I was teaching a class yesterday for basic haircutting. Before the class starts, I alway consult with the models to tell them exactly what I would like to do to their hair. I came to my second model, and before I could get a word out fo my mouth, she began violently verbally bashing the last stylist who cut her hair. She hated the cut, cursed the stylist, and wanted me to "fix" it.
This is not uncommon. Nine times out of ten, when I have a new client in my chair, the first thing out of their mouth is that the previous stylist "messed up" their hair, and they want me to fix it.
I have to disagree the majority of the time with the statement that the previous stylist screwed up their hair, and this is why.
Salvadore Dali didnt paint like Pablo Picasso, yet both expressed themselves successfully and artistically. Each had a separate "vision" for the canvas and different execution, yet both were successful. This goes for hair as well. Each stylist has a certain vision for the clients hair, whether its a good one or a bad one is ultimately up to the client. As long as there is vision, there will be some degree of success.
I blame lack of vision when a stylist truly messes up someones hair. I have a salon owner friend that told me once, "I could train monkeys to cut hair all day, but I could never train them to "see" the end result." Having a shared vision with your stylist and being on the same page is pretty much the moral of the story here. Good communication before a comb or blade hits the head is key. If the vision is not shared, then its time to move on.
Phil Stone is an International Guest Artist and Master stylist at BIANCHIS salon in Clinton Twp. and Troy MI.
