How to find a good hairstylist?

[lagringader&r]

Anybody have any tips on finding a good hairstylist when you're away from home? What to ask? I just need a trim.

Oh and for anybody who has long hair especially, how often do you trim it or get it trimmed, do you do it yourself or have it done and how do you keep the ends healthy? Any tips?

[amber]

unless your hair is layered, I wouldn't think it would matter that much if you just needed a trim. :shrug: Do you have bangs and need those trimmed, too? If either of these things is true, I can see why it would matter, if not, someone with some sharp scissors who can cut a straight line would be adequate.
I trim my hair about every 3-4 months. But my hair doesn't need anything special, it's curly, and it looks like it has split ends even when it doesn't, so I'm not that picky. People who are anal do every six weeks. My hair would never get longer if I trimmed it that much. But - I do braid it at night, which helps a ton in keeping the ends from splitting. If you want to keep your hair nice for longer, or want it to grow more, start braiding it at night.
Okay, not that helpful, but that's all I know. :wavey:

[WildInTheWind]

I don't think it would matter if you just need a trim. Anywhere would probably do. I like to look at the stylists hair before I go to one. If they have bad hair, it makes me leary of using them! I have long hair and don't trim it nearly as much as I should. It's curly though, so that helps in hiding damage. Helps to hide the bad haircuts my little sister gives me too! :laugh:

[WildInTheWind]

But - I do braid it at night, which helps a ton in keeping the ends from splitting. If you want to keep your hair nice for longer, or want it to grow more, start braiding it at night.
Okay, not that helpful, but that's all I know. :wavey:

Braiding it at night keeps it from splitting? I've never heard that before, I will have to try it. Do you do one braid or one on each side?

[amber]

Braiding it at night keeps it from splitting? I've never heard that before, I will have to try it. Do you do one braid or one on each side?
I do one, you can do two, doesn't matter much. I guess the very best would be a french braid all the way from the top, but it's harder for me to french braid my own hair.
Yes, a lot of your hair breaks off while you are sleeping. I swear, my mom told this to everyone she knows, who was frustrated cause their hair stopped at a certain length, and every single person (plus us) who did it, their hair finally grew past "that length". It probably won't matter too much to people with thicker, stronger hair, but even they can reap the benefits of less split ends... :shrug:

[WildInTheWind]

I do one, you can do two, doesn't matter much. I guess the very best would be a french braid all the way from the top, but it's harder for me to french braid my own hair.
Yes, a lot of your hair breaks off while you are sleeping. I swear, my mom told this to everyone she knows, who was frustrated cause their hair stopped at a certain length, and every single person (plus us) who did it, their hair finally grew past "that length". It probably won't matter too much to people with thicker, stronger hair, but even they can reap the benefits of less split ends... :shrug:

Cool! I am going to start doing that. My hair is curly and can get very brittle, so it would be worth a try. I suck at french braiding my own hair...well anyone's hair for that matter!

[amber]

Cool! I am going to start doing that. My hair is curly and can get very brittle, so it would be worth a try. I suck at french braiding my own hair...well anyone's hair for that matter!
Wow, when I saw your hair it looked really long. But the brittleness I understand. Also, you know, if you are going to wash your hair in the morning anyway, wouldn't hurt to rub a little oil into the end of your braid, or more.
ha, glad I could help.... :laugh:

[WildInTheWind]

Wow, when I saw your hair it looked really long. But the brittleness I understand. Also, you know, if you are going to wash your hair in the morning anyway, wouldn't hurt to rub a little oil into the end of your braid, or more.
ha, glad I could help.... :laugh:

My hair is pretty long. And in alot of the pictures I have it is flat ironed (god/dess bless the CHI!!!!! :nod: ) so it looks even longer. It tends to be a disaster when I let it go natural. I'm sure that smashing it between 300 degree peices of ceramic doesn't help it stay healthy either though.

[amber]

My hair is pretty long. And in alot of the pictures I have it is flat ironed (god/dess bless the CHI!!!!! :nod: ) so it looks even longer. It tends to be a disaster when I let it go natural. I'm sure that smashing it between 300 degree peices of ceramic doesn't help it stay healthy either though.
:laugh:
ha, yeah, no - heat almost never touches my hair. But then, my hair is very thin and fragile. Immediate split ends!!! I do want to try the flat iron, though. :nod: Remember when you were younger, and you tried to straighten your hair with a brush and a blow dryer, and it would just be all poofy and dry looking? (but straight). I'm still scarred from that. :laugh: It looks like the flat iron does the trick, though.

