I Said an Inch, They Took a Mile

You gotta communicate with your hairstylist

By Bridget Brosnan-Boscaccy
Published: Dec 24, 2007

Who hasn’t gotten six inches lopped off when what you’d asked for was a trim? Or left the salon a Marilyn Monroe-blonde when you thought you were getting a few highlights? In fact, many of you are probably still growing your hair out from such a disaster as we speak. Fifty percent of my first time clients have left their previous stylists because they weren’t getting what they wanted. After following this advice, you won’t have that problem ever again. Or at least if you do, it won’t be your fault.

Bring a Picture
A picture’s worth a thousand words, or in this case, the thousand dollars you’ll save on getting your hair redone. Words get complicated because “caramel” and “long” can mean totally different things to different people. A photo will show your stylist exactly what you are talking about. It can be a picture of you with that cut you used to love, or a color sample of your dog’s perfect shade of blonde—anything that both you and your stylist can see and discuss.

Speak to the Right Brain
It’s no secret that a majority of hair stylists are probably right-brained. I suggest never talking numbers with your hair stylist. This is not at all to belittle them (remember, I’m included in that group) but they are usually not very analytical. Unless you’re planning on breaking out a ruler in the salon, we all perceive an inch differently. So, use landmarks on your body when referring to your desired length. Show them that you’d like to see your fringe sit at the eyebrow, or your length hit at the collar bone. And make sure to say, “When my hair is dry.”

Don't Go Quietly
This may seem so inane, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t speak up when they’re unhappy. I think some people just want to get the hell out of there (or maybe they’re intimidated by their stylist?), so they shut-up, pay and leave, never looking back. No matter what, comment on what you’re seeing. Even if you talked extensively in the consultation, if what you’re seeing is not exactly what you want, explain why you’re unhappy. You’re paying for a service, and you should feel good about the results. If you went to a restaurant and they put bacon in your vegetarian entrée, you’d send it back, right? Think the same way with your hair.

Be Realistic
A hair stylist is not a mind-reader, nor a magician. It’s important that you have realistic expectations. Do not expect to walk into your salon after coloring your hair midnight black for years, and walk out with hair as blonde as Pam Anderson’s. That won’t happen (at least not without all your hair falling out).

So go to your next salon visit armed with these pieces of advice. After all, you wear your hair everyday—you should love it.

Bridget Brosnan-Boscaccy is, in fact, a little right and left brained. She may be one of the smartest hair stylists out there. Visit salonblonde.com to find her.

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