Step into the salon without fear this Halloween season! In this blog post, we'll tackle the common curly hair salon horrors and provide you with valuable tips to ensure a delightful salon experience. Learn when it's time for a salon visit, how to select the perfect stylist, and essential preparation steps before your appointment. We'll also share insights on maintaining healthy communication with your stylist and advocating for your curly hair needs. Don't let salon nightmares haunt you any longer—embrace the joy of a positive salon experience with these helpful tips and tricks. Let's make your next salon visit a treat, not a trick!
Alright, so let's start at the beginning, shall we? How do you know when it's time to go to the salon? There are a few factors that tend to point me in that direction:
Sometimes, I just can't see to get all of the split ends or single strand knots off. I think I've done a great job. Until the next wash day, when they're ALL. BACK. AGAIN. That's when I know that it's time to consult a professional. It can sometimes be difficult to get to every single split and knowing how split ends keep right on splitting up the hair shaft, it's important to nip them in the bud.
2. I want to mix it up with color or a professional steam treatment.
When I feel the urge to get highlights, all-over color or want a really good steam treatment, it's time to consult a professional. I'm perfectly capable of touching up my own greys or going darker but DIY lightening can go awry quickly. Times like these call for a stylist's touch, in my opinion.
3. Self care
There are times where I just want to pamper myself. I love the fact that my hair is getting longer and thicker but, with that comes much longer wash day sessions. It feels so nice having someone shampoo my hair and give me a luxurious conditioning treatment.
OK, so now that we know when it might be time for a salon visit, how should we go about choosing the right one? Here are a few ideas that should get you going in the right direction:
1. Phone a friend
If you happen to have curly friends, definitely hit them up for salon ideas. Now also might be a great time to introduce yourself to the other curly girl in the office. There are tons of Facebook groups that can help you out as well, so don't be shy!
When selecting social media influencers, it's beneficial to follow those in your region for various reasons. Firstly, they can provide valuable insights into product recommendations and techniques that work well with local weather conditions. Additionally, regional influencers are likely to be familiar with local stylists, allowing you to make informed decisions about where to go (or avoid) for your hair needs. Stay connected with influencers in your area to stay updated on the latest trends and recommendations specific to your region.
There are some pretty good Salon Finders online. One of my personal favorites is NaturallyCurly's. Be sure to read the reviews before booking!
So once you've chosen a salon, some prepwork needs to be done before your visit to ensure the best possible experience:
This might be a few minutes prior to your appointment or on another day altogether, but you want to be sure to make time to meet your stylist and discuss what you're looking for beforehand.
2. Bring photo examples
When communicating with your stylist, it's crucial to provide multiple examples of the desired hairstyle, showcasing various angles. It's important to be realistic in your choices, considering factors such as your hair texture, length, density, and other individual characteristics that may affect the outcome of the style. Sharing clear and accurate examples will help your stylist understand your preferences and work towards achieving a hairstyle that suits you best.
3. Be specific
To ensure a successful salon experience, it's essential to clearly articulate your preferences and communicate what you do and don't want to your stylist. Verify that your stylist can accurately repeat your instructions back to you to ensure mutual understanding. Discuss whether you prefer your hair to be cut while wet or dry, and consider asking for your stylist's professional opinion on each method. While it may seem excessive, it's better to establish alignment beforehand to avoid any potential disappointment or dissatisfaction with the outcome. Taking these steps will help foster effective communication and increase the chances of a positive salon visit.
OK, so you're in the chair and ready to go. What should you look out for? These tips should help you get through the visit unscathed:
2. Make sure that you're facing a mirror whenever possible so that you can observe your session.
3. Be wary of the stylist handling your hair too roughly, combing/brushing while dry, cutting too much, using heat tools (especially without heat protectant), etc. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, remember point #1 - you are the client and can have the stylist stop or leave at any time.
I really hope that this post was enlightening and that you can put some of the tips into action the next time you consider going to the salon.
When was the last time that you had a spooky salon visit? What about a great one? Please share any tips that you have with us!
Xoxo,
Adria
