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Beauty Lab
October 1, 2009 By: American Salon Staff American SalonA range of products that caught our eye this month
1. Greeting: According to Adams, the greeting entails more than just saying hello to clients. It also involves the employees' appearance, attitude and how they present themselves to clients. "When I worked at Vidal Sassoon, we used to have daily morning inspections to make sure our hair was clean and our shoes were shined," Adams says. "You need to look the part of an expensive service if you want to charge a lot for it. You need to ask yourself if you want to give off the appearance of a four-star restaurant or McDonald's."
2. Consultation: According to Adams, the consultation aspect is important because it requires the colorist to find out who the guest is and what his or her lifestyle is like. "One important question to ask is, 'What is your job?'" Adams says. "The job will determine the color and cut the guest should receive. For example, if a guest needs to tie her hair back while at work, then that indicates the cut and shape she should get." Adams also uses a portfolio containing pictures of food to describe different hair colors. "Clients really don't understand what auburn, brunette and red mean," Adams says. "Instead, use descriptions like dark chocolate, caramel, butter, honey and licorice to help a client relate to the color."
3. Pricing: "Haircutters do not like talking about money," Adams says. He recommends explaining to clients exactly what the service will cost, as well as how much their retouch will cost and how long that service will take before they rebook. "The salon industry is the only industry where guests come in, sit in a styling chair and have no idea what they are paying."
4. Formulation: The formulation of color is very important in making clients happy, and in giving them the look they desire. Adams recommends knowing every single product in the color dispensary and how to formulate the colors to create the ideal shade for application.
5. Application and technique: The salon industry is constantly changing. Receiving ongoing education in new applications and techniques is important to ensure that colorists stay up-to-date on trends.
6. Value-added service: Complimentary hand, neck and shoulder massages are just a few ways salons can offer their clients something extra when they visit. "In today's economy, value-added services are huge," Adams says. "They make the price clients pay worth it to them. The goal is to have clients walk out the door completely happy and feeling like they were treated special."
7. Home care: According to Adams, it is the job of a colorist to recommend products that help clients maintain the vibrancy and color of their hair. Clients will appreciate any advice and recommendations they receive that might prolong their service and give them the most for the money they spend, Adams says. He recommends talking to clients about at-home products while their color is developing.
8. Prebooking: Prebooking is one of the most important aspects of building a color business. "If every guest left with their next appointment already booked, six weeks from that day will be the best week for that colorist," Adams says.
9. Shampoo and after treatment: Knowing how to treat the hair once it's been shampooed impacts the final result, so Adams recommends that colorists assess whether the color needs toning or conditioning and what they can do to make the color last as long as possible.
10. Styling and the finishing touch: Following the shampoo and after treatment, stylists should do the cut, style and blow-out. According to Adams, clients should also receive a complimentary makeup application. "Makeup and haircolor go hand in hand," Adams says. "Makeup is the finishing touch. It is important to remember that clients may be leaving the salon with a completely new hair color, so it is the perfect chance to help them finish their look right with new eye makeup or lipstick."
11. Goodbye: When the guest is finished, escort them to the reception area and talk to them one last time about product recommendations. —NICOLE PALMIERI
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