Real Talk
Hint: Quit begging to be featured in their stories.
Want to know what your hairdresser really thinks?
Head to social media.
Our industry as a whole has been breaking for a long time.
… Gone are the days of an actual hair tutorial.
Now its all videos on how to be a better client, says New-York-based stylistNathalie Kalae.
Hairstylists are some of the hardest-working people on all fronts.
We work physically and are required to hold an incredible amount of emotional weight.
What Not To Do
Im not your girl.
For the most part, I love my clients.
But one thing I really cant stand is when they call me their girl.
Like, would you call your accountant your girl?
Im also a professional, I work really hard, and I value my work.
Next time, just introduce me as Jenna, an amazing stylist who works at XYZ Salon or whatever.
Jenna, stylist outside Atlanta, Georgia
hey dont ask me to be in my stories.
I have some clients who think its an insult if I dont put their look in my Instagram stories.
They think it means I dont think theyre pretty or Im embarrassed to have them as clients.
And thats not true.
It really has nothing to do with the person and everything to do with the hair.
K., stylist in New York City
Talk to us first, not Yelp.
I hate when everything seems great during an appointment, and then I get trashed on social media.
If you have a problem, c’mon tell us so we can make it better for you.
And that goes for telling us how you would like us to spin up the appointment.
I only kept talking because I thought that was what she wanted.
Youre paying for the service, so like help us make it what you need it to be.
I promise I wont get offended if you just want to zone out.
Kara, hairstylist in suburban New Jersey
Show up on time.
I love a client who is on time.
I run my day on a schedule, with other people on my book.
My favorite client is someone who knows what they want but is also open-minded.
Kelly Harrison, hairstylist and brand manager for Biotop Professional
Tell me if something doesnt look right.
The great clients are the ones who complain.
I dont mean moaning incessantly for the sake of it.
We have about 100 clients who have been coming to our salon for 40-plus years now.
Michael Van Clarke, London hairstylist and founder of 3 More Inches
Talk us up.
I love a client who refers.
Referrals are the kindest thing a client can do for a stylist.
Youre single-handedly helping me grow my business because you like my work!
Kalae
Tip us well.
We depend on tips as part of our budget.
Sharon, color specialist, Brooklyn, New York
This article was originally published onFeb.
