My twisted version of Salon Personalities

I once had a co-worker ask me how I got all the, ‘needy’ people. Meaning the ones who seem to be in, ‘need’ of more than hair help. My answer to her question was simple. I like to make people smile. I seem to draw in the clients who need not only to look amazing when they leave – but to feel like they’ve left their problems on the floor with their dead-ends. Which leads me to my next blog of blunder-

Different personalities in a Hair Salon-

The Front Desk Person

This is not a hairdresser, however they run the show; they have nothing to lose and if they decide to take their PMS out on you the stylist… you will suffer. Not a good person to be around when he/she has “Issues”.

Their clothes, hair and nails are on point and you wonder as a hairdresser if you should quit and take their job. They are high-ranking officials to the higher ups and you must at all costs try and get along with this person. The owners will always take their side. Not because they, ‘care’ but because front desk people are a bitch to replace.

Re-cap- Get along with this one. You’ll get more walk-ins.

The Forever Hairdresser

The forever Person is just that; he/she has been in said shop forever, and they will tell anyone who will listen how they have been there from the beginning. These Forever people are best friends with the shop owner and like a mob bosses right arm you stylists will have to go through her to talk to the boss. If you have concerns, they will hear you out first. The green light will either be given or not to bother the big boss with said concerns. Be careful, this one hears everything you say and will report all info to the big boss.

Re-cap- If he/she doesn’t like you- you’re gone.

The ‘Oh No!’ Stylist

The Oh No stylist is the hairdresser who refuses to learn new techniques. When a new client sits in their chair and asks for the newest trend in color, you all say “OH NO!”  Because you other stylists know, he/she won’t ask for help or advice E V E R.

Down the drain, your ratings go on Yelp.

Re-cap- Handle ole 80’s girl with kid gloves- remember if he/she ’s happy – and her clients are happy. Best leave it be.

The ‘I can talk louder than you can’ Stylist

The Loud stylists are well, loud. They do everything louder and you can ask them a million times, ‘bring it down a notch’ but they will not…ever. This stylist will always be right and they will never let you finish a thought, idea or recipe without interrupting you a million times. They mean well but no matter how much you love her somedays you have dreams of taping her mouth while enjoying the quiet.

Re-cap – These stylist are fun but do not have a stop button.

The Better stylist

The better stylist is, better than all of the stylists combined. This stylist is never happy where they are, they are constantly looking for validation on how great they are. These stylists are hardcore-they tell their clients how everyone around them sucks and how lucky they are to be sitting in their chair. These stylists are not easy to make friends with and are not easy to trust.

Recap- If you have to work with this stylist, keep to yourself and your clients at a distance. And, for god’s sake don’t get this one drunk!

The Victim Stylist

The victim is the one stylist that everything bad happens too. Her car breaks down- sitters quit- her kid is in detention and her man is all kinds of a mess. This stylist has a whiney voice and looks like he/she is on the verge of crying all the time. They cannot remember the last time they smiled, went on a vacation or had a great day. You will never change this person as they wear their problems like a crown. Their comfort level is being miserable. The clients they receive seem to only come and get their hair done to, ‘check on her’ and would feel terrible if they left her.

Re-cap-Keep this girl. It will reinforce ‘how great your life really is’.

The I’m on a Diet Hairdresser

The dieting hairdresser is walking a fine line with reality. Her topics to her clients are all about calorie intake. How to freeze food for 2 months and what you can do with a cauliflower. He/She will sometimes arrive early with workout clothes on or leave the shop with them on. This hairdresser is not to be near you or your Nutella during feeding hours. He/She will chastise you about you unhealthy ways, have you wondering about life choices and fat rolls. The tricky part about these girls are —they want your non- diet food. They want your fat donut, your Mexican food, your pizza. They will take it when you’re not looking. Fact.

Re-cap- These girls look great in jeans but a tied up mess on the inside. The best thing to do with this one is to ask if you can have her old clothes for your 12-year-old daughter.

The Nasty Stylist

The nasty stylists have no concerns for filters. They wear what they want, drink and say what they want. The nasty stylists most likely do amazing work, as they have no boundaries on anything. The clients come in for the show and they don’t seem to mind if the stylists cancel regularly on them. They will even go so far as to explain to the client, why they are doing so…the twisted concoction they took the night before hasn’t worn off – they can’t hold shears or their thoughts straight. This stylist gets along with everyone because they don’t give two shits about anything anyway.

Re-cap- Make friends with this one but never introduce her to your man…, your mom…, kids, family, or anyone – just keep her to yourself. They’ll understand.

I could go on for days feel free to add ‘THE_______ stylist’, of your own if you would like.

*This was fun! If I were to say which one I am—-, it would have to be all of them.*

Until next blog of blunder – wishing all you hard working hairdressers a good day

Author and Salon owner Heather Lea