There may be nothing more painstaking than having to find new businesses when your current providers close or you move. How do you know who to trust?
As women, we have our list of businesses that we are very particular on- gynecologist, grocery stores, and of course, our hair stylist!
Even though each of these carries their own level of importance, finding that “perfect hair stylist” is perhaps the most vexing. Here are a few tips for find a new hair stylist:
1. Ask around
If you are the outgoing type, take notice of ladies at the grocery store, or other businesses, who have nice hair. Your friends and co-workers are other great people to ask as well. Most women are more than happy to reveal who their hair stylist is.
2. Social Media
So you are shy and it terrifies you to think about walking up to a lady next to the asparagus to compliment her hair. Turn to the plethora of social media sites!
Yelp, Style Seat, and Vagaro are amazing sites to find professionals in the beauty industry. There are sections for reviews and ratings located in all of these.
Read the good and the bad! You can also try getting creative and researching on Instagram via hashtag. For example, if you live in Austin, you would type in #austinhairstylist or #austinsalon.
3. Consultation
You feel like you have done your research, but you aren’t ready to let just anyone come at you with lightener or thinning shears. Book a consultation with your selected hair stylist.
Take several pictures of your ideas and be prepared to answer their questions on the history of your hair. You can also request to see their portfolio.
Even though they might not have exactly what you are looking to have done to your hair, it’s a good idea to see their general style and quality of work. Most modern hair stylists keep their work on their phone, social media accounts, or if they are real cutting edge, they may have a digital picture frame with photographs of their previous clients.
4. Start small
After the consultation, you feel confident that this is “the one”. Before you let anyone dive into a full blown make-over, think about allowing the hair stylist to do a small, non-committal service such as a blow out or updo.
This allows you to get connected with your stylist, as well as seeing how they handle your hair. It’s a lot easier to go home and wash your hair to erase a botched blow out than it would be to fix a bad haircut or color job.
We all know how intimidating it can be to find someone who understands exactly what we want to have done with our hair, but with these tips, you can feel more confident in finding a new hairstylist.
Just remember, the hair stylist is getting to know you as well. Be open and honest with them on your expectations, so both of you can both be on the same page.
Originally published June 30, 2015