AMA: I'm a Hairstylist

[thefirstcut]

There seems to be so much love and hate for people in my profession- have you anything you've always wanted to ask?

Do you tell people if they have nits?

I haven’t been for years, but would love a cut and colour, will they think I’m odd/skanky?

How the hell do you locate a stylist that can cut a decent pixie cut without making one look like Deidre Barlow

Hi OP. I'm frightened of hairdressers and haven't been to one since 1989. What would you say to me if I walked into your salon?

To clarify, I'm frightened because I don't like being touched by people, and in my experience hairdressers hack off tons of my slow-growing hair, which looks awful short.

Maybe you could have some other opinions to me and my hairdresser. I will say i have pcos and i get stressed as ive wondered if this is related. I get awfully knotty hair, talking walking from the hairdressers basin to chair and it manages to knot, i normally plat my hair day to day. Then other times its absolutely fine I usually have hair just below my shoulders.
Do you think it could relate to a certain chemical used? Or anything like that? Me and my hairdresser are a bit baffled!

Also... most awkward moment with a client in the chair?

Whats your opinion of people who dont dye or grow out their colour to go grey, when they are under 45?

Is it possible to bring headlice from the hairdresser's?

Do all hairdressers expect a tip?

Is that powder for lifting up hair roots any good?

Well this was fun

@cleaning247, yes I would very discreetly & give them some tips on how to treat. Hygiene is essential so we wouldn't proceed with the service, and anything that would come into contact with client would be disinfected (gown, towel etc) to prevent cross-infection.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat absolutely not! Everyone starts their hair journey somewhere! There is nothing wrong with getting your hair done weekly or annually, just have to do whatever suits you.

@Grumpbum123 firstly, I would try hair stylists on recommendation. If you have any friends/family members with excellent hair ask them where they go, stop someone in the street and enquire if they go somewhere locally, it's a huge compliment. If you aren't comfortable with any of the above book in a few local salons for a consultation, with varying price ranges. You certainly don't have to go to the most expensive salon in town for the best hair cut to suit you. You'll get a 'feeling' straight away. And take visuals! Always bring pictures of things you like and most importantly- things you dislike!

@ScreamingValenta I have looked after several guests with phobias about salon visits. It is essential that the client is put at ease from the very beginning, explain straight away on telephone/email that you have anxiety related to xyz, which stylist would you recommend? You may feel more at ease with a more experienced senior stylist. Of course, having your hair done has to come with a reasonable level of physical contact. I think as long as you are honest with your stylist and trust them to complete what you've asked (clarify what 1/4inch means to them) then your half way there.

@Justanotheruser01 is your hair very fine? How long is it? Has it got previous highlights/box dye over it? What products do you use at home? Some people's hair is prone to knotting but before I can answer I'd love some more information about your hair.

Haven't really got 'one' most awkward moment, the worst has to be when there are twelve hair dryers working in unison and you have to rely on lip reading your clients. Can be very awkward when you mis-hear!

@hungryhippie all clients are different. All a blank canvas to me which I can use my expertise and creativity to subtly enhance the clients natural hair, or something crazy and dramatic to give the wow factor. Personally I do not colour my hair, and have a high percentage of clients who also do not, or we work to create very natural effects. Also someone's level of grey could be minimal or full head of white so it really is just working to the clients needs. I have clients who have grown out their colour to a fantastic bright ash white and some clients who genuinely would look ten years younger with a little colour enhancement.

@Onecutefox I would be very surprised if you came home from a salon with head lice. It would depend on the salon of course but I have never known it in all my years. Have you any reason to suspect this happened? Have you let the salon know?

Also I genuinely would never expect a tip. It is really heart warming to receive a tip and to know that the client has given me an extra 'thank you' I know some clients come into the salon for their hair cut and that is what they can afford, but for me, seeing them returning is worth much more than any monetary tip. Again, recommending friends or family is hugely appreciated or things like leaving a positive Facebook review for example. Your stylist would love you for that!

The volumising root powder is great, for dress hair, party hair etc. Unfortunately due to the Matte texture it does leave residue and can make the hair feel dirty. The L'Oréal professional and Redken I can both recommend.

Thank you for your reply

Do you use salon products or do you get them from Tesco? 😁

@Sharpandshineyteeth always professional products! One thing I will always swear by. Get your stylist to prescribe what is best for your hair.

Ehy can I not find a hairdresser/hairstylist here in the UK that is as good as in the continent? Why do all of the ones I try do flat and 'natural' hair when I want masses of volume and glam? Is it a cultural thing?

Why not Ehy!

Can I mix 2 colours together? I have Wella Koleston colour in 3 and 4. One is too light and one is too dark. Can I mix them?

@Immigrantsong you are still on the quest for the perfect stylist, again could you ask any friends/work colleagues places they'd recommend? Maybe phone or email an enquiry to some salons you like the look of and ask which stylist would be most suited to big bouncy hair?

I have a colleague who specialises in big voluminous hair, other colleagues whose signature look is a slick bob or soft pixie. The receptionist should know the different qualities each team member brings, ask them!

@Partyfops although I would advise against home colouring unless you have hairdressing quals... but yes if you mix the two colours with equal parts you will get a balance of each.

Thank you, I have home coloured for a long time as I have a high percentage of grey and very fast growing hair.

The 4 was too light, but it seems a shame to waste it.

Thanks again

Are hairdressers actually trained to cut curly hair?

@tabulahrasa I must say that I don't remember being taught during my college qualification. I trained as an apprentice and my boss who was an excellent cutter did a few clients with curly hair so I learnt a lot from observing and helping with them.

I believe you can't just walk into any salon and expect every stylist to manage curly hair well. Performing a basic haircut is standard, it is down to the individual stylist and whether they have invested in further training to specialise.

Thanks, thefirstcut. Your answers are very helpful. Have you any reason to suspect this happened? Have you let the salon know?
My DS got headlice very soon after visiting the hairdresser but at the time he was still attending school so it's a 50/50 :)

Also I genuinely would never expect a tip. It's very nice and reassuring as sometimes I wonder whether I need to do it or not. If I start tipping everyone I would be left with nothing :(. My hairdresser isn't cheap though.
I was recently told to always tip a pizza delivery person as otherwise they may remember me and spit into my pizza next time. Makes me so sad that it has become like that. My pizza isn't cheap either . It would be cheaper to eat in a restaurant.

The volumising root powder is great, for dress hair, party hair etc. Unfortunately due to the Matte texture it does leave residue and can make the hair feel dirty. The L'Oréal professional and Redken I can both recommend. It's good to know. I was always wondering if the powder could give me an extra volume but I would hate the feeling of something extra. At least you don't have this feeling with mousse or hairspray.

“I believe you can't just walk into any salon and expect every stylist to manage curly hair well.”

Oh I don’t...

I just find they insist they can do curls, some even get quite insulted that you’re even questioning it

Then they start trying to brush it... which in all honesty is the point I probably go, actually I’m leaving, lol.

But I’m not that assertive and they always end up completely ignoring me when I tell them it will not sit the same way wet as dry, that a brush will make it sit differently again and I end up with a cut that I have to straighten to look ok.

Well, I don’t now because I’ve found someone who can do curls...

But I’ve never had a single hairdresser who said actually, no, You’d be better off with someone else.

But because I’ve had nearly 4 decades of that I wondered if they are actually trained to cut curly hair, or just kind of work on the idea that hair is hair?

And I figured I’d get a better answer from you than from someone who’s insisting they can, then doing it badly