If you’re planning a chop, color revamp, or even just a trim, everything can be far more complicated when you have to find a brand new hair salon to boot. Maybe your own stylist did a disappearing act, moved on to pastures new, or perhaps you just need to shake things up right down to the person wielding the scissors.
Whatever the reason you’re starting from scratch, finding your new hairdresser can be a daunting task. Especially since you can’t exactly ask for a trial run—once it's chopped, it's chopped. But quell your fears friends, because we’ve done the digging and come up with an expert checklist to help you spot the pros from the pretenders. Cue top hairstylists Richard Ward and Jack Merrick-Thirlway, plus the salon nous of former Byrdie editors.
Meet the Expert
- Richard Ward is a Royal and celebrity hairstylist. He is also the owner of his eponymous salon in Chelsea, London.
- Jack Merrick-Thirlway is a celebrity stylist and the creative director of Neville Salon. He is based in the UK.
Here’s exactly how to find the best hair salons and an incredible new hairstylist near you.
It may seem like an obvious one, but word of mouth is a powerful tool and a recommendation from a friend, or just somebody with amazing hair, is always a good start. “If you love someone's haircut, ask who did it, especially if they have a similar hair type and texture to you," says beauty and wellness editor Amy Lawrenson. Ward couldn't agree more: “Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a good stylist and will give you extra confidence in their abilities. If you’re always admiring a particular friend’s cut or color, ask where they go and give the stylist a call. Lots of salons operate referral schemes, so don’t forget to mention their name.”
Much like a word-of-mouth recommendation, Instagram is now a hive of genuine hair inspiration, especially when you can easily track down who’s responsible for the cut, color, or coiffing. “I’m all for DMing people on Instagram if you like their hair, and I've been able to recommend my own hairdresser this way so many times,” says Shannon Peter, beauty director at Stylist Magazine. “Instagram is a great tool for searching, just put in 'London hair stylist' for example, and you can scroll through the accounts of salons in your area, or check if a particular hairdresser has the aesthetic that you're looking for. It's what I'd do to find a tattoo artist, so why not for hair?!”
Are you finally ready to commit to French-girl bangs? What about going for a trendy haircut like the mixie? The consultation is key for communicating what you want, but it can also be very revealing in terms of assessing your stylist, so use it as an interview of sorts—and listen carefully.
“Every appointment should start with an in-depth consultation, whether it’s for a color, cut, or hair extensions, and of course, a patch test prior to any color service,” explains Merrick-Thirlway. “During a consultation, a good stylist will consider your face shape, lifestyle habits, check for unusual growth patterns, and take into consideration how your hair looks when it's natural. They should also prioritize the health of your hair, and offer alternatives if your choice of cut or color just isn’t [safely] achievable on your hair type. They should discuss aftercare and maintenance with you too, and not allow things to sound overly ‘technical’—clients need to understand how the result is really going to look.”
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Wish you could give a new salon or stylist a trial run? While you might not be able to stage a "practice cut," there is one test you can carry out to get a feel for things. “I think it's important to strike up a rapport with your hairdresser, so it’s a good idea if the first time you meet isn't when you're actually having your haircut. That you can always back out if you don't think you're on the same page,” says Lawrenson.
Try to avoid requesting any type of hair transformation the first time you visit a new salon or meet with a new stylist. For instance, if you're looking for a cut, opt for a trim over a drastic change in length. When it comes to color, begin by trying a color that is similar to your natural shade. Steer clear [at least, initially] of colors that would require both bleach and dyes to achieve.
Richard Ward agrees, and suggests using the rather genius "blow-dry test." Here's how it works: “Always book in for a blow-dry at any new salon before you commit to a cut,” says Ward. "This is a great way to get a feel for the salon, and also establish a rapport with the hairdresser before allowing them anywhere near your hair with scissors!”
Like most things in life these days, there’s an app for this exact dilemma—several in fact. Our favorites include StyleSeat, where you can search for salons in your area and read [often brutally honest] customer reviews before you book. If you have curly or textured hair, it’s worth keeping an eye on the website Swivel. The platform aims to make an easy job of finding natural hair experts in your area.
March 2, 2021
Now that’s the million dollar question! Finding the right stylist can be much harder than you might imagine. However, if you’ve moved or ever had a stylist retire, you know the struggle is real. Follow these four steps to find the perfect stylist for you!
One of the best and most authentic ways to source a stylist these days can be through social media.
