Haircut | Communication

Everyone wants a good haircut and there are few people out there who haven’t
gone through the horrors of receiving a bad one. Hairdressers, especially experience
this. Don’t be surprised. I worked in a very large salon at one time. I recall, getting a
haircut from one of my fellow associates. She was asking me questions and telling me
her life’s story and chewing gum. I worriedly watched my hair fall to the floor. By the time
she was done, I had no hair in my crown. I told her my crown was too short. Her reply,
“it will grow back.” Famous last words, spoken, because of a careless mistake. Grow
back, it did, and she never cut my hair again. In another salon, I observed hairdressers
smoking while they worked. The ashes would grow so long, they would spill out either on
the client’s hair or on the floor, or, yes, in their coffee mug that would “refresh” them as
they continued servicing their client. This whole process amazed me. The talker was
good if she wasn’t talking so much. The other’s who smoked and drank coffee while
servicing, were basically good hairdressers. Their salon etiquette could have been
improved. Although hairdressers may have some offensive traits do not mean they
aren’t good ones. On the other hand, you have to connect with your hairdresser and feel
comfortable and confident with her ability while she is talking to you. Do you click? There
has to be a meeting of the minds and an understanding of the hearts when you talk.
Communication is everything.

The secret to a good cut begins by you starting to look around when you are out
shopping. Make this a priority. Notice other women’s cuts until you see one you admire.
Approach her and ask her, where she gets her hair done. She will gladly share with you,
as any woman would, when given such a compliment. Don’t forget to get this lady’s
name, so you can refer to her style when you visit her salon.

          When you sit in the chair, listen very closely to what the hair-
stylist is saying to you about your hair. Listen to her questions and
think carefully before you answer her. You don’t have to be in a
hurry. This is your hair and your money. You are paying for her
expertise and counsel. When you approach her about the style you
want, what does she say about this style for you? Again, is there
communication between the two of you? Many times clients select a
style they would like, but discover their hair does not have the
texture for it and the upkeep can be too demanding before going to
work. If there is a good communication, your hairstylist will tell you
whether or not you can wear the style you desire. Sometimes the style will not compli-
ment the frame of your face or your body, in which case, the stylist should have an idea
of what you are wanting and suggest one that does.

          Observing other hairdressers in the salon will help you also. Go with a friend to
her salon and just watch the other stylists work for awhile. Does this one seem to have
high standards while she is doing hair? Does she talk about all of her problems or does
she listen to her client instead? Ask yourself if you would like to listen to her problems
as well. Is she paying attention to what she is doing? Does she seem to hurry her clients
in and out, not taking much time with them? Is she doing a haircut plus permanent on
another and a coloring process in the corner, all at the same time, because of the
problems of over booking? Would you mind this type of rush, serviced on you too? Does
she appear to be too busy to take the needed time on your hair? If she is, shop around
a little bit more. It’s ok to be picky. Although, it isn’t good to judge by appearances, in
this case we can sometimes make a small exception. What does your hairdresser’s hair
look like? If she is young and has magenta wildly punked spiked hair with five nose
rings and one looped tongue ring that makes her salivate and swallow continiously; you
need to ask yourself if she can give you the conservative look you are searching for.
Is she able to talk clearly with all of that going on in her mouth? She would probably
bond with other’s her own age and those who like drama like herself. On the other hand,
if one is in the corner and only servicing older women, the same thing applies in the
opposite spectrum. Watch her for awhile and see if she is styling the type of coif you are
interested in. What does her hair represent to you? Is it something you would wear for
yourself? Are they confident or cocky as they work on hair or not too sure about what
they are doing? What do their styles look like when they walk out of the salon? Watch,
observe and listen.

          What type of reputation does this salon have? What type of reputation do the
stylist’s have that work there? Are they considerate and professional? As you look and
watch, do you see them clean their brushes and combs or use the same comb on
another client? Are they quick to sweep up the hair or because they have another haircut
they just keep it on the floor and wait until they are all done? Are their professional
licenses in plain view? All these questions are worth considering. You have to ask what is
important to you in a stylist.

          Unfortunately when you are quite young and fresh out of Beauty School the public
views her lack of experience in the salon, as lack of knowledge. This couldn’t be further
from the truth, if she/he has graduated from a good reputable school and is serious
about her profession. In fact, many times they are much more updated on the latest
coloring and cutting techniques that others in the salon could glean from. The same
thing is true of an older hairdresser. The public judges them for their age, not thinking
of the world’s of experience that stylist has. If the older one has kept up with the latest
fashionable cuts and colors, you’ve discovered a real gem.

          How much are you willing to pay for a good cut? When the price is higher many
times you are paying for their good reputation and experience. They have earned their
dues and worked their way up.

>> NEXT

How to get a Good Haircut