In that all illusive search for a “new look,” the first person we women always turn to is our beloved hair stylist.  Following are a few suggestions on finding the right stylist to trust with your hair.  After all, it is your crowning glory and a huge part of your personality so the approach should not be cavalier.

1.  Referral:  This seems like a slam dunk; however, you may have a totally different hair type than your BFF so be sure to take that into consideration.  No one knows your hair like you.  Be realistic.  If you have coarse curly hair, the latest Jennifer Anniston hairdo is not going to work for you even though it looks great on your best friend.
2.  Seize the moment.   If you see someone on the street or in the store with the perfect cut or color, don’t be afraid to politely stop her and find out who did her hair.  Trust me… she will be flattered and very forthcoming with the information.   You have just made her day, reduced your stress level significantly, and given a hard working stylist a new client.  It’s a win win win!
3.  Read salon websites/reviews.  This is certainly easy to do as most reputable salons have websites explaining their services and introducing their stylists on staff.  You may also find reviews and testimonials at their site; but, if not, you may find them on Yelp or simply by googling the salon. This will give you more unbiased opinions about the establishment (or stylist) if they exist and, more importantly, help you avoid a possible disaster.
4. Inquire.   Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Call or stop by the salon and make inquiries.  Who is the best colorist there?  What is the product/process he or she uses?  How long have they been doing it? Likewise, with cuts, extensions, perms, treatments, etc.   If they are worth their salt, they will spend time with you and answer your questions thoroughly.  All salons want new clients; but, more importantly, they want happy ones!  If you get the brush off…brush them off.
5. Seek salons that specialize.    You can usually find salons that specialize in particular areas and you may be better served by checking them out.  For instance, I go to a salon which specializes in cutting curly hair.  All their stylists are trained in the Deva method of cutting which differs significantly from standard hair cutting procedures.  Likewise salons that specialize in extensions, black hair, straightening systems, etc. may be beneficial if you need attention and expertise in a certain area.

If you have more helpful hints on finding a good hair stylist, we would love to hear from you.  Let’s keep the discussion going.

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