With thousands of stylists chiseling, combing and coiffing the locks of ladies from the small town beauty parlors to the swankiest of “citified” salons, I ask myself the same question that lots of first-time clients ask me. Underwhelmed or downright displeased by the last cut they got, they sit down in a new stylist’s chair and ask, “Why can’t I get the perfect haircut?”
The bob that went from chin-length to above the ears and not in a good way, long layers that just lie there causing clients to flip out because it will not flip under, color that adds years instead of subtracting them, well, these are the symptoms of two key problems.
First, find a stylist who listens. Ask questions to be sure that he or she was listening. Don’t be afraid to shop around. Do you buy the first pair of Tory Burch flats you see or do you check out the Brian Atwood heels? Take a stylist for a test drive just like the season’s newest roadster. Bring photos, discuss styling tools for at-home maintenance, and talk about your best haircut and your worst haircut. It’s crucial to feel rapport whether slow dancing or doing the tango. It’s a partnership, a duet that should develop ease and familiarity over time. Within the first minutes of a consultation, you will know if the chemistry is a go or a definite no.
Second, in defense of all my kind, we are beauticians, not magicians. If an experienced stylist says that your goals for your hair are impossible to achieve, you’re entitled to a second opinion, but you should probably also consider adjusting your expectations. Some hair types and textures simply cannot achieve some looks. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you.
So how do you get the perfect haircut? Make sure your expectations are realistic, and trust your hair only to a stylist who is committed to ongoing professional development, whether it’s staying current with the season’s red carpet events or seminars in New York. Like most professions, the best work to become the best. It does not happen by accident. Expect productive two-way communication, and don’t be shy about speaking your mind.
Now you’re on the road to being beautiful with the new summer cut that is perfect for you while I’m on the road to Alaska. That’s right. I’ll be moving to a beautiful hamlet called Sitka in June, but I’ll be sending in my ramblings by email. Who knows what new topics are coming your way as the whales and the snow-capped peaks color my world!
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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