Hair and Now
It’s About Building a Relationship
As a stylist for 24 years, I’ve seen how important it is to have a good relationship with your stylist. Finding the right person to start that relationship with, however, can be quite a task, and the relationship can take years to build. So how do you go about doing it while making sure the stylist you go to is trustworthy, responsible, and talented?
A good way to make sure you find a stylist whose work you admire is to simply ask. If you see someone who has a style you like, just stop them-whether it’s on the street or in a store-and ask who their stylist is. Not only will you flatter them, but you’ll also find out who some of the better stylists in town are.
Also, screen the salon. Some good things to find out about are training for new stylists (internships, apprenticeships, etc.); how often they have in-salon education; how often they go to hair shows in Chicago, Vegas, and other locations; and how many have been to an advanced academy such as the Redken Exchange in New York City. A good salon has an internship program available to allow recent beauty school graduates to go straight to the floor with a good feel for the salon and its guests. Education is also very important in keeping the stylists up to date; most salons have in-salon training and attend approximately three shows and symposiums annually.
Another key to look for is a salon dedicated and known for having the best atmosphere and the best quality services. It takes stylists to make a salon, so this means they’re just as dedicated and will do whatever it takes to make their guests happy and comfortable with them. They’ll make sure you have a reason to trust them with your locks.
It takes more than one visit to build a trusting relationship. The stylist needs to get to know you, your personality, your lifestyle, your interests, and your profession. With this knowledge, which will take many hours of cutting, coloring, and texturing, the stylist will be able to give you exactly what you need. We all make mistakes-any one of your visits may not be satisfactory. You’ll know it and so will your stylist. But at the end of the day, we’ll make it up to you. When I see a new style or color, I always think about the clients I know really well and have been serving for years and how that new style or color might look on some of them. I always look forward to offering them a new look and a change in appearance that will complement them.
It’s easy to tell when you’ve found a great stylist. Just shop around and do some research. The beauty industry has some great people working in it, and one of those people is meant for you. TPW
A good way to make sure you find a stylist whose work you admire is to simply ask. If you see someone who has a style you like, just stop them-whether it’s on the street or in a store-and ask who their stylist is. Not only will you flatter them, but you’ll also find out who some of the better stylists in town are.
Also, screen the salon. Some good things to find out about are training for new stylists (internships, apprenticeships, etc.); how often they have in-salon education; how often they go to hair shows in Chicago, Vegas, and other locations; and how many have been to an advanced academy such as the Redken Exchange in New York City. A good salon has an internship program available to allow recent beauty school graduates to go straight to the floor with a good feel for the salon and its guests. Education is also very important in keeping the stylists up to date; most salons have in-salon training and attend approximately three shows and symposiums annually.
Another key to look for is a salon dedicated and known for having the best atmosphere and the best quality services. It takes stylists to make a salon, so this means they’re just as dedicated and will do whatever it takes to make their guests happy and comfortable with them. They’ll make sure you have a reason to trust them with your locks.
It takes more than one visit to build a trusting relationship. The stylist needs to get to know you, your personality, your lifestyle, your interests, and your profession. With this knowledge, which will take many hours of cutting, coloring, and texturing, the stylist will be able to give you exactly what you need. We all make mistakes-any one of your visits may not be satisfactory. You’ll know it and so will your stylist. But at the end of the day, we’ll make it up to you. When I see a new style or color, I always think about the clients I know really well and have been serving for years and how that new style or color might look on some of them. I always look forward to offering them a new look and a change in appearance that will complement them.
It’s easy to tell when you’ve found a great stylist. Just shop around and do some research. The beauty industry has some great people working in it, and one of those people is meant for you. TPW