Month: June 2016

This is part 2  to updo blues

A checklist to help you with weddings

1.  Do a run through on bride’s hair a solid week before the special day.

I’m not talking about a quick run through, I’m talking wash and dry the hair, use product – put some effort into your work- let them see WHAT you can do. Ask her to bring a picture of the dress, ask questions about her colors, theme, and time of the wedding. Evening appointments and early morning weddings can have two different looks. Let them see appointments can consume a better part of 45min to an hour per person.

I don’t think it’s fair to the bride when you don’t give them your best effort. Show them you are aware of their special day and you’ll make certain the day will go off without a hitch, starting with their hair!

2. Make certain you both have ALL the information you will need for that day.

If you are going to be IN salon, then make sure dates and times are triple checked. Are you traveling to the wedding for the bride or the complete bridal party? Make sure there’s a written itinerary so there’s no room for an absent hairdresser or a mix up in where everyone is. I’m talking about a map and phone numbers of key players so if someone gets lost there’s less confusion. I have been to places Google, navigation and cell phone are nonexistent. Scary shit!   

3. If you are providing an IN salon Wedding hair bash, provide orange juice – bagels- strawberries- champagne – chips- dip- fruit. Make sure girls are getting something light in their stomachs for the busy day ahead. You hairdressers are being paid enough it’s a small effort that is appreciated by the wedding party.  

 4. Allow 45 min to an hour for each girl in the wedding party.

I am a VERY fast updo gal – however, if I can, I like to avoid the mass rush. The bride is ultimately my whole world of worry; however, last minute people do get thrown in. Make sure you hairdressers let the wedding party know IF you touch them it WILL cost. I don’t care if it is a half updo.

*I cannot stress enough how many times I go to weddings and a girl who is in the wedding party does not think she needs to pay for her hair because SHE can do it just fine.*

I call a bullshit flag!

I tell the Brides, “This is your day, you are paying a lot of money to get a group of photographers, cinematographer to commemorate the day, don’t let friend Betty show up with no effort hair. If they agree to be in the wedding party – let them know they will need to be able to provide for the hairdresser.

5. If you are traveling states away for your bride, make sure they are paying travel and hotel expenses outside of hair costs.

*Make triple sure they put you into a Good hotel. No Motel 6 shit! I’m so serious about this. If I have driven four hours plus, get me to a room where I can get a good night’s rest and feel safe.*

6. Make sure you keep your equipment with you at ALL times- make out a checklist of equipment you’ll need and have a backup if something goes on the fritz.  

Rubber bands

Hairpins black & blonde

Blow dryer

Flat iron

Curling iron 1 and 2

Brushes

Setting spray

Holding spray

Hair clips

Shears

Comb, rat tail comb & teasing comb – hair pick

Travel Hair dryer

Rollers

Capes

Hair caps

Hair extensions

7. Make sure each girl has a button up shirt – there’s always one in the bunch who screws this up.

8. Make a list of what you expect of the Bridesmaids.

Have an idea of what they would like done.

9. I prefer the Bride has a quiet room where I can do her hair. It is very hard to concentrate when children are running around – girls are asking the Bride stupid worrisome questions she could not possibly know unless she got up or had to call someone. I seriously advise you tell the Bride you expect a room where it is just you and her for a calm fun time.

10. Hairdressers keep your cool when things speed up and they usually do. It’s hard to accommodate everyone on such a busy day/evening, and more so for the bride, everyone has their own timeline and agenda, make sure the other key players are working WITH you instead of against you. If the photographers are running behind don’t let them stress you out just keep moving along as best as you can. Everything gets done in time, it always does. My advice remain calm, bite your lip and keep moving.  

11. Make sure you keep a list of anyone’s hair you have done. Extras get thrown in the mix, keep up with them.

12. Make sure you know HOW to do Updos! When you accept a wedding invite, Don’t EVER try and wing it on a wedding day!

Wedding days can be a ball, and you want it to be for both parties involved. I don’t think clients understand what all is involved with doing the particulars we do, and I really don’t dwell on the issue, what I do dwell on is professionalism.

You got THIS!

Author Heather Lea Salon owner and owner of BookPressed.   

Wedding days can be a ball, and you want it to be for both parties involved. I don’t think clients understand what all is involved with doing the particulars we do, and I really don’t dwell on the issue, what I do dwell on is professionalism. So when you see a photographer move a Brides hair to the side – step back and look at everyone and say, “My God I feel like I’ve been doing your hair.”