[WildInTheWind]

:laugh:
ha, yeah, no - heat almost never touches my hair. But then, my hair is very thin and fragile. Immediate split ends!!! I do want to try the flat iron, though. :nod: Remember when you were younger, and you tried to straighten your hair with a brush and a blow dryer, and it would just be all poofy and dry looking? (but straight). I'm still scarred from that. :laugh: It looks like the flat iron does the trick, though.

I tried to blow dry my hair straight so many times...and every time it lokoed terrible. I just gave up on haveing straight hair. Until my sister introduced me to the CHI. It is possibly the most amazing think I have ever seen. No matter how curly or frizzy your hair may be, it ends up looking all Jan Brady. If I had a scanner I would have to post side by side before and after pics. :p

[amber]

I tried to blow dry my hair straight so many times...and every time it lokoed terrible. I just gave up on haveing straight hair. Until my sister introduced me to the CHI. It is possibly the most amazing think I have ever seen. No matter how curly or frizzy your hair may be, it ends up looking all Jan Brady. If I had a scanner I would have to post side by side before and after pics. :p
CHI - is that a special brand of flattener or something? Someone told me you should try to get one where the flat part is...made of porcelain or something?? :confused:

[WildInTheWind]

CHI - is that a special brand of flattener or something? Someone told me you should try to get one where the flat part is...made of porcelain or something?? :confused:

Yes. I'm sorry. I tend to do that and people never know what I am talking about. The CHI is the kind of flat iron they use in the salons. Ceramic Hair Iron. It's the ceramic ones that are best on your hair. Salons will often charge $200+ if you buy it from them. It's insane. I know someone who owns a salon so I got it at the price they get them. $100 well spent!! After seeing the results it was a splurge I couldn't resist.

[amber]

Yes. I'm sorry. I tend to do that and people never know what I am talking about. The CHI is the kind of flat iron they use in the salons. Ceramic Hair Iron. It's the ceramic ones that are best on your hair. Salons will often charge $200+ if you buy it from them. It's insane. I know someone who owns a salon so I got it at the price they get them. $100 well spent!! After seeing the results it was a splurge I couldn't resist.
Oh, that's right, ceramic. Thanks for the info. Uh...$200? hmmm. that's a lot of money for my hair. :laugh: We'll see. Also, I suspect that if my hair was flatter, it would just make my face look bigger.... :laugh: Maybe I'll try the cheap version first. :)

[SuzeQuze]

Oh, that's right, ceramic. Thanks for the info. Uh...$200? hmmm. that's a lot of money for my hair. :laugh: We'll see. Also, I suspect that if my hair was flatter, it would just make my face look bigger.... :laugh: Maybe I'll try the cheap version first. :)

I have a Conair that works pretty well. If you first blow dry your hair with a round, metal brush that helps. I don't even bother with this in the summer though because my hair is so porous it will just frizz up in the humidity.

As far as finding a stylist Sue, ask someone in the area, who's hair looks good, who to go to. :)

[amber]

I have a Conair that works pretty well. If you first blow dry your hair with a round, metal brush that helps. I don't even bother with this in the summer though because my hair is so porous it will just frizz up in the humidity.

As far as finding a stylist Sue, ask someone in the area, who's hair looks good, who to go to. :)
Cool. But I will never blow dry/brush my hair, and then flat iron it. I mean, unless I was going to the oscars or emmys or something. :laugh: Your hair is thick, though, it looked strong when I saw it. :)

[SuzeQuze]

Cool. But I will never blow dry/brush my hair, and then flat iron it. I mean, unless I was going to the oscars or emmys or something. :laugh: Your hair is thick, though, it looked strong when I saw it. :)

It is pretty thick but each strand is fine, I just have tons of them. I have a lot of breakage right now and desperately need a trim! :eek: Also, I use Biolage or Nexus (sp?) conditioner because my hairstylist told me it was dry and if I was going to spend money for the highlights I should invest in a conditioner to take care of it. It makes a huge difference actually.

I don't blow dry/flat iron unless I am going out. Otherwise I just spread some product through it and let it air dry curly.

[amber]

It is pretty thick but each strand is fine, I just have tons of them. I have a lot of breakage right now and desperately need a trim! :eek: Also, I use Biolage or Nexus (sp?) conditioner because my hairstylist told me it was dry and if I was going to spend money for the highlights I should invest in a conditioner to take care of it. It makes a huge difference actually.

