A Cut Above: How to choose a professional Hair Salon and Stylist

When choosing a hair salon, your first appointment should be for a consultation with a stylist who is recommended by a friend or a salon as seen in a local advertisement.

Don’t determine the stylist’s experience by the price that is charged for their service, there are many expert hair designers that can please you at affordable prices. It’s not rude to ask how long they have been working in their profession, as well as attending classes to keep up with the latest techniques and fashion trends.

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Most professional salons will employ junior and senior stylists. Their prices should vary with the experience and education of the individual and it’s up to you to choose the level of expertise you wish to work with. The secret to perfect looking hair on celebrities such as Amal Clooney and Sarah Jessica Parker, is their $600 haircut by Serge Normant of John Frieda Salon in Chelsea.

What should the stylist consider when meeting you? They should explain what could be done to improve and maintain the appearance of your hair. They should notice how you are wearing your hair.

Your height and weight should always be considered important to help balance the haircut and hairstyle with body proportions. This is especially important to the mature client.

The stylist should consider what shape is your face. This will determine how long, or short, wide or close you should wear your hair.

What lifestyle you live, casual or formal, and also what type of clothing you wear most often, are important for a stylist to understand in suggesting the proper hair style and makeup that will complement your personality.

The texture and condition of your hair should be considered before any service is done. If a hair color change is what you’re interested in, consideration should be taken for your skin tones and eye color. Choosing a hair color that is incorrect can emphasize too much red or yellow in your skin tones, and as we mature a lighter hair color is always more flattering.

If your hair needs body and fullness, today’s professional weaves are natural and can add volume to fine limp hair which can last up to ten weeks.

Children and teenagers hairstyles should not be longer than one-third of their body height, though there is always an exception that works.

Questions to ask the stylist: How should I maintain my hairstyle, and how often do I have to return to the salon?

The days of weekly visits to a salon are at a minimum. Haircuts, and hair color, can be serviced every four or five weeks, especially to keep hair color from fading out. That does not apply to highlights or ombre hair color.

The consultation should end with the stylist explaining how to maintain your hairstyle: if you have to blow dry, set, iron curl, or just dry natural. They should also recommend what type of shampoo and conditioners should be used to keep your hair and scalp in proper pH balance between 4.5 and 5.5.