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This section is a reference to support style decision making. With knowledge to guide you, you will be more confident with your decision to make a change. Cut and Color Resources has two sub sections: Facial Shape Guidelines and Color Resources .
After reading the pages contained in this section, you may have more questions than answers. That's great, because you will come to your hair appointment knowing what questions to ask and we will have a productive consultation. I will make sure all of your questions get answered.
Three Tips to Prepare for a New Stylist
Have you ever seen the makeovers on TV with the celebrity stylist who says: "Are you going to let me do what I want, or are you going to tell me what to do?" The "client" on TV may not offer a lot of input, but in the end she is transformed by good cut and color decisions that flatter her facial shape, hair texture, and natural coloring.
The scenario is somewhat different when your appointment is in a real-world salon. You may have expectations that you will want to communicate clearly, but may not be confident in your ability to do this. Perhaps you have had bad salon experiences in the past. You may have anxiety that your new style won't be flattering on you, or won't fit your personality. To get the most out of your appointment, I have three tips to offer.
1. Take the pressure off the first visit.
A problem with the "master stylist" scenario on TV is that it is a series of snapshots from a single makeover, done for dramatic effect, and as such does not show the entire process. This is not to say that amazing transformations don't happen in one visit, because they do, it is just a lot of pressure to put on that first visit. If you don't feel confident that you can describe a style that is dramatically different from what you have, or you are not absolutely certain about what you want, try not to get anxious about it.
You will get the most out of your first appointment if you and your stylist take the time necessary to get on the same page together. This is time well spent, because if you hit it off, you can build on successes of the first visit during the second visit. Using this "process" strategy, you are much more likely to develop a professional relationship you will value for a long time. If it turns out you have not found the stylist that understands what you like, you have risked very little. Paradoxically, you will likely get more out of your first visit once you take the pressure off.
2. Be able to say: "I like this."
I have no shortage of creative ideas to offer, but as simple as it sounds, it is very helpful if you are able to express what appeals to you when you come in. For example, do you want a look with a trendy fashion edge, or a more classic style? I recommend looking through some magazines before your appointment and tear out pictures of styles you like. If you find a picture on the web, send me the link. Some great sites to try are www.ukhairdressers.com and www.handbag.com, and there are many more. Google "hair style galleries".
Photographs are extremely valuable and readily accessable sources of inspiration. Some stylists don't like to work from photographs, they say, because "nobody ever looks like the model in the picture". A photograph should never be looked at as a blueprint. The first question I ask my client is "what exactly is it you like about this style?"If I don't understand the connection between you and the photo, we will discuss it and be much better off by doing so. Understanding what inspires you gives us a great place to start. Used in this way, I find photographs and web images invaluable. Bring in as many photographs as you like.
3. Consider what looks best on you.
Once you know what you like and have what you need to express it to your stylist, then you can start to think about what looks best on you. You don't have to have the answers, but it is helpful if you have considered the shape of your face, your hair texture, and your natural coloring. For example, if you have hair of medium texture and an oval face shape, your options are different than someone with overly thick, curly hair with a round face shape. If your skin color is olive, you probably won't look good in the same haircolor as someone who has freckles.