I don't blow dry/flat iron unless I am going out. Otherwise I just spread some product through it and let it air dry curly.
Cool. I'm suprised, each strand looked really thick to me, in addition to you having a lot! Maybe it was the highlights...or maybe just in comparison. Anyway, when I think about you, I always think of thick hair. :p

I didn't ever use conditioner my whole young life. We just didn't buy it. Weird, huh? We did mayonnaise treatments every month or so, though. Or Olive oil.

Now I buy rosemary conditioner from Whole Foods (I try to get shampoo and conditioner that doesn't have sodium laurel sulphate).

My mom made her own Rosemary conditioner - I think it was rosemary infusion (fresh rosemary she grew, steeped with water or oil to bring out it's "properties"), mixed with oil (probably olive), mixed with some kind of regular conditioner - and put it on her scalp as conditioner - and all of a sudden, her hair grew WAAAAAY LONG. :shocked: :shrug:

I also use the conditioner that comes with my hair dye - hey, might as well not waste it! :p :laugh: It seems really strong, my hair is soooo smooth and non tangly when I use it. And that's a good thing.

[WildInTheWind]

Also, I use Biolage or Nexus (sp?) conditioner because my hairstylist told me it was dry and if I was going to spend money for the highlights I should invest in a conditioner to take care of it. It makes a huge difference actually.



Martix Sleeklook is heavenly. It is the best shampoo and conditioner I have ever used......and I have used alot! I'm a sucker for salon products.

[SuzeQuze]

Martix Sleeklook is heavenly. It is the best shampoo and conditioner I have ever used......and I have used alot! I'm a sucker for salon products.

I use the Biolage balm, it smells so good. If I see Martix I will try it.

[amber]

I use the Biolage balm, it smells so good. If I see Martix I will try it.
That's so cool, I marvel at the fact that other people can use hair products that actually make a difference in their hair. Although, one time I got a haircut, and the shampoo they used was magnificent. I asked the name, but forgot it seconds later, and the same guy was never there again... :( It was kind of some half natural, half expensive hair thing. I remain hopeful, though. Luckily, when my hair is long, it makes little difference. When my hair was short there was a little more maintenance involved - I had to use "KMS Curl Up." :nod: It was the only best thing. (which sucked, it was like 12 dollars a bottle)

*sorry to go on and on, I'm just amazed at the amount of stuff other people use for their hair! am I missing something important??*
Wouldn't you agree, though, Suze, that for me it would make little difference? I don't even have bangs... :D

[WildInTheWind]

I use the Biolage balm, it smells so good. If I see Martix I will try it.

I think Biolage and Martix are actually the same company. I've used that balm, too, it's pretty good. Is that the one that comes in the jar? THe only problem I had with that was I used it too damn fast.

[WildInTheWind]

That's so cool, I marvel at the fact that other people can use hair products that actually make a difference in their hair. Although, one time I got a haircut, and the shampoo they used was magnificent. I asked the name, but forgot it seconds later, and the same guy was never there again... :( It was kind of some half natural, half expensive hair thing. I remain hopeful, though. Luckily, when my hair is long, it makes little difference. When my hair was short there was a little more maintenance involved....
*sorry to go on and on, I'm just amazed at the amount of stuff other people use for their hair! am I missing something important??*
Wouldn't you agree, though, Suze, that for me it would make little difference? I don't even have bangs... :D

Mmmm.....I drool over salon quality products. Once you start using them it's hard to go back to the normal stuff. They are just so damn expensive!

[amber]

Mmmm.....I drool over salon quality products. Once you start using them it's hard to go back to the normal stuff. They are just so damn expensive!
That's what I've heard people say, though I only experienced that when my hair was short, with "KMS Curl Up". That was my one "must have" product.

uh...maybe I've never tried anything expensive enough?!!! :laugh:

honestly, though, my hair just isn't that....changeable? Like, it would do little good.
Also, I prefer natural products that i've seen work.
My friend with really long hair swears by leaving her conditioner in, not rinsing it out. :shocked: But she hates even a hint of poofiness to her curly hair. She won't even let me brush it at all. And she doesn't brush. She uses Pantene conditioner/shampoo combo. :shrug: Her hair is down to her waist, though...

[WildInTheWind]

My friend with really long hair swears by leaving her conditioner in, not rinsing it out. :shocked: But she hates even a hint of poofiness to her curly hair. She won't even let me brush it at all. And she doesn't brush. She uses Pantene conditioner/shampoo combo. :shrug: Her hair is down to her waist, though...

