Summer is here. It’s one of the busiest times of year for salons. I know this firsthand. In my 20′s I worked at several salons cutting hair, brushing on color, foiling in highlights and giving manicures and pedicures. The warm weather seems to be the nudge that some need to update their tresses. The phones ring off the hook and appointment books quickly fill up. It used to get a little crazy.
If you’ve made the decision to get a new color or cut, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you walk out the door with a smile on your face.
1. Be realistic. Your hairstylist is just that. A hairstylist. They’re not magicians. Enough said.
2. Bring a picture. Describing a style you saw in a magazine 2 days ago while at the grocery store will not guarantee that you will get that exact cut. Your stylist will have an idea of what you want, but unless you have a picture, they don’t know exactly what you want.
3. Look at the whole picture. If you choose a celebrity style, keep one very important thing in mind. They did not roll out of bed looking that way. More than likely, a high end personal stylist spent an hour or two prepping their hair for that magazine shoot.
4. Listen to your stylist. Ask their opinion. They’ve spent over a year in school to be able to do what they do. Some have been working in salons for many years. There are some styles and colors that might not turn out well for you. Your stylist knows this. They want you to walk away from their swivel chair happy and booking an appointment with you again. They are not going to steer you in the wrong direction. Trust your stylist.
5. Keep time in mind. Some styles require a tremendous amount of maintenance. If you’re a mom who has very little or no time in the morning to get ready, you’re not going to want a style that takes an hour to achieve. There are hundreds of other styles you can have that only take a few minutes to whip up.
6. Spill it. It’s important that your stylist knows the last time you’ve had a chemical service (perm, color, etc…) and this includes DIY. It’s also good to let them know the last time your hair was cut, what profession you’re in, how much time you have to get ready for work, what styling products you use and if you’re on any medications. Your stylist needs to know what they’re dealing with before they begin any type of service.
7. Plan accordingly. If you’re visiting a new stylist or need a consultation before the service, ask for a little extra time when booking your appointment. Stylists book off enough time for each service. They know exactly how much time they need to put aside for a cut, color, trim, etc. That usually includes a few minutes prior to the service, but a good consultation takes about 15 minutes especially if you’re getting the works done.
8. Watch and learn. Ask your stylist to explain how they’re styling your hair and what hair products are being used. It’s very important to have the right products to style your hair with and that usually goes beyond mousse and hairspray. Your stylist can suggest the right kinds of products to use to get the best results.
