Liz Haven

A great balayage starts long before the lightener comes out.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is customizing the hair color before addressing the haircut. Before every color appointment, I always ask if my guest wants a haircut because the shape of the haircut should guide the color placement, not the other way around.

Jordan hadn’t had a haircut in over a year, so before we even talked balayage, we needed to evaluate the foundation. His hair had developed uneven density, his ends were beginning to show signs of wear, and we had to decide how much length to keep while creating a shape that would support the final color.

That’s what this consultation is all about. It’s not just me telling my guest what I think, we’re collaborating on the end goal together. Every decision we make with the haircut influences how the balayage will look, move, and grow out.

In this video, you’ll see that entire conversation and why we chose to tackle the haircut first.

Part 2 is where the balayage magic happens. Stay tuned! 🤍

What do you think should come first: the haircut or the color?

These are the moments I cherish most behind the chair. 🤍 There’s nothing quite like the opportunity to connect with so many beautiful souls. 🥹

A special shoutout to all of my incredible clients, friends, and hair models. Love y’all! 🫶🏼 Thank you for trusting me with your hair and for allowing me to be a small part of your lives. It means more than you know. 🤍

The next time a guest brings in an inspiration photo or video, use this during your consultation. 🤍

One of the most valuable things you can do is train your guest’s eye to understand how lighting affects hair color. It builds trust, creates realistic expectations, and helps ensure you’re both envisioning the same end result.

This is the perfect example. As Chelsea and I were filming content indoors, her color looked creamier, more neutral, and even slightly cooler in tone. But once we stepped outside into natural light, the exact same color appeared much warmer, glowier, and noticeably more golden.

Nothing about the color changed. Only the lighting.

Save this post so you have a visual example to reference during future consultations. It’s a simple way to educate your guests and elevate the consultation experience. 🫶🏼

Every career has seasons. As a hairstylist, I’ve experienced three core seasons over and over again: hustle, maintenance, and coast. Those have become the three pillar seasons of my career.

The hustle season is when you’re making sacrifices. Life isn’t balanced, and you’re working hard to build something your future self will thank you for. It’s long days, saying yes to most things, and keeping your eyes on the bigger picture. *If you’re working with models during this season, make sure they’re paying at least 50% of the service price. If you choose to offer a discount, 50% should be the maximum. You don’t want to become financially stressed while you’re building, especially when supplies and products are so expensive. 🤍

Then comes maintenance season. You’ve put in the work. Your guests are pre-booked, your systems are running smoothly, and you’ve created more balance. You’re still working hard, but now you’re building behind the scenes, saving, investing, and preparing for what’s next.

Then there’s what I call the coast season. Balance shifts again, but this time it’s intentional. You have more time for family, more time at home, and a little less time behind the chair because you planned for it. You earned that season.

And sometimes, life brings you right back into hustle season because you’ve decided to chase a new dream. Growth isn’t linear, it keeps us on our toes. 😁

If you’re in a season of building right now, save this post! Every successful career is built one intentional step at a time.

This is one of the ways that has helped me build every single time. I’ve rebuilt my business four times: once after getting married and again after each of my pregnancies. The seasons change, but the principles don’t.

Let’s unbox together 🥰



Shoutout to ty! 🤍

Any dry texture spray will work!

Forget the cool shot on the blow dryer. Create your own cool shot with a dry texture spray instead 🙌🏼

Once you’ve created the shape with your hot tool or blow dryer, spray in a dry texture spray while the hair is still warm. It cools the hair while adding texture, volume, and interest all at the same time. 😍

Let’s cut some fringe together and blend it into face-framing layers 🥰♥️

Save this for your next fringe + frame moment 🙌🏼

A bouncy blowout just hits different 💁‍♀️

It’s the ultimate finishing touch for your clients and for your feed. It brings out all that shine, dimension, and luxury vibes in your color.

Save this for your next blowout inspo 🤍

One of the biggest keys to being a successful, fully booked stylist behind the chair is pre-booking your guests.

If clients are leaving the salon without scheduling their next appointment, it ends up being a disservice to both of you. Life gets busy fast and before you know it, trying to find time to call and book turns into another thing on the list that gets pushed off. Pre-booking just makes everything easier. 🙌🏼

It also plays a huge role in the experience you’re providing. When someone sits in your chair, they’re trusting you to keep them feeling fresh and maintained. That consistency is part of a luxury service, and it makes a big difference in how supported and taken care of they feel. ♥️

The reality is schedules only get more packed from here. Summer, back to school, holidays, it doesn’t slow down. This is your reminder to stay ahead of it instead of chasing it.

Make it a habit for yourself and your guests. Your future schedule will thank you and so will your clients.

Share this with anyone that needs this friendly reminder 🥰