SHe doesn't wash out her conditioner?! Does her hair look waxy or greasy all the time? I know if I don't rinse my conditioner out thouroughly my hair looks dirty again. I only brush my hair when it's wet. Or else it looks terrible and the curl comes out.

[SuzeQuze]

That's so cool, I marvel at the fact that other people can use hair products that actually make a difference in their hair. Although, one time I got a haircut, and the shampoo they used was magnificent. I asked the name, but forgot it seconds later, and the same guy was never there again... :( It was kind of some half natural, half expensive hair thing. I remain hopeful, though. Luckily, when my hair is long, it makes little difference. When my hair was short there was a little more maintenance involved - I had to use "KMS Curl Up." :nod: It was the only best thing. (which sucked, it was like 12 dollars a bottle)

*sorry to go on and on, I'm just amazed at the amount of stuff other people use for their hair! am I missing something important??*
Wouldn't you agree, though, Suze, that for me it would make little difference? I don't even have bangs... :D

It would add shine and make it less prone to breakage. I think the L'Oreal products are pretty good though. I held out for a long time before breaking down and paying these rediculous prices. The results are very good though.

[SuzeQuze]

I think Biolage and Martix are actually the same company. I've used that balm, too, it's pretty good. Is that the one that comes in the jar? THe only problem I had with that was I used it too damn fast.

Yep, the jar, and I use it too fast too. :distress:

[catinthedark]

Anybody have any tips on finding a good hairstylist when you're away from home? What to ask? I just need a trim.

Well, don't know how long you'll be away from your stylist, but when I moved to a new city, I needed to find a new one. I was terrified because I have totally pin-straight, long, fine, soft hair. If it's not cut perfectly, it most definitely shows. What I did was ask around at work to the women who had hair like mine - if I thought they had a good cut, I asked where they went. I hit gold when I was talking to a colleague and we realized we have the exact same kind of hair. I went to her stylist and and have been going to him ever since.

[lagringader&r]

Well, don't know how long you'll be away from your stylist, but when I moved to a new city, I needed to find a new one. I was terrified because I have totally pin-straight, long, fine, soft hair. If it's not cut perfectly, it most definitely shows. What I did was ask around at work to the women who had hair like mine - if I thought they had a good cut, I asked where they went. I hit gold when I was talking to a colleague and we realized we have the exact same kind of hair. I went to her stylist and and have been going to him ever since.

That's a good idea and you DID hit gold. I'm not working here now so I don't know who to ask. I am terrified too. I don't like finding new stylists. So I keep going without a trim and it's been a long time, like 6 months! I just condition like CRAZY. There's one chick I talked to that has been a stylist for three years. Is that long enough to be good at what she does? Male or female stylists better?

Thanks everybody for the advice on conditioners. I'm going to try some of those. I like the Biolage too.

[amber]

It would add shine and make it less prone to breakage. I think the L'Oreal products are pretty good though. I held out for a long time before breaking down and paying these rediculous prices. The results are very good though.
When I use things that "add shine", it just makes my hair look greasy. Plus, I already have shine, of course. dark brown hair is good that way.

[lagringader&r]

When I use things that "add shine", it just makes my hair look greasy. Plus, I already have shine, of course. dark brown hair is good that way.

Ok one tip I can give that my stylist (I miss her!) told me. Don't EVER use those shine-enhancing serums and then flat iron it. She says it's like taking an iron to oil and will fry hair. Use the serum after, not before.

[DavidMn]

I'm not much of a hair guy. I just go to Great Clips. :rolleyes:

[LongBlackScarf]

I think the best way to find a good hairstylist is to approach someone with an absolutely HEINOUS haircut, ask where they got it, and then NOT go there. Keep doing this until all local salons are mentioned. When you hit on the last one, go there! Buy a funny hat just in case, though!! :woohoo:

[catinthedark]

There's one chick I talked to that has been a stylist for three years. Is that long enough to be good at what she does? Male or female stylists better?

Hmm... hard to say. I've had both male and female stylists. Again, I base it on their work. I have even gone up to total strangers if I've thought they had a great cut, and asked who does their hair. I'm telling you, I've never been disappointed using that method! :nod:

[WildInTheWind]

Ok one tip I can give that my stylist (I miss her!) told me. Don't EVER use those shine-enhancing serums and then flat iron it. She says it's like taking an iron to oil and will fry hair. Use the serum after, not before.

I was always told to use a serum before flat ironing to protect your hair. The conplete opposite of what you were told! :laugh: That without some kind of protective product your hair will fry. I can't use anything after I flat iron. The moisture would make my hair curl up.