It's getting to be highlight season again...

Whenever we start to move out of the winter months I start getting the subtle requests for "something different," "maybe a couple lighter pieces here and there." As "unnatural" as some believe hair coloring is, this feeling for a change is as natural as it is for flowers to bloom and birds to hatch...it's SPRING!

There is No Magic Highlighter for All Hair

Highlights are great, but there is not a simple one color highlight solution for everyone. Unless you are a college dude who just wants to have yellow hair for the summer, you should get some consultation on what color of highlights to get and basic placement of them as well.

Get Some Ideas

This is something I rarely have to remind women to do, but just in case, search the internet or magazines for hair styles you like with face shapes and skin tones similar to yours. It's important to be able to picture yourself with a style you like as well as one you can actually achieve.

Ask Your Hairdresser Before

Springing a new idea on the person who is ready to do the usual isn't always the best idea. Granted, most hairdressers are expecting the client to have some changes in mind, but give them a little prep time so it doesn't turn into a last minute rush job. Again, not only is color important, but placement as well.

Hair for the Holidays

Holidays are one of the busiest times of year for the active hair stylist and there's good reason. 

4 reasons people get their hair done for the holidays.

1. Don't look at my thighs...

We all want to look our best this time of year.  But most of us put on a couple pounds, and break out our "fat jeans, slacks, skirts etc." Yeah, that's right you're not alone.

So, what can we do to pull the attention away from the frump?  Do the Do.

2. Don't look at my sweater...

Holiday photos are always a sure way to get people to care about their mange.   

3.  Auld and new...

It's a great way to start off a New Year with a fresh new look!

4. It's the gift that keeps on growing...

Get those Gift Certificates ready!

Bad Hair - Corrective Treatments - Where to Start

So, it's happened to all of us over the years -- hair dressers and clients alike: "oops, that isn't what I was hoping for."

So, what do you do when the perm you were hoping for turns out to be more poodle than noodle? Here are a few helpful hints to get yourself closer to the "do" and away from the "doh!"

Don't freak out.

Blowing your top after getting a lousy lid will most likely be your first instinct. Unfortunately, it is not always in your best interest to react as naturally as you may feel you need to. Depending on the severity of the disappointment in your hair, take a few minutes alone to sit with it. Most hair dressers will give you 24 hours to wear a mistake and decide if you need corrective treatment, so, although it may feel right at the time, try to be as calm and collected as you can be when first discovering you have a new problem to resolve.

Address the issue at hand.

Try to seperate out any other problems you may have in your life and/or with your hair dresser from the current situation. It is imperitive that you are able to succinctly and tactfully let your stylist know what exactly the problem is with your hair. Focus on what it will take to make it better, not just the overwhelming feeling of "this isn't what I wanted!"

Be reasonable.

We are all human, and we all make mistakes sometimes. If you are reasonable, you have a much more likely chance of getting reasonable service in return. After all, as important as it is to you at that moment, you may want to remain cordial with your salon and stylist down the road. You can expect a free corrective color, but don't expect them to give you a life time supply of free product or hair cuts. Business is business.

Get a second opinion.

It's easy to get opinions when you ask for them. Just be aware of whose opinion you are gettting and just how many grains of salt to take along with it. Most of the time your friends or relatives will either completely agree with you or try to smooth it over. It's good to be able to read these opinions, but sometimes it's better if you can get a stranger's opinion. Although, even this is tough to truly know what they are thinking. Sometimes co-workers and neighbors are the best sounding boards as they see you frequently but are not part of your inner circle.

After all is said and done, you may still have a slight chip on your shoulder and it's understandable...it is your hair, and we all know how important it is, otherwise we wouldn't be in the business of doing it. Hopefully you never have to deal with these issues, but if you do, try to at least count to ten and know that, eventually, you will be able to look back on this as a distant memory.

Product Product - Goo - Selling and Using the Right Hair Stuff

PRODUCT! Push the product...most of us have either heard that from the salon higher-ups or said it ourselves. So, what is it with product anyway? Why is it so important? Aside from putting a couple extra bucks in the owner's hands or moving the inventory so they don't have to discount it in a year, what else does product do?

Well, first, let's agree that product is anything that touches the client's hair...shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, mousse, foam, gel, and everything in between...it's all simply called product. Here are a few good reasons to send your hair home with some new product.

It leaves with the client. Think of product as something you give your client to remember you. It is an acknowledgement, 1. that they trust you and 2. that you care about them. Every time they are in the shower by themselves and they reach for that awesome new shampoo and conditioner you suggested for their color and curl, they will be thinking of you and, if it works, thanking you.

It keeps you sharp. Like it or not, the hair industry is continuously growing and changing. Companies come out with new products every few months now and it seems that new hair product companies are showing up every time you go to the beauty supply. Looking for new product is a pro-active way for you to embrace newness in your career and it shows your clients that as much as they might read up on their hair on the internet or in fashion magazines, YOU are intimately tied to the root source and are always open to new ideas.

