When I was in Idaho, I knew people who could refer me to stylists. Then I found one that I loved and stuck with him. Now I'm living in TN and don't know anyone... so I have no clue where to go to get my hair cut! I am not willing to go to great clips or anywhere like that, because on 3 seperate occasions at 3 different locations they butchered my hair. But I have no clue how to find a good place... is there a website that gives reviews of salons in specific areas? I have looked at a few places and tried to judge according to how the people coming out looked (were they happy, did their hair look good?) but none of them had hair even remotely close to mine. I have asked cashiers at stores who does thier hair if I like how it looks, but most of them had a friend or family member do it. (I was tempted to ask the one lady for her mom's phone number! lol)
Or, if you happen to live in Cleveland, TN, do you know a stylist that knows how to cut thick curly hair? ;) lol.
Also, how much do you tip your stylist?
When you see someone - anyone, sho has hair that you think is styled or colored nicely, ask them where they go. I found a great place that way.
I tip 15-20% depending on my mood.
I would ask around or go visit a few salons and see if you like what you see, do the clients hair look nice, is the salon clean, do they offer appointments when you need them, is it hard to get an appointment, etc?
As far as tipping, I only tip 10-15% max. I figure that haircuts are expensive, why should I tip 20% or more already. The person providing the service gets the tip, not like a waiter/waitress who doesn't cook the food and lives off the tips. The hair stylist gets paid directly for what service they provide (of course some is taken by the shop), but still not like wait staff that live off tips.
I looked on the yellow pages and they have a place where people can review the salon. I found a great salon that way. I then ventured from them this past weekend and I regret it!!! Oh my bangs are butchered and short so now I have to live with them till they grow out! Second time this year that it has happened!
You're already doing some of what I would suggest. My friend's mom told me about her hair stylist and I've been very happy since. Seriously, ask if their friend has a number or business card!
I tend to tip 25%, in cash. I don't know what's "right" but it seems to work for us.
Penney's salon has great stylists but they are a bit pricy. Do you have kids in school? Maybe one of their teachers has a suggestion. Or call a beauty school and ask.
My stylist is a friend of my husband's... they went to HS together and our husbands are buddies. Simple enough.
Before I married him, I lived in three different places and had to find stylists in each. If I saw someone at work, in the neighborhood, grocery whatever who had "great hair", I would stop her and ask. I would literally say, "I just moved here and need to find someone to cut and color my hair. You have a great cut, would you be willing to share the name?" You'd be surprised- people will tell you the name and usually thank you for the compliment!
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Recommendations are usually best, particularly from other cosmetologists. I found my current salon 7 years ago when I followed my pedicurist there, have been through 3 different stylists there, left the state for a while and came back to the same place. It's a tip free salon, which is fine by me. They never do anything but impeccable work!
Do you belong to any playgroups or mother's groups? That might be a good place to get a recommendation or if you belong to a church or just post something on a local message board too. Or if there's a particular product you like, such as Paul Mitchell or Aveda, look for a salon specific to that product.
I google hair salon and the zip code I want to look.
Then in the google map I look for those who:
a) have a good review
b) have a website
I like to go to those that have take the time to made a website where I can see the prices, maybe pictures and even the name of the stylist so I could even Google that name and see if some one has a good review.
Or you can see if other mom in here lives by you and can recommend one.
As far as tip, ughh, I am bad at this one,l have tip 15% even if I am not happy with the results and 20% if I Iike it.
I think that you should ask whoever it is for their stylist number even if it is a friend/family member of theirs. I have had my license for several years, but because I don't want to work out side of my home on nights and weekends, and do people out of my house. I would be more than happy to take refferals. You could always give them your number and ask them to pass it along if they would be interested.
Personally, I feel that if a stylist is working in a salon where s/he pays rent and then I don't feel that a tip is needed. If they are working in a salon where they are making hourly wages and or commission, then I think a 10% tip is considerate, but not required.....just my opinion......
I suggest you continue what you are already doing - continue to ask those whose hair you like who their stylist is. You will get lucky and have someone who is willing to share the info and/or isn't a familly member.
Another option is to go to a salon nearby (NOT a great clips =) that looks classy/modern. Check out the stylists in the salon - do they have nice hair? Check out the people leaving - what do you think? Disregard the fact that their hair doesn't look like yours - does THEIR hair look nice? Make an appointment and just get THE BASICS - a trim or something simple. You can probably tell after that first visit whether you would like to go back.
Regarding tip: If the charge for my hair is $70 I would tip $15-$20 (give or take depending on time spent).
The best way to find a stylist is start looking at people's hair. Not just the ones coming out of a salon but when you go grocery shopping, or wherever you go....look at people's hair. Don't just judge by whether or not they have hair like yours. If you find a cut/style you like and is quite flattering on the person, ask, "May I ask where you get your hair cut. I'm new to the area and would love to find a stylist who does a great job." Nobody would ever be offended by you asking this because you are giving them a compliment and they are offered an opportunity to keep their stylist in business by giving you the referral. I have always had people comment on my hair cut/ style and it's with great joy to receive a compliment like that.
I tip 15 % for wash/cut/dry. Tip more if you get more things done like coloring with the cut.
