Picture this: you need your hair done, so you hop on IG and Facebook to see who’s rockin’ the style that you want. You find a stylist, and there’s a $50 deposit to book her services. All her posts look legit, so you go ahead and book her. You show up to the shop and come to find out she double booked. Now, you have to wait another 30 minutes before it’s your time.  You’re a little irritated, but you really want your hair done, so you just keep quiet. Finally, you get to sit in the chair, and you think you about to look like a queen when you get done. You go through and get your style and then come to find out… she had no idea what she was doing. The style looked lackluster and she truthfully just didn’t know how to handle your hair. Don’t sweat it ladies… we’ve all been there before. We’ve all had that moment when we questioned whether or not the stylist that we picked out was really right for us.  Believe it or not, there are ways to be able to determine quickly whether or not the person that you have entrusted to slay your tresses is indeed the best person to do the job. Keep reading below to get some tips on how to know if you got the right stylist for your hair.

Tip #1 Look at the Reviews

It’s so easy to get excited about a hairstyle, that we forget to do basic due diligence on the people that we allow into our hair. Take the time to look at the other reviews that are visible on their website and social media pages. While there are many people who only leave reviews when they have a negative experience, there are others like myself who leave reviews no matter what. If you look hard enough, you’ll get all the information you need about the stylist’s customer service, punctuality, etc.

Tip #2 Reach Out to Other Clients

If you’re having trouble finding reviews organically, then go straight to the source. Think about it. Most stylist tag the “models” who rock their hair creations. Reach out to them and ask them about their experience. Most will be more than happy to give you the run down about the stylist. Believe me when u say that if the experience was a bad one, people will be very much inclined to share details.

Tip #3 Request a Consult

If you are serious about maintaining the integrity of your tresses, you should always request having a consultation with your stylist to make sure that they understand the needs of your hair and yours alone. Although we can group our hair into textures, the truth is that everyone is different. What works for one person may not work for you, and a good stylist will take the time to understand exactly what your goals are. There are many stylists that will say anything to get you into their chair. Don’t fall victim to these money hungry individuals, and instead make sure that you stylists gets you .

Tip #4 Ask What Type of Products They Use

Again, if you’re serious about your hair’s health, you have to know what you’re exposing it to. This includes not only hands, but also the different things that stylist are putting into your hair. If you know you don’t like sulfate-infused products, then you need to make sure that your stylist does not use those types of products in your hair. As a matter of fact, it would not be a bad idea to ask if you can bring you Shedavi Crowned shampoo and conditioner with you to make sure that they are only using top tier products in your hair.

Tip #5 Get A Quote Upfront

Our final tip is to make sure that you get an honest quote upfront when taking the time to select a stylist. Remember that you get what you pay for, however, there are some who overcharge just for the sake of overcharging. A good stylist will understand that everyone is on different budgets, so they need to be able to give you a range of +/- $10 when quoting you for services. Now, it’s up to you to ask the correct questions. For example, if you’re going to get a sew-in bob, make sure you know if the stylist charges extra to curl, to wash your natural hair, to apply a closure or frontal, etc.  Don’t let there be any surprises while you’re in the chair. If you come across someone who says it might be this but I don’t know…consider that as a sign that they are not quite experienced enough to provide a proper estimate which means that you should look for someone else.  

BONUS TIP: Pay Attention to How (S)he Handles Your Hair

Sometimes, everything starts to check out with the stylist until you actually get into the chair. During this time, take a moment to notice how she handles your hair. Is she pulling your edges too tight? Kindly advise her that you don’t want tight edges and think twice about using her next time. Is she leaving that flat iron on your hair too long instead of just letting it pass through? Politely ask her to keep it moving because you’re a little apprehensive about damage. Stylist who treat your hair any kind of way do not have your hair's best interest at heart, ad you do not need those type of people to aid you in your hair journey. 

Do not ever feel embarrassed or like you’re doing too much when it comes to your hair. When it’s all said and done, your hair is your crown. You must do your due diligence to ensure that your crown is well-maintained.

What are some ways that you pick your stylist? Tell us about it in the comments!

Written By: Bianca Scott