Salon Etiquette 101

You, Your Stylist, and Your Salon
For a woman, the relationship with her hair stylist is an important one. Why is this? If a woman's hair is cut with little or no regard for her hair type, face shape, body type, style personality, lifestyle, profession and/or overall image, it can significantly affect the outcome. If the hair color is wrong, it can make things worse. No amount of make-up or expensive clothes is going to correct bad hair color. It can have a psychological effect on just about every aspect of her life - private/personal/professional.

Have you ever had things "go south" with your hairdresser? We all have. You can have a great stylist and still have a "bad hair day." Get out the baseball cap and try to get through it. But, when "bad hair days" happen time-and-time again, maybe it's time to move on.

Any good hairdresser knows the responsibility she or he has with a client. If the hairdresser doesn't, perhaps a new career choice is in order.

For years I've worked successfully with thousands of women (but sometimes unsuccessfully) when it came to providing what she wanted, needed and expected regarding her hair and her overall image. The mishaps that occurred were usually due to an off day on my part, an off day on the client's part, or a lack of communication.

The purpose of this post is to address ways to successfully build a fruitful, long-term relationship with your stylist(s). Notice the plural on stylist - it's not a typo. Yes, you should have an alternative stylist (or two) in case of an emergency.

Also, I would like to help you relax about going into your salon. I've found common misconceptions among clients in regard to who they should see, what they should say, or not say. Remember, you are the customer.

Some common chatter among unenlightened stylists may sound something like this: "She is my client." This is FALSE! You are not his or her client, he or she is your stylist (period). You can go to whomever you want, whenever you want, and if someone has a problem with it, let the problem be theirs, not yours.

Here are some suggestions that may help you:

Finding a new stylist when you are new to an area
Go shopping - malls and supermarkets are a great place to observe women whose hair is similar to what you like. Don't be shy about asking her for a recommendation. Say this. "I was noticing how great your hair looks. I'm new to the area and I'm looking for a stylist. Do you know of anyone?" Everyone loves a compliment. She will most likely have her stylist's card with her, but if she doesn't, have a pen and paper handy.

Book a consultation first
Meeting your new stylist without the commitment of a color or cut gives you the opportunity to see if there is any chemistry between the two of you. Also, arrive a few minutes early so you can get a sense of the energy within the salon. Bad energy usually breeds contempt! This can be an indicator of what's to come.

Take a few pictures of styles you like
"A picture speaks a thousand words." When discussing a style with your stylist, pictures cut through a lot of dialogue and misunderstanding. Use the picture as a "reference" not a "written in stone" look. You are not the person in the photo. Your hair and face-shape may be different. But, remember the word "reference." This word is powerful when trying to explain what you want. NOTE: Take a few pictures not a photo album. Too many could confuse the issue.

Keep your eyes and ears open
When you are sitting in one stylist's chair, be observant. Your alternative stylist(s) may be sitting a chair or two away. Get to know her or him. From the beginning make it known to your stylist you would like to have the option to book with someone else in case of an emergency. You never know when someone is going to leave the salon or be sick when you need them most.

Your time with your stylist should be, your time. You should feel 100% comfortable in the environment. I like to call it, "The Experience." Hopefully it's a good one!

Interviewing women that have left their stylists are a result of inconsistency, a stylist talking over their heads (using salon lingo that a client doesn't understand), stylists talking about themselves too much, or assuming that a long-time client doesn't want change.

To reiterate one last time, YOU are the customer. If you don't want to talk during the appointment, inform your stylist. If your stylist is a "chatter box" and you just want some down time, tell her or him. This is completely acceptable.

Please feel free to ask or comment on anything. This information is for your benefit.

Sincerely,

Dorlon Peckham
Genesis Salon & Medical Spa
250 Crummer Lane
Reno, NV 89502
775-828-9797
www.genesissalon.com