It's fun! Buying new stuff is always exciting, for you and for the client. Trying out a new product you may have seen at the supply or that a fellow dresser may have suggested is a way of spicing up an otherwise humdrum routine. And the same goes for your clients. When they come see you every 4 to 6 weeks, they're already looking forward to walking out with their hair all fresh, and throwing a new product in there that they had never seen, smelled or heard of before can be that cherry on top.

So, now that we all agree, product has it's place in our lives, what's next? Selling!

How do you move your product?

There are several tips listed below. Many of which you have probably seen or heard before, but we challenge you to read through these and visualize how you will apply them to your life.

Get the right product. Many times the salons we work in carry products they prefer to sell. There is nothing wrong with this and it really should be a blessing to have an entire stock, ready to bag up, right there at your finger tips. The important thing is to find amongst those products, the perfect match for your client because, above all else, you must BELIEVE in the product. If you use the products and you think they are not up to par, don't push them on your client...that will just turn into a constant reminder of how you led them astray and took their money in the process. However, if you find a product that you honestly feel can help them...whether it is for a flaky scalp, or a frizzy head, or fly-away hair, you'll often find the salesman in you will come out without even trying.

Give them a taste. It's like with anything, let them take the product for a little spin. Obviously, use it on them while they are in your chair, and when you do, make sure they know why you are using the product and what the product is. Tell them it's something you really like and think they will really like and benefit from it also.

DON'T give FREE product. Unless you have pre-packaged samples from the manufacturer/vendor, don't give free samples to take home. As consumers we tend to place value on things according to how much it cost us to get it...either by working or by money. If you give product away for free, it devalues not only the product, but you. Plus, that penny-pinching client you give that sample to that one time is gauranteed to come back asking for more free stuff next time.

Plan a-head. Look through your book over the next week and think of what those clients could use for their hair. Try to imagine what they might be looking for every day that they are NOT sitting in your chair...is it too curly? Too wavy? Too flaky?

Product for Everyone! Don't give up. Not every client is going to buy what you are trying to sell them every time. However, there is a good product for every client. So, even if they don't buy this time, try a different product next time or just try the same thing...no harm done when all you are trying to do is help them love their hair more.

This isn't the end all be all list of things that will gaurantee your selling of product, but hopefully these tips will help you move that stuff a little easier and, in the end, make for a list of happier clients.

What you should and shouldn't talk about behind the chair.

Most stylists learn early on that there are three main subjects you never discuss with your clients:

1. Politics

2. Religion

3. Personal Life

And there is good reason for this. The most obvious of these are that you don't want to risk losing a client over their personal feelings on who should be president, what church they go to or who's team their on, if you catch my pitch.

But let's face it, these are the subjects that are the most fun and tantalizing -- which, ironically, are two reasons why you should probably stay away from these topics.

Now, as with anything, there are always exceptions to the rules. If you're a free-lance stylist like I am and you don't work in a busy salon with other stylists and their clients you can often (depending on the client) talk about such things. You know who they are and so do they. That's not to say that you shouldn't always use discretion and weigh your thoughts and words carefully. But don't be surprised when you hear the clients bring up one of these subjects especially when it comes to their personal lives.

I'm a Hairdresser Not a Shrink!

We all know we're stylists/thereapists, but be careful to never give advice when it comes to issues close to the heart...even when asked. It's difficult since as humans, our instinct is so often to try to offer help in any situation and as a stylist, you try to make your client as comfortable as possible. This will often lead to them lowering their guard and eventually, they will ask you for your opinion. I have found it helpful to say things like "Have you talked to your friends or family?" This subtle comment often gets them back on track and lets them understand that you are neither a friend or family member.

However, if they continue to press and it makes you uncomfortable, don't be afraid to tell them just that. Use kind words and non confrontational tones like "I don't know, my personal life is so bad/boring/inconsequential I don't think I have any room to talk." Or "If I wanted to get into politics I would have studied my history more, I'm terrible at that stuff."

Getting the Best Deal

So, if you live in the United States of America, or even just on or around planet earth...you want to know that you're getting a good deal on whatever it is. There are a few priveleged or ignorant folks who simply don't care...they just want a service or a product from somewhere or someone and they don't care how much it costs them. Some people even prefer to pay more for something just to say they did...we will continue this article with the assumption you are not one of them.

So, how do you know when you are getting ripped off? What makes a good service or product a bad deal; or vice versa, a bad service a good deal? Is that even possible? Not really. Most of this stuff can apply to all facets of shopping, but we will also focus on our particular field, hair.

As with anything it's often a matter of perspective. But there are a few things you can do to help insure that you are being smart about your purchase rather than just impetuous. No one likes getting home and feeling that "buyer's remorse," and all though some may say it is unavoidable at times, we say, be prepared...that and, read these few tips to help guide you through the jungle of options out there.

SHOP AND COMPARE

It's not just coincidence that every mattress store out there says this...it's the smart thing to do and most retailers and service providers know this. If you are uncomfortable paying what you do for the service you're receiving, do a little research. Now days, it's not difficult. Here are a few suggestions to get started.

