1
it's not enough for a stylist to have the skills. they should also be able to talk you through what they're doing. it's YOUR hair. you should know exactly what's being done. if you have questions, they should give you answers. they should also be honest if a requested service is not best for you.
2
as much as a good stylist will talk to you during your service, they should also be listening to you & your concerns. typically, a professional stylist will have a consultation with you before a service is done to assess your hair's needs. red flag if your stylist just wants to tackle your hair without having a chat with you first.
3
of course, with all that goes on in a salon, you can't it to be totally spotless. but the overall look of the space should scream clean! the stylist's station should be neat & free of debris & tools should be sanitized between services. take note of cleansers & sanitizers in their workspace.