Schedule a consultation, especially if you're seeing a stylist for the first time. Most should do them for free, particularly in this economy. Bring in pictures as examples of what you want and talk it over. A good stylist should honestly tell you what will and won't work for your hair and explain how they can modify your pictures to give you the best cut or color possible.
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If your hairdresser is promising the world ...
Chances are they are not being totally honest. It's nearly impossible to exactly duplicate that photo of Jennifer Aniston you brought in (since everyone has different face shapes and hair textures), so if they're assuring you you'll be identical twins when the cut or color is done, be wary.
On the other hand, a good stylist will be honest about what they can realistically do and will work with you to find something that will be right for your face shape and hair type.
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The best way to get the appointment time you want is ...
To pre-book. Ideally you should book your next appointment while still in the salon. Not only does this insure that you get the best day and time for your schedule, but your stylist will appreciate this show of loyalty.
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The WORST thing you can do is ...
Be late. Not only does it show disrespect for the stylist's time, but also if you're late then you make her late for the rest of the day. If you want the best service, show up on time, especially if you're the last appointment of the day (our stylists say if you show up late for the last time slot of the day you can forget any special treatment).
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The BEST thing you can do is ...
Tip well. If you want the best service (and a chance at scoring the ideal time slot or last-minute appointment), you'll need to tip well (20 percent is ideal). Stylists remember the customers who treat them well, and they'll go out of their way to do the same. Also, tip with cash whenever possible, credit card companies charge a fee for card tips, meaning the stylist actually gets less money than you intended.
Whether you think of a salon visit as a fun treat or a necessary chore, you'll want to get the best service (and hairstyle) possible, right? That's why we talked to the experts, Marco Pelusi, owner of Marco Pelusi Hair Studio, Jenny Balding, senior stylist at Cutler/Redken Salons, Whitney Olson, stylist at Warren Tricomi Los Angeles, and Rosie Acosta, salon manager at Warren Tricomi Los Angeles. They told us the secrets of the salon -- the best times to go, how to get that last-minute appointment when you're desperate, and much more!
