How to Find a Hairstylist You Love
Before having a perfect hair day, you need to find the perfect hairstylist. But finding a professional who really understands your wants and needs and excels in the services you’d like done isn’t always easy. You likely have multiple stylists in mind at this point, but how do you know who is right for you?
To help guide you in your decision, we've put together some easy steps to find the hairstylist you'll love.
The internet is a goldmine of information for everything, so why not start there when searching for a hairstylist? A quick search on social media networks will lead you to stylists and salons in your local area, with reviews, photos, and even videos of their work.
Based on the results of your online research, you'll get a good sense of their quality of work. It could even help to reveal the personalities and workflows of different stylists.
One of the best ways to find hair professionals on social media is through hashtags. As you likely already know, hashtags collect and curate conversations about a particular topic or business. For instance, hashtags may look like these: #nychairsalon, #houstonstylist, #sandiegosalon. Or they could be more generic, like #balayage, #pixiecut, #hairgoals.
When you click on a particular hashtag, it will take you to the profile of the hairstylist or the salon, where you can take a closer look at their work and even read customer reviews. Now, you can shortlist the stylists in your area based on their portfolios and customer reviews. Getting feedback from your friends or colleagues who've been to your shortlisted salons is also a good idea.
If you'd like to filter your search even further, you can use review sites like Yelp or Google Reviews to find the perfect hairstylist in your area that you'll love.
These sites also provide an average customer rating and written reviews that can help determine which stylists are worth an appointment.
Now that you've done your research, it's time to start the conversation with your potential stylist. This usually begins with an online or in-person consultation. Remember, while the experience of a hairstylist is essential, it's not everything! You’ll also need to ask some questions before making an appointment.
A good stylist keeps up with industry trends through continuing education and training. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to ask your potential hairstylist a little bit about their background. You’ll want to make sure that the areas they’re skilled and experienced in align with the services you’re looking to have done.
Before you walk into your first haircut appointment, you should know what you want your hairstyle to look like. Maybe you have a picture of a celebrity haircut you're in love with. Or, you might have a general idea of what you’re looking for, but be open to some suggestions. Whatever your goal, it’s important to make sure it’s realistic. Remember that most haircuts and styles suit certain face shapes and hair types. It’s also not always possible to achieve your goal in a single appointment.
Drastic color changes, for example, can take several sessions.
Knowing exactly what you want will help your stylist understand your needs and recommend you a better alternative when needed. With that in mind, it’s important that you always speak up when you’re in the stylist’s chair. For example, If they mention that they think you'd look great with a short haircut, you can respond with, "I'd actually like to keep my hair long but incorporate some new elements into the style."
Being clear about your needs and expectations will also help you become more comfortable and increase the odds that you’ll always walk out the door feeling satisfied.
When you’ve found a stylist you really like, it's time to start a long-term client-stylist relationship. A hairstylist willing to go the extra mile for a client is someone worth having in your life. But how do you do that? You don't have to be best friends with your stylist, but you should always be kind and courteous. When you clearly and politely tell your stylist what you want, they'll be more willing to be honest with you when they can't deliver your desired results.
Also, make sure to be on time for your appointment and let your stylist know if you have any special preferences.
To help guide you in your decision, we've put together some easy steps to find the hairstylist you'll love.
Step 1: Research Social Media and Online Reviews
The internet is a goldmine of information for everything, so why not start there when searching for a hairstylist? A quick search on social media networks will lead you to stylists and salons in your local area, with reviews, photos, and even videos of their work.
Based on the results of your online research, you'll get a good sense of their quality of work. It could even help to reveal the personalities and workflows of different stylists.
One of the best ways to find hair professionals on social media is through hashtags. As you likely already know, hashtags collect and curate conversations about a particular topic or business. For instance, hashtags may look like these: #nychairsalon, #houstonstylist, #sandiegosalon. Or they could be more generic, like #balayage, #pixiecut, #hairgoals.
When you click on a particular hashtag, it will take you to the profile of the hairstylist or the salon, where you can take a closer look at their work and even read customer reviews. Now, you can shortlist the stylists in your area based on their portfolios and customer reviews. Getting feedback from your friends or colleagues who've been to your shortlisted salons is also a good idea.
If you'd like to filter your search even further, you can use review sites like Yelp or Google Reviews to find the perfect hairstylist in your area that you'll love.
These sites also provide an average customer rating and written reviews that can help determine which stylists are worth an appointment.
Step 2: Ask the Right Questions
Now that you've done your research, it's time to start the conversation with your potential stylist. This usually begins with an online or in-person consultation. Remember, while the experience of a hairstylist is essential, it's not everything! You’ll also need to ask some questions before making an appointment.
A good stylist keeps up with industry trends through continuing education and training. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to ask your potential hairstylist a little bit about their background. You’ll want to make sure that the areas they’re skilled and experienced in align with the services you’re looking to have done.
For example, if you want to visit a salon to get hair extensions, you must ask questions about their experience with extensions. Your perfect stylist will know how to put in extensions of different types and will be experienced in the standard practices for installing extensions.
Step 3: Know What You Want Before the Appointment
Before you walk into your first haircut appointment, you should know what you want your hairstyle to look like. Maybe you have a picture of a celebrity haircut you're in love with. Or, you might have a general idea of what you’re looking for, but be open to some suggestions. Whatever your goal, it’s important to make sure it’s realistic. Remember that most haircuts and styles suit certain face shapes and hair types. It’s also not always possible to achieve your goal in a single appointment.
Drastic color changes, for example, can take several sessions.
Knowing exactly what you want will help your stylist understand your needs and recommend you a better alternative when needed. With that in mind, it’s important that you always speak up when you’re in the stylist’s chair. For example, If they mention that they think you'd look great with a short haircut, you can respond with, "I'd actually like to keep my hair long but incorporate some new elements into the style."
Being clear about your needs and expectations will also help you become more comfortable and increase the odds that you’ll always walk out the door feeling satisfied.
Step 4: Establish a Good Relationship With Your New Stylist
When you’ve found a stylist you really like, it's time to start a long-term client-stylist relationship. A hairstylist willing to go the extra mile for a client is someone worth having in your life. But how do you do that? You don't have to be best friends with your stylist, but you should always be kind and courteous. When you clearly and politely tell your stylist what you want, they'll be more willing to be honest with you when they can't deliver your desired results.
Also, make sure to be on time for your appointment and let your stylist know if you have any special preferences.
January 09, 2023
