Do you want a trim?

Holy Mackerel!@#!  have you ever walked into a salon and ask for a trim? I can't tell you how many stylists, including myself who've had this question asked of them.  "How much for a trim"?  Consumers,  if you then see this perplexed look come over the face of your respective stylist, keep in mind that your idea of a trim and the stylist/salon owners definitions of "trim" may be quite different.

I can only speak generally in the specifics of other individuals definitions.  In my experience the stylists definition of a trim for a woman consists of a) shortening your bangs, 2) Re-layering your face framing, and 3) possibly, the bottom fringe (1/8th inches or less) of your haircut.  This is a trim and is generally a reduced charge because it takes considerably less time to complete the service. 

For a man a trim consists of 1) shortening the bang area, 2) and cleaning up the neck hair, 3) trimming eyebrows, ears etc.  This is a trim and is generally a reduced charge.

Clients remember:  If you request a trim, but then begin to ask for the stylist to "cut just a little off the top" or "off the sides or back" or "can you cut it shorter?" then you have just upgraded to a haircut, and could and should be charged appropriately. 

 

Steamy Style

Not all hair is the same.  Not everyone wants their hair to be supermodel sleek.  Not everyone wants to have curly sumptuous waves.  Everyone's hair is unique.  Everyone wants to have their own style.

One styling product can't be used to duplicate many different styles.  No matter what the commercials tell you.  Variety in your look requires variety in your styling aids.  The right shampoo and conditioner are always the foundation for your best look.  If your hair isn't responding the way you want it to, then chances are you need to restore the foundation of your hair.  Most of the shampoos and conditioners out there in Walmart, Bartells, QFC, Safeway etc. all have the same basic ingredients.  All of them contain cleansers who's base is as strong as tire cleaner.  Yup, you got it.  Buffers are used to tame the strong cleaning agents to "reverse" the drying effects.  Then methylparabens (waxes) are used to coat the hair to make it look shiny and healthy.  If you don't believe me have your stylist scrape your hair shaft with a sharp edge.  the white fluffy stuff that comes off is wax.  The wax builds up over time and weighs down our hair.  As a result, your hair becomes dull and lifeless.  Difficulty in styling always ensues.

In order to remove this waxy residue you should make an appointment with your stylist for a deep clarifying treatment.  If you have been using "over-the-counter" products for a long period of time, it may take several initial treatments to remove the build-up.  Once you have removed the crap from your hair you should invest in high quality salon products.

Salon quality products such as Alterna, Kevin Murphy, Sexy Hair Concepts, and Framesi products (there are many others) are all produced as organically as possible.  All are water soluble so that the styling aids will rinse off with water.  The use of parabens are minimal in most professional products.