An annoyed hairstylist is not a happy hairstylist, and I’d imagine that in the wide world of people you’d rather not annoy, your hairstylist would be near the top of that list. I’m about as laid back as a hairstylist gets, but if you play your cards right, you can find me pretty fit to be tied behind the chair. After talking to several stylist friends, we all have different hang-ups, but these five rang true for just about everyone that I spoke with.
Giving these annoying habits a break could mean the difference between a great salon visit and a hair disaster.
1. Moving Your Head
Here’s a general rule of thumb, if you talk with your hands, you probably talk with your head, too. This is the single most annoying thing about trying to cut, style, color, or foil highlights into someone’s hair; especially trying to foil or balayage highlights. Seriously terrible things can happen to your color if your head is bouncing about like a bobble head doll. Seriously bad things. Be aware of the movements your head makes when you’re getting your hair done, and please try to keep the movement at a minimum.
2. Chronic Lateness
I’ll be honest, I am rarely early for anything. I often show up on time or about 4.5 minutes late to pretty much, everything. As a hairstylist, I’m about the most understanding person on the earth when it comes to showing up barley on time. However, there’s a giant difference between blowing in 5 minutes late once or twice because time got away from you or traffic slowed you down and frantically flying in 20 minutes past your appointment time for the third appointment in a row with the same lame excuse.
If you’re going to be late, a quick phone call or text message (cause let’s face it, we are all on a personal level with our stylists these days) can mean all the difference in the world. If your stylist has a heads up, she can adjust her mindset (i.e. not want to scalp you) and perhaps the rest of her schedule, or let you know that you may have to reschedule. Maybe she’ll tell you that it’s totally no big deal because she’s running behind or had a cancellation after your appointment. Either way, just letting her know what’s happening when you’re running behind is simply respectful.
3. No Direction What-So-Ever
When you come in to get your hair done and give your stylist absolutely no direction what-so-ever you might as well bang her head up against the wall for her. You don’t have to know everything about hair color, but saying, “I don’t care, do whatever,” could mean a lot of things and could completely depend on your stylists mood or level of irritation. If you and your stylist have gotten to know each other well and she gets you, you might be okay, but even then it’s nice to say something with direction. “I like the length, but it needs new shape,” “A little lighter for the summer would be fantastic,” or “I’m loving that new pixie trend,” starts the conversation in the right direction. While I’m always stoked to get a little creative freedom when it comes to my clients hair, I think it’s important to express what you like and what you don’t like before you your style on.
4. Forever Failing to Plan
If your hair stylist is good, and you love her, and you want to continue to have her cut and/or color your hair chances are that lots of people feel the same way. Even if you’re not the type to plan 8 week ahead of schedule, it might be time to play along. If you’re always texting or calling for an appointment this week, you’re probably annoying your already busy stylist. Have a conversation and figure out how often you need to come in and schedule ahead. She’ll appreciate not having to work you in, squeeze you in, extend her hours, or say “no” to your last minute requests.
5. Get Off Your Phone
I get it, technology is important, but unless there’s a fire save the phone conversations for after your appointment. Not only is it completely rude, but it tilts the angle of your head, moves your head around annoyingly, and gets in the way of the stylist who’s probably trying to comb your hair in some fashion. Texting or Facebooking or whatever the kids do these days is a lot better, but try to make your hair appointment a technology free zone whenever possible. Plus the more your stylist gets to know you through conversations, the better she can understand your hair.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
