[Uptown Girl]

Ladies, most of us at this age know what our hair will and will not do.
Here are a few hints (in no particular order) when searching for a new stylist:

1) Take a look at your neighbors and friends. Do they have hair like yours?
(coarse, fine, curly, etc) If you like the way their hair looks, ask them who they go to. It's somewhere to start. Do you like their cut? Color? Take a picture of them and print it out on computer paper. Repeat, PRINT it out. 8x10 if you can, front, back and side view. VISUALS are the best, once you are in the salon, even if they are celebrity cuts from the internet. But they have to be good sized and clear, or the stylist is left to guess the details.

2) If you want a certain brand of hair color, ASK before you make the appointment if they USE that brand. Get a yes or no. Then ask if they have your color # in stock. Request that the brand/color #info be noted on the appointment schedule. Some places, like Aveda salons will only use Aveda products. It is corporate policy.
If you get there and they do not have your product as agreed, cancel your appointment immediately and leave.

3) Pay attention when you are getting your service. Ask to sit FACING the mirror. If the stylist is lopping your bangs and that is not what you want, you have a chance to stop and correct her.

4) Try your best to be realistic and clear about what you are asking for. Listen to yourself as you speak. Don't use vague terms, like 'feathering', 'sort of' or 'straight-ish'.

5) BEFORE you begin, briefly confirm the agenda with the stylist. Example: "I would like a chin length bob with bangs touching my eyebrows."
or "I am allergic to sulfites and have brought my own shampoo."

6) Always ask what your cost will be at the time you make the appointment. It is not rude to ask what that charge includes... or doesn't include.

I could probably come up with lots more. You are free to p.m. me if there is something I have not covered that you may want my meager insight on. I will answer as truthfully as I can.

Lastly Ladies, I DO NOT respect nor favor 'tiered pricing'. It is arrogant in my opinion to ask what level of expertise you are willing to pay for. I would hope that a Salon would give the best, personal service to EVERY client that walks in the door.

If there are stylists who are mediocre, they should be let go. If there is truly a unique and brilliant "star' of the salon, I assure you they would be moving up to the finest place their talent would take them and they wouldn't be in your neighborhood salon.
Expertise has nothing to do with how many years you have under your belt.
Being the owner does not automatically make you superior at your craft.
That stuff is baloney sausage.