Most people believe hair stylists are incredibly flaky people who are outgoing and social artists. In my 16 years of doing hair, one thing is true: We are hair artists. But we are often introverted and quiet people. We have an enthusiasm for life, but we have our problems, just like every one else. We just have to leave them at the door and put on a happy face so that you can unload yours on us, which we crave, because we care.
We are bartenders of the hair industry. You sit in our chair and we listen to you. We take care of you. And we WANT to! This is one of the reasons we do hair. We could have been neurosurgeons, but in the spirit of the movie Rushmore, we're too smart for that. You tell us things that you would normally take to your grave. I once had a spell when I was asking clients what was the worst thing they had ever done, one thing of which they were most ashamed. One client told me he slept with his best friend's wife, on their wedding day. I was in awe but moved that he would share something so personal. Of course, I would never tell anyone who he was, but it's a testament to the intimacy in which we engage with you. Do you think the salon world is gossipy? It is. But most of the gossip is about celebrity trash magazines. What you tell us doesn't leave our lips because frankly, we see so many people, we don't really remember who says what, and your story is probably not the most worthy of discussion. No offense.
What's the deal with snooty stylists?
They are probably not that great of a stylist if they believe they are better than you. Don't trust them. This business is built on satisfaction. If you feel like a piece of poo when you go into a salon, you will probably feel the same way when you leave. Run. Run quickly.
Feel guilty about switching stylists? Within the same salon?
You are not married to your hair stylist. If you are getting a bad cut/color, you have two options: you can A) give the stylist another chance (we're not perfect and sometimes it takes a couple shots at getting to know your hair) or you can B) go to someone else. There is nothing wrong with going to another stylist. You are paying for a service, and if you don't get what you pay for, you go back and make sure you do. Stylists who get jealous and angry about you going to someone else are probably slow and don't have anything better to worry about. Find someone on the street with hair like yours, ask them where they go and try that stylist. Word of mouth is the most honest form of advertisement. This brings me to competition among stylists.
I have always been very confident about my work. I believe everyone has something to teach and something to learn and that no one is superior to anyone else. I have a really good understanding (as I believe good stylists do) that we share and encourage any business within the salon. I support their forte and refer people to them who require their skill, and they do the same, so we're looking out for each other.
What about stylists always being late?
Most good stylists run on time. But ask yourself this; have you ever been late to an appointment? Maybe missed an appointment and not called? Called and wanted in at the last minute? Usually, our reason for being late is because a client was late, or desperately asked us to squeeze them in at the last minute. In our attempt to please everyone, we have alienated you. We are sorry it had to land on you. Plan your appointment in advance. We do want your business and we want to accommodate you in any way possible. If you have to cancel an appointment, it's ok. Life happens. Just make a call. It only takes ten seconds, and it will allow us to book someone else who is waiting desperately to get in.
What should we be talking about during the consultation?
The most successful service always begins with the consultation. Communication is the key to any relationship and that includes a client-stylist relationship. What is your stylist's responsibility? "To let you spew", verbatim, from my mentor, Sarah, in Santa Barbara - to find out what you want to do with your hair. It is our job to find out about your lifestyle, your daily maintenance, what you do like, what you don't like, your past hair experiences, your troubles with styling. I am going to tell you something very important. Read closely.
A PHOTO IS A GEM.
When you think of the color RED, what do you see? I see a shiny, firey deep red, not purple, not orange. Not even fire engine red, which is what red IS. People see color so differently. Until I know what color you see when I say the word "Red", I don't have any clue as to what you mean. It's my job to make that distinction. People who bring in celebrity photos cut out from magazines are smart. This is what communication is, and we both need to be present to make this dream of looking like Scarlett Johansson a reality.
What type of client are you?
Type A) Our favorite client. You come in smiling! You are ready for something new. You are content with something old. You are happy. You bring a bottle of wine. You trust us. You refer us to all your friends. We don't mind if you show up late. You follow us from place to place. (We're sorry for being so transient.) We kick down product and discounts. We go above and beyond to fit you in the day before Christmas. We love you! Keep coming back. You are the reason we do hair.
Type B) People who are NEVER HAPPY. We have dealt with people like this for so long, tried to make you happy, and we pawn you off on the closest person faster than you can say Carrot Top. You are never happy with your hair. You jump around from stylist to stylist, complaining about what you don't like about them/the service. Yes, I agree, there are a lack of serious stylists out there, who are good, who give you what you want. But type A is actually not only dissatisfied with her hair, but with her life. We wish we could help.
Type C) Our bread and butter. You always pre-book your appointment. You get the same thing every time. Our conversations are mediocre, but for some reason, you keep coming back. We appreciate your business. If you like us so much, how about referring us to your friends? You tip well. We don't generally know much about you. That's ok. We are here to maintain your hair. It's very simple. We don't have to be best friends. You ARE cherished. Without you, we couldn't pay our rent, and we appreciate your loyalty.
So who is a hair stylist, really?
Stylists and bartenders essentially have the same job. We listen to people all day long and give them something to feel good about. You have to have a certain temperament to be a hair stylist. Some of you will rob us of our energy, and others will inspire us, give us faith in humanity with your insight, your vulnerability, your stories of success, adventure, failure. You will tell us things you would normally take to your grave. This is what makes the job worthwhile. I am an important person to you, just for one moment. I have given you a gift in listening and allowing you to trust me with who you really are. At the end of the day, people just want to feel good about themselves and to be taken care of. At then end of the day, I have a drink, watch TV, call a friend, and wind down, just like all of you.
But it's not rocket science. It's just hair.
