A Hair Salon Hair Consultation

Many clients do not realize that they should get a hair consultation from a hairstylist before committing to a haircut or color change. With the fast paced environment of many salons, it is hard for people to walk in and expect this but a hair consultation should be part of all hairstylists’ job descriptions. Many people visit a salon looking for a change with their hair which can include a different style, a new haircut, or an update in hair color but are not sure what the best goal would be. That is the job of the hairstylist to ask the client and it is the client’s responsibility to try and convey the goal of the visit which is why many clients bring in pictures of what they are looking for.

A good hair consultation will not only look at the hair and face structure but at all aspects including their attitude and lifestyle. A hairstylist should first look at the hair, notice the texture and color, condition of the hair, and how it is currently styled. The face structure and shape should also be examined and recommendations give on certain features like angular jaw lines, high cheekbones, and others. A good hair consultation will also request the individual’s lifestyle and level of hair maintenance desired to match the person to a fitting hairstyle. Some people like to wash and go while others don’t mind spending several minutes in hair preparation everyday and there are hairstyles more tuned to each different aspect.

The hair consultation takes these factors into account in order to find not only the most flattering hairstyle for the client but also the one that is most manageable that fits the client’s lifestyles. There are so many different hairstyles, many very flattering, but the goal is to meet the client’s other needs as well. A great example is a savvy, business woman who is looking for a professional hairstyle that is easy to style. An experienced hairstylist will be able to recommend several haircuts like a polished bob to meet these needs based on this fact and her facial and hair features and would keep away from retro looks which are less fitting for the environment.
Hair consultations are even more important for changing hair length or color because these are dramatic alterations that are harder to fix. Hairstylists should definitely provide very detailed information as why a particular cut would look good on the client or why certain color enhancements will compliment the current cut and color. Clients should ask the same questions and even ask for examples of work before making major changes. For anyone visiting a salon looking for something new, always ask the hairstylist for a detailed hair consultation no matter how busy the salon is, even if it requires a second visit.