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.
