Ask Yourself A Few Questions First
Before going in for a cut, Ted Gibson, founder of Ted Gibson Salon (he's worked with stars like Anne Hathaway and Angelina Jolie), suggests running through a list of questions that will help you decide which cut will work best for you: Do you need to be able to pull your hair back into a ponytail (for workouts or other reasons)? How much time are you willing to dedicate to blowing your hair out in the morning? What other styling tools do you currently use/are you willing to use to maintain your style? Answering these questions honestly will help keep you from choosing a cut that doesn't work with your lifestyle.
Before going in for a cut, Ted Gibson, founder of Ted Gibson Salon (he's worked with stars like Anne Hathaway and Angelina Jolie), suggests running through a list of questions that will help you decide which cut will work best for you: Do you need to be able to pull your hair back into a ponytail (for workouts or other reasons)? How much time are you willing to dedicate to blowing your hair out in the morning? What other styling tools do you currently use/are you willing to use to maintain your style? Answering these questions honestly will help keep you from choosing a cut that doesn't work with your lifestyle.
Print Out Photos of the Style You Want
Patrick Melville, founder of Patrick Melville Salon, encourages women to gather a few pictures of celebrity looks they like. Again, you'll want to ask yourself a few questions: whether the cut will work with your face shape, how much primping time it will require each morning, and if you can realistically recreate it at home. If the style passes these litmus tests, then take a photo of it with you to the salon. Melville says it can also be helpful to bring a couple of pictures of celeb cuts that illustrate something specific you don't want.
Patrick Melville, founder of Patrick Melville Salon, encourages women to gather a few pictures of celebrity looks they like. Again, you'll want to ask yourself a few questions: whether the cut will work with your face shape, how much primping time it will require each morning, and if you can realistically recreate it at home. If the style passes these litmus tests, then take a photo of it with you to the salon. Melville says it can also be helpful to bring a couple of pictures of celeb cuts that illustrate something specific you don't want.
Book a Consultation
Both Gibson and Melville say a consultation is key to getting a cut you'll love. During the consultation, you should find out how long the stylist has been working as a hairdresser, what credentials they have, and what hair types/styles they have experience with. Their answers will help you determine if the stylist is going to be a good fit for you and the cut you want (it can actually be a good idea to schedule the consultation a day or twobefore your cut so you can walk away and find someone else if you're not getting a good vibe from this stylist). Keep in mind that a good stylist will also ask you questions to determine if a particular look will work for you—so if your hairdresser is practically silent during your consultation, you might want to find a new one. Some other pointers for the consultation: Come in with those photos you've gathered, and make sure to rock your hair's natural texture (and wear it dry). This will give the stylist a better sense of how your hair falls.
Both Gibson and Melville say a consultation is key to getting a cut you'll love. During the consultation, you should find out how long the stylist has been working as a hairdresser, what credentials they have, and what hair types/styles they have experience with. Their answers will help you determine if the stylist is going to be a good fit for you and the cut you want (it can actually be a good idea to schedule the consultation a day or twobefore your cut so you can walk away and find someone else if you're not getting a good vibe from this stylist). Keep in mind that a good stylist will also ask you questions to determine if a particular look will work for you—so if your hairdresser is practically silent during your consultation, you might want to find a new one. Some other pointers for the consultation: Come in with those photos you've gathered, and make sure to rock your hair's natural texture (and wear it dry). This will give the stylist a better sense of how your hair falls.
Explain What You Want
When asking for a certain style, you should include as much detail as possible about it. Don't just ask for a shorter style, suggests Melville; say exactly how many inches you'd like taken off. The same applies to bangs, layers, angling, and any other aspects of the style: Try to explain exactly what you want, how long you want it to be, and where you want it to fall.
When asking for a certain style, you should include as much detail as possible about it. Don't just ask for a shorter style, suggests Melville; say exactly how many inches you'd like taken off. The same applies to bangs, layers, angling, and any other aspects of the style: Try to explain exactly what you want, how long you want it to be, and where you want it to fall.
If Necessary, BYO Products
Salons offer a variety of hair-care products designed to best suit your texture and needs, but if you have specific concerns, you shouldn’t hesitate to bring your own. "I have clients who are allergic to certain things who bring their own products," says Melville. "Some women have very delicate hair or prefer products that are sulfate and paraben-free."
Salons offer a variety of hair-care products designed to best suit your texture and needs, but if you have specific concerns, you shouldn’t hesitate to bring your own. "I have clients who are allergic to certain things who bring their own products," says Melville. "Some women have very delicate hair or prefer products that are sulfate and paraben-free."
If You Hate It, Be Honest
If you notice that your style isn’t coming out the way you pictured it—either during the cut or after—Melville says you shouldn't be afraid to let the stylist know. Telling them that you don’t like the direction the look is taking while the cut is happening gives the stylist a chance to fix it. (And if you've asked a lot of questions during your consultation, you'll likely feel more comfortable speaking up about concerns.) Even after you've left the salon, you should feel free to come back within the next week or so if you have any lingering concerns—good stylists are always willing to fix anything you don't like.
If you notice that your style isn’t coming out the way you pictured it—either during the cut or after—Melville says you shouldn't be afraid to let the stylist know. Telling them that you don’t like the direction the look is taking while the cut is happening gives the stylist a chance to fix it. (And if you've asked a lot of questions during your consultation, you'll likely feel more comfortable speaking up about concerns.) Even after you've left the salon, you should feel free to come back within the next week or so if you have any lingering concerns—good stylists are always willing to fix anything you don't like.
Ask for Styling Advice
Your locks look gorgeous when you're walking out of the salon—so you'll want to take steps to make sure you can recreate that amazingness on your own. Melville suggests asking your stylist if there are any particular techniques, tools, or products you should be using. The more detailed the info you get, the more likely you'll be to love your look for the long haul—not just for the 24 hours following your salon visit.
Your locks look gorgeous when you're walking out of the salon—so you'll want to take steps to make sure you can recreate that amazingness on your own. Melville suggests asking your stylist if there are any particular techniques, tools, or products you should be using. The more detailed the info you get, the more likely you'll be to love your look for the long haul—not just for the 24 hours following your salon visit.
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