Hair Stylist/dressers... Please Help

It really all depends.
Just because they're a hairstylist doesn't mean they all are trained the same way. Yes they SHOULD know the basic techniques.
Hairstylist at the higher end salons are there because the AMOUNT of training they have.
Now that's not to say you can't find a great stylist at a small salon. There are Plenty of great stylists that work in tiny shops and don't charge a lot of money.

Want to know a test to see if the stylist is well trained??
Watch them hold their sheers..
When they cut hair...the only part of their hand, thats using the sheers, that should be moving is their thumb. They shouldn't be opening & closing their entire hand.

You are kind going to have to go through a lil Trial and Error with finding one.
If you lived closer to los Angels I could give you my sisters number. She is Amazing.

Yes, depending on what you want and how particular you are it really does matter who is cutting your hair. I was a full time stylist up until I had my daughter a couple of years ago so I can tell you from experience. At a higher end salon the stylists are most of the time required to participate in classes to keep up with the latest styles and techniques as well as keeping their skill sharp. Also at a higher end salon the stylist tends to really have a passion for doing hair and pleasing people oppossed to one that is getting paid hourly no matter what. That is NOT to say you can't get a great haircut at a lower end place or that every stylist there does not have a passion for hair. I would suggest asking around to find someone that is both great at what they do and don't charge an arm and leg.

Just remember that your hair type has a lot to do with what sort of style will work for you - thick/thin, straight/wavy/curly, coarse/fine and how much hair you have overall. So showing someone a picture doesn't always mean, even if she gives you that cut, that it will look the same on you.

Hairdressers have different types of training and they may take additional coursework and be certified in techniques beyond basic skills that are required for the initial license. That's SOMETIMES what you pay for in a higher end salon, although other things factor into the pricing - like if it's a high rent area, what sort of products they use, and so on.

You're better off asking your friends who they like and are satisfied with.

It depends on what you define as the "right" hairstylist. I've never based my decision on how much they charge, but I do look for someone who is experienced with MY kind of hair and a good eye for what would look good with my face, etc. I found this with someone who charges $25 - $30. I don't color so that saves money, but it is important that I be with someone who KNOWS how to cut hair. It has to look good, be low-maintenance (wash and go), and only require a trim every 2 months or so. So if you want to color, make sure you go to someone who knows what they're doing and color is usually expensive.

A bob is a pretty straightforward style but it can have lots of variations to suit a trend, a face shape, etc. Talk to the stylist first and see if you can sense a fit.

Sometimes it takes a few mistakes to find the right fit when it comes to finding the right person for your hair. Make an appointment with someone and see how it goes, did they listen to you? Did they cut it the way you showed them? Did it cost what you wanted?

I would think in a town the size of San Diego you would have a lot of choices. Maybe your friends can recommend someone.

For a drastic change, I would definitely invest the money and go to someone really good, and preferably recommended by trusted friends. After that you can get your maintenance trims at less expensive places, but I think a big change is emotional enough without having to worry about the quality of the service your hairdresser is providing, too.

Tari S. says most of the points that I would say with a few differences. First, a bob is actually one of the hardest cuts for a stylist - it has to be so exact and works best on certain types of hair. The other thing I would say is that while price doesn't/shouldn't matter it often does only because those stylists who are really good are that good because they have taken their craft more seriously and continue to improve through education and have a lot of experience to back them up and thus, will want to make a better living doing so. Also, really great stylists book up quickly and by raising their prices, they are able to more effectively schedule with a "regular" clientele. I actually go to a guy who cuts my hair and his partner is the guy who colors my hair (neither of them do the other work, i.e, the guy who cuts doesn't color and the guy who colors doesn't cut), they have their own specialty. This means they can charge more. With that said, I still only pay $60 for my haircut (plus tip so $72) and $95 for my "color" (actually bleach foil highlights) (plus tip so about $115). When my hair was short (a modified bob), I went every 6 weeks, now that I'm growing it out, I go every 8 weeks. Both of my guys are so busy that they are booked 3 months in advance, and I book my entire year of appointments with them.

I found my hairstylist at an Aveda Concept salon and simply liked what his profile had to say. The guy I went to before him was a fancy salon, but we just weren't clicking. My current hairstylist liked to work on short hair, and we clicked - we spoke similar "language" when it came to describing my needs. I think that is very important when looking for someone. While there is some truth to "you get what you pay for" there are also plenty of stylists who can charge a lot but not be the right person for you and there are plenty who are great, but haven't realized their full potential yet and are therefore still not charging a lot.

Good luck!
S.

Hair stylists are individuals. Some learn better than others. Some have more talent. I've either gone to a beauty school or a chain such as SuperCuts for my hair cuts most of my life. There was a period of a couple of years that I went to a salon because I found a stylist whose personality I liked but I eventually went back to Super Cuts because the price was so much less and the cut was just as good. Once I got a good cut I always asked for that stylist at Super Cuts.

I think you should ask for referrals from people who's cut you like. I think a lot of what is important in a stylist is one that will listen to you and understand you. Trust is a big deal. Sometimes it is worth it to pay someone a bit more if you trust them. You get what you pay for in many circumstances. If the cut is inexpensive but the stylist is great I'd make it up in the tip!

It MATTERS. Trust me. I have had horrible hair cuts. If you want your hair to fall nicely, not be frizzy, uneven or unhealthy you have to get a good cut. Some stylists are just not good with scissors (even if they think they are) and just because they "should" know or are "suppose" to know how to do different hair cuts does not actually mean they know how. I have a girl I really like in Huntington Beach (not sure where you are from) and for a cut only I am sure it would be $50 or less - I have been going to her for several years now and I often get compliments and pass out her card. Message me if you are interested in her name/contact info.

~H.

(Didn't read any other posts so sorry if I repeat) Hair stylists are part of a creative profession where you have to go to school and pass a test in order to be one---anyone can go to school to be one if they can pass the schooling, but only those who are truly gifted are good at what they do. No amount of schooling can make you creative--the education just makes you aware of the rules and regulations of the trade. So to answer your question, NO...not every hair stylist can do what you want them to do--they are definitely NOT equal. So--just like any other profession you will have to find the one that works best for you. (I'm not a hair stylist and I'm not creative--just speaking from life experience !) Usually the better stylists charge more (because they have more satisfied customers who will back up their work), but definitely not always the case. You'll probably have to try out many different people until you find one you like. Good luck!