Looking for the right hair stylist can seem like a never-ending story and it can be a traumatic one for many. Through my years as a stylist I have seen many cases in which a client will sit in my chair terrified because of previously bad experiences. It then becomes my goal not only to give them the best possible service but also to help the reprogram their mind so that they can enjoy their time in the salon.

Going to see your hair dresser should not be a fearful or questionable experience, this is a time in which your hair and your confidence should be enhance. Your stylist must be willing to listen to your requests and answer any questions you may have. To help you find a stylist who will suit your needs try this tips:

•Ask

Find someone with a hair style that you admire and a ask them the name of their beauty salon and stylist. Most people will be eager to tell you, whether the experience was good or bad. Ask also how long they been seeing their hair dresser, how consistent the experience has been and if they would recommend it to a friend.

When I began doing hair most of my clientele was build on referral, this fuel me to want to become better and better to exceed my clients expectation. - You can also find reviews of beauty salon in the internet, Merchant circle and City Search are a great tool. Do your homework.

•Research their level of education

Yes, this is very important, like any other field, school will only gives you the basics, a great hair dresser must be willing to invest in his/her ongoing education, he must be willing to keep up with the beauty industry and at the same time share that knowledge with his/her clients.

•Schedule for a consultation

Any great hair dresser should always schedule enough time to do a full consultation with a first time client. Even if the client just wants a trim, the consultation should cover any aspects and concerns regarding your hair.

•Budget

this is an area of concern to us all; make sure that you pick a salon and

price structure that you are comfortable with, so you are able to maintain your hair on a regular basis

•Location

It is easier to maintain a look if you can get into and out of the location with ease and in relatively good time.

•Atmosphere

Not all of us are comfortable in every surrounding. Pick your salon carefully as you will have to spend a lot of time there and you should be happy with your investment and at ease enough not to feel rush or uncomfortable.

•Service Quality

This encompasses a variety of issues. Do trust your stylist but remember that you are the customer and you are in charge of you look ultimately; communicate effectively, don't be shy.

•Experience

Remember years, in most cases, do count. You want to pick a well- established brand and company. Someone who has preferably been in the industry for over 5 years at the least. There are exceptions of course, if a stylist has been doing hair for under five years the she/he should have completed at least a year of training under a master stylist. Do not be afraid to inquire about background education and such.

Finally after you do find the right salon and stylist, enjoy your time in the salon, trust her judgment, be loyal and have fun.

M.Ponce

to read some of our other blogs visit http://myhairmuse.blogspot.com/ 

What you should know about Hair Color

 

Quite simply hair coloring is the science and art of changing the color of the hair.

The natural color of human hair is first and foremost directly tied to hereditary factors.  As scientists have proven, hair color is an inherited characteristic. But the beauty of this generic trade is that it can be change or enhance. At Muse The Salon we've been mastering the art of color for a long time. I personally love the challenge of a color correction, I only wish it could come with out the emotional pain and cost that it brings to the client. 

Here are some answers you should know if you are thinking of hair coloring to avoid unwanted consequences. 

 

 

How do you pick the most flattering hair color for your skin tone and eyes?

?If you look into your eyes you will see little flecks. If they are golden or yellow, a natural match would be warmer hair colors. If they are bluer or deep bluish black then a natural match would be neutral or cooler tones. To enhance your skin tone, never go more than two shades lighter or darker—this guarantees that you won’t fade or wash away your natural beauty.

 

 

 

What are the different types of hair color?

 

·      Permanent Hair-color

Permanent  makes a 'permanent' change in the pigment of the hair shaft.  It does not wash out! It will fade in time, but cannot be simply removed to "bring back" your natural color.  All hair that has been colored in this way has the natural color pigments irreversibly chemically altered. It can be removed, leaving the "altered" hair shaft pigments, which can be "corrective colored" back close to the original color.

This is a job which should be left to the Pros Only!  It can be one visit or many visits to the salon to try to correct a bad color job, it is expensive and is hard on the hair to varying degrees. 

 

·      Single Process Color

Single Process Color Is The Only Permanent Color That Should Be Attempted By The Amateur! Single process means that the color is lifted and deposited in one step and the change is settle.

 

·      Semi-Permanent

Semi-Permanent color is what it says it is, it can cover gray and go darker, but can not lighten. It lasts varying lengths of time depending on the product. Suitable for amateur colorists.

Warning: Double Process (bleaching and toning to the desired color) should never be attempted by a home hair colorist!.  This is definitely a pro-only process.

 

·      Deposit Only Color

Deposit Only color can only "deposit" color into the hair,  there are many varieties on the market for the home user.  These are very "User Friendly'' and usually condition and color in one step.

The very popular color "glazes or translucent" colors are among the easiest to start with to enhance your color. Most use a very low 3% peroxide to activate them .  Some are capable of lifting or lightening one level.

 

 

 

 

Do Your Homework Before You Color 

What does this mean?  It means that you must be perfectly honest to yourself and about yourself and the factors that enter into hair coloring.  If you are very dark haired (Level 1) and want to be a level 10 platinum blonde, forget home hair coloring! 

I know that there are many lightening kits on the market that will lighten hair at home and there are beauty supply stores that will sell professional products to the public, but if you try this at home you are taking a big gamble. 

While it can be and is done every day by people, some get the results that they wanted and some get horrible results.

If you don't believe me, just go to any beauty supply that is open to the public and stand around the hair color section for a while and listen to the customer's comments. 

Or go to any mall or public place and just sit for a few minutes and take a silent count of how many botched color jobs you see! 

My heart goes out to these people because most people who color their hair are trying to improve their appearance not detract from it!  There is nothing that will lower your self esteem of yourself worse than having a bad hair day whether it is a bad cut, color or perm that lasts for months.

 

Remember it cost a lot more to have your color professionally corrected than it does to have color in the first place.

 

 

More tips:

 

 

• Always test for allergies if you never have done color before.
• Learn the proper way and products to care for your hair after color.
• When going to a professional for the first time, always ask for a consultation and remember not every hair stylist is a colorist.
• When doing home coloring, keep it settle and don’t believe in gimmicks.

Monica Ponce

Muse The Salon

Tampa, Fl.

 

 

 

 

 

For a Professional consultation at Muse The Salon in Tampa Fl. visit, www.musehairgroup.com