13 Things Your Hairdresser Won't Tell You

[OceanAnnie]

Interesting list.

"Hairstylists share their tips for understanding their jobs and how to get the most out of your time in the swivel chair.

1. I'm a beautician, not a magician. I can give you Gisele Bündchen's haircut, but I can't give you her face.

2. Come at least five minutes early. If you're running late, please call ahead. Show me some basic respect. This is a business, not fun and games.

3. Don't ask me to "squeeze" you in when I'm already booked. I'd be taking time and effort away from other clients. You wouldn't like being treated that way.

4. Hairdresser school does not teach about counter transference, projection, negative reinforcement, or personality disorders. If you're looking for a therapist, all I have is a tail comb and an opinion.

5. Some women think that if they keep their hair all one length the way it was in high school, everyone will think they're still in high school. Guess what? You're not. As you get older, you need to soften the lines around your face. Layers are the magic remedy.

6. Bodies and hair change as hormones change. If your hair is dry, listless, or brittle, or if it's not holding your color or style the way it used to, see a doctor. If your hair isn't overprocessed, you could be pregnant (surprise!) or menopausal (yes, I can tell).

7. A trim is not "just" a trim. It requires my expertise, skill, knowledge, and time. Would you say to your dentist, "It's just a tooth," or to your doctor, "It's just a leg"?

8. That single bill you stuff into the shampoo person's hands isn't doing her any favors. A dollar bill doesn't buy anything anymore. You should tip her at least $3—more if your hair is long.

9. If you want to buy a bottle of color and do your own hair to save a buck, you can live with the consequences.

10. Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time." That always baffles me. The average time between appointments is six to eight weeks. I have hundreds of clients. How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time? If you want a carbon copy of a cut and style you loved, take a picture and show me.

11. Why do you think a child's haircut should cost less than yours? Kids don't sit still. Kids kick. It's an intense experience.

12. Standing all day and using scissors and a blow-dryer takes its toll—I have arthritis in my fingers, calcium deposits in my wrist, and 10 percent less hearing than I used to. I am a physical wreck.

13. We see women at their worst. Their hair is wet, they have foils on their hair, they have no makeup on. There's nothing for them to hide behind. So they tell us everything. The truth is, I really don't care what they do sexually. I'm only interested in their hair."

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/13-things-your-hairstylist-wont-tell-you-1125547/

 

[binny]

yikes. I guess every profession has its issues but I wouldnt put my travel agent nightmares out there like that. Its kind of rude.

 

[MM27]

5. Some women think that if they keep their hair all one length the way it was in high school, everyone will think they're still in high school. Guess what? You're not. As you get older, you need to soften the lines around your face. Layers are the magic remedy.


The girl I go to always says this. I love to change my hair. I usually go in and ask her what she thinks I should do and she has great ideas. She always tells me that not everyone is so willing and some of her clients still look like they did in the 70s and 80s (hairwise that is). The only thing I've ever said no to was the pink highlights she wanted to add. Told her that probably wouldn't go over very well with my boss

 

[OceanAnnie]

Some of it did sound rude, but I think it's because of the anonymity (plus frustration).

 

[Art 1]

Why do hairdressers expect a tip? I tip waitresses very well for the obvious reasons. My wife pays $150 or so to have her hair done, why should a self employed hairdresser expect a tip for that? A plumber doesn't expect a tip after a repair, dose he or she?

 

[Mermaid02]

Interesting list.

"Hairstylists share their tips for understanding their jobs and how to get the most out of your time in the swivel chair.

1. I'm a beautician, not a magician. I can give you Gisele Bündchen's haircut, but I can't give you her face. No kidding

2. Come at least five minutes early. If you're running late, please call ahead. Show me some basic respect. This is a business, not fun and games. I have NEVER not waited in a salon

3. Don't ask me to "squeeze" you in when I'm already booked. I'd be taking time and effort away from other clients. You wouldn't like being treated that way.

4. Hairdresser school does not teach about counter transference, projection, negative reinforcement, or personality disorders. If you're looking for a therapist, all I have is a tail comb and an opinion. That goes both ways- I don't care about the party you went to or the one you are going to- just do my hair

5. Some women think that if they keep their hair all one length the way it was in high school, everyone will think they're still in high school. Guess what? You're not. As you get older, you need to soften the lines around your face. Layers are the magic remedy. I wish more women would pay attention to this!

6. Bodies and hair change as hormones change. If your hair is dry, listless, or brittle, or if it's not holding your color or style the way it used to, see a doctor. If your hair isn't overprocessed, you could be pregnant (surprise!) or menopausal (yes, I can tell). If you can tell why should I bother to go see my doctor? You're GOOD!

