5 mistakes customers make when visiting the Hairdressers

There are many emotions and anxieties when choosing a new salon or having a change of hairstyle. But with a little friendly advice most of these can be easily avoided. These tips were collected by CV Hair & Beauty in Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1, from years of experience of working with all kinds of clients and also hearing their horror stories of past salon visits.

1/ having a major change of style or colour without ever having visited the salon before. At the very minimum check out their reviews online and if possible visit for a small service such as a wash and blow dry first. This will give you a chance to talk to the hairdresser and get a feel for how they work. It is much better to find out beforehand that you don’t have rapport with a hairdresser before they have the scissors out and can avoid disappointment or tears, not to mention the time it takes for your valued tresses to grow again. Also it is not rude to ask the stylist how many years’ experience they have, everybody has to learn, but you probably don’t want them practising on your hair.

2/ Take a photograph if possible and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions as hairdressers are not mind readers (although some of them may think they are). If you want half an inch cut off make sure that your idea of half an inch is the same as theirs. Most cutting combs have a measure on them so this is an easy way to establish that you are on the same wavelength. Have they done that style before? Trendy doesn’t always equal experienced and likewise experienced doesn’t always equal skilled. A quick way around this is to read the reviews or on your fact finding visit watch who seems to be most popular and also appears to have the happiest clients.

3/ you are trying to save money, so you buy a very cheap deal online. Look at this logically for a minute, why would a salon be willing to discount their services by up to 70% leaving them with no margin for profit? Are they able to cope with the large surge in business because most of the daily deal sites sell in bulk? Are there restrictions? Probably the voucher is not valid after 5pm or on Saturdays. If it is a chemical service such as a Brazilian blow dry at something like £59, then you can bet the stock alone costs that and it takes 3 hours. Experience tells us it results in rushed appointments and frazzled stylists. So ask yourself does your hairdresser offer any special deals? Are discounts available at certain times?
You may even be able to get a substantial discount if you pay for blocks of appointments in advance, you will be happier with the service you receive and it may not work out much more expensive. Sometimes saving money can be a costly mistake if you have to go somewhere to have a disaster corrected.

4/A very good salon will insist on first visit skin testing, don’t get upset it’s for your protection. We know you may have been having your hair done for years with no reaction but we still insist. There will always be someone willing to do it just not us sorry

5/a good salon will be patient and not get upset if you ask a lot of questions, if the stylist has an attitude that probably shows in their work. Because if the hairdresser loved hairdressing, then they would probably look happy wouldn’t they? Don’t be afraid to say no thank you and walk out

CV Hair & Beauty is a small cosy salon in the heart of Bloomsbury, all our team have between 17 -40 years’ experience and we offer free consultations so why not pop in for a coffee and a chat about your hair