teamwork

Yeah. I can't stand that word. But ya know, as hokey as it is it's pretty important in this industry. It's important because at any given time stylists are either extremely busy or extremely not busy. When you're extremely busy it's nice to get a helping hand with a clean towel, a sweep of the floor, checkout, or check in. So at some point you will most likely have to rely on either your fellow stylists, a receptionist, a manager, or even an owner. The key to this is, at some point, one of those same people will rely on you, and you better be ready. If your co-workers find that they can not depend upon you, you probably won't be able to depend upon them.

This also applies to regular shop maintenance. You will always need towels, and clean shampoo bowels, and clean floors. You will always need foils torn, and phones answered, and clients greeted. Make sure you do your part to keep the shop running well. That work will pay off in spades.

Communication is key

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The single most important aspect of getting a good haircut and/or color service is communication. Now, it is the job of the stylist to make sure that communication is happening and to make sure they are interpreting your ideas properly. But it is also the clients' job to make sure they can communicate to the stylist.

But how?

I have some clients that have a very hard time communicating ideas (especially of an artistic nature) to me. I try to make sure I ask them all sorts of questions to help bring their ideas out into words. But sometimes words do fail. If that's the case then pictures are, in fact, worth a thousand words (or at least a great haircut.) That, of course, doesn't mean you bring in a bunch of pictures of your favorite movie star. You can - that does help as well. But sometimes the best thing you can do is bring in a picture of yourself that has the very hair cut you are going for. That will, most times, be enough for the stylist. And if that's not enough then just a few words here and there will make up for what the picture doesn't show.

And if you can't find any pictures than sometimes it's always easiest to tell the sylist (or ask the client) what you (or they) DON'T like about their hair. For some reason people have an easier time telling you what they don't like versus what they like.

No matter how you do it, communication will, more often than not, save you from a bad hair day.

For the new cosmetologists

I thought I should write up something for all the budding cosmetologists out there. There are a lot of young men and women who have hopes to tackle hair school and leap right out into the professional world a super star. Unfortunately I have a reality check for you...it's a long, hard, poor road to stardom.

Take myself for instance. I am a 40 year old male. This was a major career change for me. Because I have worked in the professional world in numerous fields, I knew there would be a climb...a long, arduous climb. And that's where I am. And here's the deal:

When you graduate from hair school you better be prepared to give yourself 2-5 years before you are really on your feet. Building a clientèle takes a lot of time. And while you're building that clientèle be prepared to pay your dues. You'll be answering the phone, sweeping hair, folding towels, shampooing, watching...all those things you don't want to do...while you learn and build. And while you're doing this, you do it with a smile.

Everyone's situation is different. But the one universal that will always hold true is that dedication, hard work, and a good attitude will take you very far in this world. And it's certainly worth it. This industry is fun will pay you back every penny and drop of sweat you put into it. Bt you have to put in before you get back.

I am but one year removed from hair school and my clientèle is slowly but surely building up. And I am having fun and working hard. I am doing things above and beyond what I probably need to do. Why? Karma. That and I like to help out to make things easier for others. I take pride in what I do - whatever it is. You will never see me phone anything in (as we used to say in the acting world).

So to all you aspiring stylists I say make sure you are ready for some hard work. And have another job in your back pocket so you can pay the bills. You don't want to drown in debt as you build your book. And above all - enjoy yourself! This is an industry that thrives on fun.

stylists are like actors

Being a stylist who spent twenty years as a professional actor, I am constantly amazed at how similar the two professions are. The most obvious similarity is that we are constantly having to perform for an audience. Now the audience of a stylist is much smaller than the audience of the actor - but the effect on the performer is very similar. There is pressure to ensure that your audience is entertained one way or another. There are times when your client needs to laugh, or smile, or cry, or vent. Which, naturally, brings us to another, less obvious, similarity. Listening. Actors must listen and must listen in many ways. Actors listen with their ears, their eyes, their hearts, their skin - everything. A stylist must do the same thing in order to pick up on the cues given by the client. The client may be in need of something (to vent for example) and the stylist must be able to pick up on that.

