Last fall, I bought 2 Herbal Essences Products that had a special offer listed on the label:
Free haircut- Get a fresh take on your style with a free haircut when you buy 2 specially marked bottles of Herbal Essences.

I wanted to see if the offer was still available and it is still listed on their website, if you can find the specially marked bottles left. Their website links to TLC Marketing (the company that is fulfilling the promotion).

So last fall, I followed the instructions on the website and submitted the form. I can’t remember how long it took, but I received a letter and redemption code in the mail. It directed me to their website to do a search for participating salons. I searched and found one in my area. I wrote down the name and number- and forgot about it for a month or two.

I called the salon and they said that they weren’t accepting the promotion anymore.  She offered me a 15% discount, but I said “no thanks”. I went back to the website to look for a salon and there weren’t any in my area. I put the papers aside and about a month later, I called the number on the form and just asked if someone could help me find a salon in my area. The lady on the phone was very nice and said they are were just wrapping up a manicure promotion, so it might be a week before they got back to me- I was happy with that.  Two weeks later, I called back to check and the lady wasn’t as nice, but she said they were still looking into it. I waited another two weeks, thought about calling, but thought I’d give it another 2 weeks. I called and talked to a really nice lady and she said that my request has been filed as closed, but was happy to open it back up and apologized. Later that day, someone called me and left me a message saying that they found a salon.

I called back and they ordered me a $35 gift certificate to Z salon, which is about a mile from my house.  I was so excited! This is a real salon! Not a quick (but cheap) hair cutting place like I go to!!  A few days later the gift certificate arrived in the mail!  I called to make an appointment and I figured I would have to pay a little bit more, plus tip- but that wasn’t the case. The lady explained the different levels of stylists and the $35 would cover the services with their Z talent stylists , and that it was a no-tipping salon. Wow! I would actually get a FREE hair cut. More to come, after my hair cut!