Marc Anthony Salon - 38 Avenue Road - Toronto

I too went to the Marc Anthony Salon in Yorkville as part of the media event for Beautylicious. I chose this salon because it has been on my list of salons to try as I kind of bounce around. The place is very chic, much what you would expect a Yorkville salon to look like. I thought the receptionist to be a little snotty which always bewilders me because the receptionist is usually the salon`s first point of contact. So, right then I was a little turned off.

My hair stylist I thought was nice but I found after he found out I was a media appt. he stopped being chatty. I felt like I was always starting the conversations and there were a lot of awkward moments. I felt his consultation was ok - didn`t really see what I like to do with my hair, what my lifestyle is like, etc. which I think is important to ask. I was booked in for an all over colour and cut but he suggested that I add a few highlights to brighten up my look. I stuck with a deep chocolate brown which I like but the caramel highlights I`m not sure I`m into. I have had a solid colour for a long time so it`ll just take some time to get used to. For my cut, he automatically assumed I just wanted a trim which told me that he didn`t want to spend too much time on me. I agreed and just told him to trim my side swept bangs.

Overall, I think because I`ve worked in a Yorkville salon and know what really good customer service is like, my experience with Marc Anthony was mediocre - especially for a media event. At the end, the receptionist had to double check that my service was complimentary - they didn't seem very prepared. When she checked that it was complimentary she said it was fine and barely gave said a proper good-bye or "hope you enjoyed your visit". Anyways, I probably won't be back!

My experience here was part of a media preview for an event happening in Yorkville. The salon was unprepared both for what my service was supposed to include (a deep conditioning treatment with the wash) and the fact that it was a media preview, but after explaining it to them they did accommodate and everything was fine.

I was treated to a wash, deep conditioning treatment and a blow dry. When I arrived I was offered a tea while I waited. My appointment started 15 minutes late despite the salon not being busy, but that didn't bother me. The event I was previewing was Beautylicious, which offered a fixed price for certain services at Marc Anthony and other salons.

My stylist, Jimmy washed my hair then added the conditioning treatment, L'Oreal Professional Power Dose. He sprayed the product all over my hair, then added a hot damp towel on top for 5 minutes. When the towel cooled, he rinsed my hair thoroughly with very cold water. That part... not so fun. Water at that temperature can be a little shocking, though I know it's better for locking in moisture and shine.

The blowdry was a bit on the aggressive side as there were moments I felt like I was being yanked off the chair via my hair, but the results were gorgeous billowy curls and I walked out feeling like a movie star.

They have a blowdry club where you sign up for a package of blow drys that works out to something like $20 a pop, which I think is a good deal. Regularly, they are around $35.

I would definitely go back for that blow dry.