There are so many platforms of social sharing that finding a stylist through Instagram may be the answer to our heart – whoops, I mean hair. The top two social platforms used by stylists and salons to post their work are Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Log into your account and search and scroll different hashtags to find stylists near you. Since hashtags group photos by key word, it collects and curates everyone that has had a conversation about a specific topic. Some examples of hashtags to search may look like this: #matrixhair #houstonstylist #dallashair #sandiegosalon – they could also be more general like #balayage #pixiecut #hairgoals etc.
As you scroll through hundreds of images that flood your feed [thanks to your new BFF the hashtag], select pictures that catch your eye. If you think, “Hey that looks nice,” click on it. It will take you to the stylist’s profile or bio page where you have a close look of their portfolio. From here, read the comments section for reviews.
Not all in search of a new stylist are into the whole social media craze. Ever met someone who feels like Snapchat is just the government’s way to spy on us? Ok, maybe that’s a little far out, but hey, that’s why search engines like Google, Yelp and StyleSeat are great resources. Check reviews and browse pictures of passionate stylists.
Social media may be considered “the new word of mouth” but don’t forget there’s still the original word of mouth which is perfect for those that aren’t big on technology. Chatting with friends and coworkers happens naturally and you never know what great resources or ideas they may have.
Also, if you see hair that speaks to your #hairgoals, stop the girl or guy, compliment them, and ask what salon they go to! Trust me, people are honored to give out their stylist’s information. People want their hair to look flawless, but it’s more than the hair itself. Over the years, people form a bond and close relationship with their stylist – a compliment to their hair speaks volume of their stylist and they want nothing more than to promote their friend and hair guru.
Years of experience isn’t everything. We see credentials and accolades hanging on the wall at a doctor’s office – seeing professional credentials can grant a sense of peace and comfort. However, this mentality doesn’t necessarily translate in the stylist world. Your first thought might be to ask, “How many years have you been cutting hair?” While this is a very valid question, the years alone aren’t everything. Years behind the chair don’t add up a PHD in haircoloring, cutting, styling or weaving. While experience aids in wisdom and knowledge, a stylist should also be continuing their education on new technologies and techniques to keep up on the ever-changing trends of hairstyling.
A true stylist needs to continue their education in order to provide their clients with the latest trends in hair. Ask about the stylist’s educational background, how often the stylist enrolls in educational experiences, courses or events. My rule of thumb is the more the better. If the stylist you’re visiting cares about you as their client, their career, and their industry, it is in their own best interest to be “in the know” of all new innovative trends and technology…..you want dream hair …not dated hair!
Once you’ve done all your homework and research, what do you do with the information? How do you know if this stylist is still going to be right fit for you?
Make an appointment at the new salon for a conditioning treatment or blow out. This step allows you to personally meet the stylist and see his or her skills without breaking the bank [or potentially snipping off way too much]. Use this time to ask the questions about their expertise and accomplishments. And most importantly, get a feel of their personality to see if it fits with yours. Education, accomplishments, years of experience and portfolio play key roles but a stylist’s personality will either make or break the deal.
The last step is to formally establish a stylist-client relationship. The best relationships are formed when each party’s personality compliments each other. As for me, I’m blunt, funny, outspoken, honest and to-the-point. I’m an entertainer type. Sometimes, I randomly bust out singing. I love to laugh and make others laugh. I’m also confident in my skills and knowledgeable in my craft. In comparison, my colleague stationed next to me is super sweet, soft-spoken and loving. She loves her craft and is extremely knowledgeable and talented too. Although her clients may compliment my work, they are not likely to be sitting in my chair because our personalities are so different. They are more comfortable with their stylist’s personality type and the same goes with my clients. The reason people stay twenty years with a stylist is because they like how their stylist makes them feel. If I’m ever away and a colleague takes care of my client in my absence, I can trust them to do a great job. However, when I return, my clients always say things like, “I loved him! They did a great job but he’s just not……YOU!”
I hope this helps in finding your perfect hairstylist. Do your research, find your hair inspiration via social media, the web or the grocery store. Make a relatively inexpensive “test” appointment. Hold out for the personality that fits yours like a glove and you and your “hairapist” can conquer the world.Matrix can help you find your perfect stylist – check out the Salon Finder tool to search a salon in your area: //www.matrix.com/salonfinder
Lauren Green-Vega believes passion and education are the keys to the industry. Best known for her color and technical cutting skills, Vega brings over a decade of experience. As a Matrix Educator and certified Color Master, she empowers stylists to create and learn to their fullest ability. Her color, dress work and fashion forward styles can be found in magazines like: ‘Sophisticate’ and ‘Hot Hair.’