Internet: go to google.com and search for the product or service you want. But don't stop there, use other search engines also...the internet is nothing if not full of people trying to out sell each other. If you don't find a great deal, at least you can find out what people are paying for similar things.

Magazines/Catalogs: Consumer Reports is still one of the best things you can get for product value research. But this won't help you much with hair services. Besides that, depending on what it is you're looking for, relevant magazines are a good place to find product comparisons as well as consumer opinions. Catalogs won't often give you much information about the products they sell, but it is a great way to compare prices.

Personal Refereces: Honestly, there is no better advertisement than actual physical testimony and proof from a fellow consumer. If you hear it from someone about that fabulous color they received from their hairdresser, ask for that number. It's easy for many poor stylists and hairdressers to "get by" in the ever-growing world or fashion and hair, especially when they are just a drop in the proverbial salon bucket (such as a "Fantastic" or "Super" place).

What is a Good Deal?

Some people will tell you their horror stories of how bad they got burned (sometimes literally depending on the chemical treatments they may have received) at their last place. Some people will also say they got a great cut and style at a little boutique, "but it wasn't cheap." It really is a toss up and at times, you just want to throw your hands up and shave it off completely. So, here are some of the things to consider in the value trade-off game.

All stylists are not created equal. Just because they are working at the priciest little salon in town, doesn't mean they know their yellow from their ash. It's a good idea to find out how long they have been working there and what they specialize in. A good stylist will know their limitations.

Same goes for the guys and gals that might work at a hair Super outlet that now offers a very good deal on a cut and color. Just because they landed a job there does not mean the stylist you are seeing on that particular day will know what you want or have the ability to deliver it. How long have they been doing hair? Do they specialize in color or do they do mostly Men's hair cuts? As a rule of thumb, think of these hair chains as boot camp. It's a place for the stylists to get their feet wet and decide if this is something they can do as a career or if it's just a job until they meet their prince charming. If you're a guy just looking for a buzz that will grow back in 2 to 3 weeks anyway, by all means, walk in and take a little off the top. But for the concerned lady of the house, beware, these places are NOT where you will find your seasoned, competant stylists.

The cost of corrective treatments often doubles or triples the cost of a "cheap do." So, if you're going to throw caution to the wind and just swing into Tweedle Dee's Affordable Hair Cuts and Color...or worse, Sally's, Safeway, Stop and Shop, Albertson's or Ralph's and get your own color, bleach or perm to take home, just remember that the damage you may do will take several steps to recover from. Look, we all want a good deal, but the truth is, it often pays to fork over an extra $40 to a stylist with some knowledge and experience. After all, it's what they do for a LIVING, not just something they did on a whim.

In the end, there's no way to gaurantee you will not get a bum deal. It happens from time to time. Hopefully though, if you've done your research and you follow your gut, you will end up happier for the time being. After all, a good deal is one you walk away from with a smile on your face...the best deal is one you tell your friends and family about.

Flat Hair - Ugh

So, you have some plain ol' straight boring, fine hair and for some reason or another, it's just so flat lately!

For some, it may always be flat. For others, it may be something that has happened recently (hence you have searched and found this helpful little article on flat hair).

Either way, you want fuller, richer hair and you just don't believe those treatment and conditioner commercials anymore.

Some of those actually work for some people, believe it or not...but if you're here, looking for advice, you may have already been burned by some of those products.

Here are few healthy things you can do for your hair to help bring some life into the limp locks.

1. Pull your hair back in a bun or if your hair is shorter, pull it into a ponytail as it dries. This will help to keep moisture in the hair as it dries and also, as your hair has "memory," this will help it want to stay "up" once you let it down. Blow drying your hair upside down can also cause a similar effect, although

2. Highlighting or coloring fills the hair strand thus causing them to plump up nicely for a fuller look.

3. Products can be very helpful. You just need to know what products you need. As a rule, you get what you pay for when it comes to your average beauty supply products. And it is also the best place to find a quality product. Stuff you see at the super market generally won't give you the end results you're looking for simply because they have a huge marketing campaign and will sell crap for less than the expensive stuff. On the other end of the spectrum are the $100/oz products you may find at a boutique in Beverly Hills, also, don't buy into it just because it is sold exclusively there. Go to a beauty supply and browse around there. It may not be as inexpensive as the stuff at the super market, but this is where you will find the most competitive brands with the largest budgets for research and development, rather than advertising.

4. Vitamin supplements. It's very simple - we are what we eat. Healthy hair is a sign of a healthy lifestyle and vice versa. If you're suffering from light, brittle, fly-away, flat hair, start taking a daily vitamin. USER TIP: Prenatal vitamins are not just for pregnant women. More than one person has testified to the amazing difference in their hair and nails after just a couple weeks of taking 1 prenatal vitamin a day.

And if you haven't yet, ask your stylist for some suggestions! Most likely they have some experience with this subject as they have many clients with many kinds of hair and if they can't help you, they may know another stylist with similar hair to yours.