Here are some tips for finding a new salon to take care of you hair coloring and styling needs. Whether you are new to town or just looking to make a change in stylist/colorist, finding a new salon can seem impossible. There are over 8000 cosmetologists employed in Arizona, so you can’t try them all. There are some basic guidelines you can use that could narrow the search. 

Assisting Program

Seek a salon with an assisting program. This is my number one rule for finding a new salon. I would not go to a salon that did not have an assisting program, nor would I go to a stylist/colorist that did not go through an assisting program. A salon that trains its staff before allowing them to take clients, is a sign the salon has a quality standard. Beauty schools do not have the time to train a student fully, nor does any states cosmetology board test for skills with hair. State boards of cosmetology primarily focus on disease prevention and sanitation.

Social Media

Social Media is a helpful tool for finding a salon. A salon with no ratings or low ratings is a red flag, to say the least. But on the other hand a salon with a great social media presence is not necessarily a good sign. The time needed to have great social media can mean a stylist/colorist has lots of free time to dedicate to it. Read the bad reviews- often times a bad review is undeserved. Read between the lines and make a judgment from there.

Book a Shampoo and Style

 If you still feel unsure about a salon, book a blow dry. It gives you plenty of time to feel out the salon and watch people come and go. Do the clients leaving look good, happy? I find a blow dry much better way to feel out a salon and stylist than booking a consultation. Consultations can be very helpful when looking for a colorist. There are color, highlights and balayage, that can take different amounts of time to achieve the desired result for different clients. So booking a consultation to assure proper time has been allotted for best results is a great idea.

Ask Someone

If you see someone whose hair you like, ask them where they go. It may be difficult to walk up to a stranger but it is a good way to find a salon. Shorter hair is much harder to cut well, so it could be a sign of a better stylist.

Have A Look

My last suggestion is a free one. Go to a potential salon and sit in the waiting area. Let the front desk know you are there just to observe. Any salon that would have a problem with you watching the interactions and results of their work, is not a salon you would want to go to. Some salons are like night clubs, loud music, boisterous conversations. Some salons are very subdued, with soft music and conversation, and everything in between. There is no shortage of salons so you can find one that fits your style. If you would like to check out our salon, come see us here.