See 15 (More) Things Your Hairstylist Won't Tell You
1. I'm a beautician, not a magician. I can give you Gisele Bündchen's haircut, but I can't give you her face.
2. Come at least five minutes early. If you're running late, please call ahead. Show me some basic respect. This is a business, not fun and games.
3. Don't ask me to "squeeze" you in when I'm already booked. I'd be taking time and effort away from other clients. You wouldn't like being treated that way.
4. Hairdresser school does not teach about counter transference, projection, negative reinforcement, or personality disorders. If you're looking for a therapist, all I have is a tail comb and an opinion.
5. Some women think that if they keep their hair all one length the way it was in high school, everyone will think they're still in high school. Guess what? You're not. As you get older, you need to soften the lines around your face. Layers are the magic remedy.
6. Bodies and hair change as hormones change. If your hair is dry, listless, or brittle, or if it's not holding your color or style the way it used to, see a doctor. If your hair isn't overprocessed, you could be pregnant (surprise!) or menopausal (yes, I can tell).
7. A trim is not "just" a trim. It requires my expertise, skill, knowledge, and time. Would you say to your dentist, "It's just a tooth," or to your doctor, "It's just a leg"?
8. That single bill you stuff into the shampoo person's hands isn't doing her any favors. A dollar bill doesn't buy anything anymore. You should tip her at least $3—more if your hair is long.
9. If you want to buy a bottle of color and do your own hair to save a buck, you can live with the consequences.
10. Some clients will say, "Cut my hair just like you did last time." That always baffles me. The average time between appointments is six to eight weeks. I have hundreds of clients. How am I supposed to remember exactly how I did your hair the last time? If you want a carbon copy of a cut and style you loved, take a picture and show me.
11. Why do you think a child's haircut should cost less than yours? Kids don't sit still. Kids kick. It's an intense experience.
12. Standing all day and using scissors and a blow-dryer takes its toll—I have arthritis in my fingers, calcium deposits in my wrist, and 10 percent less hearing than I used to. I am a physical wreck.
13. We see women at their worst. Their hair is wet, they have foils on their hair, they have no makeup on. There's nothing for them to hide behind. So they tell us everything. The truth is, I really don't care what they do sexually. I'm only interested in their hair.
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13 Things Your Hairstylist Won't Tell You
Hairstylists share their tips for understanding their jobs and how to get the most out of your time in the swivel chair.
Interviews by Maureen Mackey
From Reader's Digest
This should be called "13 Things Your Hairstylist Shouldn't Tell You" because they're rude and nasty. Why say that it's a business and not fun, and then complain about personal problems (arthritis, calcium deposits). That kind of information would be useful if you're thinking about becoming a stylist, but what's a customer supposed to do about it, career counseling? I was hoping to get more useful information than 'stylists want people to treat them better & pay more.' Duh.
I thought this article was very true. I have been doing hair for 27 years and many of these comments are absolutely correct. I can see from a clients perspective reading this may be considered "rude" but it is really just a humorous way of getting our side out there. And for the idiot who said this was not a profession!! give me a break, you try standing on your feet for 12 hours with NO break while making up to 20 people a day look FABULOUS!!! its hard work and it is absolutely a profession!
Thank you for putting this article in your magazine. It's nice to get recognition for my minimum wage job. One of my clients actually brought it in for me and it made my day! It made her laugh, too! Thanks for a great hairdresser point of view!
Not all stylist are gossipers you know, I myself are trying very hard to get 2 little boys through kindergarten and that is about all the drama I can deal with. I have done hair for almost 15 years and I have been a diva, I have been the problem, I have also been the solution. I think you ladies are taking this a bit too personally. I know my salon thought it was funny and we moved on. We don't promote gossip and all that cattiness in our salon. Not all of us are this way, just FYI!!!!!
Are you serious? What I do is not even a profession? Are you freaking serious here? Can I just tell you what I had to do to get my licenses and what I do to keep up my education. You have no idea what kind of profession this is. I invite you to come follow me one day while I do 8 different formulas on peoples hair and while I try to remember what cut I did do last time. Not all of us are catty gossipers as you so cowardly put, I say that because you wouldn't even put your name!!
