How to Find A New Hair Salon: In-depth Guide
This guide helps people who need to find a hair salon or are unhappy with their current salon results. This indicates an interest in a better solution to your hair services. Let’s go over some things to help you find the right fit for your hair needs.
Introduction: How Are Women Feeling About Their Hair?
Our hair plays an important role in our self-esteem. It relates to our personal and professional lifestyles
·According to a study by Timestyle, “Over “29% of women today reported feeling empowered by having good hair” (1)
·“Over half of U.S. women (56%) said that being happy about their hair increases their self-esteem or that good hair makes them feel more positive about their day.” (1)
This makes sense. Our hair affects how we look, how we feel and how others see us.
So, what’s the problem?
The problem is that many women are simply not happy with their hair, and some are very concerned about it. Some feel a bit embarrassed about their hair. They can feel down when they have a bad hair day. “1 in 7” women have received negative comments about their hair and over 25% reported to have a lack of confidence on days when they don’t like their hair. They need the right hair salon and stylist for their unique needs.
What You Will Learn in This Guide
I prepared this guide based on my experiences as a hairstylist for over 10 years. In addition I am a salon owner for over 3 years and my training and customer feedback over that time.
This Guide will cover 4 key resources:
1. The main reasons for needing a new salon experience
2. The most important qualities of a top salon
3. What steps to take to find the best salon fit for your needs
4. How to prepare for your first salon meetings
1: The Reasons You May Need to Find a Different Hair Salon
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It can be challenging to understand your dissatisfaction with your hair and face the hard choice of seeking a better solution for your unique hair service needs. Clients who are not happy with their hair service oftentimes feel uncomfortable with confrontation and do not want a hard conversation with the salon or stylist. They are concerned with the way a typical salon reacts to a complaining person. Often the client is made to feel like “they are the problem” not the salon or stylist. It's hard to become a loyal client under these circumstances.
People with these issues would like to find a better solution but are unclear as to how to go about finding the right hair salon. They may be reluctant to communicate dissatisfaction while receiving services and decide to try a new salon. Guests sometimes don’t speak up because they fear hurting a stylist's feelings or don’t want to feel discomfort in expressing their thoughts.
The Primary Concerns and Motivations for Finding A New Salon Experience
Frequent feedback and industry reports indicate many people have experienced negative or unexpected results. This is not a fun situation. You find yourself feeling confused about what to do. You may be disappointed in the hairstylist who provided the service, and clearly frustrated with the circumstances.
The most common motivations to look for a better salon service is most often the result of two factors:
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A view that you do not like your natural hair and haven’t found a solution to have the best look for your hair.
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You had a bad or unsatisfactory experience with your current salon. You do not like the service done to your hair. This can leave you without a credible solution.
The problems and consequences that create a roadblock to a better solution are common. You know you need to get a better result of your hair and need to know where to find salon services that better suit you. Many are reluctant to have that difficult conversation. This means confronting your existing service provider with your dissatisfaction. There are a lot of feelings involved when doing hair or getting it done in the salon.
The feeling that the current salon will look at you as that “complainer” who is never happy. This leaves you thinking “they are just going to think I am the problem.” And typically, you don’t want to hurt your current stylist’s feelings but the feedback is dire.
These are real challenges. How do I go about finding a better solution that gets the results I want?
How You May Be Contributing to Not Having the Hair You Desire
Make no mistake. There are potential negative outcomes when the customer is using the wrong hair salon or solutions.
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If a client’s hair has been chemically damaged it can not be restored immediately. The damage may literally need to be gradually cut from the hair. This will depend on the length of your hair. It can sometimes take as many as two years.
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In certain situations, the damage may result in losing their hair altogether or starts breaking from the ends.
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Hair cut is too short or not enough
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They aren’t getting as many highlights as they desire and may feel their hair is too dark
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Customers feel like their expectations were never met or exceeded.
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They end up with damaged hair.
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Sometimes guests are getting the results they expected but it can’t be maintained.
What are the consequences of not resolving your salon dilemma?
Ask yourself ‘are my expectations unrealistic given my type of hair and the goals I have for how it looks’?
Have I really thought about what I want? The type of hair and style that I need for my particular personal or professional lifestyle?
Have I tried to ask questions to guide me to the answers I need about my end result? The communication piece to every appointment is incredibly important and clarity is key.
2: The Most Important Qualities of A Top Salon
Finding a Hair Salon For Your Unique Lifestyle Needs
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Salon Hair Services
Having a full range of salon services or hair services may be important. If your needs go beyond one specific need, such as a quality haircut, then the variety of services is important. A hair salon with a menu of services is important. Services such as haircuts, coloring, hair lightening, balayage, and blonding. In addition, highlights and treatments would be representative.
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Unique Needs
Your hair service needs may be very specific. Perhaps you only need hair highlighting or coloring. You may have very curly hair or looking to deal with graying hair. In this case, you can look specifically for a salon that focuses and specializes in your needs. If you do not know what those needs are, a top salon typically has a stand-alone consultation appointment. You will be able to discuss options for optimal results for your hair.
As a new guest to any hairstylist the more we see and work on your hair typically the better and better it gets. The range and variables within each hair salon service can make it complicated. So the more we know before the appointment date the better.
