5 Hair Resolutions you won't want to break!

5 Hair Resolutions for 2014

Be kind to yourself.  We're too hard, too critical, too quick to judge ourselves harshly.  Do your best and look for resolutions you can actually enjoy keeping!  Here are my suggestions.

1. I will visit my salon regularly.  "Regularly" doesn't have to mean every four weeks, but a little maintenance on a regular basis saves time, reduces bad hair days and can save you money too.  If you don't believe me compare the "regrowth" price on your salon's price card to the "colour correction" one!
2. I will pay for the best I can and expect the best in return.  Your hair is the part of your outfit you can't take off.  You know good shoes make all the difference: great stylists do too.  That said, don't put up with second-rate service if you're paying first-rate prices.  You deserve better!
3. I will buy a few good quality products and use them.  One of the reasons your hair doesn't look as good as it did in the salon mirror could be the shelf full of crusty mousse and 3-for-2 hairspray you're using.  Detox in January and bin the lot (trust me, you'll only feel bad for a day) then buy one or two good quality styling products and use them as directed.  It will make all the difference.
4. I will see my hair with a fresh pair of eyes.  New Year is a great time to review.  What do you want your hair to say about you?  What is it saying right now?  If the two aren't the same start moving towards your goal.
5. I will make a plan and stick to it.  Set your hair goals, work back from big events and holidays, make your appointments and stick to them.  I'll bet that leads to less stress and less frantic phone calls two days before that family wedding where you simply CAN'T have 2" roots.

That's got to be easier than dropping 20 pounds and living off lettuce hasn't it?

Phil xxx

phil@bravohair.com
Bravo Hairdressing, 57 Cheap Street, Newbury, Berks.  RG14 5DH (01635) 552323

Why hairdressers LOVE ravers!

Why hairdressers LOVE ravers!

The very best stylists from the most magnificent salons with the very highest levels of customer care STILL lose clients.  As a rough estimate I'd say between 3% and 10% of clients disappear from a stylist's appointment page each year despite being delighted with the salon and service.  That hits any stylist working on commission HARD.

The reasons are diverse: clients relocating, reconciling a drop in income or even unfortunately dying, or a stylist's change in working hours or promotion to a new grade.

Whatever the reason the biggest favour you can ever do a stylist is to RAVE about them!

This isn't such a big ask any more: check in on Facebook when you're in the salon, or send a tweet or pic of your new 'do.  It shows the world that your stylist is fab (and if they're not why are you still with them?) and it makes a real difference to how busy a stylist is.  What's more they feel good about their work too.

Some salons also offer a more structured recommend-a-friend scheme which can earn you money off or free products and services.  In my experience, few clients do this well but those that do tend to do an awesome job at it.  I even have two lucky clients who rarely pay for any services in my salon!

So ...

IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

Phil xxx

phil@bravohair.com
Bravo Hairdressing, 57 Cheap Street, Newbury, Berks.  RG14 5DH (01635) 552323

6 ways you can get FREE hairdressing from the most expensive salons

There aren't many salons that don't give away some free services occasionally.  With a little flexibility you can enjoy the very best hairdressing at no cost at all!

1. Make a deal
Don't be afraid to ask - I have a very good, long term hair extension client who NEVER pays for her hair. How? She paid for her first set some four years ago before a wedding where she was bridesmaid.  She loved them and came back a month later with a proposition.  She said:

"Phil, I love my new extensions and my hair looks great but I can't afford your prices on a regular basis.  My friends love them too and I have four who are serious about having them."

Now every time she wants a new set of extensions (about twice a year), she brings me four new extension clients.  She works in a busy department store and always has my card in her purse.
PROS: I LOVE a win-win!
CONS: I can't think of any!! Make sure you're asking an owner/manager.

2. Model cuts
Everyone has to learn and young, eager stylists often offer free or very cheap haircuts to built their portfolio and level of experience.  Salons closely supervise their students to prevent disasters!

PROS: Cheap/free, regular training means a continual need for models
CONS: May be set training times, can be a very long appointment, you need to be flexible

3. Recommend a friend
Lots of salons offer some kind of recommend-a-friend scheme.  It's a great way of rewarding loyalty and building a stylist's clientele and Facebook fiends should find this really easy! Our scheme lets you earn up to £135 a year in free services but schemes vary a lot from salon to salon.

PROS: You still choose your stylist and appointment slot
CONS: Usually only works when you introduce new clients to the salon

4. Demos and client evenings
The best salons are continually communicating with their clients about products and services.  Offering your head for a client evening or demo is a great way of getting even very expensive services for free.

PROS: Even high-ticket services like hair extensions can be offered
CONS: Not a regular need for models, you may need to give up an evening

5. New service models
When a salon takes on a brand new service they often hold in-salon training to familiarise the team with the process before carrying it out on a paying client.

PROS: Reliable models are called on again and again, can be very high-ticket services
CONS: Not a regular need for models, services can take a long time

6. Giveaways and competitions
Checking your salon's Facebook page regularly, following on Twitter and signing up for newsletters will give you a head start when giveaways happen.  Also check your local paper.

PROS: Usually free to enter, you can choose which to enter and which don't interest you
CONS: You need to be quick - giveaways are always popular, you will probably end up on the salon mailing list

Phil x