1st step Consulting with your stylist about your needs!

Let me just say, I understand what it's like to go into a stylist for the first time and be terrified. One: can you trust that they will listen to you and understand who you are, and your beauty needs, in a short period of time? Second: are you going to come out with unfamiliar styling that you'll want to immediately wash out at home? Third: am I going to look like my mother? It's scary to trust your image to someone who hasn't even washed your hair yet.

Hints to think about before going in:
Ask yourself why are you going to a new stylist? Is it because…
1. Last stylist has no updated skills
2. Makes you feel bad and others around them
3. Horrible hair torture
4. Stylist does what they want, doesn’t listen
5. Stylist isn't creative or assertive
6. Your friend begs you to go her stylist for an update
7. Former stylist moved
8. Drug problem
9. Stylist talks about themselves and their problems
Why should you think about this? Well, this information is really helpful to a new stylist. It's like the golden key to help them understand your needs and, ultimately, win you as a loyal customer. This beginning story helps your new stylist understand what to do, and what not to do for you.

Notes to myself: As a stylist
1. Make sure I am updated in the lasted trends
2. Make sure I make them feel good about their hair and themselves
3. Make sure I don't mess it up
4. Make sure I am listening to them about limitations and desires
5. Make sure I suggest ideas with pictures to show fashion concepts
6. Make sure I listen to what she's been doing for styling so I can adjust how to style differently
7. Avoid changing locations if at all possible!
8. Make sure not to do DRUGS!
9. Talk with the client about their life positively

I have to say this is how I built my clientele: by knowing what not to do and to do. If you think it's scary for you? How about taking a walk on our side. When I started in my career I had no idea who was going to sit in my chair. Just to let you know, when you graduate from beauty school you have just a small handfull of ways to cut hair. Really:
1. Short Layers
2. Long Layers
3. Bob… A-line or a graduated bob, concave (A line Bob) or Convex (This is when the front is shorter then the back.)
4. Graduation layers 90 degrees and under. This when the hair lays heavy or stacked.
Yep, this is all we know. And as for our clients? Old ladies, college students, and more old ladies. Plus, we are counting down the state board quotas and the days until graduation. That's what it was like in the 90's.

Man, that's hard to write. I know it's still the same, since I have had new hires in the past three years. This is reality for every new stylist. Some are better than others at getting through these early years. Any stylist who has mastered those basic cuts can update to advanced skills with hands-on classes available in major cities in America and Europe. In addition, with more first-time clients, we build a deeper understanding about hair textures and personalities. This is when a stylist is truly equipped to help you into a future image, or maintain your current image concept.

After 15 years as a professional hairdresser, I can say I love to see a new client. I have an art and science on how to build the trust of 99% of all new clients who sit in my chair. To be continued.....