Fashion + Beauty
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
What's the best way to handle a pushy stylist?
editor
There's a great
post on the Beauty Brains today (my favorite beauty blog) about how to deal with an aggressive hair dresser—specifically what to do when one tries to hawk the damn products on you (which always happens to me and I always wind up feeling like a skinflint if I don't buy, but resentful when I do). Anyway, the BBs advice is to politely say no thanks, which is exactly what any normal person should do—empowerment, honesty is the best policy, etc. But for those us of the
When I Say No I Feel Guilty school, this is often easier said than done and can take a couple of tries (and a shelf full of never-used hair foam) to get right.
This also brings up a slew of other salon issues, like how do you convey what you want to the hair dresser without feeling like you're insulting or annoying? Before I became really firm to the point of neurosis, I had so many experiences where I left a cut or color holding back tears because I'd paid for something that looked terrible on me (I once exited a fancy salon with all my hair chopped off and the saddest "body wave" ever witnessed by anyone). At the beginning of each appointment I'd say stupid, wimpy things like "You're the expert" or "Whatever you think" because I didn't feel confident enough to express what I thought would be good on my own head.
Have you been there?
What are your worst hair appointment stories?
Related:
Hair Help!
Solving the annoying growing-out bangs dilemma
Hair Trauma: Brassy Blondes
Related: stylists, salons, hair dressers, hair
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Posted by ConMon Thu May 1, 2008 5:49pm PDT
I had been going to this one particular stylist since I was in middle school, but once I moved out on my own I couldn't afford her anymore. So I chose another stylist that I knew nothing about (other than she was considerably more affordable than my old stylist) and chose to get a haircut (gasp) on my first visit. It was horrible. The bangs were all in my eyes and I wear glasses so it was really not cool. No one complimented me on it. Everyone just said, "Oh look you got your hair done." But fortunately my hair has been growing faster than normal recently so once it grew out a little bit I went back and she styled it differently. It was beautiful. And now when I go in I let her have full control of my hair. If I decided to get my hair cut again I would probably take a more active role. Before I just sat there because I felt like she was the professional so she should know what she's doing.
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Posted by Mindy Mon May 5, 2008 10:53pm PDT
I'm a Hair Stylist and I'm tired of telling people over and over until I'm blue in the face that they can't always have what they want. They don't listen. Once they sit in your chair, They think you are a magician, Not a beautician! lol
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Posted by taryn Thu May 8, 2008 7:46am PDT
I go to the HairCuttery in Lincoln Park (Clark and Fullerton) - Chicago. I love my stylist. The prices are amazing - it makes me feel guilty! I just give her a great tip. Sometimes chains are well worth the trip. I must admit, it was a risk the first time.. but I am a loyal customer!
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Posted by Lisa Fri May 9, 2008 1:27pm PDT
It's not a comment but more of a cry (desperate) for help: after moving to California (San Jose area) last week, I am looking for a good stylist - PLEASE ADVISE! I have very bad sensitive skin and need somebody who can do the job and not make me cry a lot(i'll have to cry anyway, bcs of my skin). Any recommendations? will be immencely thankful
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Posted by Lisa Thu May 29, 2008 1:34pm PDT
It wasn't until I moved to Oklahoma City and met who I think is the world's best stylist, Trevis, at Regis that I learned how to explain what I wanted to a stylist. He was great. He taught me how to take care of my hair properly, listened while I explained why I needed to cut my waist length hair short (I was in a mobile communications group in the Air Force at the time) and he helped me find a cut that would be practically maintenance free in the field and yet suit my face. He explained why he was doing what he was doing and didn't let me leave until I could show him that I could style the new cut myself. Later, when I left the air force, he helped me adjust the cut to something that would grow out nicely and let me eventually have long hair again as well as how to explain to my new stylist in Dayton, Ohio what needed to be done to maintain it.
The most important thing is to talk to your stylist and listen to him or her and to make sure that he or she is listeneing to you. When you make your appointment tell them that you want time to discuss your needs with them. Communication is absolutely vital.
Thanks Trevis (wherever you are working now) for everything, especially for doing my hair on my wedding day. I felt like the most beautiful woman in the world that day with your help.
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Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:05pm PDT
I've always been ok. And I'm 14, so some people think they can just walk all over me...
But, come on, the customer's always right. I know what I want, and, as hard as it is sometimes, I have to, politely tell them what I want. It's my hair, and I know it better than the stylist, and I know my face, my life and who I am better than the stylist also. And in the end, it's MY hair, so I make the descisions.
I have very very very dark brown hair, almost black, and, one day, I was at the hairdressers and she tried to talk me (and my mom) into getting me platinum blonde highlights. My mom was in that rut, and she said "whatever you think is best" to the hair dresser. She said "OK, I'll go get the color" (as if I had no say in what happens to my hair whatsoever) and I told her that I would prefer to leave my hair natural, and she gave me an "oh, but..." and I just kept telling her that I'm 14, its not necessary and not what I need and she said OK, and I'm glad I stuck through, because I could have walked out of that salon looking beyond rediculous!
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