WHEN THE SERVICE AIN'T SERVING: Salon Vibes & Toxic Culture

SHAME IN THE SALON SERIES "The Beauty Cut:Culture, Conflict, and Change "

What happened to the soul of the salon? Once a sacred space of sisterhood, wisdom, and beauty, today’s salon scene is shifting.

This month, we’re diving into the energy behind the chair—from luxury environments that heal to toxic spaces that harm. We’ll explore what defines salon culture today, how it impacts clients and pros, and what we must bring back to the space we once called home.

The salon should feel like a safe, vibrant space of beauty, trust, and transformation. But too often, clients step into spaces filled with tension, gossip, unspoken competition, poor boundaries, or a rushed, transactional energy. From side-eyes to silent treatment, passive professionalism to stylist favoritism—these “vibes” are more than just bad moods… they become part of the culture.

We’re unpacking what creates a luxurious, healing salon experience vs. what fosters toxicity, mistrust, and burnout—for clients and professionals.

And the hair care impact? It's real. Poor communication, inattentiveness, and emotional discomfort can lead to breakage, improper care, or clients avoiding much-needed services altogether.

Let’s examine how culture in the salon can make or break the integrity of your hair and your trust.