Going to a hair salon is one of those things that most of us do a few times a year, but there are some things you should know before you go.
I interviewed two hairstylists, Holly, the owner of Tangles of Corunna, and Vanessa, a stylist at JC's Hair Design, and there's a lot they really want you to know before your next visit.
First of all, they want you to know that they don't mind the silence.
If not, then you don't have to make awkward small talk with them if you don't want to.
Seriously, please, close your eyes when getting shampooed. It's really uncomfortable when you're staring up at them.
If you need to move or fidget, try and let your stylist know so they'll get those scissors away from your face.
Salons often have other appointments scheduled after yours, and if you show up late, it puts everyone else behind.
Seriously, it's just a huge sign of disrespect for your stylist's time and their other clients.
Keep in mind that if the haircut you want is styled in the picture, you'll have to style it daily to get it looking the same.
If commitment scares you, maybe think twice about the style.
If you're looking to get Beyoncé-level curls and volume, but your hair type is actually fine and straight like Jennifer Aniston's, you're just going to leave unhappy.
Watch them while they work on your hair and ask questions! That way you can look salon-fresh every day.
To quote Holly, "If you want three layers, you would end up with three lines in your hair, it's just stupid."
It does, however, keep your hair healthy and free of nasty split ends.
You should still get frequent trims because your stylist will have to take off less length than if you wait over a year to get it cut.
"I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to pull out my scissors and cut somebody's long hair because the ends are so bad," Holly explained.
You'll notice on your second lather that you only need a tiny amount of shampoo to get a lot of suds, and you'll be able to see the difference in your hair after it's dry.
So, if you have colored hair, you can't lighten it with another color unless you strip it with bleach first.
Think of a brown crayon. Coloring over top with a yellow crayon wouldn't work, and the same logic goes for hair dye.
In fact, there's a good chance that won't even happen in just one appointment.
"It's a process. Hairstylists want nothing but to keep the integrity of your hair," says Vanessa.
(Don't worry, they'll still fix it for you. Just don't be cheap next time.)
You're paying big dollars for the experience that the salon provides, but there's no promise that your haircut is going to be any better.
Alternatively, you can search online for reviews of local stylists in your area.
Also, be sure to check out a stylist's Instagram page. It's a great way to see evidence of their work.
If you pay $150 for your cut and color, know that the stylist definitely isn't pocketing anywhere near close to that for their work.
If they didn't do a fantastic job, don't feel obliged to tip as much.
Can you imagine how awkward this is for your stylist, especially if they aren't even the ones setting the prices?
You won't hurt their feelings, they promise.
Just be descriptive with what you don't like. The more details, the better!
If you are unhappy with your look but choose not to address it, then please don't write a negative review.
Stylists often rely on word of mouth, so the bottom line is, say something if you aren't happy!
Using the correct products will maintain your look and save you money in the long-run.
So you have to make sure you're using a color-safe shampoo, and something with a proper PH balance to really make it last.
Stylists can immediately tell when there's a chemical buildup, which is really hard to get rid of if you wait too long.
Your stylist will thank you!
