Some people know, and some people do not. But I once was a
practicing Cosmetologist. Having been raised in the beauty industry it just
seemed like something I should do, that I HAD to do! I wasn't the best, and I
wasn't the worst. Which was a feat considering my education, which was
overpriced and underwhelming? I was told a lot of things that made no sense to
me in Beauty School (BS) (hahaha), but I figured things held a different
meaning for me and I understood parts of the business that even my instructors
wouldn't. Why? Because, my Grandmother had her own shop for almost 50 years, everything
I know about color I learned from her before I was seven. So, color theory
class was BORING. But, to get to the whole point of this post. The biggest lie
I was ever told during BS was that you should choose your stylist based on
their hair, or their families hair. For
some reason this made sense to me for a little bit. My Grandmother was amazing,
and she always looked impeccable(I wouldn't learn until later that to look this
way she woke up 2 hours before everyone else and coiffed her hair and
beautified her face then dressed to the 9's before cooking breakfast)! She also
did my hair and my mother's for years and years and to be honest my hair never
looked better than when my Grandma was doing it.
But, the reality of everything hit me after about 9 months
of doing hair. I switched shops and worked with a friend from BS. We were both
building our clientele then and had PLENTY of time to make ourselves look
AMAZEBALLS! Her boys and husband had the nicest hair that side of the
Mississippi. Then life got real, we got clients, we switched shops. We had no
time! So, what am I saying?
Do not choose your stylist based on his/her hair, unless
you're going to base it off how "not perfect" their hair looks. A
stylist spends her day on her feet; there is rarely a break between clients. In
the off chance she manages to get any free time, she's going to spend it trying
to choke down some food, or to have a bio break. Also, it's rare that a stylist
cuts and colors her own hair, so you're probably looking at someone else's
work.
Do not choose your stylist based on their families hair.
Some do like to spend their off time making their people look good. Others
don't want to spend their off time doing hair, sure we love it, but you have to
take a break sometimes.
Pick your stylist based on their clientele's hair. Its 2013
the majority of stylists have a portfolio; don't be afraid to ask to look at it
before you go sitting in someone's chair. Supposedly, your hair is your
crowning glory, be careful with it (even if it does grow back), choose wisely.
And if you find someone you love who does a good job. TIP THEM!!
A normal tip is about 20% of your service; if there was shampoo
girl/boy tip them separately from your stylist.
I even tip on horrible service, but just enough for them to
know they need to keep working on their skills usually about 10%.
And above all remember your stylist is:
A Beautician, Not a Magician.
Be reasonable in your expectations.