Here are some things to consider when deciding the right hair styles and services for you.
Recognize Reality.
Understanding how your hair texture, density, and growth patterns govern what is and isn’t possible is key. You may need to talk to your stylist about chemical services to create the proper medium. Example: If you want wash and go hair but your wash and go looks like you’ve been electrocuted if you let it hair dry, you may need a keratin treatment.
Talk to your stylist at length about what you want.
Be sure they completely understand what your objectives are. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t proceed. Example: You want 3 inches cut off of your hair. Make sure you and the stylist agree on what 3 inches looks like. Don’t assume what you’re thinking is what they’re thinking.
Listen to your stylist’s feedback.
They should communicate back to you what they heard you say and what they think is appropriate AND possible. If they’re telling you something shouldn’t be done, they have a valid reason for it. Ignoring their feedback could result in you being unhappy with the results and a giant “I told you so”.
Have a feature you’d like to play up?
Haircuts have an amazing way of bringing attention to beautiful eyes or lips, for example. The right haircut and color placement should visually direct attention to an area – almost like an arrow that tells people “look here!”.
Have a feature you’d like to minimize?
The same rule that applies to playing up a feature can be applied to down playing one. For example, many clients are self conscious about their ears. Making sure they’re partially or completely covered is a snap – IF you make sure to tell your stylist.
Use photos wisely
Showing a picture of Taylor Swift and expecting to be Swift by the end of the appointment is unrealistic. However, there is nothing wrong with using visuals to communicate aspects of a cut such as length, texture, color, etc. that you like. Photos are great tools to make sure you and your stylist are on the same page. But remember, you aren’t the person in the photo and your stylist isn’t the one who did the hair in the picture (unless you went directly to their portfolio). Hair varies greatly from person to person. Photos should be used as inspiration NOT as an “I want this person’s hair on my head – go”.
Use of AI
Speaking of photos, we would be remiss if we didn’t talk about AI photos. While AI is super helpful in showing us what we would look like with different styles and hair colors please remember – the photos are not real! The real world doesn’t work the way AI does. We strongly recommend finding real life photos for your inspiration rather than AI created ones unless you fully understand that that perfectly created hair is just as fake as most of the Kardashians body parts.
Be honest about your commitment to upkeep.
If you’re a glamour girl and you enjoy styling products and spending 30-60 minutes on your hair every day, by all means, go for the diva look. But, if you want a high style and are more of a wash and wear kind of person, you have two choices: suck it up and change your ways or look for a haircut and color regime that fits your lifestyle. Don’t show us a perfectly blown out and curled style if you have zero plans on doing what it takes to make that happen at home. We can lead you to the curling iron, we can’t make you use it.
This goes for chemical services too. If you don’t want to come in every 4-6 weeks for a color retouch then maybe don’t pick the bright red hair. If you like highlights but don’t want to spend money on retouching them every 12 weeks then maybe a more lived in look is for you. Your budget also comes into play. Upkeep on a bob means coming in a lot more often than if you have long layers. Platinum blonde doesn’t happen in 1 hour and the upkeep can be something your wallet doesn’t support. Be honest about your lifestyle. We can help guide you to the best possible hair for you if you’re honest with us.
Your products matter.
A new cut may mean a new spray, brush, or tool in order to achieve the new look. A new color may mean changing your shampoo and conditioner. Products matter. We only guarantee our services if you are using products that we have suggested. If we can’t go into your file and find a product purchase, we can probably assume you aren’t using what we’ve told you to use. Even wash and wear clients need some product basics in their hair tool belt. We aren’t trying to sell you anything! We’re trying to solve a problem for you. Help us, help you, help us… get the products we recommend.