Five Hair Myths
Based on the different questions I get everyday, I figure that the knowledge I’ve gained from my spot behind the styling chair can be passed on to those IN the styling chair to better connect us all and maybe alleviate some concerns or address some questions you may have. I’ve taken the five most popular of the myths that I’ve encountered as a stylist, and I’ve broken them down below.
1. Pictures don’t help us.
I have no idea where or how this myth started. The truth is, pictures you find online, or cut out of magazines and bring in are extremely helpful, and I highly encourage you to bring them in to your stylist- ESPECIALLY if you are making a drastic change. Just make sure your stylist talks over the pictures with you, figuring out what you do and don’t like about the styles, and how your hair type and the way your face is shaped will factor in to the new style. Let your stylist know what you are hoping for as far as the end result, how much time you want to spend styling it and any other factors you feel they should know. The more information, the better! If your stylist is rolling their eyes and rushing you through, it’s time to leave. You want someone who will communicate back to you what you have told them and will make sure you feel comfortable before proceeding with the service.
2. We are trying to sell you products you don’t really need in order to make extra money.
The truth is, there are some salons out there that pressure their staff to sell retail to their clients, however, most stylists understand that their clients do not want to feel like they are getting a sales pitch during their cut and color. Here’s the deal: we want to see your color last, and, simply put, the color shampoo we recommend you use is the shampoo we really believe in. We try different things all the time, we do tons of research, we talk to other stylists and we KNOW what works. So many people ask me how to re-create the style I’ve given them at home, and my first question is always, “what products do you use at home?” The products make the difference. I’m not going to sell you something you don’t need, but if I used Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam to give your hair lift and volume, and you love the body your new style has, chances are your grocery store brand styling mousse just isn’t going to give you the same results. We really aren’t trying to be snobs about it, we just want you to look your best!
*A side note– a lot of drug and grocery stores are now ILLEGALLY selling ‘diverted products.’ These are name brand products that are meant to be sold only in salons, because they can ONLY be guaranteed through sales at professional salons, and are often expired, diluted, stolen from the manufacturer, tampered with, out-dated or worse. Buying these products only forces the manufacturers to raise prices. Check the back of the package for the words “Only To Be Sold In Professional Salons.” Please, buy them from your stylist instead; often it’s even cheaper at the salon (if not, they will most likely sell it to you for what you saw it for- just ask!).
3. Going from light blonde to dark brown, or vice versa, is a simple, one-step process.
If you want it done right, it’s going to take time. Lots of time. To break it down simply…
Light blonde to dark brown– a two, maybe even three step process. Otherwise, it’ll fade out in about three days.
Dark brown to light blonde–most likely a three-step process. We have to remove pigment, put it back in and then tone it so it’s not too brassy.
Don’t be afraid to ask your stylist what to expect. Ideally, we will explain it all before you even ask, anyway!
4. If you don’t like my hair, you probably won’t like yours, either.
It is our job to stay cutting edge, to try new things, to not be afraid of change. Right now, my hair is pretty short and dyed black with a blue stripe in the front. I like to spike it up and make it all messy. That doesn’t mean I hate long, ‘normal’ colored hair, because I don’t. It just doesn’t work on ME. In the same sense, I would NEVER do something to your hair that wouldn’t work on YOU.
5. We get angry if you go to another stylist in the same salon.
I work at a cool salon/barbershop where a lot of our clients bounce around from stylist to stylist. They usually just call and say “whoever has time to fit me in today.” They like that everyone at our salon is good at what they do, and they never get a bad haircut (at least, that’s what they say, ha ha). Sometimes, a client who is loyal to someone will end up having to get in with someone else, and they end up liking their hair better. They will inevitably ask, “Will so-and-so be mad if I come to you instead?” No!! We honest-to-God just want you to be happy. If that means you prefer the way someone else in the salon cuts your hair, so be it! Believe it or not, there have even been very occasional (.e., personality conflicts or a client who is just not quite satisfied after three visits), where we might have to say to a client, “You know, so-and-so may be a better fit for you. Would you like to schedule with them next time?” I would much rather my client stay in the salon and go to someone else, then to leave our salon completely. I love where I work, and all of my co-workers are extremely talented, so at least I know you would still be getting great service!
Have any other questions or myths that I can address? Feel free to comment and I will be happy to respond.
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
Wouldn’t it be fair to say that it may not be possible to make someone’s hair look like a given celebrity’s or model’s? I guess I would caution that you could bring in a photo, but you may not always get what you wish.
January 20th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
This is fair to say, and I see your point. Usually, when someone brings a picture, the resulting conversation will address that, and other, concerns. At least it should, anyway. If the stylist doesn’t ask questions like, “What is it about the style that draws your eye?” and “Are you willing to do the extra work in the mornings to straighten/curl/etc. your hair in order for it to look like this?” then he or she is not giving you a realistic expectation of how that style will look on YOU.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Once in a while I’ve gotten a haircut that I just didn’t like. (for the record, of course, not by you) Once it was so NOT what I asked for that I made this clear to the stylist. But other times it’s not horrible, just … not that great, at least to me. But the stylist loves it and her neighboring stylists are cooing about how great it is, and I feel like I can’t really say anything. So I leave. Am I supposed to say “well, I don’t know much about hair, but I’m not very excited about this, even though it’s more-or-less what we talked about.” ?? How can a good stylist get better when people are reluctant to give honest feedback? (I don’t mean truly bad haircuts — just the “OK” ones vs. great ones)
January 25th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
To answer you, Sharon…I actually cringe when other stylists comment on my clients’ hair before I know if they are truly happy or not, for that very reason. I do not want them to feel like they have to say they like it just because others do. I also don’t want them to feel like they are being “sold” the hairstyle. ugh. You should always feel comfortable saying how you feel, but it’s helpful to be specific about what or why to help us get you where you want to be. Example: “I’m really not feeling this style, I like the length but I feel like the layers are a little heavy right here.” or “I know I said I wanted bangs, but these are a little shorter than I pictured.” Obviously, we can’t fix something if we don’t know what you dislike. Between a good consultation, a knowledge of how you prefer to style your hair, an idea of products you like and helpful pictures, your appointment really should result in a great cut and style!