MarDon Salon

Very average cut for the price. The stylist was very nice but I feel I was a little bit cheated out of my money. I don’t think I’ll return to this salon.

I’ve been to MarDon 4 – 5 times and I’ve always had excellent services. I lived in Indiana my whole life until now and went to mardon for the last 2 years I was living in indiana. My stylist was always very professional and she always offered a beverage and the optional mini facial. I had a highlight once, which turned out amazing. She blended the colors so perfectly! I also had my hair cut there a several times and let the stylist do what she felt was best for me. I always loved the results. My only complaint is that it can sometimes be kind of slow. I know they are doing a great job though so I don’t mind a little wait. (I wish I could give 4.5 stars, honestly) I recently moved put of state and haven’t had my hair cut since April because I don’t want to risk a bad haircut by someone I don’t know. Bottom line, at MarDon, you’ll pay a pretty penny for your haircut, but it will be worth it. Try to find a stylist that has been there a while, those are the ones that won’t disappoint.
Don’t write these people off, they have great services to offer. Not to mention, they’re in a FANTASTIC location.

In reading the other reviews, I am reminded that the quality of hair stylists does vary greatly in every hair salon. I have had several terrible experiences in Bloomington and began driving to Indianapolis to have my hair cut, but after visiting Lexi twice now, I can safety say they have been two of the best hair cuts I’ve ever had. Lexi makes sure to cut your hair in a way that it is easy for you to style with your lifestyle, as well as cut it in a way that it looks good until the next cut. I can’t count the number of times that my hair has looked good leaving a salon, but several weeks later was impossible to style because one side was too heavy, or the way that the layers were cut made my hair unmanageable. I was able to wait 8 weeks until my next cut, and really did not need another but wanted to shorten the length.
The salon is clean and the staff is friendly. I have been able to easily book an appointment with rather short notice. You also receive a free mini facial with each haircut which is a nice perk. Prices are very reasonable for haircuts as are the prices for the products.

I must start this review by saying I went to MarDon 4 times before calling it quits. I kept returning after terrible experiences thinking that it would get better. Unfortunately it got worse.
The first time I went, I had a cut. When I called, I notified them that I was new to the area and looking for a new stylist who was really experienced with thick/​curly hair. They assured me, as many places do, that all of their stylists were skilled with thick/​curly hair. Fast forward to the appt where the sweet, young girl who did my cut took out thinning shears and started hacking away, to my complete horror. It took 6 months to grow out the ends that were a frizzy nightmare. Not only did this girl not know anything about curly hair, she gave me the most standard haircut possible and then insisted on straightening it with an iron and then tried to convince me I look really great with straight hair.
Appt 2: I called and asked to see someone different. Someone with more experience, someone with curl knowledge. I arrived, they had put me back with the same girl. I felt too guilty to make a scene so I dealt with it and tried to walk her through exactly what I did, and, more importantly, did not want. She disregarded my requests and I left more disappointed than the first time.
Appt 3: I insisted they put me with someone else, this time a girl who was recommended by a friend. She listened to what I wanted: dry cut and curly style, no shredding/​thinning, moisturizing treatment, and clean up once it was dry. However, she decided after starting the dry cut that it was taking too long and washed me. She cut off a huge amount of length because my hair was wet. She put a tiny amount of conditioner in. She then started to diffuse me, but gave up after 8 or so minutes and told me it needed to finish up by air drying. She did no finishing styling. I left dripping wet with no style and over 3 inches of length gone when I asked for a ¼ inch off. Did I mention that there is no place to put your bag? Yes — I watched as hair flew into my purse from my own head and the head of the girl in the chair next to me. After this haircut, I primarily wore ponytails for months.
Appt 4 is probably the most laughable, and shame on me for expecting good service after the previous 3 times. A friend and I couldn’t get in for mani/​pedis at our usual spot, and we needed to stay close to downtown, so we called to see if they had openings. After waiting on hold for 9 minutes — yes, I know, I am way too patient — the receptionist moodily gave us an appt. We arrived and they were not ready for us. It took 10 minutes to set up what they are calling a «spa pedicure.» If you have ever gone to Walgreens or CVS and seen the foot spas they carry, this is what MarDon has for their spa. I mean to say that they use $ 15-​$ 20 foot spas that are plastic buckets with inefficient heaters for their $ 50 «spa» pedicure. Please excuse the sarcasm, but I have received quality spa pedicures in big cities and tiny towns that make this reality a complete joke. They put my feet in cold water, assured me it would warm up eventually, gave me the shortest, sloppiest pedi I have ever paid for, and had me walk barefoot to another part of the store for my mani. After a quick file and push back of cuticles, the girl says she would like to offer me shellac. I ask how much it is extra and she tells me it is the same price. I take her up on it and she starts shellacking away. When I am under the uv light, every layer, she is next to me taking off her own nail polish and giving herself a manicure. I look over to my friend and we exchange glances… Finally the shellac is done. Both mine, and hers. Hers as in the girl performing the service. Not only has she done her own mani while making me wait, she also has given herself a pedicure. I must say her polish job was much better and thoughtful than mine. I pay the exorbitant amount they charge, angrily and yet humorously go on my way, and before I get home that night the awful shellac manicure has all ready chipped. The shellac that is supposed to last 14 days, of course with proper application.
So what to say about this place other than it is mediocre, laughable, and not at all a salon I would ever allow any friend of mine to pay money to for service.

Previously known as John Edwards, Mardon the birth child of Les Champ which for a lot Asians in town was made famous by the now departed Tomoko.
I think for a salon of this calibre, or it’s attempt to be, it’s actually below par in terms of the entire experience (your mileage may vary).
I had my hair cut there/​John Edwards/​Les Champ whenever I’m in Bloomington — they always seem to have someone who could do a good haircut for Asian dude. Jamie is my current stylist. She uses razor to ‘shave’ and stylize, which was interesting.
But the overall experience felt somehow cheapened and unprofessional. It might be the placement of the shampoo chairs (feels exposed), or the way the stylist talked to the customers (missing the magic word), just something is missing — again you might share an entirely different experience.
I think I might still go back there but probably (and sadly) not with a sense of ‘oh i think i will enjoy this.’