Top 7 Signs It’s Time to Look for a New Stylist

 

Photo: Punchstock

 

1)     You seem to have more and more “creative differences” with your stylist.

 

I once left a salon because I had to keep begging to get a roller set.  The stylist preferred how hair laid with a blow out.  We would then get into a theoretical debate on what is better for your hair.  On another occasion, a stylist said that he was “bored” of doing my hair the way I liked it.  I told him “I’m sorry that my hair is not inspiring you today.”

 

2)     You have heard the line “she is on her way” one too many times.

 

Imagine racing from your job or errands to arrive at the salon only to hear “she is on her way.”  It really makes you feel like your time is not valued.  Thanks, I am “on my way” to another salon.

 

3)     You start to feel like the money that you are spending is not worth the results.

 

It’s unrealistic to expect miracles but if your stylist brags that he caters to “high-end” or celebrity clients (translation you are paying a pretty penny) and your hair only looks decent, there is a problem.  I guess it’s like the old Suave TV commercial when they ask you to choose which woman uses the expensive shampoo.  Who wants to be the chick on the right who over-paid for average results?

 

4)     The salon atmosphere is not consistent with your personal values.

 

This really is a matter of personal taste.  Some women like that beauty salon to feel like going to a party. The sound system plays the latest CD, women chat across dryers and laugh together.  The shampoo girl doubles as a stand-up comedian telling endless routines.  Others would prefer more of a day spa experience with mellow background music that enables one to get lost in her own thoughts.

 

5)     You realize that your stylist does not have a license.

 

The licensing requirements differ from state to state but you are rolling the dice if you allow an unlicensed stylist to do your hair.  Most people are familiar with looking up on the wall in the stylist’s station area for the framed license.  In some states, the shampoo assistants have formal license requirements.  Most state cosmetology boards (http://www.nictesting.org/websites.htm) allow you to query online to check the status of individual licenses.

 

6)     You realize that your stylist always triple-books your appointment time and each visit becomes an all-day event.

 

When you visit the salon as a walk-in, most people understand that there may be a wait.   Most people are less understanding when they actually go through the process of making an appointment.  When it becomes standard to have a 12 pm appointment but not make it close to the chair until 1 pm and then not leave the salon until 5 pm, many women start to lose patience.  Some of us have learned to shrug it off by saying “that’s just how black salons are.”  I remember on my prom day, my mother and I arrived at a salon at 8 am to join a line of others waiting to get their hair done.  I didn’t leave the salon until 2 or 3 pm.  For me this visit was only for a special occasion, but many of the others in line went through this experience every week.  As an adult, I demand more respect for my time.

 

7)     Your stylist suggests techniques that you know are inappropriate or would be harmful to your hair.

 

When your hair stylist talks about applying relaxer around the edges (“halo” relaxer) and other techniques that are not endorsed by the hair product manufacturers, just get out of the chair.  One bad visit could lead to 6 months to a year of trying to repair the problem created by the stylist inappropriately handling your hair.

 

If you need to help to “woman up” to break up with your hair sytlist, see my earlier post on the subject.  Please send me your lists…