6 Tips for Partnering with a Curly Stylist
At many different periods in our lives we have had to go on the hunt for the perfect hair stylists. Whether we’ve relocated, wanted something different or new, maybe our stylist retired or just doesn’t offer a service we’re interested in. We have all found ourselves in this rather precarious position of locating a pro that could meet or exceed our needs.
Listen, when it comes to our hair, we want to be able to entrust our strands to a caring and dedicated pro that will make all of our realistic expectations come true.
In years past we have heavily relied on the recommendations shared with us by close friends, family, associates or a stranger with stunning hair. These days, with the help of technology, finding a stylist has become a little bit easier. With the availability of smartphones, tablets and laptops our accessibility to recommendations has expanded. Our smart phones and devices can be used to google or even do a hashtag search inside of apps like Instagram or TikTok.
With the available options and choices, we now have the task of choosing someone to partner with. Partnering with the right professional can make or break the overall state and condition of your hair. This is precisely why choosing the appropriate professional for the job of taking care of your hair is so important!
When choosing a professional stylist to partner with you must:
Narrow down how you would like to show up in the world. This is where you decide how you would like to wear your hair. We must point out if you’re someone who likes to switch it up, you may not be able to find a stylist who does it all. For the girl who likes to switch it up it this may mean having 2-3 different stylists for the styles you may like to rock. For example, you may find a stylist who can cut but doesn’t color or who colors but doesn’t cut. There are a number of different scenarios that would require you to visit a different stylist for a specific hairstyle, but you get the point?
Research, research, research. Once you have narrowed down a few options you then must comb their social pages and websites to assure that their work resonates with how you want to see yourself. We have access to far too much technology to miss this important step.
Treat your first appointment like a first date. Give yourself, your hair and the stylist you have decided to work with grace. First time appointments are the very first time you all are getting together. It’s also the very first time this stylist and their hands are getting into your hair.
Communicate; Using your words. Stylists are not mind readers and are unable to anticipate your every need, want or desire. Remember this is a partnership and it’s also your hair and your money.
Speak up! Please, please, please be open to expressing when something about your service was less than pleasing. Again, we have far too much technology available to skip over sharing our disappointments with our stylists. Note, if having such a conversation in person makes you uncomfortable, please use your stylist's preferred method.
Be Patient! Be realistic about the hair you brought to the salon. Remember how long you’ve been natural, along with how long you’ve been holding it down all on your own. Give your stylist time to get you through this leg of your journey and refer back to #4 as often as needed.
Following these useful guidelines that we have set out will aid in the success of the relationship you build with your stylist(s). The success of the relationship you build with your stylist will lend to the success of your hair goals, while having the biggest impact of how you show up in the world.
In case you didn’t know, we created an online stylist directory full of independent stylists across the US (even several internationally) who have formally taken tight curl education with Cut It Kinky, our professional arm. This is a great resource for partnering with a stylist in your area, if you’re desiring a curly cut. If you’re unable to find a stylist in your area, check out this blog post.
Want more tips for forming positive stylist-client relationships? We cover all the natural hair care fundamentals and more in our consumer education platform, The SeeSomeCurls Visual Library.
Our 900+ community of tight curl + naturals are shaving more than 50% of time off their wash day, being showered left and right with hair compliments, and are receiving direct support of a very encouraging community of tight curlies + naturals who have been exactly where you are.
