Q. What's the best way to insure getting a haircut I like?
A. Of course there is no perfect way to predetermine if you're going to like a haircut but here are a few suggestions that will improve your chances. Also, remember that "good" is a very subjective thing, you could have a haircut from a very skilled, talented and experienced stylist and still not like it.
Get a measure of clarity about what you want before you go into the salon. You don't have to know exactly what it is, a good stylist can help you with that, but it's usually better not to walk in frustrated and confused. Look through magazines or online and find some general or specific styles you like.
It's usually best to avoid going to a stylist who is running around like a chicken, doing four things at once. Find someone who cares enough to have a clear, calm, reasonable conversation with you, someone who actually listens and cares. It's usually best to avoid "superstylists" who only want to see how many clients they can get done in a day.
This can be a tough one for people: don't judge the quality of the haircut based on whether you like the way the stylist dried your hair. Most haircuts can be styled a multitude of ways and you will likely do it differently than the stylist. There are many stylists who are great at blow drying but not so hot at cutting. It's the cut that matters. If you would rather your stylist style it a different way, discuss it with them. Determine whether you like the cut by how it works when you style it.
Be realistic about the type of hair you have. Every hair type has its gifts and limitations. A good stylist can make your hair as good as it can be, but if you've got fine, thin hair and want a style that only works on someone with tons of thick locks, you're setting yourself up for struggle. As in all things in life, acceptance is the best beginning. This doesn't mean you are stuck with ugly hair, just that you have given up trying to get something that isn't going to happen. A good stylist will guide you in this.
Many people go to a stylist and spend the entire time chatting. As much as this is the norm, and most stylists can do a nice cut while talking to their client, would you want someone distracting you while you were doing something important that takes great skill? To me, a good stylist knows how to balance this and cares enough about their work to do it. I've seen many stylists over the years who seem to put the haircut below chatting in priority. Find a stylist who is present, paying attention and focused. Of course it's nice to enjoy some conversation, but in my opinion, it must not be so distracting to the stylist that the cut suffers. Art requires concentration.
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Be positive, or at least don't be negative. Bring a positive attitude into the salon and you will have a much better chance of encountering positive things. If you're in a negative mood, that's okay, just don't project it. If you're really in a bad mood, it may be best to cancel and come in another day, unless you know the stylist well and it's all okay.
If you do get a haircut you don't like, it will do no good at all to start a war with the stylist. Either leave or, if you feel the stylist to be a mature, well- meaning person with good skills, talk to them in a clear, calm manner. They want you to like the style and want to do what is required to help. This is planet Earth, things don't always go the way we want, no matter how hard we try. It doesn't have to be anyone's fault. Making someone "wrong" is almost always irrelevant and goes nowhere. Everything works better from kindness and clarity.
One way to play it safe is to book a consultation and feel out your relationship with the new stylist. If everything clicks, book a cut.
Ask someone who looks like they have a good sense of design and has a nice cut who does their hair. You may not want the same cut as them but if you can see they care about such things they may have a good stylist.
Many people seem to get mesmerized by a stylist who makes lots of noise and is showy and egotistical. Sometimes these people can be good stylists but in my experience they are often unfocused and are more concerned with the show than the art. Forget all the flash and pomp and find someone you can actually talk to in a reasonable way.
I hope this helps.