7. A trim is not "just" a trim. It requires my expertise, skill, knowledge, and time. Would you say to your dentist, "It's just a tooth," or to your doctor, "It's just a leg"? I think "just a trim" means "please don't take off significant length"

8. That single bill you stuff into the shampoo person's hands isn't doing her any favors. A dollar bill doesn't buy anything anymore. You should tip her at least $3—more if your hair is long. A tip is a tip- not an automatic.

9. If you want to buy a bottle of color and do your own hair to save a buck, you can live with the consequences. Seriously? Time to find a new stylist.

10. Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time." That always baffles me. The average time between appointments is six to eight weeks. I have hundreds of clients. How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time? If you want a carbon copy of a cut and style you loved, take a picture and show me. I think that unless a COPIOUS amount of time has elapsed, you ought to be able to look at my hair and see what kind of cut you last gave me.

11. Why do you think a child's haircut should cost less than yours? Kids don't sit still. Kids kick. It's an intense experience. Agreed

12. Standing all day and using scissors and a blow-dryer takes its toll—I have arthritis in my fingers, calcium deposits in my wrist, and 10 percent less hearing than I used to. I am a physical wreck. I don't doubt it.

13. We see women at their worst. Their hair is wet, they have foils on their hair, they have no makeup on. There's nothing for them to hide behind. So they tell us everything. The truth is, I really don't care what they do sexually. I'm only interested in their hair." Please see my reply to #4- and don't tell me how hungover you are- I don't care.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/13-things-your-hairstylist-wont-tell-you-1125547/

As you can probably tell from my responses, I thought most of these were just plain rude. A good stylist is worth her weight in gold- I don't think they spoke with many high quality stylists. At least they didn't pick their comments.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...My wife pays $150 or so to have her hair done...

 

[OceanAnnie]

Just for the record, I don't agree with them all or the way they were stated. I just thought it was interesting.

 

[NotUrsula]

5. Some women think that if they keep their hair all one length the way it was in high school, everyone will think they're still in high school. Guess what? You're not. As you get older, you need to soften the lines around your face. Layers are the magic remedy. I wish more women would pay attention to this!

Actually, I *had* layers around my face in high school, but I still had a fair amount of hair in high school. Now I have very little, and I'm losing more every day. They only way to minimize the effect of the near-baldness and hide my scalp is to blunt-cut it, and my hairdresser fully agrees. My hair is cut in a side-parted pageboy with uneven bangs, and it always will be until I have to give up and start wearing wigs like my mother and oldest sister before me.

I have to keep the color light, too, because if it is darker than my skin tone the scalp shines through in stripes like car headlights in the woods.

The point, of course, being that not everyone has the same reasons for choosing a haircut. Memories of high school probably don't much come into it after age 35.

 

[AKL_Megs]

10. Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time." That always baffles me. The average time between appointments is six to eight weeks. I have hundreds of clients. How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time? If you want a carbon copy of a cut and style you loved, take a picture and show me.

I must have a great stylist! Not only does she always remember EXACTLY what she did to my hair last time, she even remembers what SIDE I part my hair on!

She's a keeper!

Love ya, Kia!

 

[MM27]

Why do hairdressers expect a tip? I tip waitresses very well for the obvious reasons. My wife pays $150 or so to have her hair done, why should a self employed hairdresser expect a tip for that? A plumber doesn't expect a tip after a repair, dose he or she?

I pay that much when I get color, highlights and a cut and I always tip my stylist. She is not the owner of the salon and she spends a lot of time with me. She also washes my hair so I don't have a shampoo person to tip.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

Why do hairdressers expect a tip? I tip waitresses very well for the obvious reasons. My wife pays $150 or so to have her hair done, why should a self employed hairdresser expect a tip for that? A plumber doesn't expect a tip after a repair, dose he or she?

ugh unfortunatly that's usually the price i have to pay, also. unless i have a friend of a friend do it for me.

i can go to the store and buy the same stuff for $4 a bottle and then with all of the supplies it costs MAYBE $20. i wouldn't mind even paying like $70 to the hair dresser for the service and everything, but $150....drives me nuts. and that's pratically standard...at least where i live.

