Are You Getting the Salon Experience You Deserve? 4 Things to Expect From Your Hairstylist
Finding a hairstylist you trust is a big deal. Many people stay with the same stylist for years, and that loyalty can make it difficult to recognize when the experience is no longer meeting their needs.
Maybe your hair doesn’t feel as healthy as it used to, your color has become inconsistent, your stylist is juggling several clients at once and leaving you waiting throughout your appointment, or perhaps you’re never quite sure what your service will cost until it’s time to check out.
None of these things necessarily make someone a bad hairstylist, salons operate differently and every stylist has their own approach.
Regardless of different salon cultures - you deserve to know what a thoughtful, professional salon experience can look like.
Here are 4 things you should expect from your hairstylist.
1. The Health of Your Hair Matters
Beautiful color shouldn’t consistently come at the expense of healthy hair.
Highlights, gray blending and other chemical services should be approached with both today’s result and the long-term integrity of your hair in mind.
Your stylist should consider your color history, hair condition, texture and goals before deciding what’s appropriate. Sometimes great hairdressing means recommending a more gradual approach—or even saying, “Your hair isn’t ready for that today.”
If your hair is becoming progressively dry, brittle or over processed despite regular salon visits, it’s worth having a conversation about why.
The goal shouldn’t just be beautiful hair today, but beautiful, healthy hair six months from now, too.
2. You Should Receive the Attention You’re Paying For
Different salons have different scheduling models, and working with multiple clients at once isn’t inherently wrong, but you shouldn’t feel forgotten, rushed or like your appointment is regularly being squeezed in between everyone else’s.
Each salon appointment should include adequate time to consult with you, monitor chemical services, make adjustments and thoughtfully finish your hair service.
3. Pricing Should Be Clear
You shouldn’t have to wonder what your hair appointment is going to cost until you’re standing at the front desk.
Every salon chooses to operate under slightly different pricing models that make sense for their business structure. Regardless of whether the pricing is a la carte, flat rate, session, hourly or gratuity free, professional pricing should be communicated clearly to clients.
If a clients service goals change during the consultation in a way that affects the price, you should know that before the service begins.
At TrueGold Hair in Seattle, WA we use hourly, gratuity-free pricing because we want the salon experience to be straightforward and transparent.
You’re paying for the time we’ve reserved together, and we will communicate if more time is needed.
Clear pricing removes uncertainty and allows us to focus on what your hair actually needs.
4. You Should Feel Heard
Your needs change. Your hair changes. Your lifestyle changes.
You should feel comfortable telling your stylist:
“My hair feels too dry.”
“I don’t want this much maintenance anymore.”
“I’d like to start embracing my gray.”
“I’m concerned about how much hair I’m shedding.”
Communication is one of the key foundations in any relationship, business or personal.
Regardless of whether you have been seeing your current stylist for years or are in the process of looking for a new one, it’s ok to expect time at each appointment to touch base with a fresh consultation. These conversations provide the space to air any current questions or concerns a client is experiencing with their hair or discover a new color or style direction they are curious about.
In Conclusion:
Are You Getting the Salon Experience You Deserve?
Think about your last few appointments…
Do you feel listened to?
Is your hair being cared for?
Do you understand your pricing?
You deserve thoughtful service, healthy hair, transparent pricing and a stylist who makes you feel genuinely cared for.