The Benefits Of Salon Hair Care

For most of us, taking care of our bodies is a natural part of our day. We've been bombarded with the messages that tell us that diet, exercise, and taking care of ourselves on a number of different levels can result in increased healthy and vitality - and we've heeded the advice, heading to the gym and watching what we eat. But part of caring for ourselves includes taking care of the outside; how we look says a lot about who we are and putting care and attention into our hair, clothes, makeup, and overall grooming can make the difference in how people perceive us and, most importantly, how we feel about ourselves. Taking care of your hair, especially, will go a long way towards setting the tone for your overall style and pulling together a look that's uniquely you. And when it comes to making sure you look your best, salon hair care is paramount to healthy and attractive hair.

Salon hair care simply means the frequent visiting of a salon and professional hair stylist to ensure that your hair is healthy. Healthy hair is beautiful hair and there is no getting around this simple fact. For some, trimming their hair at home has become part of their routine. But a professional hair stylist can offer a level of expertise that will ensure that you have the hairstyle - and color - that looks best on you. And most important to remember is that salon hair care does not have to mean expensive hair care.

There are many high-end salons today that offer superlative service with expensive price tags. Depending on where you live, it is always possible to find hair salons that offer just as quality salon hair care at a much lower price and the answer lies in overhead. Look for smaller salons that have fewer stylists and are located just a little bit off the beaten path. It's a simple equation; when their rent is cheaper your salon hair care is cheaper.

Salon hair care will mean a professional cut and style along with a thorough shampoo and conditioning treatment. If you have particularly dry hair then salon hair care is imperative to maintaining a healthy level of moisture in your hair.

When it comes to color, salon hair care is the way to go in order to find the color that is right for you skin tone. More than anything, color that is not done professionally can go horribly wrong. Stick with the experts when it comes to coloring - and caring for - your hair; you won't be sorry.

Salon Etiquette - It is also the client's responsibility.

The vast majority of salon clients mean well, and have good intentions; but even the most well-meaning customer can cause distractions that may compromise the quality of the stylist's work.  I am not blaming anything on the clients, of course, but the process of cutting and styling hair requires some basic "salon etiquette".

Let's begin by examining the appointment-making process.  If you have a difficult time remembering appointments, write down the date and time on a piece of paper and place it where you won't forget about it.  Missed appointments (referred to as "no-shows" in salon lingo), seriously cripple a salon's ability to run on time . As a result, the receptionists and stylists have to re-work all of their standing appointments to accommodate for the loss.  Some salons require a client to notify the salon if they are running late or will miss their appointment.  If the salon hasn't been notified within a reasonable amount of time, they may impose a cancellation fee.  This is the same thing a doctor's office will do if you are a no-show for an appointment.  Failing to notify the salon is irresponsible, rude, and unnecessary. All it takes is a few seconds to dial a phone number. 

When a client makes an appointment, the stylist has to block out at least 45 minutes of his or her time.  This time is a valuable commodity in the salon.  Just about every salon will understand if you need to change or re-schedule your appointment, and will make the necessary changes without any problems.  Totally ignoring an appointment is the ultimate expression of disregard for a stylist's time.

Salon Etiquette

WHAT YOUR STYLIST EXPECTS FROM YOU!

BE ON TIME.
(Or no more than 15 minutes late.) "I schedule my haircuts every 45 minutes," says Louise O'Connor, owner of OC 61 Salon in New York City. "Once we're 15 minutes past your appointment time, there is no guarantee you'll be accommodated. But a call to the salon is appreciated nonetheless."

TREAT A FIRST VISIT LIKE A FIRST DATE.
"If it's the first time you're seeing a stylist, dress up a little," says Kevin Lee, creative director of the Kenneth Salon in New York City. This allows a stylist to get a sense of your personal style, so he can give you a cut that works with it. Along those same first-date lines, limit your revelations. Although having someone run his fingers through your hair is disarming, you probably shouldn't talk sex, religion, or salary with someone you've just met, whether he's sitting across the table from you or standing behind your chair.

RESEARCH THE SALON'S RATES — BEFORE YOUR VISIT.
Also, ask what forms of payment they take; not everyone accepts American Express, for example. This can prevent potential sticker shock or an embarrassing confrontation at the front desk after your appointment. If, however, your bill is way more than you expected, don't try to haggle with the receptionist. Ask (politely) to see the manager, who is empowered to do something.

TRY TO BE PATIENT.
"If you are early [thank you!] or your stylist is running a little late, do not walk up to the stylist, stare down the client in his chair, and start talking about your hair," says Lee. If the stylist is really running behind, however, it is perfectly acceptable to speak to the manager, says Lee. Most will try to appease inconvenienced clients with a free manicure, hair product, or deep-conditioning treatment, says O'Connor.

CHEATED? FESS UP.
"I actually don't mind if a client has gone to see someone else," says Luden Henriquez, a stylist at the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. "If she's back in my chair, clearly I'm doing something right." But most experts say it's still good to come clean — especially if you've had a chemical service done elsewhere, which could cause an adverse reaction to any new treatment.

DON'T FORGET THE LITTLE PEOPLE.
If you're happy with your service, it's generally considered polite to tip at least 15 percent, says Roy Teeluck, a stylist and spokesperson for Nexxus haircare

. (The one exception? It is not necessary to tip the salon owner, though most won't turn away a fistful of bills.) But it is always courteous to slip $5 to $10 to assistants (if your stylist has one) or to anyone else who aids with your haircut or color.

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR STYLIST:
HIS FULL, UNDIVIDED ATTENTION.
You are paying for his time and expertise, says Jonn Rhamani at Salon A-K-S in New York City, so a stylist should never walk away from you in the middle of a cut. Similarly, both a stylist and a colorist should remain in the salon until all of your treatments are completed and your hair is dry.

SOMEONE WHO LISTENS WELL AND NEVER BULLIES.
Ultimately, you are the one who has to wear the hair, says Henriquez, so a good stylist will never try to "talk you into" something you don't really want.

NO INAPPROPRIATE CONVERSATION OR CONTACT.
It's true that many client-stylist relationships do evolve into genuine friendships, says Teeluck. But if you and your stylist are mere acquaintances, then it's never OK for the stylist to initiate anything more intimate. If that is ever to happen, it must first come from the client.

*taken from Marie Claire