One of the great perks of travelling the world doing hair is the fantastic restaraunts I get to visit. You don't exactly get a chance to research what's good and what's not, so you rely on common sense. In any city, all you have to do is walk around or drive in circles for a bit like a drunken tourist and look for the busiest one. It was a sure bet that it was great if the place was packed. If a parking lot was empty, more than likely the former patrons were still at home sick. If it was packed full and there was a wait for an hour, you knew something good was going on in there. It was one of the few times that I trusted the "majority".
As of late, I have been dragging my feet about writing, my mind has just been blocked and preoccupied. But lately, in my chair, I have heard a similar story from several clients. It seems they trusted their "common sense" and used it for hair dressers. They went to the busiest ones. The stylists that juggle four or five clients at a time. All of the clients that told me the similar story had similar results.
They were briefly consulted by the stylist. The ASSISTANT applied the color, the ASSISTANT shampooed them, The STYLIST cut them, the ASSISTANT blow dried them. How many times does ASSISTANT appear in that run-on sentence? Too many. While these clients were being shuffled around, other clients were being squeezed in. The results? Botched colors, flawed and bland haircuts, inadequate service. All this for top dollar.
A lot of stylists operate with this tactic. Not all of them have the same dismal results. But some do. How do you think these clients ended up in my chair to tell these stories?
What I'm saying, and I may come off as a bit bitter, is that the chances of mistakes heightens when the individuals' service is juggled about a number of hands. Trains of thought are challenged, timing is compromised, service is obliterated.
Going to a stylist who is always busy with three or four clients is a risk. The law of averages says so. I understand that with quantity comes higher income, just ask COSTCO, or SAMS CLUB. BUT, this is a service industry, you can't treat clients like a five gallon bucket of mayonnaise.
I have somewhat higher prices in the salon, but you are paying for my time, and skill, and most of all, vision. When you get me, you get me, the entire time. The law of averages is in my favor. A stylist like myself makes fewer mistakes and provides a higher standard of service. Taking your time while creating the "look" has value. Great value.
This has been a huge debate for years and years, which type of stylist to go to. Bragging rights of your stylist, or bragging rights of the quality of your hair. I only use myself as an example of the latter type because I know myself so well and only hear stories of the first type. I can say that if I do make a mistake, I will be the one to take the responsibility for it, not my ASSISTANT. There will be no doubt in my clients head that I personally messed up her hair, no one else. It leaves the guess work out of "WHAT HAPPENED?"
Call me a control freak, or OCD, either way it's up to you, the client, to find out what works best for you.
PHIL STONE is a MASTER STYLIST at BIANCHIS SALON in Clinton Twp. and Troy
http://www.modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=269358
Another great piece. I love reading your articles. Especially the one with the great idea about bring your own hair dryer. Love it!! I work with Ralph and am involved with Macomb County Voice. I am currently growing my hair out a bit but look forward to making an appointment with you soon! Lisa