How can you really call us divas?? I mean Hello?? We are styling you and beautifying you, how does that make me a diva? I would trade jobs with anyone for one week to see exactly who the diva is and I will bet that weeks salary that it is your job that is a walk in the park not mine. I love my work, I thought this was so funny, come stand in my shoes for one week and we will see who comes out the diva, any takers??? Christy Woodruff Hairstylist - JPMS Educator - makeup artist
What entitled divas. As if the rest of us don't deal with people, hard work, or irritating things in our jobs. Probably what I don't like most about going to the hairdresser is being asked personal questions and the gossip-y, immature staff! Then there's the whining about their tips and clients. And it's not a profession -- you cut hair! Looks like they're showing us the perfect Stepford client in the photo --- Achtung!
This person needs to move on and do something else for a living. Terribly rude, hostile-aggressive. Don't want to deal with attitudes at the salon. Surprised to read this on RD.
Rude rude rude. Anyone else notice how the author was sympathetic to the male clients because the salon is the "only place where they can unload," but women should "leave their problems outside the door"? I could complain about every single point on the 13 and 15 list but theres not point, this stylist was a snotty person, and honestly I went to 'school' to and I don't have to subject myself to such rudeness if I'm one the paying you to do something you do it how I want it.+
I'm a hairdresser and at our salon we have this article hanging above the washer so we can see it and get a laugh everyday. It's so true and that's what makes it so hilarious! The one about kids was the best! I've been kicked in the stomach, had a chunk of hair intentionally dropped down my shirt and spit on - I even had a kid try to bite me once. And parents are no help with that (laughing or saying I'll cut their ear off just make it worse). This was the funniest thing I've ever read.
I thought this article was very rude! I am a waitress and I could go on ALL DAY about what "Your Waitress Won't Tell You"!!!! Other jobs deal with the public just as well. Dealing with the public takes finesse and patience! Oh and if you want that big tip than I would suggest you at least act a little interested in what your client is saying. I say get over it or find another occupation! P.S. Most hairstylists I know talk quite a bit of SMACK themselves!!
I agree 100% with Grandmanicki. Especially about the gossiping with eachother. That is not only my big pet peeve with stylists but with cashiers, waitresses etc. It is not only unprofessional its annoying.
WOW! This hairdresser sounds bitter and burnt out! I think she may need to retire her scissors~! She certainly had some valid points, but she sure doesn't sound happy.
I thought this hairdresser sounded bitter and burnt out! I know several hairdressers and yes, some very valid points were made, but this article just sounds like she's ready for retirement!
I think this is a great feature and would like to request that you do something similar for "lunch ladies". This would enable us to communicate with the parents who seem to have litte understanding of what is involved in running a school lunch program and how their children are affected by some of the things they do, or don't do. Sarah Foss
No, I will not give you a discount for your haircut just because you don't want your hair styled afterwards. If your going home and don't want anything done with your hair then so be it. I went to school just like everyone else who's trying to make a living, and I'm sure you would never ask your dentist to only fill half your cavity cause your a little strapped for cah this month.
I surely agree with this article. Hopefully MY clients will read it! I would also like to add that we bend over backwards for them, stay late, come in early etc, and the one time they can't get in, the say well, I will have to go down the road.
I have been a hair designer for 24 years.I agree if a repeat client comes in you should know what you did the last time they were in.I keep notes on every client so I know what I did their last time in.In our salon we don't allow our stylist to gossip,it's very unprofessional.As far as clients being late or not showing up,I talk to them and let them know I am on commission and don't get paid if they no show,once they understand that they show up or at least call which I appreciate! I love my job
I am a hairstylist of 18 years. I feel that courtesy goes both ways between client and stylist. I try to respect all customers equally. Clients don't realize if they call at the last minute to cancel, or choose just not to show--that's money out of my pocket. I have a three time, your out rule.--If someone is continually hard to schedule, I will double book them planning on them to reschedule. They then will have to wait to some extent. I appreciate your time..return the favor.
These "tips" are mostly complaints. The headline should have said "Top 13 complaints about costumers". I'm sure costumers could make our own list of complaints. Here's one: You pay for a haircut and they rush through it barely listening to your instructions just so they can get on to the next costumer.