For us women, finding the right hairstylist often feels like a miracle. This is especially true for those of us with natural, coily, or kinky hair. Very few stylists truly understand how to properly care for our often very dry and fragile hair. Often, we even hesitate to visit a salon, fearing we'll leave feeling disappointed, wanting to cry, or even considering shaving our heads completely. But don't worry, I'm here to share some valuable tips to help you find THE perfect stylist, so you'll never have to deal with a hair disaster again.
I don't know about you, but for me, a trip to the hairdresser is a real ordeal. Bad haircut, faded color, sloppy styling, abominable relaxer, I've experienced it all, especially the worst. So, since I found the right hairdresser for me, I feel compelled to share some tips so you can also find the hair expert you need.
1. Don't trust the decor
Even if it doesn't look like much, the decor of a hair salon means nothing. That's right, your hairdresser is a hairdresser, not an architect or interior designer. It's mostly about checking if the establishment is clean, not if it's well-decorated. For example, those salons from big brands like Franck Provost, ultra-design and modern, which sell us a visual dream but end up disgusting us by messing up our haircut. And on top of that, even if your haircut is miserably botched, you'll have to shell out an astronomical sum for being disfigured. In short, avoid them. Moral of the story: prefer an excellent artisan in a not-so-great-looking dive, rather than a very bad hairdresser in a magnificent place.
2. Look at the haircuts of the salon's stylists
Even if it's not a certainty, hairdressers who work in the same salon often style each other's hair. A bit like apprentice estheticians, which seems quite logical and economical. And this can help you find YOUR hairdresser. To do this, simply observe their colleagues carefully. It's a good barometer: if you like their haircuts, yours will likely be to your taste as well.
3. Your hairdresser must be attentive
Before cutting or shampooing, you'll recognize a good hairdresser by their attentiveness. You'll immediately recognize someone who's just there to make a commission and only knows how to do one type of cut... A good hairdresser will ask you for details about what you want. They should ask you what you like and inquire about your styling habits. The expert knows that you can't give the same cut to a woman who never runs her hand through her hair and another who blow-dries it every morning.
4. They touch your hair
In addition to having a real consultation with you, a good hairdresser will touch your hair to understand its nature. Be careful, this shouldn't take hours either. A professional touch isn't repetitive. If it is, it's a charlatan who might be trying to mask their incompetence. A good hairdresser will do this only once or twice. But the step is mandatory: they need to see how the volume sits.
5. They advise you
And finally, the hairdresser must know how to say no to you, for your own good. This proves they're not just thinking about your money but also about you, what suits you, and ultimately your well-being. They should refuse to give you a hairstyle that won't suit you or doesn't match your hair type. You can even test them by asking for bangs, an improbable color, something you know perfectly well won't suit you. If they accept, run away!
