally provides. I have rebooked with Alex, as I believe every person should not be judged on one experience. I am sure the next appointment will be much better.