What Your Hair Stylist Wants You To Know~ From a Former Client And Hair Stylist

I have had every hair color ever made. This is partially due to the fact I thought I could disguise myself and also I thought with each new color I would magically look 100 pounds thinner. It never happened.

In my mid thirties I decided to go to Hair School or Cosmetology School. I’m not sure if it’s the same everywhere but in my State the Schools barely teach you anything. I was lucky enough to have a Hair Stylist at the time who had trained in New York. She was willing to help train me.

I have to say I thought going in that I had a vast knowledge of hair and make up. I was disappointed to learn that I was ahead of the school.

THE BASICS~ SHAMPOOING

In the Salon Industry most stylists do not understand the importance of a good shampoo. In school it isn’t emphasized either. My Hair Guru was kicked off the board of Advisors for telling them the exact same thing. She chastised them for spending 3 months on something salons didn’t do anymore but 1 day on how to shampoo a client and get them to relax.

Making a client relax and feel comfortable is key in this industry. They won’t come back if you don’t.

I would go from salon to salon all over the state because every single Hair Stylist insisted on slapping some gel on my head and saying goodbye. I would leave with wet hair because no one wanted to even attempt to blow dry my frizzy, curly, hair.

I could never feel any of their fingers reach my scalp except for one guy who stood over me and shampooed like a jackhammer. I thought the Double D breasts I had at the time were going to give me black eyes. He didn’t like women so I’m not sure what his reasoning was. His female clients loved it. I felt weird. Probably because I didn’t like to feel like a bowl of Jello.

I learned to shampoo with effectiveness and to massage at the same time from my tutor.

COLOR

If there is one thing I hate it’s when I do someone’s hair, it’s shiny and beautiful, 6 weeks later they get antsy and go to the local drugstore and buy hair color. They then ruin the beautiful job I did. Then I get a phone call asking if I can fix what they just screwed up.

Store color is harsher on your hair and doesn’t cover grey/white hair as well or as long as professional color. I don’t care what magazine you read. I’ve been coloring my hair since I was 14. I’ve used every brand there is in stores and in most salons. My favorite is from an Australian Company that I can’t get easily so I settle for another one. The store color blows out your cuticle turning it to mush and that is why you think it feels softer.

DRY SHAMPOO IS YOUR FRIEND

You do not have to wash your hair every day. Once every third day is the ideal time period if you want your color to last. I have red hair so this is what I do. I hate when odors or too much oil is in my hair so I use Dry Shampoo that does not leave a white residue. The second day is the best. I can make it look rocked out until my dad or sister sees me and tells me to tame it down I’m not in a Whitesnake video.

BLOW DRYING

Try to keep your hair up in a towel for as long as you can. Do your make up first applying moisturizer in an upwards motion on the neck and from the middle out when it comes to your cheeks and smile lines. I am shocked at the amount of people that do not know this.

Using a wide tooth comb meant for wet hair comb your hair out. I usually apply my blow dry lotion/oil first because it makes it easier.

Blow dry your hair at least 75 to 80% with your fingers before tackling with a brush to style. If you don’t you are just causing needless damage with all of the pulling and tugging. If you are going for a straighter style I would use a boar/porcupine bristle round brush. Always use the concentrator! Mine is taped on with electrical tape.

This tool allows you to direct the heat where you want it. At the end of straightening a section hit with the cool shot button to close the cuticle and add shined. When you finish blow drying the entire head put the blow dryer on cool and lock in your style and shine this way.

CUTTING

Please try not to cut your own bangs. If you do, do not cut straight across. Chip into them at an angle. You really need good sharp scissors or you create damage.

I never knew what a great hair cut was until I had a dry hair cut perfected by John Sahag. This is what my tutor mastered in and who she learned from. I used to love watching her work. She would perform on a stage in front of hundreds of people. She would move like a snake dancing around the chair, scissors flying so fast you couldn’t see them.

It was always an honor to have my hair cut by her. I cut it myself now and I do it dry like her. I’m no where near as good I just fake it.

The idea of cutting hair when it is dry and flat ironed is you can see the direction it grows. You then cut the hair in that direction. This works well for people with cow licks and curly hair. The hair also doesn’t grow out it grows in.

CONCLUSION

Show up to your appointment on time. Your hair should be fairly clean. If you think anyone in your household has lice, please cancel your appointment. Treat everyone in the salon with respect whether they mop the floor or bring you coffee. They are not your personal servants, they are in training. I was surprised to see how some were treated by customers and actually a little disgusted. We’re all human. And last but not least, RELAX!

SOME DIFFERENT EXAMPLES OF MY HAIR FOLLIES! I LOOK A LITTLE TOO TOUGH IN THE LAST ONE. BUT THE COLOR IS GOOD. THE SECOND PIC THERE IS A FEATHER EARRING THAT LOOKS LIKE A PIECE OF MY HAIR BUT ISN’T. I’M A CHAMELEON. LOL