Be Professional 😡

Try not to swing – just saying.  

   

  

 

  

 

 

A little help here!

You just got out of school! WOOHOO! You’re almost there! Time to celebrate and get into the best priciest salon you and your clothes can fit into.

But wait —is that self-doubt I hear coming through?

YES it is! “What if I suck? What if I hate the girls? What if they hate me!”

 Stop it! *me slapping you across the face* It’s scary I know but don’t freak! It’s time to put things into perspective. I know you feel like you know everything, and every style you’ve slapped on that Barbie head looks amazeballs! Listen up, you’re swimming with the big sharks now! These girls in your new shop have been playing the game for a while and now it’s time to pay your dues. I’m not saying you don’t know what you’re doing. I’m saying Get ready for the Shop life. It’s NOT like school. 

Ok what I just said was scary. Sorry. What I mean to say is – it’s different.  

Things you need to keep in mind when you’re a beginner hairdresser starting in a new shop.

1.) You don’t know everything but neither do THEY! Yes, I love that 2nd part. You’d be surprised how often you will see this. It’s comforting to know even the best have to go back and remix a color. 

2.) Have broad shoulders because you are gonna screw up. Each and every Hair Salon has a different slave driver and OCD helper. They will boss you around at first just stay clear and out of the way from those girls. You may end up lovig them. Remember they are working and busy so they dont have time to to baby you. Just go with the flow. Best advice don’t move shit around, leave things where you found them, don’t Spring clean the place and move perm rods for the love of Pete!

3.) Know when to leave a shop.

If, when you pull your car into the parking lot of your shop and you just dread it. Quit. If you’re unhappy, odds are you’re making everyone unhappy too.   

4.) Keep out of trivial shop chitter chatter.

Gossip is toxic when you talk about other stylists. Don’t fall for it – just walk away. AND don’t you start crazy crap!

5.) Be a reminder to all what professional should look like.

You fresh out of school peeps hold better standards than most of the long working salons I’ve seen. You may just be their saving grace. Keep those school rules when everyone else has dropped them.

6.) Don’t get defensive when someone points out a new technique.

Shut up and learn. Vice Versa, you stylists.

7.) Be in a shop where they encourage growth and make more than just promises to move you up.

8.) Make friends with as many stylists as you can.

It’s a good feeling when I hear other people speak very highly of me from another salon. Also an amazing feeling when another stylist calls me for advice. I’m honored.

Be that. Do that.      

9.) Remember! You got hired because they WANT you there.

Don’t assume the workers don’t like you after only day 1. Give it time. They are busy, they’ll learn to trust you soon enough.

10.) Know the new products you’re working with forward and backwards.

If you’ve never worked with Goldwell…ask!

The first day in any new shop is daunting, it’s supposed to be! You have a chair! Watch, Listen, and try and offer help when you can. What you can expect is this.

If you are an assistant, be prepared to be told what to do all day long. Sorry it’s unavoidable. You’re new and you’re in a new setting, we keep our towels here or there, Barbicide gets changed at this time or that time. Only approach hairdresser Betty with a cookie and stay to the left of her, Oh! And don’t mention the word, ‘green’ it causes her to have a tick in her left eye for hours. One more thing, if you didn’t know you look like shit in blue we discussed it and you do- so, never wear it again- wear black always

Welcome to your new world.

Sound stressful? It is at first but like I just said they hired you for a reason just give it time, they had to have seen something in you that made them feel like you’d be a perfect match with the team. Girls/ guys are in and out of the shop all day, and it’ll take time to get to know them individually. It’s a job, accept this fact and when you find out who’s who and what’s what, it’ll get easier. It’s about finding your own space and feeling comfortable in it that counts. Worst case scenario- Everyone from the stylist to the owner are rude to you. Talk to you as if you are beneath them and cause a scene when you mix something up. My advice, if you have brought it to the attention of higher ups that you feel less than welcome and nothing has been done. LEAVE.

You have more power than you know.

You have just learned something invaluable, Common Courtesy it’s something everyone should give in this business. I am here to tell you to expect it and give it.

Be prepared to feel lost, mixed up, and not one of the team for a while, but if it goes on for longer than a month or two- move along and find a new place for yourself. You got into this business because you loved it – don’t let someone who is a bitch ruin it for you – just move along. What you should expect is this. A fun, clean workable environment you can grow in as professional without the interruption of rude, ill managed untalented grogs. Yes I said Grogs.

SO —expect it to be hard, fast paced, and emotionally draining. This is the industry, you’ll do great!