Five Tips to Remember When Visiting the Salon

The last thing you’d want for your hair is a disaster—especially if you’re shelling out your hard earned cash. While most women see a visit to the salon as a treat, some have had experiences that taught them to arrive a little more cautious and prepared. Just keep in mind these five simple guidelines on your next visit (especially if it will be your first visit to a particular salon):

1. Get References When Possible

A friend or family member who has had a positive experience (or more) is a great resource to help determine if a certain salon is the right one for you. Ask them if they have a favorite stylist, what kinds of products the shampoo person uses, and if the establishment caters to your hair needs. This will save the time and trouble sometimes encountered when you look up random salons on the internet.

2. Observe and Assess

How’s the stylist’s own hair? What does the general hair health of the customers look like? This speaks volumes because it demonstrates if a stylist really cares about healthy hair and what the fruit of their labor looks like. Another observation to make is whether or not the place has a steady flow of business and if the stylists arrive on time and keep appointments well. Make your assessments based on everything you observe in the salon—what’s in there tells a story, and you want a happy ending to your own experience.

3. Ask Questions

If you’re curious or nervous about something, ask away! Whether it’s a question about the salon’s specialties, or methods or hours of operation, the only way you’ll be more informed about how things work is by asking about them. It may feel awkward if you’re not used to it, but as a paying customer, you’re entitled to have your concerns and questions addressed.

4. Make Sure the Stylist Knows What an Inch Means

Some women have walked into a salon asking for an inch or a quarter-inch to be trimmed off and walked out nearly in tears. If you’re going to request or allow a trim, and if you specify how much you want taken off, make sure the stylist is on the same page. Even if you have to gesture with your hand and demonstrate exactly how much you want taken off, it’s better to be explicit instead of leaving it up to the judgment of the stylist. Without saying, make sure you’re facing a mirror so you can see what the stylist is doing.

5. Don’t be Afraid

Finally, don’t be afraid to tell the shampoo person that she’s handling your hair too roughly, or the stylist that she’s using too much heat and needs to spray on a protectant, or that you do not want a pair of shears anywhere near your head, or even that…you don’t like what’s being done to your hair. Of course this should be done in a constructive manner, but all too often we have been taught to be polite and don’t complain, or some of us are just naturally timid and shy. However, when it comes to your hair, it’s up to you to decide what’s best for it and what kind of style you want.

Not all salon experiences are negative, and certainly there are plenty of salons that are top notch and keep their clients happy. These five tips are helpful to keep in mind for those of us who don’t usually frequent salons or who are going to one for the first time. As the saying goes, “it’s better to be safe than sorry,” so hopefully these tips can keep your hair safe, and if the salon is one that performs well, then you won’t be sorry!

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