6 Things Your Hair Stylist Should Know About You
6 Things Your Hair Stylist Should Know About You
Don't forget to reveal these things about yourself.
When
it comes to getting the haircut of your dreams, Instagram references
aren't enough. That's because finding the right style for you is not
just about asking the right questions and offering up examples. It's
about opening up to your stylist about a few crucial things…
How Often You Wash
Frequent washers might benefit from a dry cut, says Paul Labrecque, celebrity hair stylist and owner of Paul Labrecque Salons
in New York City and Philadelphia, since a dry cut lets you tailor a
style with their natural texture. "But if you're a person who shampoos
once a week you might be able to get a cut that takes more time to style
and is a little more high-maintenance," says Labrecque. An example of
this could be a blowout that changes the texture of your hair—i.e. from
curly to straight—but lasts for a few days.
It
also helps your stylist if she knows what kind of shampoo you use—and
how often you're lathering up. "Are they using the right shampoo to
benefit the results of a specific look they are working to achieve,"
says Kattia Solano, founder of Butterfly Studio Salon
in New York City. "And if you tend to go a long time between washes,
that can determine what kind of leave-in and styling product
cocktails/combinations your stylist recommends," says Solano.
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Your Workout Schedule
Are
you a fitness junkie? Frequent workouts mean a lot of sweating, and you
should tell your stylist. "What activities you participate in
definitely gives me insight into what is going to work with you daily
life and how I will cut your hair," says Katy Ryan, owner of Katy Ryan Studios
in New York City. Also, working out a lot, especially with very sweaty
activities, can take a toll of the health of your hair, says Ryan, since
sweat contains salt, which can dry out your hair—so you may want to
deep condition even more.
"I
would never give a curly haired client a straight bob haircut if she
has such an active workout schedule," says Solano. "It requires too much
maintenance during the blow-dry process."
If
a ponytail is your usual workout look, tell your stylist. "Most of the
time, if they are going to pull it all up, I will choose is a cut that
keeps their shortest fringe around their lip area," says Solano. Bottom
line: workout junkies should opt for simpler hairstyles, says Labrecque.
Your Personal Style
If
you have a bohemian wardrobe, a spiky, angular cut might not jive. And
someone who spends at least five days a week in a suit might want
something with a distinctly feminine edge—to contrast with the masculine
aspect, says Vanessa Ungaro, co-owner of Lauren + Vanessa Salon
in New York City. "I prefer to wear menswear in the winter time but I
also wear my hair very short. So I cut my hair into a style that is
soft and feminine," to work with that."
Your Sleeping Habits
Are
you a back sleeper, a side sleeper, a stomach sleeper? Fess up. The way
you sleep, coupled with your hair length, can make for more or less
styling time in the morning —something to consider before you decide on a
cut, especially if you're not big on a.m. effort. "For instance, if you
have shorter hair, you'll probably will have to touch up their style
everyday," says Ungaro. People with longer hair, however, can get
around a sloppy sleep-style by twisting hair into a top bun before
bedtime. "This way you won't have a dent in your hair when you wake up
and your hair will remain in its desired style," says Ungaro.
Also
important: what kind of pillowcase is coming into contact with your
locks. When in doubt, opt for satin, says Ryan. "Satin pillows aren't
just good for preventing face wrinkles. They're the gentlest on hair."
(This is especially true if you have curly hair, notes Solano, which can
be more prone to breakage and tangles.)
Your Dedication to Hair Health
Are
you the type to make a standing every-six-weeks appointment or are you
more likely to let a few months go by between visits? Knowing how often
they like to visit the salon is definitely important, says Solano. "This
is when I would choice a razor cut verses a clean line cut. Razor and
texturized cuts need to be cut more often, whereas a cleaner cut can
last longer." If you're desperately trying to grow your hair out, but
aren't going to come in for regular trims, you might be doing yourself a
disservice, says Ryan, since by the time you do come in you may have to
cut off more just to get rid of all the frayed ends and jagged layers.
Your Morning Routine
What kind of time investment can you make each day? Are you likely to whip out multiple styling tools or do you not even use
a brush when you blow dry? "When it comes to requests for hair changes
and makeovers, it's important for the client to understand how their
daily habits would change, or how much more time would need to be added
to their routine. For some even the idea of having to wash and style
bangs daily might sound like too much of a commitment," says Solano.
For
a woman who does all her own blow-drying —read: there's no blow dry bar
on the corner!—but who has a difficult texture to smooth, I usually try
to convince this person to accept her natural texture, says Labrecque.
Oh
and this is also a good time to clue your stylist in to how skilled you
are when it comes to styling your own hair, so you don't end up with
something that doesn't look great unless you've whipped out three
different size curling irons.
From:
Harper's Bazaar
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