5 Green Flags When Choosing a Hair Stylist to Partner With
There’s been a ton of buzz out in the natural hair Internet streets regarding the poor customer service provided by licensed stylists. Many consumers like yourselves are utterly frustrated with inflated service costs, poor stylist communication and sometimes even the service itself rendered by hair stylists. Here at Black Girl Curls and as licensed stylists ourselves, we want to acknowledge the many frustrations voiced on the Internet.
At many different periods in our lives we have had to go on the hunt for the perfect hair stylist. Whether we’ve relocated, wanted something different or new, maybe our stylist retired or just doesn’t offer a service we’re interested in. We have all found ourselves in this rather precarious position of locating a pro that could meet or exceed our needs.
Listen, when it comes to our hair, we want to be able to entrust our strands to a caring and dedicated pro that will make all of our realistic expectations come true. Although the red flags of hair stylists are heard loud and clear, we want to point out 5 green flags to note when vetting a licensed professional.
Green Flag #1: The Stylist Provides a Thorough Consultation
If you’re visiting a licensed professional for the first time, simply put you don’t know that stylist, the stylist doesn’t know you and they don’t have any prior knowledge of your hair history. A consultation is typically recommended for first-time clients (especially if you’re desiring a color and/or heat service) so that the stylist can fully examine your hair and familiarize themselves with your specific challenges and hair goals.
Nowadays, consultations are flexible and can even be done virtually. We recommend vetting the stylist and visiting their website and/or booking link to verify if they offer consultations.
Green Flag #2: The Stylist Has Good Communication
When a licensed stylist has good communication, as a future client you are fully aware of their service offerings, terms and policies, your first salon appointment details well in advance should you decide to book, they honor your appointment time and will inform you of any same-day conflicts/issues/challenges.
It’s important to remember that all stylists are human beings just like us, and sometimes things happen (especially when you’re a mother to tiny humans) but you’re properly informed and are given alternative options.
Green Flag #3: The Stylist Listens and Uses Advanced Knowledge to Present Solutions
As a future client, you are paying for a service and expect the service to be well-worth your hard earned coins. A good stylist will listen to understand your individual needs and/or hair challenges and use their advanced knowledge and training to help present you with suitable solutions.
Those specific challenges could vary from client-to-client and could be anything from a client wanting to retain their length to desiring a specific hair color. A good stylist offers options, but does not pressure a client into doing something they’re not ready for, does not want or can’t maintain.
Green Flag #4: The Stylist Completes the Service In a Timely Manner
Remember back in the 90’s or even early 2000’s when we were in the salon basically all day? You could not under any circumstances make other plans when it was time to get your hair done.
Well in 2023, technology has made it 100x easier to be serviced in a timely manner. A good stylist should have appropriate time blocks for each client, meaning that you’re fully serviced and in and out within a reasonable time frame.
“Keep in mind, that although stylists can often present themselves as magicians, they really aren’t in real life. It’s important that you do your part as well in your at-home hair care routine to not result in extra time added to your salon appointment.”
Green Flag #5: The Stylist Recommends a At-Home Hair/Scalp Care Routine
Depending on a client’s individual needs, on average your salon visits can be every 12-16 weeks. Since this equals to about 3 to 4 visits per year, it makes everything you do to your hair at home crucial.
A good stylist will recommend quality products based on a client’s texture/density/porosity, help you develop a suitable at-home hair care routine and recommends a follow-up salon schedule based on your individual needs (maintenance cuts, color services, etc).
If your stylist does not initially provide this type of information, we strongly encourage you to ask during your service that way you can make sure you at-home care coupled with your future appointments are top-notch.
The stylist-client relationship should be a partnership led by the goals and desires of the client. It’s important to understand that as a consumer, you are purchasing a service from a professional and you have full control over the transaction.
“Keep in mind that it is your responsibility to patronize stylists that respect your time, your money and your hair. If the relationship isn’t mutually beneficial, you have the full right to seek out another professional that does.”
Are you seeking out a professional stylist in your area? My Style-List is a third-party location-based directory founded by our co-founder, Aishia Strickland. My Style-List helps connect future clients like yourselves to qualified professionals.
Please note that this is an independent, free third-party resource that should be utilized at your own discretion.
