How to make the most from your salon experience
Make the most from your salon experience
Let me introduce you to my amazing and talented hair stylist Steve Aaron! I have been going to Steve for over 10 years now, following him around to 3 different salons. Yes, he is that good, and get ready because he is about to give away some of his best kept secrets for hair care. Tips from Steve will be shared often on the blog, so stay tuned for the ins-and-outs of how to create & maintain superb hair health.
Steve has been licensed to do hair since 1982…that’s close to 40 years of expertise!! He has trained at some of the most prestigious schools in America AND Europe. He is passionate about keeping up to date on what’s new/relevant and pairs that with his eye for applying tricks and techniques to shape even the most complicated textures. He is able to share tricks to repair and replenish damaged hair as well as how to master the perfect color. Steve’s philosophy is to make sure every client leaves the salon looking better than they came in and feeling like a million buck$!
Steve’s advice to anyone looking for that perfect cut and style is to pay close attention to these tips:
1. Communication
Be clear with your hairdresser on what you are looking for. Pictures are great visual resources to convey your wants with your stylist, but only as a starting point. Try to dig a little deeper to explain what ABOUT the chosen hairstyle you like? Maybe it’s fun, versatile, or looks effortless & easy to manage. Your hairstylist can then compile that information to present his/her honest opinion. Sometimes the recommendation may be the exact style can work for you (great!), or perhaps similar results can be achieved with a few different elements based on the texture of your hair, face shape, long-term goals etc. to complement you better.
2. Be Consistent & Have Trust
“Hair is an interpretation. Your style reflects who you are. Let your stylist know more about you and it will result in a style you are completely happy with.”
Remember, this is your stylist’s area of expertise and, in Steve’s case, a passion. If you want to walk out looking your best, it’s time to let go and put trust in their opinion. I have come into the salon multiple times wanting a short trendy style and am reminded my goal is to grow my hair long & how I love/am infatuated with a pony tail. One day I may decide to just try something crazy and different, but it’s extremely helpful going to the same stylist consistently, who knows your lifestyle, as well as hair goals, and will get you where you want to be a lot quicker.
Hair is your stylist’s craft and each look is a new creation. Whether you are like me and have a long term goal, trust him/her to guide you there. Or, you may be the type of person who wants something risky or different every time, your stylist will know you like to take chances and have a blast readjusting your look with each visit.
3. Maintain
Because your hair grows an average of 1/2” per month (and a little quicker during the summer months), it is quite normal for hair to begin losing shape after a couple weeks. Other factors such as types of styling products applied and frequent use of heating elements play into your hair’s endurance to keep a style looking its best. When you use heating elements, your hair will contract and expand which over time causes damage and hair loses the ability to keep in line with your style.
Steve says if you want to maintain the integrity or shape of your hair, the general rule of thumb for how frequent you visit the salon are:
men:
Every 2-3 weeks for clean-up (ears and neck)
Once a month for a cut
women:
Short Hair: Every 3-4 weeks
Medium – Long Hair: Every 5-8 weeks
There you have it…Amazing tips from Steve Aaron, our hair professional/expert. Stay tuned for more tips & get to know more about Steve along the way.
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If you are in Northern VA, you can find Steve at Salon Lou in Warrenton, VA.