NLuvhair

Hairstylists are not doctors buuuut…
By now we should know better.
By now if clients question doctors they will question hairstylists knowledge.
By now clients know grey hair is more of a health concern than an appearance concern. What you offer during a consultation matters.
By now hair loss is an even bigger concern. There are a number of contributors to hair loss and extensions will not solve this problem. Even fine hair ladies can experience further hair loss. Offering extensions is like offering anti-depressants to peri-menopause symptomatic females.
Avoid a consultation is a sign that either they are not knowledgeable or will just push whatever they are “skilled” in without any regards to what you really want or are ready for. This includes maintenance or hair patterns that not disclose. If time is of concern ask if you can book a consultation before your service.

Do you have clients that say this?
Going blonde is fun but also are you ready for the maintenance.
For grey hair, brunette hair and ginger I like to go into details about new growth and how maintenance will look like. If they are not enjoying the idea of coming back as often then I like to recommend low maintenance placement.
Sometimes we forget the power of a few foils. Less can be more🫶🏻

Adding to this…

I’ve noticed some pricing that is not equipped for these times and I’m hoping this post will help encourage stylists to give themselves the raise they deserve.
Here is what is often missed…
Focus on the people who do stay and value you more than the ones that leave. By doing this you learn to keep up with your qualities they value rather than dividing yourself for someone that just wants a discount. It’s not just a specialized skill it’s what you bring to the table as a person. This is where many people drop from hair industry because they realized it’s more mental and physical than just being creative.
Gain more by serving the responsible client that will budget to see you even if it’s not that often. The client that is constantly trying to better themselves while bringing others close them up. They value your time, work and will see you as long as they physically can.
In the past I worked with teams who complained for clients who didn’t want to raise prices. Crazy, because it’s a business. Meanwhile, clients get raises, bonuses or PTO in the same job titles while we have to stress over a $5 price increase. You don’t have to get into overhead expenses because most of the time it’s not the clients concern so you have to do what’s best for you as well.
I’ve always had people explain to me why I needed to raise my prices but it never registered. I’m hoping this can break down the deeper meaning and value of price increase from a professional and client’s perspective.

Do you still say this?
This statement is more old than its message.
There are people with grey hair living more fulfilling lives than people just turning 18. There are people who are not limiting their life endeavors over extensions.
Low maintenance hair/ Beauty Minimalism is not basic. I like to provide quiet trends so people can still feel like themselves and that’s where they accept their own features. They don’t rely on one appointment to fix them because they are already living the life they want.

I like to give clients options while maintaining hair health. These are the 3 options I like to give when it comes to hair color. Some folks that struggle to see any grey hair I like to recommend grey blending vs full highlights and color. It gives you the same results but less damage and warmth. You just have to make the transition w time. But for anyone starting to get grey hair I like to introduce low lights or highlights or nothing at all because grey hair is a new color you can begin to enjoy.🪩

🫶🏻How much you put care into them as a person is separate from your work. I love how much clients relax and surrender themselves w their personality once they feel calm from a head massage. This is the part of the service that can also be the worse if not properly cared for and at times can be out of stylist control if the shampoo bowl is uncomfortable. A hard dealbreaker for me when it comes to looking for a space to rent. Gotta keep the clients comfy🤗

Hairstylists approach hair like people. You get all kinds of experiences and with that you learn how to work w various textures. You can specialize in certain hair types and that is wonderful to find for individuals w that hair type.

While attending beauty school in Alameda, CA, there were several senior clients. I also volunteered in retirement homes. After completing cosmetology school, I volunteered for the American Cancer Society’s-Look Good Feel Good” program where we helped cancer survivors learn to apply wigs and makeup. There wasn’t anything stylish about this but I found the true meaning of how hair styling can make people feel good.🫶🏻

How do you respond to clients when they put themselves down? Do you agree or do you see something they don’t?
Over time we can forget how valuable we are when it comes to making someone feel good in front of a mirror. Clients come for that moment and to agree that their hair is not close to being naturally pretty sets the stage for more distortion of their own appearance.
Mentally you are serving their beauty dysmorphia more than the highlight you are certified for. How you communicate to clients and how your voice cracks or volumes is also part of the delivery.
But also, how do you see yourself if the ideal hair is not one neither you have. How much effort did it take to get there only to feel further from self acceptance? Bc how you talk to yourself can show up when you deliver a service.
Lastly, this client doesn’t say this about her hair.🫶🏻
❤️

The grey hair movement is not falling for salon scripts.
This group is largely leaving salons. Not just because they want to stop maintaining color but largely because they know the toxins that linger in this space and applied to their bodies.
As someone that has been hit personally with family professionals and my own health, I would love nothing more than to share what I built into my practice a simple way to low maintenance hair color. This includes people without grey hair so anyone can feel at ease with their appearance by not feeling a time clock ticking as with everything else in life.
Beauty maintenance doesn’t have to feel like a task and it should bring out a better version of you.
Less is more🫶🏻