Add some sparkles for a festive touch. Jenny Savage
Add some sparkles for a festive touch.Jenny Savage

The holidays are here, the long hours and last minute cancellations. As a stylist, you should take it all in stride and just ride the holiday rush. Jenny Savage, Kerastase colorist at Atelier by Square Salon in Las Vegas shares her tips for both stylists and your clients.

  1. Don’t agree to do any drastic hair changes even when your client begs you. "My reasoning is they will go to parties and see many people," Savage says. "They don’t want to be the topic of everyone’s conversation."
  1. Don't over-promise and under-deliver when it comes to hair style requests – be realistic with your clients, you have the relationship and knowledge to steer them in the right direction.  
  1. Do subtle changes that feels fresh, not scary. "Make a bob more an A-Line, or maybe angle it so the sides are longer," she says. "You can always balyage up front, for a light effect."
  1. Do embrace warmer richer tones/colors this time of year. Suggest that your client goes for richer colors like reds, gingers, coppers and caramels. If they want to go blonder – why not? Now is the time to do it. There is no rule that you cannot go light in the winter.
    Red works year-round!
    Red works year-round!
  1. Don't forget to offer retail purchases as holiday gift ideas, candles, hair styling products, tools, hair accessories and a gift card is a great gift idea for the person who needs a lift!
  1. Do take the time to offer new styling tips, even though the time busy. This includes quick fixes for holiday parties, such as easy top knots, braids, quick updos. And, you can (and should) charge extra for this "styling training."
  1. Do suggest to your client to make a small hair kit that includes bobby pins, hair ties, mini dry shampoo, hairspray and a brush to revamp from work to party. This can even be "included" in the cost of the styling training mentioned above! 
  1. Do suggest hair accessories. Find sparkly headbands, barrettes, glitter bobby pins, etc. "Sparkle always makes your hair look festive, even if you put it up in a messy updo," Savage says.
  1. Don't play by the rules, go with what you feel. Clients should not be afraid to go lighter in the winter, have colorful hair or add some glitter to their roots.

 

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