For the client: Salon etiquette 101

Hairstylists shed light on some simple rules salon goers can follow.

LAHORE:

You can always count on a trip to the salon to brighten your day; whether you’re suffering from break-up blues or a manic Monday, a voluminous blow dry, some bright nail paint and tidy eyebrows will leave you in a much better mood. For this reason, the relationship one develops with their salon of choice and its staff is important.

Salon goers may have the usual complaints about being made to wait too long, or not being offered tea or water, but they often forget there are some basic rules and etiquettes that clients need to follow as well. Prominent hair stylists highlight some ground rules.

Be on time

Stylists urge their clients to arrive for their appointments at least five minutes before the designated appointment time. This ensures that you are settled in and ready for the consultation period. Making the stylist wait will rile them up and you will not get as great a service as you would have hoped for. “I do prefer people to be on time, but I give a lag period of 15 minutes for traffic and other unforeseen circumstances,” says Natasha Saigol of Natasha Saigol Salon. “However, I also expect my clients to be accommodating too if they are late and I am attending to another client.”

Switch that phone off

Avoid texting or receiving calls during the appointment because as your head tilts in an unsuitable position, it is possible that the stylist’s scissors also make an unwanted snip. While it does bother some hairdressers, one says it’s just fine. “It’s not an issue for me to have my clients take calls because it is all about their comfort — an hour is the time given to every client,” continues Natasha Saigol. “People want to chill and gossip with the hairdresser and relax. But if they need to take a call, I give them space for a few minutes and then return to my task.”

Communicate properly

It is important to communicate to your stylist exactly what you want. For example, just saying ‘cut two inches off,’ is not enough, because two inches to you could mean something completely different to the stylist. Hence, it is important to physically show how much hair you want chopped off. “I always show my clients physically how much I will cut off so that they have a clear idea and we mutually agree,” says Redah Misbah of Depilex.

Tipping

Even though the concept of tipping is not as popular in Pakistan as it is abroad, we still feel it is important to leave a tip for those who handled your appointment. Just as a general rule of thumb, depending on the service you get, it is safe to tip 35% of your total bill to the stylist, blow-dry assistant and person washing your hair. This builds a good rapport and ensures you get good service the next time around. “You should always tip your stylist but it’s okay if you don’t, since I am getting paid for the service,” says Saigol. “However, the girls should be tipped at least 12% of the total service bill.”

Leave the kids at home

Imagine getting a hot oil massage and drifting into a blissful stupor, only to be disturbed by the shrieks of another client’s young children. “At Depilex, we do not allow children to cross the main lobby area,” says Misbah, “it is not just for the safety of the children but because we do not want our clients being disturbed.” Mubashir Khan of Mubashir Khan Salon concurs by saying, “It is unacceptable to bring a child to the salon if they do not have an appointment. Our salon is not a day care and the staff members will not take care of your kids.”

Your first appointment is a first date

When going in for a cut or hair colour, it is important to dress up a little. “I, as a stylist, would like to see what your style is so I can give you a look that will complement your natural instincts,” says Mubashir. “It makes the consultation period much easier for me because what one wears, represents who they are.” Try to be on your best behaviour when meeting the stylist for the first time, as first impressions last. It is important to be patient and give the stylist a chance to know you.

How to avoid casual small talk with the stylist

Here are some tips on how to avoid conversation on a particularly hard day. Announce how stressed and tired you are the moment your appointment begins. Your stylist will then take over and not make conversation. If this doesn’t work, just lightly close your eyes and that should do the trick. Another appropriate way to avoid conversation would be to say, “I am so excited that I will get to relax in your chair.”

If one keeps these pointers in mind, a visit to the salon can be made enjoyable for yourself and those around you.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2012.

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