When Salon and Spa Add-ons Aren't Worth It
I'd been duped.
I'd recently popped into a well-known beauty salon to get a basic mani. What I got was a 40-minute long sales pitch, during which my nail tech tried to sell me everything from cuticle nipping and a hand massage (aren't these supposed to be included in every mani? Is this like U.S. Airways charging for pillows?) Still, I paid for them (and she sucked at them, BTW). They silently charged me extra for the quick-dry top coat.
Tips for getting the perfect pedicure.
The bill was nuts. Crazy. As in wrong. I managed to talk it down, but I don't want you to have to suffer the same indignity. Here's how to handle the hard sell at the salon or spa:
Ask if it's extra. At my fave pedi place, an application of hardcore callus remover costs an extra three bucks. It's worth it, but a lot of add-ons aren't. If a therapist suggests some enticing extra step, ask for the price. You're not being tacky. You're being smart.
Avoid the impulse buy. Don't get seduced into that $50 color-protecting serum that your hair colorist is pushing. Tell her you'll think about it.
Beware of the pay-for-blowout. Some salons charge you for a post-cut blowout. Ask beforehand, and try to get it gratis (tip: be nice).
Deflect her advances-ask for samples. Aestheticians often suggest the spa's skincare products for at-home maintenance, but they can be pricey. Kindly let the therapist know you love what she's used on you but aren't ready to commit. The best way is to ask for samples and tell her you have a strict try-before-you-buy policy. I bet she hands them over.
Still feeling sheepish? Just remember that old expression: "The customer is always right."
Related: How to be your own hairstylist at home.
-Jessica Matlin
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