Aug
15
2010
While most people visiting their hair stylists like to spend their time in the chair laughing over the latest trials and tribulations of celebrities or sharing gardening tips, there is a wealth of information that you could be gleaning from your stylist about the reason you are actually there.
Here are some questions that you can ask your stylist at your next visit:
Before the cut begins
If you have a photo of the style you are going for, bring it in. Show it to your stylist and ask these 3 questions:
1. Will this cut work with my hair type?
2. Will the style flatter the shape of my face?
3. (if you are coloring your hair) Do you think this color will work with my skin tone?
If the answer to these questions is “Yes” then that’s great and you can proceed to the next step, if “No” then your stylist can help you alter your “dream style” into one that will actually work for you and yet still incorporate what made you select the style in the first place.
Important things to tell your stylist
Confession time. It’s a good thing to tell your stylist the truth about how you handle your hair. Whether you wash it, towel dry and run out the door, or you spend half an hour every day with a flat-iron, letting them know will help a stylist determine if a particular cut will really work for you every day and not just that first 24 hours after you walk out of the salon.
What to say during the hair cut.
Don’t worry about seeming diva-like! A hair cut is a collaboration between you and your stylist. Therefore, you should give your stylist feedback during the process. If you know that your hair tends to part a certain way or you have had the same cowlick since kindergarten, let them know that. Or, vice-versa, ask them if you don’t know. Also, pay attention as they snip away and be as definitive as you can about how much to take off, how long you’d like bangs to be and so on.
Some good questions to ask at this stage are:
1. What types of shampoo and conditioner do they recommend?
2. How often should I wash my hair with this style?
3. Should I use conditioner at all? Just on the ends?
After the cutting stage
So now that your stylist is done cutting your hair (and it looks great because you have collaborated on the best cut for you not some random model or celebrity), they will begin to style it and give it some shape. At this stage, it’s crucial to stay aware of what they are doing and not simply “zone out” to the drone of the hair dryer.
It’s a good idea to tell them what hair styling tools you own and actually use since a good stylist will incorporate that into how they are finishing off your new look. Listen to their feedback about your hair styling habits. Maybe your new style will require a cooler setting on your hair dryer or a different drying technique. It’s also a great time to ask for advice on how to perfect that styling technique you keep trying such as blowing it out straight or getting the right “beachy” look.
It’s also not a bad idea to ask if there are alternative ways to style your hair cut. There might be days when you don’t have time to flat-iron every strand and it’s good to have a back-up plan.
Here’s some basic questions you can ask at this stage:
1. What styling products should I use?
2. How much of the product should I use?
3. Where should I apply them? (roots? ends? all over?)
4. When should I apply them? (just after washing? semi-dry?)
5. What styling tools should I use?
6. How should I use them? (ask them to walk you through the process step by step)
If you are getting your hair colored as well:
It’s very important to ask your colorist how you should take care of your new color. Hair colorists are experts on how to maintain the color best based on the various types of products they use. They can tell you how long to wait before washing it again and if there’s anything your should avoid doing (such as swimming in a chlorinated pool) until then.
At the end of the visit:
After you have gained not only a great new hair style, but the tools and information to keep it looking great, make sure your stylist knows how much you appreciate the extra time and care they have taken with you by giving them an extra-healthy tip. They are worth it, you are worth it and you will leave the salon feeling great knowing that you can keep looking great even after the first shampoo!