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Geographic Location
Location seems like a logical criterion. We want convenience, easy parking, reasonable drive time and area of town. That said, there is a balance between geographic location and finding the right salon. If the right salon for your needs is a bit farther than other options it would definitely be worth your time to go there and get what is best for you.
Not every stylist can do every single service in the hair industry to the expectation at hand. We learn the basics at the beginning, and it all depends on investment of time and/or money into continued education from there. Location doesn’t make or break a great salon or hairstylist. I believe the best of the best could be right down the street no matter where you live!
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Salon Environment
The salon environment and support are key factors in your selection. You want a situation where you experience a friendly and approachable situation that makes you feel comfortable. The salon needs to be open to communication and your viewpoint about your hair. You want the quality of service and cost to provide your definition of value. Having skilled, trained and experienced hair stylists and a culture for continued education. The latest technology in equipment and booking services.
Most of these criteria reflect on the salon’s leadership. You want a sense that the salons management emphasizes customer relationships and communications. An open and transparent attitude toward your needs.
The following chart from Salon Today provides a helpful visual over-view (by Boulevard). It shows how many people have uncovered the salon for their goals.
Source: Salon Today (2)
The first step is to have a clear understanding of what to look for in a successful hair salon. If you have a clear picture of what to look for it makes your search efforts more effective. You need a clear vision of what a top salon provides to meet your goals. One that provides hair services for your unique hair.
You need to locate the right salon and the right hairstylist. The top salons commit themselves to hiring and training their stylists. A stylist in a potential salon for your situation will have positive reviews. They will have a loyal customer base, and experience. Experience does not equal better hair on its own. But tied with great reviews and continued education typically is a great fit.
Finding the Right Stylist
3: Specific Steps to Finding the Right Salon
The Steps to Take in Researching Hair Salon Options
1. Perhaps the best approach will be potential salon referrals. You need to be proactive. Discuss your need to find the right salon solution with your friends, local family members. Also ask people you respect at your place of work. Get specific feedback to see if a recommendation fits your goals.
2. Rely on Salon’s website and Social Media presence. Customer reviews and testimonials can provide a wealth of information. Look for comments that suggest a good experience with your type of hair needs.
3. You can do the same research for hairstylists within a potential salon. Many will have Facebook and Instagram pages that show testimonials as well as images of their work.
4. Search geographic locations. As I have indicated geography is only one criterion. It is a starting point in making a list of possible salon choices. Search for “hair salon” in your area and also search salons specializing in a specific need you have. An example would be a search for “hair salons for curly hair.”
5. Review the Pricing and Services for your list of possible choices. Make sure the services your need will fit your budget. What can you realistically afford for the service you need? And maintenance?
Setting Reasonable Expectations
It is important to note you need to be more realistic you are about you service request and expectations. The more likely you are to get the results you want.
Once you have your list of potential hair salons that are close to your needs and the criteria to take the next step. The following Tip from Byrdie.com can help you think things through. It is a relevant reference to help in the interview process.
Source Byrdie.com (3)
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About Emily Witko
Founder Assembly Hair + Beauty Bar, Cincinnati, Ohio
Emily Witko is the owner of Assembly Hair + Beauty Bar salon in Cincinnati. She has 10 years of working behind the chair with guests and has a wide range of professional experience in many salon atmospheres. Emily’s passion began with color theory and a complete understanding of the hair strand. Traveling extensively for advanced education in the beauty industry including Lisa Hart Walker classes, Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica, and so much more.
4: How to Prepare for A New Salon Meeting and Consultation
Interview Notes
Once you have completed your list of 2 - 3 potential salons from referrals and online research. Now you need to prepare your salon interview notes. Take the time and responsibility to make notes of exactly what you are looking for. List the type of service, and your expectations. List your questions regarding:
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Services offer that line up with your needs
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Service Pricing to match your budgets
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Specific needs such as they type of hair you have, your hairs health and any concerns
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Note important things you have not liked in prior salon experiences
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Think about what maintenance you’d like to achieve with your hair
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Determine how much time you can spend in the salon per visit
As your interview and salon visit unfolds, be aware of the environment. Check your impressions against your list of “salon criteria.”
Be particularly alert to how the salon staff communicates. Are they listening to your needs and goals? Do they ask good questions? Is the salon clean and organized? Is there a generally friendly and happy atmosphere? What is your comfort level in asking questions to stylists at consultation?
You owe it to yourself to take control. If you have had bad experiences or hair salon results, you don’t want to keep starting over if you can help it.
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What to Look and Listen for During Your Salon Consultation
Our Solution | Assembly Hair + Beauty Bar | Are You In Cincinnati?
If you live in the greater Cincinnati area our salon Assembly Hair+ Beauty Bar is centrally located Hyde Park area. We provides a full range of professional hair salon services and experienced hairstylists.
You can take advantage of our experience in upscale hair salon support. We will provide a thorough assessment of your needs and expectations. We have the skill and training to help you achieve success and love your hair. And when or if we don’t think we can achieve it we let you know such things. We believe our hair salon services are worth your time and investment. Our beautiful results are our best proof.
When booking a consultation or salon service at Assembly we will assess your hair and collaborate on your goals. We discuss the vision for end results desired. There are many top hair services including treatments to choose. This is based on the guest in our chair at the time. The benefits of participating in an open consultation will assure you of the best opportunity for satisfaction.
Simply click the link below and review the salon services provided in our Cincinnati location.
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