granny pants

One of the most difficult aspects of hairdressing is clear and concise communication between the stylist and the client. When the client says "shoulder length", the stylist hears "bob". When the client says "face frame", the stylist hears "layers"...and when the client says "trim off the dead ends", the stylist will happily cut off the last ten inches without blinking an eye...you did say the "dead ends" right? Let me offer up some tips on how to communicate effectively with your hairdresser...

1. Bring photoS.  notice the "s"? Cut out Halle Berrys fringe, Jessica Albas texture and Bjorks color, the more photos you bring, the more ideas we have to work from and the more likely we can create a very unique look just for you.

2.  Tell your stylist what you DON'T like about  your color or haircut... we are not mind readers and it certainly won't hurt our feelings. Remember, we are there to make you happy. We want you to love your hair and we want you to come back to us, so without this information, we are not given the chance to fix the problem that we didn't know existed.

3.  Hairdressers are by nature, creative thinkers. We love to take creative license. If you give your hairdresser the instructions to "do whatever you want", please remember that you did so...

4. After you have given your thoughts on what changes you are looking for in regards to your color and or cut, ask your stylist to reiterate the plan...it will close the miscommunication gap.

5.words to avoid: chunks, chop, one layer, bunchy, holes, tails, mullet, lop and rat.

6. words to use instead: shorter layers/longer layers, blending, wispy, fringe, bulk, sweeping, blunt, face framing, textured, warm, cool, light and rich.


I have a client that I can't communicate fully her needs...her color is either too light or too dark, her hair is either too dry or too soft, too long or too short, too layered or too blunt, too warm or too ashy. She can't book ahead because she is never sure of her schedule. She questions every move I make.  She follows me into the dispensary asking me what color I'm planning on mixing up.  Her phone rings constantly and she answers it every time. The water is too hot, the sink is too hard.  She's hungry. She's tired. She has a sore throat. She's in a hurry. The color makes her head itch. She is having an allergic reaction to the neck strip.

Just for the fun of it, lets call her my Mom.

She keeps me on my toes. There is no room for error with her hair, as she is constantly advertising for me. She may not know exactly what she wants, but she definitely knows exactly what she doesn't want. She always looks amazing. She is a nurse, an artist, a crime fighter, a rebel, a rogue, a music lover, and an amazing grandma and mother. Yes, I said crime fighter. Why, just the other day some loser dirtball scumbag tried to break into her house. She is afraid of nothing and of nobody. She took his punkass down (with some yelling and a 911 call) and thanks to her, there is one less thief on the prowl. Go mom...just another reason I aspire to be just like you.

  By the way, I know exactly why she gives me such a hard time while she is sitting in my chair...it is all due to those teenage years of mine. I can take it. I know I totally deserve it.