Best Way to Avoid a Salon Disaster

You walked into the salon with high hopes of looking like a million dollars but left in floods of tears. Here are some tips to help you avoid a potential salon disaster.

• Choosing the right salon: How on earth do you decide which salon you can entrust your hair to? Ian suggests stalking out the place first: ‘Get a cup of coffee and sit outside the salon for half an hour or so and check out the hair-dos of clients leaving. Ask yourself “Is the salon busy and do the people leaving it look good?’” Ian also suggests that asking for recommendations from friends, or seeing which magazines endorse which salons, are other useful methods of finding a good hairdresser. And, if you happen to spot a woman sporting that to-die-for hairstyle that you’ve always wanted, why not stop her and ask her where she had her hair done.

• Insist on a consultation: If a hairdresser hasn’t got time for a consultation, walk out,’ insists Ian. ‘If the stylist says “leave it to me”, don’t. A hairstylist should never insist on cutting your hair in a certain way unless you agree to it. Don’t forget: you are the one who has to live with it! Note that all stylists should consult you while your hair is still dry in order for them to assess the true color and texture of your hair.
• Communicate: Many people leave a salon feeling disappointed because they have not told their stylist precisely what they want. Discuss with your stylist exactly the style you are after, as well as what you definitely don’t want. ‘It’s no good telling the hairdresser that you still want to be able to wear your hair up in a chignon when he’s halfway through cutting it short,’ says Ian, speaking from experience. ‘Never think that you are hassling the hairdresser. If you walk away content, the chances are that the salon will have secured your custom.’
• Take a picture along: If you have a definite idea of the hairstyle you want, a photograph or two can help the stylist. A picture is a good idea as long as you use it for inspiration only,’ stresses Ian. ‘The person in the photo is likely to have different-textured hair. Also, a picture is static and only shows the front of the hairstyle. People tend to forget that their hair can be seen from 360°.’ Any decent stylist should tell you how the hairstyle in your picture can be adapted and tailored to suit you. But be prepared for the stylist to advise you against it: it’s no good pleading for the ‘Rachel’ cut if you’ve got coarse, wavy hair (even if it is the most copied style)
• Utilise your hairdresser’s expertise: Stylists work with hair every day and are therefore a great source of advice. Most will be more than willing to advise you on such things as home-grooming, different ways in which to wear your tresses, which products to use and how to care for and manage your style, lan’s tip is to take along a bag of products and styling tools to show your hairdresser exactly what you work with at home.
• Listen to suggestions: Stylists are experts on hair and can advise you on those haircuts that both suit your face shape and work well with your hair’s texture. A good hairdresser should take all sorts of factors into account before reaching for the scissors or deciding on a color solution, i look at my client’s height, frame, build and whether or not they have confidence’, explains Ian. ‘We discuss things like lifestyle, work and how much time they have to do their hair each morning.’

• Don’t make a rash decision: Having to live with a bad hair decision is not the end of the world, but it can be depressing and lower your self-confidence, so don’t be hasty: take your time and ponder the pros and cons of a new style before taking the plunge.