As you can probably tell from my responses, I thought most of these were just plain rude. A good stylist is worth her weight in gold- I don't think they spoke with many high quality stylists. At least they didn't pick their comments.

ita. and i have to espically agree with the "i have never NOT waited" i'm constantly waiting. if my appt is for 3:00, i'm there at 2:50 in hopes that MAYBE just MAYBE i'll get in 2 minute early, and i'm usually at least waiting until 3:30

 

[Art 1]

I pay that much when I get color, highlights and a cut and I always tip my stylist. She is not the owner of the salon and she spends a lot of time with me. She also washes my hair so I don't have a shampoo person to tip.

My wife tips the lady as well, too much I think but that's up to her. I'm just saying why do hairstylists expect and get tips. Would you tip your plumber, doctor, lawyer, dentist, counter help at McDonald's or auto mechanic. I'm not trying to argue, just curious what started the tipping of hairstylists. My wife feels it necessary to tip the finger nail and toe nail people as well and gives them a gift at Christmas. She says lots of people do that..

 

[bumbershoot]

yikes. I guess every profession has its issues but I wouldnt put my travel agent nightmares out there like that. Its kind of rude.

I agree.

OP I know it's not you saying all of this.

But the person who did say it...needs to change professions. Or they need to talk to their clients and tell them all of that, instead of it being a list of "what they won't tell you". And then their clients will leave, and she can change professions.


All of that reminds me WHY I don't go to fancy hair people. If I go, I go to a $15 place. Last time I went to an expensive place I gave them specific instructions about what NOT to do, and they did MORE of it (I cannot stand the "longer in the front, stacked in the back" look, told her, and she did it to a SERIOUS extreme despite me saying I did NOT want it). That was my last haircut, other than me fixing what she had done, once the back had grown in enough so I could even it up. Sigh.

Wish my mom were still alive; she did a great job with my hair.

 

[AKL_Megs]

My wife tips the lady as well, too much I think but that's up to her. I'm just saying why do hairstylists expect and get tips. Would you tip your plumber, doctor, lawyer, dentist, counter help at McDonald's or auto mechanic. I'm not trying to argue, just curious what started the tipping of hairstylists. My wife feels it necessary to tip the finger nail and toe nail people as well and gives them a gift at Christmas. She says lots of people do that..

Yeah, people do. And it'll start a debate.

IMO, it's nice to tip them for a job well done.

 

[CathrynRose]

10. Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time." That always baffles me. The average time between appointments is six to eight weeks. I have hundreds of clients. How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time? If you want a carbon copy of a cut and style you loved, take a picture and show me.

l]

Who are these people they're asking with the lists you've been posting?? They're so weird.

This one - it's a little absurd. A stylist normally would remember, and if not - you could pretty much tell what you did, by pulling the hair out and looking at it.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Interesting list.

3. Don't ask me to "squeeze" you in when I'm already booked. I'd be taking time and effort away from other clients. You wouldn't like being treated that way. If you are a really good hair stylist that really cares about your clients, you will find ways to occasionally squeeze someone in if they have an emergency and need a hair cut. Kind of like a doctor squeezing people in that are sick.

7. A trim is not "just" a trim. It requires my expertise, skill, knowledge, and time. Would you say to your dentist, "It's just a tooth," or to your doctor, "It's just a leg"? I agree with OP that said a trim means to not cut a ton off the length. Most people are not good at saying take 1/2 inch off.

10. Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time." That always baffles me. The average time between appointments is six to eight weeks. I have hundreds of clients. How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time? If you want a carbon copy of a cut and style you loved, take a picture and show me. Sorry, but if you are such a great hair stylest than you should pretty be able to tell what you did the last time, the basic style should still be there, it would just be a little longer. Also, don't you keep a book on all of your regular clients? I actually got rid of a stylest that could never manage to remember that I did NOT like my hair being cut and styled to be brushed towards my face and also could not manage to get the color the same every time. One time it would be more red than brown another time it would be borderline black......I like my dark brown hair just fine, just make the gray go away and we are good.

I think some of these comments are comical.

 

[minkydog]

My wife tips the lady as well, too much I think but that's up to her. I'm just saying why do hairstylists expect and get tips. Would you tip your plumber, doctor, lawyer, dentist, counter help at McDonald's or auto mechanic. I'm not trying to argue, just curious what started the tipping of hairstylists. My wife feels it necessary to tip the finger nail and toe nail people as well and gives them a gift at Christmas. She says lots of people do that..

I always tip my hairstylist and nail technicians. Most of them have to pay the owner for their station, so all that money you're paying them has to be split with someone else. Hairdressers and nail techs don't make a ton of money, unless they're in a pretty upscale salon. I don't tip my doctor because he's making about 5 times what I am. My plumber makes a good living as well. But I tip waitstaff, massage therapists, and any other service provider who I think does great work for me.

