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Trips to the salon are common for many people. But not everyone knows the ins and outs of going.
Insider asked three hairstylists the things they wish clients knew, and not all of them are obvious.
For example, “a trim and a haircut are the same thing,” New York stylist Eric Canarick said. “The scissors open and close the same amount of times.”
It wasn’t too long ago that getting a haircut was a luxury. Remember those quarantine haircut disasters? There was nothing quite like bad bangs and layers gone wrong to make us appreciate the subtle skills stylists employ to make haircut magic.
Now that salons are back with full steam, it’s as good a time as any to brush up on salon etiquette. Insider spoke with seasoned and newer hairstylists in urban and suburban salons to find out their best customer etiquette tips across the board. Here are some of their universal truths.
Make an appointment
Like every service-based industry, time management is tantamount. Many hairstylists work hours around their appointments, such as Angela Fernandes of Isla and Wolf in New York.
Eric Canarick, co-owner of Imbue Beauty in New York City.
Courtesy of Eric Canarick
In her experience, “Some places want you there regardless for walk-ins, but most allow employees to block themselves out so they’re not just sitting.” In other words, your stylist may not have “office hours.”
Eric Canarick, co-owner of Imbue Beauty and a senior stylist in New York City, agrees: It’s just not realistic for clients to expect him to always be available. Don’t count on being squeezed in, even if you’re a loyal customer.
As Raven DeGarmo, a hairstylist at Salon Posta in Marietta, Georgia, puts it: “Sometimes, every minute of my day is scheduled, and arriving even 10 minutes late can throw everything off.”
Better late than never … but both are bad
“[Being late] cuts back on my time to consult with them, and this is such an important part of the creative process,” Fernandes said. “This is where I learn about the client, their hair, and what they’re looking for.”
But late is certainly better than never.
“Not showing up for your appointment with little to no warning is a challenge as well,” DeGarmo said. “I often have a waitlist that is practically impossible to pull from last minute, and when I’m only making money for the time I use, it’s not ideal to have gaps on your book just because someone chose not to show up.”
Know that some styles or services take more than one visit
“Some clients may have this idea that their service will and should be completed in one sitting,” DeGarmo said. “Usually, this is in regards to color.”
Fernandes echoes the wish that clients “knew a little more about color services and the amount of time and technical skill that goes into achieving looks they may like. For instance, if someone comes in with very dark hair and shows me a photo of a blonde, they may not understand that this desired look can take several hours and appointments to achieve.”
Understand what you’re asking for
Canarick wishes clients understood better that “a trim and a haircut are the same thing. The scissors open and close the same amount of times.”
Angela Fernandes of Isla and Wolf in New York.
Courtesy of Angela Fernandes
Plus, Fernandes told Insider: “A very common unrealistic expectation is when a client comes in with a photo inspiration of someone with a completely different type and texture of hair. A client who has super thick, dense, and unruly hair that is frizzy and hard to smooth [recently] showed me a photo of Christie Brinkley and wanted a curtain bang that framed the face really nicely. The problem is that Christie’s hair is much thinner, and there was a very obvious difference in texture.”
The change in texture would change how the hair laid, and Fernandes had to point out that the end result just couldn’t be the same, and that her client would have to style her hair to look this way — she couldn’t just wake up like that.
Don’t be shy to show photos
“I absolutely love photos,” DeGarmo said. “Even if they only like certain parts of the pictures they show me, it tells a story of their personality and what they do and don’t prefer.”
When clients have already Googled their ideal look, DeGarmo takes that time saved and puts it toward the service and post-cut advice.
“It’s really vital to get a little education from the stylist on what products will help you maintain your style at home,” DeGarmo said. “All of these things add up and make the appointment worth every penny.”
Expect to get what you pay for
When you enlist the service of a professional, you’re not paying for that one service — you’re paying for the years of experience that led to it. That’s why level of expertise impacts the cost of a cut.
Raven DeGarmo, a hairstylist at Salon Posta in Marietta, Georgia.
Courtesy of Raven DeGarmo
“Ongoing education can be expensive and usually comes out of the stylist’s own pocket,” Fernandes said. “Apprenticeships can be hard, even brutal, and long. I wanted to quit the beauty industry more than once during my own.”
You’re also paying for the salon experience
Stylists pay into technical details when they work at a salon, including the latest in haircare treatments and products, hair coloring, assistants, and new client leads. Geography and rent prices also matter, and Fernandes said “the average price of a good haircut and style varies greatly depending on where the salon is.”
Beyond location, there are other bonuses that come with price tags.
“An upscale salon experience will include a really in-depth consultation, most likely a scalp massage, comfortable seating, beverages, even a silky robe,” Fernandes said.
Tips are not only appreciated, but essential
Whether your stylist is a freelancer who makes an hourly rate or a professional simply renting a chair, hair is an industry that relies heavily on gratuities.
A 15% to 20% tip on the total service is the standard, but a simple, quick cut — like a men’s trim — can warrant a 10% minimum. Of course, you’re always welcome to tip more!
“There’s one lady that comes to my salon who always tips $40 for a blowout, which is a lot,” Fernandes said. “But it happens, so everyone wants her in their chair. And I have a male client who always generously tips $20 on his $35 cut.”