Without the ability to really, and honestly, listen to a client a stylist is doomed. So, if you are a client, don't accept the nods and uh-huhs that should indicate to you that your stylist isn't listening. Make sure they are hearing you when you have something you need them to hear. And stylists, make sure your clients are hearing you when you are educating them on their hair. It is a two way street and it's one that is wonderful to travel. So don't miss out on such a great opportunity.

And of course without an audience, both the actor and the stylist have no purpose. They must have someone to witness them do their work. As a stylist it is my job to make sure my audience is given the respect they deserver (even if it is only to make sure they come back.) And as a client it is your job to return the respect to your stylist. Stylists put a good deal of time and energy into their clients to make them happy and comfortable. Let them know you appreciate that effort - even if it is only to return to them another day.

Of course there is always ego involved when dealing with people of an artistic bend. Yes, stylists have egos too. So as they are stroking your ego to make sure you know you look your best, give a stroke or two back to make sure you appreciate their talent. Just don't stroke too much else the ego get out of hand. ;-) That goes for both stylists and actors.

Stylists and ESP

It's been a few days since I posted. Which is strange seeing as how I have a good post to put up. Here's how it goes. Over the weekend I was going for a run and for some reason I thought of one of my first clients of the week. I thought how cute it would be if I took her hair shorter than we normally do.

So I figured I would mention it when I saw her. Believe it or not, she had the same thought over the weekend. So I cut it shorter and it looked adorable on her!

The point is, when you think of your clients, or when clients have a thought about their hair, never hesitate to talk about it. You never know, from a simple thought might come a magnificent change! On top of that, your client will know that you're thinking of them.

Watch what you say

As a hairstylist it is our job to not just make people look beautiful, it's also our job to listen to people. Many people think of their stylists as one step below their therapists. Clients want to sometimes unload on their stylist - just to get things off their chest with an unbiased ear. For clients that's a big deal - trusting someone they hardly know. And with that "big deal" comes responsibility.

Much (if not all) that is heard from your client should stay in your space - it should never leave your lips to any other's ears. That would break a trust you are forming - a trust that is very hard to come by without seeing a therapist or psychiatrist. This should, of course, all go without saying.

But one issue that might not be so obvious is that stylists shouldn't just feel free to either unload on their clients or say things about their fellow workers or, for the most part, anyone else. You never know who is connected to whom and who is listening in.

Most people probably don't realize how multi-layered being a hair stylist is. It's not just about having the skills to pretty people up. Although that is certainly a large portion of a stylists palette, it is not the only tool. Stylists have to know how to listen intently, when to talk and when not to talk, and (when the occasion arises) how to comfort.

The stylist/client relationship is a very complex one. And it's one that must be fostered and nurtured. It doesn't just happen automatically. And it never will if you blather on about yourself, talk about your fellow stylists, or break the bonds of trust created between you and your client.

Know when to talk and when not to talk. It'll take you just as far as knowing what to cut and what not to cut.

Young mens' hair

I do a lot of young mens' hair and I find it fascinating to say the least. Now I realize that most people looking around at today's young man would shake their heads and wonder what in the heck I was smoking. The young male of today is generally speaking a floppy, shaggy, mess of fluff on top. And normally I wouldn't completely disagree with you. But I know these young men go to great lengths to actually make their hair look like they just woke up. And believe it or not, they are very picky about their haircuts.

They have to be! Why? They don't use product. No matter how much I educate them on how product could help their look, they don't want it. They want their hair frizzy and fluffy and truly "just out of bed". And I think I know why.

Most young men are getting up just in the nick of time to make it to school or work. So there is no time to spend on their hair. To that end they have collectively adopted a shaggy flop of a style that goes well with "just getting up". So what you have is an "on demand" style that requires absolutely nothing on the part of the wearer, and everything to do with the stylist and mother nature.

But it's still frustrating for people like me. Growing up (and developing a sense of style) in the 80s, to me product and tools are my hair salvation. And I want to get those young boys to adopt a new method of styling, but that would be doing them a disservice. They have worked hard to get the public to accept their Shaggy-from-Scooby-Doo floppy hair style. And to that end I say "bravo!"

Of course I can say that because I know at some point in their lives they are going to wake up and go "Maybe some product would help this fuzzy fluff."

Until then I will razor and shag their hair all they want. I am there, after all, for them.