Banishing Bad Hair Days since 1997!™
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - NEWBIE in need of advice
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Forum LockedNEWBIE in need of advice

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
DEF View Drop Down
Unregistered
Unregistered
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DEF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: NEWBIE in need of advice
    Posted: January 12 2000 at 2:34am
i'll be graduating from hairschool in DEC and was hoping somone could give me some advice on starting out in the "REAL WORLD". What do you wish you knew then that you know now? any and all advice on any and all aspects of starting out in hair is much appreciated!-def
Back to Top
Laura Jane View Drop Down
Unregistered
Unregistered
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Laura Jane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 12 2000 at 2:34am
Well, I'm not a hair care professional, but speaking as someone who has been a salon customer, and as someone who has seen a lot of discussion on this subject, the biggest complaint I've seen (and had myself) is that stylists don't listen to their customers, especially those with long hair. Stylists often seem to pressure long-haired people into shorter cuts, or even cut more than requested against the express directions of the customer.This is so much of a problem that my husband refuses to allow a professional to cut my hair - he has learned to trim it himself, because he knows he won't take off more than I want him to. (Ok, if I insisted, I could go to a salon for a cut - my husband doesn't give me orders; however, the main purpose in growing my hair long was to make him happy, so I respect his wishes about that. It works both ways - he listens to my requests about his appearance too. It's a good system, actually.)I understand that one part of a stylist's role can be to offer advice as to what would suit a client's appearance, but when someone who has obviously committed many years to growing hair comes in and asks for a trim, it's rude to do more than gently suggest a change. If someone comes in knowing exactly what he or she wants, that should be what the stylist does, unless there's a reason that won't work (eg someone with short straight hair wants long curls, or someone with thin hair wants a thick, shaggy cut).I don't know how much this is relevant to you - I suspect that you're more willing to listen than most, since you're asking for advice already. That's just my pet peeve about stylists. If I could find one I was sure I could trust, I might be willing to have a professional work on my hair. As it is, I haven't been to a salon except to buy shampoo and other products in over 5 years.Laura Janelswanson@sunflower.bio.indiana.edu
Back to Top
blade7 View Drop Down
Unregistered
Unregistered
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote blade7 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 12 2000 at 2:34am
> i'll be graduating from hairschool in DEC and was> hoping somone could give me some advice on starting> out in the "REAL WORLD". What do you wish> you knew then that you know now? any and all advice on> any and all aspects of starting out in hair is much> appreciated!> -defOk def, just a few things off the top of my head as follows:1 The customer is not always right,but you cant let them know that. You have to be smart enough to manuver a client into a better stlye, and that may take several cuts or just one, you never know. 2 Do not get in the trap of doing the newest style, you will get your chance to do those types of styles. Good mainline conservative styles will put money in your pocket. That will also allow you to get some trendy style work as well. 3 Get a hobby that is in no way connected to hairdressing, it will help you to unwind and help fight off , burn out! 4. Develop your own clients, dont get in the trap of working for a salon that provides you with clients. It will take longer to develop a client base this way, but in the long run it will make you more money. 5.Dont actively seek out doing long styles, that doesnt mean to forget it, but you will make more money on shorter styles. Most long haired clients will not get nearly as many services as a client with short hair. 6 . Your own personal hair design needs to make a statement, many times it will offer you the opportunity give out your card if someone makes a comment about your cut. These comments are probably gonna bring some negative opionions my way, but such is life. I hope these ideas help a little. PS. Go to as many hairshows as you can afford!
Back to Top
Dave View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: February 28 2001
Location: home
Status: Offline
Points: 11
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 12 2000 at 2:35am
After reading the replies from Laura Jane (first), and then from "blade7," Iwas struck by blade7's first point.I have no problem with any of his other points -- even number 5. He hasexpressed what seems to be a number of good ideas.However, to me, his point number 1 smacks of arrogance. The customer is theclient. The customer's (feasible) wishes should be honored -- first and foremost.Any stylist who seeks to impose their own wishes on the client, contrary to theclient's request, is unprofessional, and does not understand the basic principleof the customer-client relationship. The idea that the stylist "has to be smartenough to manuver(sic) a client into a better stlye(sic)..." speaks poorly ofthe stylist's sense of the infallability of his own judgment, and of his coercivetactics.Dave
David M Squires
Back to Top
Diane View Drop Down
Unregistered
Unregistered
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Diane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 12 2000 at 2:35am
> i'll be graduating from hairschool in DEC and was> hoping somone could give me some advice on starting> out in the "REAL WORLD". What do you wish> you knew then that you know now? any and all advice on> any and all aspects of starting out in hair is much> appreciated!> -defHello ,I wish you the very best in your career. I am a long hair female that gives my stylist lots of business by buying good products in her salon. She appreciates my long hair and is very gentle with it and always thinks of me.Its common sense if I come in with long hair the stylist better respect my wishes.The salon is extremely busy with ten stylist in it and all of them are doing very well because they strongly believe in customer service and they listen to their clients wishes. They keep up with the lastest styles . They also care very much for people such myself and my stylist happen to remember my name when I come in to just buy a product.I am very touched by such efforts knowing full well its hard to remember so many clients but she on top of things. She used to be very long hair woman herself.They keep themself on top of the lastest styles and have magazines and books of many styles around.She will tell me if I really need to buy something and I trust her because she is very honest and puts me first.Being sucessful means knowing your clients wishes, respecting them, keeping yourself informed , making a name for yourself by doing all the above . There is nothing wrong learning from the best in the market . Many successful people had a mentor to learn from.There is so much to say about that.Of course you do realize if you want to end up sleeping on the streets being very poor alll you have to do is follow Blade 7 advice. I can't believe he really believes in that stupid advice . He as a human being wouldn't appreciate not being respected as a customer.Diane
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down