Unfortunately, it seems we all have had an experience at the salon that left us disappointed to say the least. Although this could definitely be related to a bad salon experience, or just a bad stylist — usually, it boils down to miscommunication between you and your stylist. With that being said, we’ve rounded up a list of the 5 most important questions to ask your stylist before you even begin your hair transformation during your consultation. If your stylist doesn’t block out enough time to have a thorough consultation with you at each visit, it might be time to switch it up or talk to your stylist about this concern. Now, we’ve also considered that sometimes, leaving the salon, you might absolutely love how your hair looks but realize you could never replicate the look again once you get home and get your hands on it. So, we took care of that too. We came up with the 5 most important questions to ask your stylist before leaving her seat — this is where you’re going to get your crucial maintenance information. After all, what’s the point in spending time and money on a professional stylist if they aren’t teaching you how to recreate the look in between visits? Let your stylist be your teacher.
During your Consultation:
1.) Will this style match my lifestyle? This is one of the most important questions you can ask. Explain to your stylist how you style your hair and how much time you are willing to spend on styling a day. With that information, the stylist will be able to tell you right off the bat if it will for for you or not. So many people end up unhappy with a style because they simply do not have the time to maintain it.
2.) Is this the correct tone for my skin? So you’ve got a picture of a color you love and you are absolutely set on this color. Sometimes, whether you like it or not, it’s in your best interest to let your stylist tweak the color a bit. Your stylist knows what they’re doing. If you have a red skin tone, and pick a hair color with underlying red tones, odds are, this is going to make you completely hate the color. But, with a drop of this and a dash of that, your stylist can customize that color to compliment your skin tone. Hand over the reigns and give them the opportunity to be honest.
3.) Is this shape right for my face? This is your consultation, so take the time to dissect the haircut. Just because you have a picture of a gorgeous haircut, and it’s somewhat similar to what you have now, doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Let the stylist make suggestions to customize the cut to flatter your face.
4.) Will this affect any events coming up in my life? Planning a wedding? Going to prom? These are huge events that your stylist should know ahead of time. Especially if this is the stylist you will be using on your big day. The stylist may prefer to work with hair that’s a little bit longer, and if you love your stylist, give her ample time to make suggestions of “in the mean time” styles you can rock up until your big day to keep you and your stylist happy!
5.) If I don’t like it, how hard will it be to change it back? This is HUGE! If you’re making a big hair color change — it’s important to know the repercussions. If you’re going from platinum blonde to a rich dark brown and decide you absolutely hate it, you should known in advance what to expect should you want to go back to your previous color. Ask your stylist: how quickly would I be able to get back to my previous color, what would it cost, how much damage would this cause, and how many visits will this take? Judging by her response, you may decide to make a less drastic move and opt for lowlights to see how you like a gradual change instead.
In-Between:
Ask your stylist to show you a step by step demo of how she styles your hair. Now, you can’t expect a full-blown class because rightfully, she would have to block out time and charge for that. However, she should be able to walk you through the basics as she sections. Don’t be shy — take notes if you have to. It’s a small price to pay to look fabulous!
Before you Leave the Seat:
1.) What shampoo’s or conditioner’s should I be using for maintenance? A lot of people are afraid to even ask this question because they do not plan on purchasing anything from the salon during their visit, but that shouldn’t matter! Of course your stylist is going to want you to be using the best of the best when it comes to hair products because your hair is their masterpiece, however, they understand that sometimes what they carry just does not fit into everyone’s budget. Ask them if you should be using color maintenance, volumizing, etc. They make even recommend a duo. Explain your situation and he or she may even be able to point you in a direction to a line that suits your needs perfectly!
2.) What products should I be using, and how? The same goes for number 1. Just because you may not purchase exacting what your stylist used on your, ask for the basics. Don’t get product names — get details. Did they use a thermal protectant and when did they use it? Did they use a volumizing mouse? From this, you should be able to mimic the look or try other products from other lines that may offer the same benefits.
3.) When should I expect to come back in? This is so important — don’t under or overdo it. Some people think they absolutely have to come in every 4-6 weeks to get their color touches up when in reality, their hair still looks awesome and their roots have not grown in that much. This may take a few visits for your stylist to figure out your hairs pattern, but trust me, she’ll figure it out and she’ll let you know. Stylist’s are not in the market for ripping you off — they, too, want to maintain the integrity of your hair! After all, you’re a walking advertisement.
4.) Is there any special precautions I should be taking to maintain this style? This is extremely important for color treated hair and keratin treatments. There are definitely going to be some ingredient restrictions depending on the types of color or treatments they use. Follow up with your stylist for the specifics on the do’s and don’ts. Also, let your stylist know if you’re going to be vacationing or spending a lot of time poolside, she may recommend a UV protector or limitations for keratin treatments.
5.) What are your days of availability? This is sometimes a larger compliment than a tip. This not only tells your stylist that you will be coming back, but it also lets you know when she is available should you have any questions. Although you may not be able to get her on the phone directly, you can always leave a message with the receptionist and have her call you back or answer for you. This is always good to know in case you need to pop in for bang trims or quick fixes!
We hope this helps make your next salon visit a lot more enjoyable! Never be afraid to ask questions,
