r/AskHairstylists

Hi! Recently had a haircut with a colleague’s son who just finished his apprenticeship at a local salon. Did a great job as I have long thick hair - a trim, and added some layers, then a very nice blowout. It took just over 2 hours tho! Cost was $90 and I tipped $20, just a little over 20%. Wondering if that was enough considering I know his mom, plus how much time was spent. Thoughts?

So I’m in hair design school, I’m really confused on layers. They never actually gave me instruction on layers since I had left with the flu the day we were going over them. I’ve practically had to teach myself as they kept saying we’d get to it, but they kept forgetting about it??? lol. There’s just one thing I need clarity on from a licensed professional. I’ve always known to cut layers wet (except on curly hair), and if I’m wrong on that then I can accept that, however….every time I’ve had layers done to me, they’re cut wet and checked dry, every professional I follow through social media cuts layers wet, etc. I’ve been basically reprimanded for cutting most of my layers wet, and frankly I find it super challenging to cut dry layers, especially on finer hair with less texture. Most of my instructors are newly licensed (like within the last year or less), so really I would just like to hear from others who have been behind the chair with more years of experience what you find works best. My best layered hair work comes from wet hair, but if that is just the wrong way to do it then I’d like to fix whatever I’m doing wrong while I’m still finishing my hours

I’ve been going to the same hairstylist for about 40 years, and because there’s a long personal history involved, it’s difficult for me to simply switch to someone else.

I’m wondering if it’s unusual or inappropriate for a client to ask a hairstylist to explain the services and products they’re using—for example, highlights, lowlights, demi-permanent glosses, toners, etc. I’d like to understand what’s being done to my hair so I know what to ask for in the future and feel like I have some input.

Lately, I’m rarely happy with the results, and when I ask questions, they’re brushed aside. It used to be a standard part of the appointment to discuss what I wanted for colour and style before we started, but that doesn’t happen anymore unless I am really firm (which doesn’t feel good).

From a stylist’s perspective, is there a reason someone might be reluctant to explain their process, or is this unusual? As a client, is it reasonable to expect a conversation about colour choices and techniques before the appointment?

Thanks in advance.

Hi! I’m a MUA that is thinking about offering hair services as well. I’d be doing bridal/event hairstyles like Hollywood curls and wig installs.

Id say I’m fairly good at doing hair already but ofc willing to learn more but are there some good beginner priced hair tools like curling irons and blow dryers I could start adding to my kit? I know t3 and Dyson is the rave but I’d like some cheaper options till I really perfect my craft.

Hey everyone!

I’m looking for some honest feedback because I feel like quite a dumbass on a situation that happened yesterday. I totally own my part in this, I’m definitely a people pleaser to my own detriment. I hate making people feel uncomfortable, and I probably should have asked more questions when things started taking longer than expected.

I’m 44 and have been getting partial highlights for over 20 years. I recently went to a new salon that my daughters recommended. When I booked, the price was $133 for a partial highlight, cut, and style. I already had to pay when I booked half when I scheduled.

When I sat down, I had a very young, sweet stylist who seemed a little unsure of herself. Another senior stylist came over to look at my hair and talk through things with her. While making small talk, I said something like, “Yeah, just a partial highlight to touch up these roots, the grays are starting to peek out.”

In my mind, “touching up the roots” meant foiling my root regrowth like I’ve had done for years. I didn’t realize until checkout that a separate single process base color/root touch up had been added for $85 on top of the partial highlight service.

The appointment ended up taking about 3.5 hours. By the end, I was anxious to leave, so when she asked if I wanted my hair styled/curled, I said no even though the style was included in the original service.

When I checked out, my total was $155 instead of the $133 I had expected. And I was like oh they probably charge more for the toner but I didn’t realize that the total was actually $218! because they had already charged the initial $66.

I feel so silly for not speaking up, but I genuinely didn't know an additional $85 service was being performed. There wasn't a conversation along the lines of, “Do you also want your grays covered with a base color? That's an additional $85,” or anything letting me know my total was going to change from $133 to $218.

