Image Salon

An old fashion barber shop. Starting going there from a «salon» for much higher price, but same results. They don’t wash your hair, clip clip clip, done. Next up, no reservations unless you want a particular barber. I got the shave, very enjoyable, a real treat, like a massage. New spot for me

Image Salon is a super strange place. I decided to check it out based on an advertisement in a local magazine for a hair cut (+ pre-​wash and condition) and shoulder/​neck/​upper back massage. This seemed like a good deal and a great way to de-​stress. In reality, not so much.
The salon is tiny and the décor is odd/​disjointed (cool retro chairs w/​mismatched modern-​ish mirrors and countertops). It’s relatively clean inside but smelled a bit like food (not the odor I’m looking for when I choose a salon). The owner was playing some unusual Eastern European dance music really loudly (you had to yell to talk over it).
My haircut was good enough (really simple long trim + a few long layers) but the wash basin was uncomfortable on my neck and the water used by the stylist was too cold.
What really struck me was the «massage» component of the aforementioned advertised deal. First, I had to ask her about it — she had clearly either forgotten entirely or wasn’t planning on offering the «included» service. When I saw her bring out the strange hand held vibrator I was sorry I had asked. It looked like something you’d find at the bottom of a lonely housewife’s sock drawer. The stylist banged this device around on my upper back for about 30 seconds and said, «there’s your massage — I hope you enjoyed it». It was the opposite of soothing/​comfortable and seriously bizarre — a 1^st for me.
To add insult to injury the stylist tried to sell the «massage» device to me for $ 150 as I was checking out at the cash register!
Last but not least, the owner did turn the dance music off completely for about 10 – 15 minutes during my stay at Image Salon to discuss a pyramid marketing scheme (loudly) w/​another client. It was like something out of a movie — «c’mon Vinnie, I can help you make lots and lots of money… this investment opportunity is fool-​proof» (insert heavy Jersey accent).
Anyhow, don’t go to Image Salon unless your only interest is entertainment… of the freak show variety, salon style.