Making the Switch to a NEW HAIR SALON!

You've decided that it's time for a change... maybe your stylist moved away, maybe you've moved to a new area, or maybe you've just decided that you want to try something new! 

Making the switch to a new hair salon is a scary deal. It's hard to know what you'll get and even harder to know how to select a salon. 

Here are some suggestions to help make your transition a little easier for you.

1. Ask your friends! A good friend will share her stylists name and number if you ask. Some salons even have a referral program and will give you a salon credit if a new customer visits their salon after a referral from you. Beauty Lab here in Golden Valley, Minnesotadoes! They offer a $20 discount on their first cut to a new client with a referral - AND they give you a $20 credit on your account so your next haircut, facial, mani/pedi is cheaper!
2. Ask your enemies! Ask total strangers! You don't need to just ask friends and family. If you see someone on the street who has a look that you love, stop and ask them who does their hair and if you can take a quick picture of them. Most women would happily take a minute to chat with you. Best of all,  you'll probably make that strangers day. After all, what better compliment could you get?  
   
3. Bring pictures of hairstyles that you like. I have pinterest boards dedicated to short hairstyles and medium hairstyles and I'm constantly posting cuts that I like on both boards. (You never know when I might be inspired to go for a pixie cut again!)
   Celebrity hairstyles are great inspiration, too. Most stylists would be able to copy a Jennifer Aniston lob if you asked for it. A great stylist will tell you if that style will work for you and, if not, recommend something that you could try that will work better for your hair.
   
4. Check out the salon on social media before you make an appointment. Take note of any negative posts from clients. Also take note of stylists that have positive comments! You can get an overall feel for vibe of the place from snooping around on social media. 
   
5. Do your homework! Many salon websites post pics of their stylists. If you don't want a 20 year old with blue hair and piercings tackling your style, do some homework first! 
   I know it sounds shallow, but you don't want to go in totally blind or you might get someone that you can tell immediately isn't a good fit for you. I have nothing against the cool young woman in this picture... but I probably would be concerned that her cuts may be a bit too edgy for me. Select someone who appears to have a style similar to  your own and see if they are accepting new clients. 
   
6. Test it out first. Don't be afraid to call and schedule a shampoo and blowout before you trust them with a scissors. Be upfront when you book the appointment and let them know that you're looking for a new stylist and you'd like to make an appointment with "Mary" for a shampoo and style first just to see if she's a good fit. If you're a little more brave, go ahead and schedule that trim.
   
7. Last but not least - if you get a cut at a new salon and you're not happy with the results LET THEM KNOW! I had my hair cut at a new salon just before Christmas and I really wasn't happy. didn't realize how much I hated it until I saw a picture of myself on Christmas Eve Day. The layers were a MESS! 
   I sent the salon a private message on facebook asking someone to call me - fully expecting a call on December 26th - and instead received a reply instantly from the salon owner offering to meet me at the CLOSED salon in an hour so that she could fix my cut. Talk about service that is above and beyond! Just so that you know, I didn't disrupt Kathryn's holiday, but I did take her up on a redo from one of her top stylists later in the week. Yes - it's okay to request a different stylist!