Taking care of your hair can be a full-time job if you let it. Many people turn to the help of a fantastic hair stylist to help them manage; cuts or trims, styles, and treatments can all be performed by a professional resulting in the look you want without the frustration of trying to see the back of your hair when styling it yourself. Of course, you can also have a really negative experience with a professional hair stylist, particularly if they don’t listen to your requests. With this in mind, the following will explore a few tips and tricks that can help you find the right stylist. When it comes to hair, there is no one-size-fits-all.
What If a Stylist You Love Is No Longer An Option?
People retire. People change careers. People move to different cities. If you’re in the process of trying to replace the perfect stylist whom you don’t want to part with but must, there is a nifty trick that not enough people do. You can ask your stylist for the details of your current style. Most will happily write down the color formulas they’ve chosen as well as any specifics about the cut style that you love. You can then take this information with you when meeting new stylists. Even if different coloring brands are used by a new stylist, they often can recreate the color using a formula.
Ask Around
Word-of-mouth is still one of the most effective marketing tools there is. This is because it’s a lot harder to lie when it comes to word of mouth. Asking neighbors, friends, coworkers, family members, or even strangers at the library whose hair you like, about where they get their hair done can give you a list of a few recommendations. Often people love sharing their experiences and drawing new clients to a business they value. Of course, it’s a good idea to avoid asking for recommendations from someone whose hair you don’t love.
Social Media
Many stylists have an online presence these days. Social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, Yelp, and TikTok can allow you to see a stylist’s before and after pictures as well as gain a sense of their energy and vibe. Some stylists will even have lengthy videos showing their process. Take some time to go through online portfolios and reach out to the stylists whose work you love.
Explore Additional Features
Depending on the salon and stylist, there may be extra features available that suit your lifestyle. For instance, there’s a check-in feature at Great Clips hair salon that limits the amount of time you need to spend waiting in the lobby of a salon before getting into the chair. Some salons and stylists have applications that you can use to book appointments. While you shouldn’t base your entire choice on the additional features, this is a fantastic way to sift between a few options that all seem like they could be a good fit.
Always Do a Consultation
Before you book a color appointment or cut, it’s a good idea to book a consultation. This is just a little meeting with a stylist where you can discuss your hair type and needs, and they can go over their view on what might work given this information. They might suggest treatments to help handle the damage done to your hair from pollution or heat-based styling or recommend products that are free of common toxic contaminants. This will allow you to get a feeling for the stylist, and it’s often free.
Trust Your Gut
Your hair is a very personal thing, and this means that you shouldn’t ignore your inner feelings when interacting with a stylist. It’s important to always be honest, but it’s also important to feel like your stylist is actively listening to you. You don’t need to jump on the trends if they don’t feel reflective of your face shape and hair type. You don’t need to take your friend’s advice regarding the right bang shape for your face.
The above tips should help you find a stylist that’s right for you. It’s a good idea to keep the price in mind as you look for a stylist because no matter how lovely a hairstyle is, you’re not going to enjoy it if every time you look in the mirror, you’re reminded of your credit card bill. Likewise, you want to be sure you can afford regular touch-ups and trims to maintain whatever style is chosen. It’s important to understand that this process might take a little bit of time. Similar to dating, you might have a few interactions that go nowhere before you find the perfect stylist.
