Choosing a New Salon: How to Avoid the Top 7 Mistakes People Make

The D Laudati Salon

Mistake 1:  You Think All Salons Are The Same.

Every salon is different. No two salons are really the same. Every salon has different services and different employees who have unique talents and specialties.

Styling is a combination of talent, experience, and skill. Most people don’t realize the time and money the best stylists put into developing their art.

Contrary to what some people think, styling is not just a matter of cutting hair. It takes workmanship and talent to create really quality styles, and an eye for color and dimension to design a total look for an individual.

D Laudati is an Intercoiffure Salon

Communication is the key to picking the best salon for you:

• Ask what type of training and experience the stylists have.
• Ask how much time they will spend with you before the appointment. 
• Ask to see pictures of their work. 
• Ask to read testimonials of past clients. 
• Ask any other questions that are unique to your needs.

This will help you to decide if they are the best salon for you.

After you ask your questions, it will become pretty obvious which salon you should choose. The salon that wants your business will prove to you that they are the best salon for you. Take your time and decide which salon you would like to use - but when you decide, you must be loyal to them.  More about loyalty in a moment.

Mistake 2:  You choose a salon based only on price.

The old adage is true. “You get what you pay for.” This is especially true when choosing a salon. If you want the best services, you should decide to deal with a salon because of the overall value you receive, NOT because they offer the lowest price. Here’s why.

Value = Quality + Service + Price

It is impossible for any business in any industry to offer the cheapest price, have the highest quality, and provide the best service all at the same time.

You can get high quality and super service, but you can’t get both and still get the lowest price.

Salons have a lot of overhead, employees, products, leases, continuing education, etc. If their prices are “too good to be true,” then they are cutting comers somewhere. Whether it’s in the quality of their services and products, or the customer service they provide, something has to suffer to give you those low, low prices.

Total value is all three: Quality, Service, and Price.

D Laudati wins awards based on overall quality and high levels of service

The three most common problems you will have when you pick a salon based on low prices are:

1. Lower-priced salons don’t usually stand behind their work.

2. Salons offering the lowest prices often have to compromise quality in order to produce quantity.

3. Low-priced salons provide low compensation to their employees and, therefore, attract only inexperienced and/or inferior stylists. Anyone can go through cosmetology school and get a license, but good stylists are the few who have mentored with master stylists and are willing to make a commitment to invest time and money in ongoing, continuing education.

Don’t choose a salon based on price if you: Really care about keeping your hair in optimum health; whether you want to look polished and professional, or stylish and trendy;  whether you are interested in color that enhances your natural beauty, or turns you into a vibrant vixen; of if you want to be pampered and receive the highest level of personal service while learning beauty” secrets” from experienced experts.

Mistake 3: You Always Have A Couple Of Salons You Frequent.

You may think this is good for you because whoever can get you in the soonest or is offering the best special promotion wins the appointment. And to some extent, it is -- but here is why it usually isn’t a good way to deal with salons.

Upstairs at D Laudati

A good salon has enough loyal clients that they don’t have to deal with price shoppers.

Once you find a good salon, you must be loyal. If you jump from salon to salon, a good salon won’t be too motivated to keep YOU as a client. They will cater to their loyal clients.

Price is important. But price should not be more important than good quality and good service.

Mistake 4: Picking A Salon That Doesn’t Guarantee Their Services.

All reputable salons automatically guarantee their services. This means if you aren’t happy, they will do whatever it takes to make you happy, at no additional charge. If you still aren’t happy, they will return your money.

Unfortunately, there are unethical salons that won’t do this. Instead, they will argue with you for having “unrealistic expectations.” An unethical salon may charge you for a re-visit, or refuse to give you your money back.

The best thing you can do is pick a salon that guarantees its work. This way you know its stylists have to be good at their work, and that they and the management must have good communication with you. There is no risk for you.

Mistake 5: You Think Having A License Is All It Takes To Be A Good Hairstylist.

There are hundreds of thousands of licensed stylists. They’ve all gone to school and passed their state board exams. That doesn’t mean they are all good.

Dino Laudati is a member of this prestigious group, one of only 420 in the entire U.S.

Hair styling is an art. Having a degree of talent is important, although skills can be mastered with time and practice. It is important for a stylist to continue his or her education throughout their career.

Don’t be shy. Ask stylists about their training and find out what kind of skills they have mastered before you put yourself in their hands...

Mistake 6: Not Asking To See Examples Of Salon Workmanship Or Testimonials.

This is probably your best bet at finding a fantastic salon. Ask to see examples of their work. If they don’t have a book or website for you to look at, ask for references. A good salon will be happy to give you references.

Ask for the names of at least three people who have visited the stylist you’re interested in, and call them and ask them if they are happy with the salon. Also, ask to read through any testimonials the salon has from clients. This is the easiest way you can find the salon for you!

Mistake 7: You Don’t Allow Enough Time For Your Salon To Service You Properly.

Mistakes happen when you rush!

When you’re in a hurry, you may not get enough time to communicate with your stylist to make sure you get exactly what you need. And, sometimes, one late client can push back schedules for the whole day. When you schedule a salon visit, don’t short yourself on time. Ask the salon how much time you should allow in your schedule and then add a half hour. You deserve it; it’s your time to treat yourself right, so don’t rush it.

Before you get serviced at the salon, talk with your stylist. Make sure he or she knows what your likes and dislikes are, what your “goal” is and how you will achieve your desired look.

You can save time, money, and headaches from the very beginning through clear communication!

Why do most people do the opposite and find themselves at the mercy of their stylist? Because everyone takes the stylist for granted. Everyone assumes they read minds, or that they can make you look just like the photograph you brought in even though you have a completely different hair type and face shape. Most everyone thinks the stylist is the “miracle worker” no matter what condition hair may be in. This just isn’t the case.

Dino formulated his own haircare line; 40 years as a "beauty expert" are behind each one.

You should think of your stylist as your “beauty expert” and “project partner.” And, YOU are the project. Consult with your stylist. Let him or her know in advance what you want. Ask your stylist if he or she can give you any tips and ideas on creating a look and maintaining it between visits. A good salon will take the initiative in communication.

Now, as an extra treat I’m going to share 5 beauty “secrets” with you…

Beauty Secret #1: Don’t try to style hair soaking wet, get it 80% dry first. Protect your hair, as well as your skin, from the sun. Use sunscreen on your scalp at the part. Lip balm with sun-block will work.

Beauty Secret #2: Protect your hair from the sun, just as you would your skin. Use sunscreen on your scalp at the part. Lip balm with sun-block works effectively.

Beauty Secret #3: One of the best ways to make your makeup look complete, even if your’re only going to wear the very minimal amount, is to do your brows. Eyebrows look best when filled in with a soft pencil or powder. Go to a professional for your first shaping. After that, it’s best to work in a bright, natural light when tweezing.
 
Beauty Secret #4: To prevent further exacerbating wrinkles and sagging, always apply face creams with firm upward strokes. And don’t forget to protect your neck and décolletage ,too. They are the first parts of your body to show signs of aging and yet are often the most neglected.

Beauty Secret #5: The best bargain for your hair is a good cut. If possible, pay extra for a top-of-the-line stylist. More technically advanced hair cuts will last longer, up to 6 weeks depending on the length of your hair.

Until next week, ciao!