Charles Ifergan Workshop

I have been getting my hair done at Charles Ifergan for 5 years now and have always been very satisfied! The colorist Kennedy always knows what I need. Giselle is amazing, the hair cut and style couldn’t be better! Giselle she is very well mannered, fun to talk to and always appreciates her customers, an extremely pleasant young lady! Charles Ifergan salon has always been a good experience for me every time I visit.

Charles Ifergan also has a «workshop» at the back of the same location. It is a training ground for stylists and colorists who eventually go on the floor.
I called about highlights at the workshop. The price of $ 25 (plus a great tip if warranted) could not be refused. As I had another commitment downtown today, I decided to give it a try.
Just off the elevator is the reception desk for the «real» customers. The peeps behind the counter were quite friendly, and sent me to the back of the salon. I stood there for a few minutes while a couple of the employees chit-​chatted. Finally I told one of them I had an appointment, and was directed to George who oversees the operation.
I was shown where to don the gown, and introduced to my colorist (whose name escapes me). She asked what I was thinking, discussed it with George, and they both came over and explained that my hair was way too dark on the ends to achieve my ideal platinum blonde in just one session. Well and good.
Of course my hair was pulled once or twice when the foils were applied, and that is to be expected when someone is in training. No biggie. The problem began when the foils came off, the stylist looked in the sink and then returned about 5 minutes later with what I can assume was either color or corrector/​toner. She didn’t explain or notify me that there was a problem, but when this product was shampooed out I had to ask the shampoo person what to do next.
I went into the rear where two styling stations for customers were. On blowing my hair dry (without a brush) I started to see the right side breaking off and scattering all over. The colorist was nearby assisting with stock, so I continued, adding a product that was to put moisture back into my hair. It looked like straw, the color was uneven, and the highlights showed only on the top. Then I used a serum to try to control the ball of frizz on my head to no avail.
I caught the eye of the colorist and told her that my hair was fried and some of it fell out. Her response was «that always happens when you use chemicals in your hair». Huh? Then she called me «hon» for about the 50^th time. She may as well go work in a diner and snap her gum. I was mad as hell.
George came up and without further ado asked if I could come back next Tuesday for a cut and color re-​do. I did not jump at this because 1) it is an hour’s drive easily, 2) sick of paying for parking, and 3) I am frankly afraid to have anyone from there touch my hair. It will have to have at least 4 inches trimmed to even out the breakage. I had been trying to grow it out for an event in September; all is lost on that front.
It would be helpful for the salon to contact me to explain exactly what will be done to remedy this situation. And I am not even excited about waiting all the way until Tuesday. They should give me the BEST regular colorist and the BEST stylist ASAP.
Still, an apology would have gone a long way.
By the way methinks that colorist isn’t long for this place: I saw two other recent reviews underscoring the identical problems but no one seems to be paying attention at the salon.
******UPDATE, Tuesday July 1
Mon dieu! I made a follow-​up appointment to get corrective measures, but had to face many people who either made negative comments or just stared at my ratty hair for an entire week.
I walked in today, and George could not have been more friendly. I did not need more blonde at this point, but I certainly have to have my locks shorn. George told me that someone would cut my hair when she/​he returned from lunch.
I sat down and a few minutes later a man came up to me and asked if I had written a negative review. Acknowledging that I did, he (Ifergan, I assume, since he did not introduce himself) began to verbally abuse me in front of staff and other customers. He exploded with the line «you are getting a free service» and therefore I had no right to complain. The smirk on my face started forming as I know he was trying to intimidate me. Does he treat all women with utter disrespect?
He ordered me to sit down so he could think if he was «going to do anything at all». Naturally, he came back with a minion, whom he loudly asked: «escort this woman out of here. She is never to come back again even if she wants to pay for services.» He was so out of control a few women looked up. I held my cool, and led the escort to the elevator. The little man clicked his heels in a Hitler-​like manner, and then bowed.
If Ifergan had handled this situation as an adult and apologized this review would be quite different. Indeed I may have removed the previous post. In his salon, apparently the customer is never right.

I got my haircut here for free. It was part of the student’s workshop day. I was kind of short on money so I decided to try it out. First, they did an updo on my hair. The student was then graded/​reviewed by the teacher and the teacher showed him corrections. He then cut my hair. I got my hair cut a little shorter than I usually do. The student/​stylist did a pretty good job on my hair and it didn’t seem different than going to any other stylist. The teacher had a few corrections for him about blowdrying. I liked my cut considering it was free and done by a student. It’s not the best hair cut I’ve ever had, but I was happy with my results.
The service was okay. I wasn’t explained what they do on the student’s workshop day until I asked and then they gave me a sheet with info about it. I thought I was just getting my haircut so I didn’t know about the updo part until I went. It also said on the sheet that they don’t do trims, but I think the student who did my hair might have only done a trim if I asked him to. I had to wait a little while and some of the people at the desk were kind of rude. I don’t know if I would go back there since it wasn’t the best service I’ve had. Overall, the haircut was pretty good and it was an interesting experience to get my haircut for free by somebody in training.