Tabatha does salon makeovers...not hugs. So when Salon Ten owners Kwanna and Chris start getting teary-eyed over Tabathas renovations, you can tell shes not one for big displays of emotion. Cut to one of many classic interviews, in which she mutters, My god, I thought [Chris] was going to hug me.
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De Cielo Salon. Imagine a salon as a heaven on earth, and you probably arent conjuring images of moldy towels, cement block chair risers, and gobs of hair clogging the drains. In this classic moment, Tabatha waves around the evidence, while De Cielo owner Michael fumbles for any lame excuse.
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De Cielo Salon owner, Michael, had trouble pronouncing the name of his own salon. That was probably when you realized, much like Tabatha, that his business needed serious help. Or maybe you were worried when, during a consultation, Michael demonstrated his hair skills by complimenting a client for her nice split ends. Or maybe you thought something might be up when Michael was caught taking a mid-afternoon nappy in the massage room.
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Martino, owner of Martino Cartier at Giovanni and Pileggi Salon, had an interesting relationship with his staff. And by interesting, we mean sexual and highly inappropriate. His staff admits they have trouble taking him seriously. Gosh, could it be because of all the mid-cut kissing?
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When Tabathas ventures into Martinos den of dank, you start to realize just how dysfunctional and disorganized Martino really is. There are enough random receipts to adorn a 50 ft-tall Christmas tree, and a little petrified present Martinos dog left under his desk. Um, EW?
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Yes, Tabathas tough. But Martinos supposed to be a grown man, so youd think hed be able to handle a little constructive criticism about his flailing business. But no, cameras catch Martino calling his mom to whine about how Tabathas being a big meanie. (We toned down the language.)
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In one of Tabathas most memorable weekly lessons, she teaches Martino the true value of a dollar. How do you teach a salon owner with an excessive spending habit to cut back on his frivolous shopping? You make him throw money out the window. Literally. (Theres someone below catching that cash, right?)
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With a name like Images Salon, youd expect their Image to be a little more professional, and less, eh, burlesque. The staff dress code has Tabatha wondering aloud whether shes working with strippers or a salon staff. Zipper up that leather - fast.
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Images Salon had two memorable owners, but they were outshined by their employee, Patti (who, at this moment, is probably screaming at someone, "You're an ANNNIMAAAL.")
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The staff of Salon Tika werent the savviest, smartest stylists in the biz. Tabatha finds this out the hard way while mentoring young Lauren, who has a tendency to go bug-eyed and zone out whenever someone tries to teach her how to cut hair. While Lauren is skipping happily through la-la land, Tabatha notes in an interview, I dont know how well [Lauren] can think.
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Its hard to tell from the picture, but this is actually the staff of Salon Tika not a local chapter of Gamma Phi Whatever. Unfortunately the staff of Tika didnt get the memo that the salon wasnt a sorority house, and when theyre not boozing, theyre planning out their next cig break. Until, of course, Tabatha shows up. (Partys over.)
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The Loft on Broadway Salon opened to bad reviews from Tabatha. When she found booze in The Lofts backroom refrigerator, one of the staff snitched turns out a drunk client is a happy client (regardless of the quality of the cut.)
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Tabatha has all kinds of creative ways for tearing down dysfunctional salons. Sledgehammers are her preferred weapon of destruction, but here at the Hairlab, everybody was kung fu fighting.
