Salon Dushons
Salon Rules of Etiquette
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"I don't trust anyone that does their own hair. I don't think it's normal," Truvy says in Steel Magnolias. She's right. Women don't cut or color their hair at home. Women go to the salon. Simple as that.
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Where else would they catch up on the latest gossip? Where else would they talk about their problems? Have you ever seen how fast a hair stylist can make or break a budding romance? "Dump him." She's right. "Marry him." She's right.
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And that's why women go to the salon, beyond the undisputed fact that haircut and color should be left to professionals. Moreover, we know that hair salons have their own etiquette dos and don'ts. These rules are sacrosanct, should be respected at all times, and should really go without saying. Don't be a tardy Tracy or over-sharing Karen. Do be a tip-savvy, cellphone-ignoring, on-time classy lady or gentleman. Amen.
Be Timely
But if you're sick, keep your germs at home.
Make polite conversation. That's how your mother raised you.
But don't get too personal, Patty. Over-sharing is not caring.
Try to keep off your cell phone while you're in the chair. Wait until your color is processing to get back to your texts.
Never speak on the phone while you're in the chair, but especially at the start of your appointment. (Your hair stylist needs to consult with you about what you want, unless you want to accidentally end up with a micro-bob.)
Be Prepared
Always bring tangible inspiration. As in, photos. It is the clearest way to communicate what you want. Hair stylists are visual people, after all, and a picture is worth a thousand words. (Plus, what apricot blonde looks like in your head might not be what it looks like in theirs.)
But be open to compromise. Your hair stylist knows best. (Baby bangs aren't for everyone, but wispy bangs totally are.)
Do not ever, ever say: "Surprise me!" This is every hair stylist's nightmare.
Be Considerate
Don't show up sweaty from the gym. The woman next to you won't appreciate the, er, stench. Neither will your stylist. (Also, sweaty hair? Gross.)
Try not to be accidentally bossy. (She doesn't tell you how to do your job, and no, that's not the best way to do a blowout.)
Avoid touching your hair during the appointment. And don't get grabby with the hair dryer!
Kids. Better to leave them at home unless they're getting their hair cut. (You're not exactly able to wrangle a toddler while sitting under the color processor.)
Be Honest
Speak up if you're not satisfied. (The hair stylist prefers it and can start figuring out a fix immediately.)
Or make sure to call within a week to schedule a touch-up appointment to fix the problem.
Don't ghost your longtime stylist. Kindly let him or her know that you've clicked with another hair stylist, but that doesn't degrade all the good times you've had together. It's just good manners.
Be Appreciative
Say "Thank you!" Obviously.
If you had a great experience, help out the business with Word of Mouth. And leave a good online review as soon as you can. That's probably the best way to show your appreciation.
Bonus: Leave a review on multiple sites. This one's for the overachievers, but it is always appreciated. When it comes to etiquette, you can never be too prepared, too thoughtful, or too polite.