I’m not looking to get something for free, and I don't want to be unfair to the stylist. She was very sweet. I’m just uncomfortable paying an additional $85 for a service I didn't realize I was agreeing to.

I feel like a fool so please be kind. I’m just trying to get some advice on what I should do if anything maybe I should just chalk it up to a misunderstanding and go from there?

I have been dying my hair for years. Seems my scalp can no longer tolerate Black Permanent Hair Dye… I was wondering if anyone else has an allergy to black permanent hair dye, and what they use as a substitute for it… fashion colors seem to be okay tho..

Hey Everybody,

I've been coloring my hair on and off for ~5 years using box dye. I have natural level 4 color hair and 2B curl pattern, and I've been dying it red--kind of going for a medium brown auburn look (think, like, Sophia Bush early 2000s). I switch up dyes based on price but usually in the realm of Loreal R57 and I redo it every 4 or 5 months.

I haven't noticed excessive damage over the years, but I know that box dye can be really harsh and layering it over time isn't the best, and I know my hair can always be healthier. I don't have the money to get it professionally done, and even though I get my hair cut at a student place, my schedule is so hectic that it can be hard to get a regular salon appointment in.

I know it's probably time to find something that is better for my hair than I have been told box dye/developer is. I have been weighing my options about using henna, or even a color gloss to achieve a similar result with less overall long term damage. Would switching to something like that be healthier for my hair, or am I just trading one type of damage for another? Is using the henna without bleach going to have any effect on my hair at all, or will it look the same or wash out immediately? Are there any solutions long-term besides regular salon visits?

Thanks in advance! <3

Hi!

My stylist put vaseline in my hair to stop the bleach from dripping on the parts of the hair we didn’t want bleached.

However, after she applied the semi permanent dye on the bleached parts, washed it out, then washed my hair it didn’t come out.

She washed it again and it was still greasy and sticky.

I suggested she puts dish washing liquid on the parts with vaseline which worked on getting it out. However I think the vaseline leaked on the rest of my hair during the normal washes as it looks very greasy and sticky.

I am worried that washing it with dish soap would ruin the semi permanent dye.

What should I do

in school they never taught us how to discuss pricing with clients. I currently work in a salon that doesn't talk about price until its time to take payment. I dont know if that's normal or not though. I want to find a way to talk about prices in a way that isnt so awkward and mysterious, but I also dont want clients to feel like I'm nickel and diming them by bringing up every little charge. I'm trying to find a happy medium when it comes to pricing transparency, and I need some guidance from more experienced stylists (this is my first salon job).

say a client booked online for a color. there is a base price + charges for extra bowls. your client already saw the rates when booking. when they arrive, your client also mentions that they want to add on a haircut.

when does the pricing conversation come up in situations like this?

1. during the initial consult, do you go over the total price of everything, and then warn that it could go up if extra color is used?

2. do you say nothing at all and assume the client understands that they'll be paying a higher ticket because they saw the pricing online and added on a service?

3. do you only mention the additional charges as they come up? saying something like "adding a haircut to your service today would be an extra $45" or "im going to grab another bowl, that's $10 extra"

4. when you go to take payment do you read the charges out loud before saying the total? "So today you received all over color, 3 extra bowls, and a haircut, so your total today is $X"

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I'm also wondering kind of the same thing when it comes to upselling services.

do you just say "would you like to add on a deep conditioning treatment today?"

or do you say "would you like to add on a deep condition for $15 today?"

My hairstylist used 30 volume developer with a demi permanent color on my hair. I usually color my own hair because I am very protective of it. I have always used a much lower developer with demi, and now I am freaking out because I looked up this combo and everywhere says that 30 is way too high for demi permanent colors. My waist length hair now feels very dry and difficult to brush through. I also noticed that as she was detangling, it looked like a lot of hair came out but I figured she was just brushing roughly. Is my hair ruined?