Five experts reveal everything you want to know at the hairdresser’s, but are too afraid to ask…
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Q My hairdresser is too chatty! How can I get some quiet without causing any offence?
Sam Burnett, salon owner and award-winning hairstylist: “It’s completely acceptable to want some alone time and not speak to anyone. Ask for magazines and mention that it’s a great time to catch up on your reading. Be open and let your hairstylist know your needs and expectations. They won’t be offended, and it’ll eliminate any potential awkwardness.”
Q My last haircut didn’t work for me. Do I need to use hair lingo to get what I want?
Kérastase ambassador James Galvin: “Prior to going to the salon, know your hair type, face shape and lifestyle before you decide on a style – for example, can you commit to styling, or do you need a low-maintenance look?
Your hairdresser should also help you with this during the consultation. If you struggle to articulate the style you want, bringing an image is a good idea – the stylist will tell you if that look is achievable.
It’s not up to the client to learn the lingo; any well-trained hairstylist should interpret your needs.”
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Q I want a cool blow-dry, but often end up with a big bouffant, help!
Marvin Lopes, manager at Nicolway’s Jeauval Hair Salon: “It helps if you know what style you’d like to have, and what you don’t want to look like! Scroll through hairstyles on Instagram and Pinterest, and take screenshots on your phone to show your hairdresser. It’s a great way to build a relationship with your stylist, but if you feel that it’s not working out, you may need to find one who’s on the same page as you.”
Q I don’t know the rules on tipping. How much do I give, and to whom?
Alan Heritage, hairdresser and Indola ambassador: “I would suggest you tip whoever you feel you got great service from. It could be the receptionist, apprentice, or stylist. The average tip is about 10%, and most clients give it individually at the end of the appointment. Some leave nothing or give a large amount at Christmas. From the stylist’s point of view, it acts as a good reflection of how they’re doing and is seen as a reward for a great job.”
Q I love my colour in the salon, then it all goes downhill. Why?
Senior colourist Devin Holly: “When colour is freshly done, the tones you see reflect what you decided on with your colourist, but many factors influence how it wears over time. Many people don’t consider how water can affect colour. Hard water has minerals that change tones, iron can oxidise and give a brassy hue, while copper oxidises into a dulling green.
To maintain colour at home, try washing your hair only when it really needs it with a gentle colour-safe shampoo, and keep heat to a minimum when styling. Ask your salon about the treatments they offer to remove minerals from the hair so that tones stay truer for longer, while addressing hair’s strength and porosity, which affect colour, too.”
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Blow-dry buzzwords you need to know
- Volume To create root lift, giving the hair more fullness
- Movement Giving straight hair a softer finish using a large round brush
- Beach waves An undone curl normally created using a wand or tong
- Texture Soft movement, either with products or a wave
- Bouncy Volume and a soft curl towards the mid-lengths and ends. An uber-glam look
Compiled by Fiona McKim; Martinique Stevens