 

[Buckalew11]

Interesting list.

"Hairstylists share their tips for understanding their jobs and how to get the most out of your time in the swivel chair.

1. I'm a beautician, not a magician. I can give you Gisele Bündchen's haircut, but I can't give you her face.



2. Come at least five minutes early. If you're running late, please call ahead. Show me some basic respect. This is a business, not fun and games.

I don't have this problem really. In general people NEVER wait on me--because I don't like to wait either. I can tell you almost to the minute when to come by looking at my book and who is down. If you're running late, expect a haircut and to leave wet if you want in that day.

3. Don't ask me to "squeeze" you in when I'm already booked. I'd be taking time and effort away from other clients. You wouldn't like being treated that way.



4. Hairdresser school does not teach about counter transference, projection, negative reinforcement, or personality disorders. If you're looking for a therapist, all I have is a tail comb and an opinion.

I had someone this week make an appointment in two weeks because it is "therapy".

5. Some women think that if they keep their hair all one length the way it was in high school, everyone will think they're still in high school. Guess what? You're not. As you get older, you need to soften the lines around your face. Layers are the magic remedy.

True, in general.



6. Bodies and hair change as hormones change. If your hair is dry, listless, or brittle, or if it's not holding your color or style the way it used to, see a doctor. If your hair isn't overprocessed, you could be pregnant (surprise!) or menopausal (yes, I can tell).



7. A trim is not "just" a trim. It requires my expertise, skill, knowledge, and time. Would you say to your dentist, "It's just a tooth," or to your doctor, "It's just a leg"?

I think Mermaid misunderstood this one: While "just a trim" is just a trim, (and misundersttod often by hairdressers, I know.) people will call to be worked in and say, "It's just a TRIM!" No difference. For the most part whether I take 1/2" off or take 5" off it takes the same amount of time. Working in *just* a TRIM is going to run everyone behind.



8. That single bill you stuff into the shampoo person's hands isn't doing her any favors. A dollar bill doesn't buy anything anymore. You should tip her at least $3—more if your hair is long.

While the hairdresser is speaking about the shampoo person and not herself/himself, tips are optional, period. 1.00-10.00, it is up to the client. Maybe they'll give the shampoo person YOUR tip! lol



9. If you want to buy a bottle of color and do your own hair to save a buck, you can live with the consequences.

I don't feel this way at all. however, if something gets badly screwed up, I'm going to charge for corrective color and not a regular color charge.

10. Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time." That always baffles me. The average time between appointments is six to eight weeks. I have hundreds of clients. How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time? If you want a carbon copy of a cut and style you loved, take a picture and show me.

My average client waits 4 to 6 weeks. Probably because my prices are so reasonable. But anyway, it scares me to think that a hairdresser wouldn't be able tell his or her own work. One should always be able to tell what one did at the last haircut. However, if you are growing something out, please feel free to remind me.

11. Why do you think a child's haircut should cost less than yours? Kids don't sit still. Kids kick. It's an intense experience.

However, I do charge less for kids and even after 27 yrs, I do not know why I do this.

12. Standing all day and using scissors and a blow-dryer takes its toll—I have arthritis in my fingers, calcium deposits in my wrist, and 10 percent less hearing than I used to. I am a physical wreck.

I'm not a wreck just yet, thankyouverymuch.

13. We see women at their worst. Their hair is wet, they have foils on their hair, they have no makeup on. There's nothing for them to hide behind. So they tell us everything. The truth is, I really don't care what they do sexually. I'm only interested in their hair."

Not sure what to say here...I love my clientele. That's all.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/13-things-your-hairstylist-wont-tell-you-1125547/

Interesting comments though.

edited to add: I do not squeeze people in. I may come in early, I may stay late or I may work you in on my lunch if I get one. But I don't squeeze people in. I do not have an assistant or a shampoo person, I'm on my own so no help.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I always tip my hairstylist and nail technicians. Most of them have to pay the owner for their station, so all that money you're paying them has to be split with someone else. Hairdressers and nail techs don't make a ton of money, unless they're in a pretty upscale salon. I don't tip my doctor because he's making about 5 times what I am. My plumber makes a good living as well. But I tip waitstaff, massage therapists, and any other service provider who I think does great work for me.

i stopped tipping the nail salon people when i saw that most of them drove cars that were well over $40,000 and when they changed a lot of the girls doing them, and the service wasn't really that great anymore. if i get one of the girls that have been there for a while that i know i'll tip them, but the new girls really aren't good enough yet.