Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, especially if s/he is a hairdresser. While it’s true that nothing beats inner beauty, no one brings it out beauty more than a hairdresser. She or he treats hair like a canvas on which to display their art. Only, in this case, the brushes and paints are products, color brushes, and scissors. Once those are in place, sections of your hair can be cut, colored, or curled to create beauty and, if you’re lucky, a more beautiful you! But how to spot the right artist, err, hairdresser? Simple. You find the right salon! Ok, so maybe that isn’t all that simple. But it is about to get simpler.
When searching for a new salon, it’s always key to make sure the stylists in the salon are highly trained and experienced. Have the stylists at the salon gone through advanced training? Do they keep up with the latest trends and techniques by going through continued education classes? How much experience do the stylists have? Trust me, any good salon will make this known, and if you are unsure, just ask.
Even the hands of a great hair artist are half-empty without the flourishes from the right product. So while we only stock up on the best in our own boudoirs, let’s not undermine the shelves of the neighborhood hair studio or overestimate the stylist’s skill. Salons can’t get complete credit for the results from the right hair product, but they sure are unarmed to deliver the best possible experience without one.
Start with the basics
Always start with salons haircuts; this is usually the most inexpensive service. Booking a haircut is a great way to get yourself into the salon and see if it’s a good fit for you. An above-average haircut should include a consultation to identify your requirements. Your hair growth patterns should be are analyzed. Factors such as cowlicks, face shape, and lifestyle should be used to determine the cut. These factors should also be considered when the hairstylist gives you tips for maintaining the cut. Take note to see if the stylist records this information, or just ask. In a high-end salon, your stylist should be taking individualized notes for you and storing them so the next visit is shorter.
What products does the salon have to offer?
Make sure the salon is a full-service salon. Although you might not need more than a haircut and style now, you might need these services later on. The perk of the full-service salon is that you are not driving all over town trying to pamper yourself. To do this, look at the salon’s website; what products do they offer? A great example of this is Niki Moon Salon, in Naperville. On this website, you can see that this hair haven uses a wide variety of hair colors to serve all of its client’s needs. Goldwell Top Chic and Goldwell Colorance are used for most of their color services, though they also use Redken shades for glosses and demi-permanent to add incredible shine and luster to the client’s hair. They also offer an ammonia-free color line for clients who are a little more sensitive to chemicals or prefer a more Eco-friendly coloring service. As a salon, they understand that it is not one brand but an army of colors, creams, and conditioners tailor-made to each treatment to give the best results. So whether it is a soft blonde, a vibrant red, or a rich brunette that one wants, they custom formulate the colors to match any skin tone and deliver desirable hair nourishment.
Does the salon offer high-end services?
Does the salon offer keratin treatments? Keratin treatments are quickly becoming the latest craze in hair care. Keratin treatments are taming systems, which smooth out waves and curls while eliminating frizz, delivering shine, and repairing damaged hair. These treatments might be a bit pricey, but it shows the salon is offering the newest solutions to hair problems.
A salon should offer extensions as they are also becoming increasingly popular. If this is a service you are interested in, ask if they offer Keratin Fusion Extensions. These extensions have been a worldwide leader in fusion hair extensions for over half a century because, unlike silicone, these respect your hair’s natural temperament. Applying keratin that is the same color as the hair forms an almost flawless application. A consultation is required to determine how many pieces you might need and to match the color of the extension to your existing hair color, after which it takes about a week to order the hair. But once they’re through with preening and pampering your hair, you model not only a shiny new mane but also tips on how to care for your extended hair and, by definition, personality as well.
These tips should be considered, but if you are in a salon and it feels like a right fit, your gut is usually right. Remember, you don’t have to go into downtown Manhattan just to get a cut. If you take some time and research the salons in your own neighborhood, you are likely to come across local luxury.
