Sponsored advice item
As owner and founder of the recently- -branded Joseph Ferraro Hair (formerly Halo), Joseph Ferraro knows a thing or two about hairdressing.
He’s not only a mentor for the industry’s most respected organisation – the Fellowship for British Hairdressing –he’s also an educator for product giants Sebastian and regularly showcases his work to industry peers at seminars, photo shoots and on stage.
With such a wealth of experience, Joseph was an obvious choice to answer that ultimate hair dilemma – How can I get what I really want when I go to the salon? Here’s what he told us…
- First up, find a salon that offers a first-class standard of service and talented, knowledgeable staff. Many of our clients have been coming to us for years, but if you’re new to an area, ask friends whose cuts or colours you admire where they go – they’ll be flattered and you’ll be one step closer to finding a new stylist. Check out the salon’s website and social media – these should give a good indication of everything from their experience to pricing.
- Avoid making a first-time appointment over the phone – ideally call into the salon to ensure you feel at ease. Recent research revealed that a staggering 68% of clients find it ‘emotionally uncomfortable and unsettling’ walking into a salon and that simply shouldn’t be the case. If you’re intimidated by your surroundings, the experience is already off to a bad start. Look for an environment that is friendly and welcoming and staff that make you feel valued.
- If you’re visiting a salon for the first time and have a specific look in mind, ask if they can recommend a particular stylist. If you’re going for a celeb-inspired choppy bob for example, ask which stylist would be best for this – many hairdressers specialise in particular cuts, colours or techniques and matching clients to stylists helps ensure the best possible results.
- I can’t emphasise enough how important the communication process is in order to get the end result you want. Remember that episode of Friends in which Phoebe confuses Demi and Dudley Moore while cutting Monica’s hair?! Eliminate the risk of any confusion by booking a consultation and bringing along pictures of styles that you like. Whether they are torn from a magazine or saved on your phone, they’ll give your stylist an instant and accurate idea of your expectations.
- Be realistic. While pictures are undeniably useful, if your hair is naturally coarse and curly, a Taylor Swift bob might not be the easiest choice to manage. You’ll save yourself a lot of styling time if you opt to work with your hair’s texture and behaviour to find a style that brings out its best.
- Although a hair appointment is the perfect opportunity to zone out and catch up on the latest magazine gossip, the communication process doesn’t have to end at the consultation. Pay attention to how your stylist dries and finishes your hair and what products they are using. Ask questions and advice that will enable you to recreate the style at home.
- Be vocal about what you do and don’t like with regards to the finish too – not everyone likes a big, bouncy blow-dry, so if you’d prefer a textured, effortless look – speak up! You’re paying for our service and it’s always in our best interest that the client is happy.
- Consider investing in the products the stylist has used on your hair. Yes, they are more pricey than high street equivalents – but the professional formulations mean that a little goes a long way and the results are second to none.
- If for any reason you aren’t happy with your finished look, speak up before you leave the salon. No reputable business wants to send a client away disappointed but if we don’t know there is a problem, we can’t fix it. Explain your issues so that the stylist can come up with a suitable solution.
- Likewise, should you later decide that you are unhappy, tell us! Give us the chance to rectify a problem rather than complaining on Facebook– salons rely on positive feedback and for many, a social media rant is the first they hear of a client’s dissatisfaction.
Joseph Ferraro is the owner of Joseph Ferraro Hair on Leeds road in Harrogate.
