Consultation Do's and Don'ts
There are a lot of factors that go into a good consultation. Face and head shape, proportionality and balance, skin tone and color are all part of designing a color and style that is right for you. But is that enough?
My experience with unsatisfied clients tells me that most get what is called a "drive-by" consultation. How many times have you gone into the salon, sat in the chair and been asked "So what do you want today?" You pull out your phone and show a look you found on Pinterest and the stylist says "I love that look, let's do it!" You trust that he/she knows what they are doing. In the end you leave feeling something something is just not right, but you are afraid to say anything for fear of offending your stylist.
In a survey done in 2014 "One in five have been so disappointed they have withheld a tip, one in ten have refused to pay the bill, and one per cent have even threatened to sue a salon after a bad haircut."
"The most common triggers for a hair styling disaster were a drastic change from long hair to short, concerns the style didn't compliment their face and a stylist's blatant disregard of instructions.
The wrong hair color, flat hair, big hair and overly-processed locks were also major grumbles."
I have consulted with many clients who come in angry, frustrated and spoiling for a fight. Why, you ask? My experience tells me that they feel like they have not been listened to and believe all stylists are alike. At Studio 66 we believe in a thorough consultation that ends with you achieving the look you want, not the look the stylist feels like doing.
This means that each time a client sits in my chair, regardless of how often I do their hair, we do a consultation. Why? Because there are a lot of factors that can change a look between appointments. Have you been on vacation? Started at the gym? Summer swimming? Stressful life event? Grey hair starting? One or 2 weeks behind in your appointment? There are a myriad of reasons to reassess your cut and colour every time you come in.
The most important factor to me is that the guest understands and is comfortable with the long term upkeep and cost of the look we are going to create.
We haven't even discussed the other main factor that must be part of the consultation, can you guess what it is? I'll talk about that part of the consultation equation next time. Your take-away?... if you aren't comfortable with your stylist, you won't be comfortable with your hair.
Take care, and Happy Hair!!!
Viv is an award winning stylist with 30 years experience, constant training and a passion for style and service!
