You know that amazing, on-top-of-the-world feeling you have when you just get a fresh haircut and if you don't have any plans, you go out and make them, just to show it off to the world? I work the front desk at a beauty salon, and I love that I get to see women feel confident every single day at work. That hair magic is only successful with the cooperation of the entire salon, and they are most motivated to work together when their clients treat them right. If you want to be a salon VIP, allow me to give you a few pieces of advice.
1. Tip the assistants.
For heaven's sake, don't forget about them! They might not chat you up as much as your stylist, but they scrubbed your scalp and made sure your color was correct. Salons take notes on who tips and who doesn't, and not that the assistants will screw up your appointment next time, but they are going to remember.
2. Understand that your time is valued, but the stylist's should be too.
When you book an appointment, salons really do understand life happens. Plans change and get interrupted, but please don't call out your appointment an hour before because you forgot you were actually going away this weekend. It's not that anything will be held against you, but now the stylist has a free hour at the salon they could have used to cut someone else's hair and make their income, and a head's up of at least 24 hours is a huge help.
3. It's okay to not know what you want to have done to your hair!
Stylists are artists! If you have a general idea of what you want done and you want to let them roll with it, they'll really appreciate it. And if you have absolutely no clue what you want but you just need a change, they should have tons of suggestions of what would flatter you or what's trending right now. Especially if the stylist was recommended to you or has years of experience under their belt, why not have some fun with a surprise new look?
4. Don't let a stylist's appearance deceive you–if how they wear their hair isn't how you want it, it doesn't mean they can't give it to you.
If Kacey has purple hair and Stacy has a pixie cut, and neither of those styles interest you, don't think they can't give you the best set of extensions you've ever had.
5. Getting to know your stylist has its perks.
Getting on a texting basis as a client means having the ability to be the first to know about a cancellation when you're desperate for a cut but can't get in the book, or what new trend for your hair or face shape might be perfect.
Hopefully all of these pro tips make you your local salons newest VIP! Be sure to post a nice #selfie on Instagram to show it off to all the haters.
