HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR STYLIST

Being fresh out of beauty school, it seems like just yesterday I was learning “the basics.” After I graduated and became certified, I spent some time working at a walk-in salon. And, while I didn’t have any horrific mishaps myself, I did see them happen from time to time. Each time I witnessed the downward spiral of an unhappy client, I quietly analyzed in my mind how the situation could have been avoided.

haircut at hair salon

What I realized is that nearly 100% of the time, a hair disaster is a result of miscommunication–plain and simple. Sometimes it was the fault of the client, other times it was the stylist, but either way it ended in disappointment.

By watching, learning, and analyzing,I quickly learned that the difference between a happy client and a distraught client is often a matter of a short exchange of information. Here are a few things I learned behind the chair that I thought I’d pass on to you to help you effectively convey your desires to your stylist.

Be Specific
This seems pretty obvious, but you would be surprised. When you sit down in a stylist’s chair and give them carte blanche with your hair, don’t be dismayed with the outcome. There can be a huge difference of opinion when it comes to the aesthetics of hair. It’s very subjective. Being specific is a better way to get a particular look, even if that means you suggest to the stylist that you need help choosing the best style for your face and personality.

Things to mention when describing your ideal hairstyle are color, texture, style, and cut. What do you want your hair to convey about you? Stylists are typically very tactile and visual people, so if you’re worried that you’re not getting through, try to describe what you want in a few different ways. Ask the stylist if she understands what you’re asking for and have her describe it back to you.

Use Visuals
As a stylist, sometimes I groan (silently… of course) when someone whips out a photo and matter-of-factly states: “I want this.”

I always feel like I have to start the conversation by explaining to my client why, exactly, their hair won’t look like the photo does.

Instead of saying that you generally like the whole picture, tell your stylist what you like about the photo (be specific, remember?). Do you like that his or her ears are totally trimmed out? Or do you want yours to be covered still? Do you like how her bangs are cut? Or, is it actually the hair color that you like about the photo? The more information you can give your stylist about what it is that you want to mimic in the photo, the more likely it is that you will get a result closer to what you are looking for.

Be Conservative
Remember, we are talking about (http://www.openthewind.com/)hair systems, not growing hair. Conservative styling is something I bring up for two reasons. First, if you cut too much off and hate it, you’ll have a hair system that you can’t or don’t want to wear. You’ll either have to wear a spare, or wait for another system to be manufactured.

The other reason that I suggest not experimenting with your hair system is because the hair is already heavily processed before you get it. This processed hair has little to no cuticle, and cannot take the same “beating” that your natural growing hair might be able to take from chemical texture and multiple coloring services. You may end up with, well, really bad results.

And, for the sake of being thorough, please tell your stylist you’re wearing a hair system. I would be shocked if a stylist wouldn’t notice once she is working with your hair, but I can’t say it’s totally impossible. The last thing you want is for your stylist to take too much off of the blending area between your system and your growing hair. If you’re totally open with your stylist, you can work together to achieve the result you desire.

While it may seem like a lot of preparation for a haircut, a little forethought (and honesty) is sure to improve your experience at the salon. Many clients put a lot of pressure on their stylists, but if you feel that your hair guru just isn’t meeting your needs, it may be time to move on. A stylist who is vague, lacks confidence, or seems distracted is probably not your best choice. Remember, it’s helpful to give honest and thorough feedback. If you loved your last attachment or style, let your stylist know! If you were less than wild about something she did, you can find a tactful way to tell her that, too.

In the end, it’s your hair (and quite an investment) and it’s your responsibility to communicate openly with your stylist so you get the best results.

And don’t forget, cut-ins are free with all of our hair systems! If you want to avoid the stylist’s chair altogether, talk to your hair tech about getting a cut-in that will work for you. But remember, all of the above rules still apply! Call us to set up a webcam appointment. We’re happy to help you figure out how to communicate your needs to your stylist, or better yet, order your (http://www.openthewind.com/)hair replacement systems already cut-in. You can’t go wrong with our unconditional money-back guarantee.

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