Suzanne Morel

[kerri85]

I just got back from my wedding at the Riu Santa Fe (was held on January 17, 2013) and wanted to pass along some information on hair and makeup.  I was originally torn between paying the extra to use Suzanne Morel outside of the resort, so I decided to use the on-site Renova Spa.  I booked a trial for my hair and had it done two days before the wedding day.  I cannot express how disappointed I was.  The esthetician was very nice, but very limited English, and just did not have the skills required to give me what I was asking for.  I was using a style that Taylor Swift had used, and brought multiple photos of the style to capture all angles so that she could see exactly what I wanted.  Throughout the appointment, I kept asking her try change things to make it look more like the photos I brought, but no matter what she tried it just did not look anything like what I was asking for.  For the rest of the evening I was panicking because I knew I would not be happy on my wedding day if I used their services.  I frantically ran to the sports bar the following morning to use their internet to send Suzanne Morel's spa an email to see if they had any availability.  I knew I was taking a shot in the dark seeing as my wedding was the next day, but at this point I would have done anything!  All I had stated in the email was that I was staying at the Riu Santa Fe, and Suzanne Morel herself took the time to contact the resort and use my name to find out my room number.  I was delighted when the phone rang and she was on the other end!  Thankfully, she was able to get me in for 11:30 the morning of my wedding. 

 

So, my photographer and I took a taxi to her salon the next morning (only an $8USD ride) and had the wonderful Melissa greet us upon arrival.  Melissa was very attentive to what I was asking for, and translated everything to the stylist that was doing my hair and makeup.  I cannot express how happy I was with the service there - constantly checking to see if we needed anything to drink, etc, and even offering to go to the store to pick us up chocolate treats if we wanted!  Melissa routinely checked in on us to make sure that everything was going how I wanted and to see if anything with my hair or makeup needed to be changed.  Right from the moment I sat down though, I knew that the stylist was an expert and I put all my trust in her hands.  She had set my hair to curl, and turned me away from the mirror to do my makeup.  Once she turned me around, all I could say was WOW! and found it very hard to hold back the tears!  She had given me exactly what I had asked for.  I don't usually wear a lot of makeup, so I had asked for something natural looking.  My skin looked flawless, yet I felt like I was not wearing any foundation at all (I should point out that all MAC cosmetics were used).  Then the curls were taken out and she got started on my style.  Again, I put all my trust in her and it more than paid off.  I can honestly say that I left there looking even better than I had ever dreamed of.

 

During the appointment, Suzanne even called the spa to talk to me to make sure that everything was going ok, and to see if there was anything that I wanted done differently.  I could not have been more impressed with this personal service!

 

I cannot thank Suzanne Morel enough for her efforts in contacting me and for fitting me in on such short notice.  I recommend her salon in a heart beat to any bride getting married in Cabo.  In the end, I didn't even pay much more than I had at the salon at the resort, but the difference in experience level of the stylists is well worth any extra penny I spent! 

 

Hope this helps anyone that is trying to decide on what to do for hair or makeup.

[Melissa14]

@kerri85 This is soooo helpful! Thank you thank you!

 

I am getting married at Dreams on 7/27/13 and I'm really nervous about using the salon at the resort. I think I will take your advice and NOT take a chance.

 

Did you have bridesmaids that got their hair or make-up done?
 

[kerri85]

@kerri85 This is soooo helpful! Thank you thank you! I am getting married at Dreams on 7/27/13 and I'm really nervous about using the salon at the resort. I think I will take your advice and NOT take a chance. Did you have bridesmaids that got their hair or make-up done?  

Hi Melissa, No, my bridesmaids did their own hair and makeup so I was the only one that went. I have thoroughly search the Suzanne Morel website though and seen tons of photos of the work they have done and have been impressed with everything I have seen. I'm not sure what the charge is, but I know that they do on-site services too so you don't have to leave the resort the day of (Dreams is a bit further from the salon than I was at the Riu). I would have had them come to me, but Riu is strict with letting spas come on site (perhaps their way of getting you to use their spa!) My suggestion is to email the salon (all contact info at suzannemorel.com) and chat with them about what you are looking for. They are super friendly and helpful and you won't be disappointed!! If you want, you can let them know I referred you (Kerri Rouleau). Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions about the salon, or even Cabo in general (not sure if you've been before or not). Happy planning!

[Melissa14]

I have since spoken to Suzanne herself. What a doll! I'm so excited!!
 

[AUCV]

I am not the type of person to write reviews, but I am so upset by our experience at Suzanne Morel's salon, that I really felt it necessary in this case.

 

I was a bridesmaid in a wedding earlier this year and we had our hair done at Suzanne's salon.  It was the most upsetting and unprofessional display I have ever seen. 

 

Various online reviews of this salon note that Suzanne is a perfectionist, and yes, I can attest to that.  Our bride brought a photo of a hairstyle she wanted - swept up into a high bun.  Suzanne told her that her "forehead is already huge" and that the hairstyle would accentuate it even more.  We, her bridesmaids, trying to be supportive, told her that it's her day, and she should go with the style she had picked months ago.  Suzanne interrupted and said that her clients represent her salon, and she won't have someone looking bad with her name on it.  They talked about it for a good 20 minutes, and Suzanne basically refused to give the bride that style - she had to choose another.  We encouraged her to stick with her original plan.

