How to handle that stressful Consultation at the Hairdressers...

So being a hairdresser myself i thought i'd do a little post to help all you girls (and guys) on EXACTLY how to handle your consultation with your stylist when you go and get your hair done. I know this is a massive struggle for a lot of people. As soon as you sit on the chair and the stylist says... "So what is it were doing today?" you forget you've just talked about getting a complete restyle and going black to Silver for the past 4 weeks with all your friends and family.. "urmmmm trim please" ha.

So here is a list of what to ask, how to ask, and what to expect or not expect from your stylist. Obviously not all hairdressers are the same but this is coming from my personal ways i think will help you. 

• Take pictures with you - it gives us an idea of the kind of thing you'd like to achieve that day or in the near future. That way we can then make our judgment on wether your hair will be able to get to that or if we can re create that style with your hair type. REMEMBER...  although pictures are great please note every single persons hair is different. Do not think your hair or you will end up EXACTLY like the photo because it and you wont. The picture is purely to see what were working towards. Also i will add... these days majority of photos have filters on to make the picture cleaner and nicer. Just remember that.... Luckily i know a VALENCIA filter when i see it!!! ha! 
• Don't be afraid to ask questions - Even if it is your first time with that stylist and your shy please please ask as many questions as possible. Your stylist will try and give you as much information on that style all colour you've asked for but unless you ask questions too you may not get that personal detail you wished for. 
• Unless you've been going to your stylist for years and you know a lot about each other don't just say "Do what you want and what you think suits me" the reason being, everyone has different eyes, What i see looks nice might not be what you think is. Once i had a lady in and she said that exact thing, baring in mind it was our first meet. she didn't even give me chance to speak, I had no idea about what she did for a living, how old she was, what she liked to do, what type of person she was etc so how could i just decide something so important to someone. Tell your stylist a bit about yourself first, get to know each other, build a relationship first before putting that pressure on the stylist :) 
• Tell your hairdresser EVERYTHING you've done to your hair in the past. such as all colours you've been, if you've always coloured your hair with a box, used products such as SUNIN or other various chemicals on it. Or if your hair hasn't taken well in the past, or takes quite quickly. I think a lot of people are scared to tell the stylist things as they may turn around and say they wont do it. Thats not the case at all, we just need to know these things purely to know what sort of products of our own we should or shouldn't do on it. Or we may need to use certain tones on it as your hair may have a very red undertone etc etc. You know your hair better than anyone! 
• Don't expect too much - Unless your Kim Kardashian and can afford the time and effort it took for her to go from brown to blonde then be reasonable. She will be paying a fortune and be using the most amazing products that were recommended to her. IF you don't mind the cost then please state that at the beginning so we know what were working with. I feel people expect miracles and want it done for nothing. You cant rush these things. Your hair needs to remain as healthy as possible too so just remember that. 

• Take your hairdressers advice. If your stylist tells you to stop using head and shoulders then stop. They aren't telling you these things for fun. If your having something drastic done or something done that could make your hair feel slightly more damaged etc then take care of it! Don't waste your money or your stylists time if you don't want to look after it. You wouldn't  go and have a black coffee straight after getting your teeth whitened after them telling you your not allowed and spending £150 on it. It's the exact same with hair.  
• Explain how small or big your 'trim' is - I get this a lot actually... when you say you'd just like a trim maybe just show how much you mean using your fingers or actually show the amount as eveyones trim is different. Also i don't actually think many people know how big an inch is as they seem to vary by a fair bit ha!! so maybe just show that aswell if your asking for an inch or 2!! 
• Show and tell your stylist the styles you DONT like as well as what you do, just so they can see what route they can and can't go down or if you can even get to a look without crossing that stage etc. 
• Go into the salon with some sort of idea. Just so you and the stylist have a base to work with as there is always limited time and you don't want to feel rushed into a decision.