A1 Salon

I was recommended this place by a friend, so I went to check it out. I’m so happy I did. I had my hair cut and dyed. The stylists name was Leon and he was very detailed in everything he did. I usually don’t like my haircuts and grow into it, however I loved the way my hair looked when I left this place. Great place !

I decided to give this place a try since I heard some good reviews about it.
The worst thing is that I have spend about 30 minutes trying to find the place driving in circles around the Franklin Mills plaza. My car navigator didn’t get their exact location so I parked next to Big Lots and called them. I was talking to 2 different people but none of them couldn’t clearly explain how to find them. This is s huge language barrier which comes first.
There is an old photo saying the salon is a couple of stores away from Walmart, but there’s no Walmart here in this plaza now, just the remains of Walmart sign on the wall that looks confusing. Walmart moved to a building across the street. If you need a landmark, look for Dick’s or Pathmark — this place is between them.
As for service, I asked for a teeny-​tiny-​bit trim but he took off a little bit more that I expected. Be ready to stop him if you don’t like anything he does. I paid $ 20 for a trim with no washing or styling (I washed and set up my hair in the morning) so I can’t say it’s something very cheap, my regular salon charges me $ 30 but there I can easily discuss what I want to have and I won’t be nervously sitting in the chair and wondering if he knows what to do. Don’t think I’ll come back.

I have mixed feelings about this place. Prices are great and the free head massages are a nice bonus. That girl knows how to scalp massage! They really do try their best to keep you relaxed.
I’ve had my hair cut there several times and they only bad thing I really have to say is that the language barrier is a pain in the ass. They barely speak English, but they do know what they are doing if the message gets through. They also take quite a while working on you so you don’t feel rushed. I have issues with sitting long periods of time like that so these are my only complaints.
If you’re willing to try to break that language barrier and give them a try, be very specific and detailed with what you want, stop them on time if you don’t approve of what they’re doing and redirect, they will listen.
They keep a file on you once you’ve become a customer, let’s say you get your hair dyed a certain color, they keep that noted in a file in case you don’t recall what color it was. Pretty neat idea.

I had an emergency, where I had to get my hair done asap. I went into A1 because they were the only place open (and that wasn’t booked full) on a Sunday morning. I showed the male stylist a photo of how I envisioned my hair (slight, loose updo, with very loose curls). He proceeds to curls my entire head Shirley Temple style. Mid-​way through, I’m thinking this can’t be right, and asks if he wanted to see a picture of the hair style again. He barely spoke English, but he brushed me off and assured me he knew what he was doing. After he was done, I told him, «No, this is not at all what I want,» and then he proceeds to ignore my direction and plays with my hair how he pleases. After tearing up in the seat, right in front of him, he starts putting sparkly, pink hair flower decorations in my hair– as if that was going to make everything better. Bottom line is, I would never ever ever EVER go here again.

So found this place while looking for a Salon on Groupon, I was nervous for it was my first Groupon and never knew this place existed. I was very pleased with my results. I was there for 4 hours due to the work to fix my mess of a head.
My hair was a mess, dark color for I used «Boxed» dye lighter roots, the length was below my shoulder and uneven and it’s VERY thick.
Pros:
1. Jacky was my stylist and took his time.
2. Did what I wanted and added his own twist that worked out awesome.
3. Appt. was at 10:00 AM and took me as soon as I walked in the door.
4. When I had my final rinse, the woman (did not get her name) was AWESOME. I got a head an shoulder massage and she chatted with me. Was very nice.
5. Jacky cut a child’s hair while I was waiting and was great with him.
6. I saw the other gentleman cut a 2 years old hair and he was SOOO patient this little guy had no problem getting his hair cut.
Cons:
1. Small staff and it got busy, so at some points the staff had to stop and finish up a paying customer wanting to leave. (this is not a super bad thing for again they are busy)
2. Their english was hard to understand.
3. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS as a part of the décor…
So, my end result to me was awesome; angled bob, base color is a dark red, with caramel highlights and dark low-​lights. I will go back…
PS — While there and waiting for my color to set, Jacky was talking to a women who is was cutting her hair. He asked her how was the move and she said it was good. I like Harrisburg but still come down to see my friends and for you to cut my hair. She traveled two hours to get her hair cut.
Going back this weekend for an hour facial, and back in ⁶⁄₈ weeks to fill and trim my new do!!!

I am very impressed with this place! Leon is very good and takes his time with what he does. And don’t forget to get your hair washed before. You will not regret the head massage!