You just moved to a new town & need a trim...really bad...but you don't want to take the risk of going to a new salon with hairstylists you know nothing about. This was my reality when we moved from New York to Texas. I lived in NY for so long that it was so easy to find someone I knew or who knew someone who did hair well. That said, I hadn't given finding a stylist that much thought until our move. I made a few mistakes in my search for a hairstylist, but I now know what to look for in a quality salon & its hairstylists. Here are some tips to find a quality salon to keep you lovin' your locks.
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When we moved, I was in the process of growing my hair out to donate to Locks of Love. Why is this important? My hair was really simple...no layers. So, I just needed my side swept bangs & ends trimmed. I didn't think it mattered where I went. How bad could someone screw up my hair? I found out the hard way.
What I Knew
I learned a lot on my quest to find a good hairstylist. First, each area has different salons. In NY, we had salons in which stylists were either employees or rented space. As a customer, you didn't know the arrangements unless you asked. You'd go to a salon based on a reference. There were a few salon chains offering inexpensive cuts but not many. I then learned about the different types of salons here, in Texas, that I will describe.
There are several different business models for hair salons. Here's how I classified them:
- Chop Shops: In the Dallas suburb I live in now, there are a lot of what I like to call "chop shops". They're inexpensive chain salons that welcome walk-ins & offer services a la carte. Communication is important when you're explaining how you want your hair to look, so this can be problematic when the stylists don't speak English as their first language. Right before my nephew's wedding, I went in for a trim. My bangs were butchered! When I expressed my dissatisfaction, I was literally laughed at by the stylist...no apology. It appeared as they have no vested interest in producing happy customers.
Pro: Pricing is affordable. Being that every service is sold a la carte, I recommend these places for kids to get a trim. Mostly for girls with straight hair that's all one length. It's unrealistic to expect little ones to sit in the chair longer than 20 minutes.
Con: Enter at your own risk.
- Suite Salons: There are hair salons that are like office suites. Each stylist has their own fully functional salon room within the suite. They each have their own phone line & maintain their own appointment books. I used a stylist at one of these salons & didn't feel she cut my hair properly. There were missed pieces that I didn't realize until I got home. The first time I went to her, she owned her own salon. I had reached my goal to donate my hair & couldn't take it one more day, so I went to her salon on a whim. That cut wasn't bad, so I gave her another chance. By then, she had moved to one of these suites. I never went back.
Pro: Because you're in a private room, you have lots of privacy.
Con: The person cutting your hair is not responsible to anyone but themselves. You're not guaranteed that your stylist participates in continuing education.
- Rent-A-Chair: This type of salon offers stylists the opportunity to rent the space they use within the salon. This business model is very similar to the Suite Salon. Some may or may not rally their stylists & provide continuing education.
Pro: You can see what the other stylists are capable of if you aren't pleased with yours.
Con: You're not guaranteed that your stylist participates in continuing education.
- Quality Salons: These salons don't just put their stylists on the floor & hope for the best. They refer to their stylists as their "team" and believe in team development. Continuing education is mandatory for all team members, in order to maintain a high level of quality. Hair trends are constantly changing, & with continuous education, stylists can better meet their clients' requests. Although the services may be more pricey than those described above, the salon & its stylists have invested a lot of time in enhancing their skills to make your experience a positive one. If your budget doesn't allow for a top stylist, ask for one of the newer junior stylists. They're subject to the same standards & education as the senior stylists but lack the experience. Prices are usually based on experience within this type of salon.
In hindsight, I should have looked for a salon with the same qualities & standards as a friend's quality salon back in Pomona, NY. It would have saved me a lot of time & aggravation. Click
here to see their website. It demonstrates all elements of a quality salon.
I finally found the salon I go to now by looking online. I used Google Maps to look for salons near our new home. Then, only considered those with websites. Websites can provide valuable information, such as a salon's stylists' training, continuing education, services offered, etc. When I found one that provides its stylists with opportunities to participate in hair shows & education, I knew it was the one for me.
One thing I've learned is that we all have certain things in our lives that we'll splurge on. Some women will buy Hanes & refuse to splurge on Victoria's Secret. Some have no problem going to a "Chop Shop" for a trim, while others won't dye their hair using a boxed dye. We all need to do what's right for us.
Lastly, a crucial tip I have for my readers is...
be realistic. Bring a picture of the look you want, but make sure it suits your face & hair's texture. I hope post was helpful in your quest finding a hairstylist &/or salon that meets your needs if/when you need one.
*This post is based solely on my experiences & perception. It is not meant to bash anyone. I have nothing but respect for hairstylists who chose a career to help others feel good about themselves.
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For those rare days that I wear my hair up, I like a stronger hold hairspray. Right now, I have Pantene Stylers Anti-humidity hairspray with Maximum Hold. It holds my hair well, doesn't flake or dull my hair, and I love the smell.
