South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)

Bait-and-switch hairstylis­ts

- Ellen Warren Answer Angel

Dear Answer Angel Ellen:

Is there any recourse in this situation I ran into recently? I made a beauty salon appointmen­t with my regular stylist, and they even confirmed that appointmen­t, reminding me if I don’t show up, I’d still be charged 100% of the scheduled service price. Then, when I show up, they tell me my stylist no longer works there. They assign someone else to take care of me — someone with whom I have not had a consultati­on, who is not experience­d with my hair type. These “pink-collar” workers often are spoken of only using their first names, so it’s impossible to locate the new salon when they jump ship. I understand the business owner wants to protect herself from having stylists work for a year and then disappear with all the good clients but this seems like bait and switch!

— Diane D.

Dear Diane: A lot of us have had this exact situation. Sure, sometimes the new stylist turns out to be even better than the old one.

But sometimes it is a terrible experience. The client should always be alerted in advance if they’re being switched to an unfamiliar stylist.

What’s your recourse? You can express your dissatisfa­ction, walk out and make certain you aren’t charged for the service. Or give the new stylist a try.

In the future, be proactive. Early on, get your stylist’s contact info. If the stylist says that’s not allowed, give your email and cellphone to the stylist with a note explaining why you want to be have the info — so you can be sure to follow to a new employer if that ever happens.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have hardly any eyebrows left and the ones I do have are very light. I found a powdery eye shadow that worked great but is no longer available. I’ve tried eyebrow pencils but applying pressure pulls out the hairs I have left. Any suggestion­s?

— Emily S.

Dear Emily: I’ve had excellent results from eyebrow wands that contain fibers. The brand I favor has been discontinu­ed — of course — but unlike most of my discontinu­ed favorites, I bought a half-dozen when I detected them hard to find at the drugstore. I haven’t tested other similar products that go on like mascara, but an internet search for “eyebrow makeup with fibers” turns up a good selection of wands from under $8 (walmart.com, amazon. com, drugstores) to over $25. Readers: Let me hear about your fiber-infused brow makeup favorites.

Reader Rants

Just a small selection from your gripes to start the new year …

Bobbie W. asks: “What is it with long-sleeve women’s T-shirts? Be it crew neck or turtleneck cotton tops, the sleeves are SO tight on the arms

— all the way down to the wrists. Are the manufactur­ers skimping on the material to save money? Boy, in some I can hardly bend my arms. Get it right manufactur­ers. We need comfortabl­e arms!!!!!”

Patricia L. says: “I wish there was an industry standard for labels on coats that indicated how warm a garment would be. It would be nice to know that the jacket you’ve selected would keep you (or your child) comfortabl­e during football practice.”

Ann A. asks: “Can someone please tell clothing manufactur­ers to stop making drop-shoulder women’s shirts, sweaters, etc.? This style was popular in the ’80s; it was ugly and unflatteri­ng then, and is ugly and unflatteri­ng now! Thanks!”

Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerange­lellen@gmail.com.

 ?? DREAMSTIME ?? The client should always be alerted in advance if they’re being switched to a stylist that the client is not familiar with, says Answer Angel Ellen Warren.
DREAMSTIME The client should always be alerted in advance if they’re being switched to a stylist that the client is not familiar with, says Answer Angel Ellen Warren.
 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States