 

The bride, understandibly upset, broke out into tears.  Suzanne, in a display I honestly still cannot believe, told all of the bridesmaids to get out of the room.  She herded us all into a separate room, and slammed the door (I have only ever seen children do this).  The bride was alone in the room for the rest of the day - we weren't allowed to talk to her because Suzanne claimed we were upsetting her too much and that we were "horrible people for making a bride cry on her wedding day".  We had our hair done in a separate room and were only allowed to see the bride at the end. 

 

This is NO way to treat customers under ANY circumstances.  If we had been rude or offensive in some way, I would understand her becoming upset with us.  However, we are all professional women in our late 20s, and to be treated like impetulant children by this overbearing, rude woman was humiliating, incredibly upsetting, and it started what should have been a beautiful day on a very, very negative note.  I believe that in her mind, she is doing her clients a favour by being insistent, and bringing her vast experience in to play. However, when she does this at the expense of following a bride's wishes, something's wrong.

 

Our hair was certainly well-done (though significantly overpriced) in the end, but the experience was just so horrible, I would never recommend this salon to anyone. It is just not worth it.

 

As a physician, I ensure that every patient who comes into my clinic is treated with the utmost respect.  I would never assault their character, slam doors in their faces, or analyze their physical flaws loudly and obnoxiously.  It is a shame that Suzanne doesn't view her clients as people who deserve a similar treatment.

[Melissa14]

oh no! I just booked with her on Friday. I got the same pushy time from her once we started discussing money. I don't know what to do now. My bridal party is paying $180 each for hair and make up and that doesn't even include eye lashes!! I've never heard of this before! OMG now I'm nervous about the whole thing.

[laurenm0980]

Originally Posted by Melissa14 

 

oh no! I just booked with her on Friday. I got the same pushy time from her once we started discussing money. I don't know what to do now. My bridal party is paying $180 each for hair and make up and that doesn't even include eye lashes!! I've never heard of this before! OMG now I'm nervous about the whole thing.

 

Melissa, I am getting married at Dreams in November and I have heard that their salon is decent so I am getting my hair done, my mom's and my fiance's mom by Neysa and letting the bridesmaids get their hair done at Dreams.  From what I have read, Dreams does a decent job if it is a simple style and the girls bring lots of pictures of exactly what they want.  Just an option

[AUCV]

She is probably much more pleasant if she agrees with the style that you've picked.  If she disagrees and wants you to have something different though...look out.  She IS a VERY pushy woman.  Ultimately, it is totally up to you. Her staff do beautiful work, and the cosmetic outcome is fine, it just might be at a price.  If you don't get ruffled easily and you are ok with a bit of drama, it might be fine.  If you want your day to be YOUR day, and to be a happy occasion, you might want to reconsider booking here.

[flo628]

Wow AUCV!! I was debating between her and Neysa but not anymore! What did the bride's hair end up looking like anyway?

[flo628]

I'm still in shock about your review... I just read a review on Neysa where she didn't even show up. The two best not so great...

I am not the type of person to write reviews, but I am so upset by our experience at Suzanne Morel's salon, that I really felt it necessary in this case. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding earlier this year and we had our hair done at Suzanne's salon.  It was the most upsetting and unprofessional display I have ever seen.  Various online reviews of this salon note that Suzanne is a perfectionist, and yes, I can attest to that.  Our bride brought a photo of a hairstyle she wanted - swept up into a high bun.  Suzanne told her that her "forehead is already huge" and that the hairstyle would accentuate it even more.  We, her bridesmaids, trying to be supportive, told her that it's her day, and she should go with the style she had picked months ago.  Suzanne interrupted and said that her clients represent her salon, and she won't have someone looking bad with her name on it.  They talked about it for a good 20 minutes, and Suzanne basically refused to give the bride that style - she had to choose another.  We encouraged her to stick with her original plan. The bride, understandibly upset, broke out into tears.  Suzanne, in a display I honestly still cannot believe, told all of the bridesmaids to get out of the room.  She herded us all into a separate room, and slammed the door (I have only ever seen children do this).  The bride was alone in the room for the rest of the day - we weren't allowed to talk to her because Suzanne claimed we were upsetting her too much and that we were "horrible people for making a bride cry on her wedding day".  We had our hair done in a separate room and were only allowed to see the bride at the end.  This is NO way to treat customers under ANY circumstances.  If we had been rude or offensive in some way, I would understand her becoming upset with us.  However, we are all professional women in our late 20s, and to be treated like impetulant children by this overbearing, rude woman was humiliating, incredibly upsetting, and it started what should have been a beautiful day on a very, very negative note.  I believe that in her mind, she is doing her clients a favour by being insistent, and bringing her vast experience in to play. However, when she does this at the expense of following a bride's wishes, something's wrong. Our hair was certainly well-done (though significantly overpriced) in the end, but the experience was just so horrible, I would never recommend this salon to anyone. It is just not worth it. As a physician, I ensure that every patient who comes into my clinic is treated with the utmost respect.  I would never assault their character, slam doors in their faces, or analyze their physical flaws loudly and obnoxiously.  It is a shame that Suzanne doesn't view her clients as people who deserve a similar treatment.