Ever left the salon feeling like you hadn't been listened to by your stylist? Like you didn't get the style you asked for? Sometimes it seems like stylists speak a different language, and you're right - we often do!
So now what? Do you need to learn to "speak stylist" to get the style you want? Nope - but we'll let you in on some salon secrets to help you make sure you get what you want!
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Words are subjective - a bob might mean shoulder-skimming to you, but chin-length to your stylist. Pictures are a great place to start. Just keep in mind - we can give you Jennifer Anniston's haircut, but not her face!
It's a comb, not a wand!
Sure, you may love the choppy crops that are popping up everywhere - but your hair might not. Keep in mind that your hair texture might not work with the style you want. Even if you have the same hair as the woman in the picture, yours won't look exactly the same. She's likely been Photoshopped to remove cowlicks and flyaways, and most celebs are wearing extensions for either length or volume.
Honesty is the best policy.
Most stylists will ask you about your morning routine, and how much time you're willing to spend on your hair to get the look you want. Be honest with us, and with yourself. If you're not really going to flat-iron your hair every morning, a sleek bob might not be the best choice for your wavy hair.
Show and tell.
"Trim" means different things to different people. When in doubt, show us your definition of a trim. It could be half an inch, or it could be 3. As well, if you want "just the split ends off", that could mean a lot more length than you wanted. Split ends will keep travelling up the hair shaft, and if you've neglected your hair for a while, the damage could be halfway up the length.
The right tools for the job.
Sometimes your stylist will make suggestions for take-home products. We're not doing this just to sell you something, honestly. Those products are like "liquid tools" to help you re-create the style at home. You won't get the same results without them. We use them because we know they'll deliver, and we want you to be able to get the style you want. Ask questions! We'll gladly show you how to use them, how much to use, and what they add to your style.
