10 Signs You've Been Beauty-Shamed at the Salon

Sometimes it’s disguised more subtly with a “Well, THAT’S unique” or “What made you choose THIS?” once you’ve shared your latest and greatest vision. To this, we suggest you respond with whichever quote about being the Jan in a sea of Marcias pops into your head first. (Then, switch to another salon that just gets you.)

It has happened to the best of us and, regardless of whether it’s coming from a place of wanting to save someone’s dating life or wanting to rake in extra money, it — both figuratively and literally — never ceases to hurt.

Then you cave (after all, maybe she has a point?) and they move their attention to the beauty mark on your chin, cheek, neck (nowhere is safe). While there’s something to be said for having them checked, it should be with your derm (and without any gasping).

If you thought #2 and #3 were bad, this is where it really gets personal. Whether they’re referring to how long it's been since you had the wax itself or someone for whom to wax for, it's often way too much to bear — especially when, ahem, already bare and exposed.

Again, this is something to watch, but it's not something to broadcast across the salon. Maybe you have a condition. Maybe you just shed a lot. Either way, you just came there to get clean.

This is another one that happens often. Sure, it’s tempting for someone who spends 30 minutes to an hour entrenched in your hair to notice its flaws and also to make small talk. The two should be separate. Unless hair is in dire need of a trim, the last thing a gal needs when she’s trying to get glam is a reason to feel glum.

We’re not talking ethnic background (though they shouldn't be criticizing that either). We’re talking those annoying gray hairs that have started popping up. Whether there are only a few or it truly has been a while, the decision about your roots should be in your hands (even if it means less money in theirs).

While we suggest to make facials a part of your regular skin care regimen, chances are you’re there for a reason. Regardless of whether that is acne or sun spots, there is nothing that gets in the way of that healthy glow (at least, mentally) like unsolicited negative comments about what they deem to be imperfections.

The same goes for a massage. This should be a guaranteed escape from all of the stressors and insecurities that plague your everyday existence, not an opportunity for your masseuse to body-shame or lash her bad day out on you. We also don't want to know about how bad our backs and carpal tunnel are. Since we can't give up our desk jobs, we probably won't be able to fix the problem any time soon. And no, we can't pay for weekly massages for them to "work out the tension."

It’s customary to tip for service, especially when it’s really good service (more on tipping etiquette here). But, unless automatically added or agreed upon in advance, the amount of the tip is up to your discretion. To get berated or pushed into leaving more, especially when you have left the recommended amount or clearly expressed your grievances, is just bad business.