So...
THERE YOU ARE...
Alone, in the shampoo aisle, trying to choose a styling product for your hair. You look at the products. There are so many. They look back. This will not be easy. Every time you have put this in your hair, your hair protested and did that, or this other thing made your hair look as if you hadn't washed it in weeks, and you don't even want to think about the time you put that stuff that looked great and was on sale in your hair (your friends still have the pictures; it's awful, I know)
Well, fear not!
Your friendly neighborhood stylist is here to help you!
But first, let me set the tone. Sometimes we have to say tough things to the people we love because we love them and we want what's best for them. It isn't easy but it is done for the best. And in this spirit I'm going to have to bring down the hammer here:
If you want to know the best product for your hair, ask your hairstylist. It's what we do.
I know salon products are expensive. I know you can get that super-hold wacha-ma-hoosit at the drug store for $1.99, but ya gotta trust me on this one. Now I'm sure you have a zillion reasons why you're saying, "Shawn, NOT COOL" but hang in there. I'll talk you through it.
"But I get my hair cut once a year." Ask your stylist while you're there, or go in for a free consultation. Most hairdressers are delighted to help.
"But they are going to recommend something out of my price range." This, on the surface, seems pretty legit. But dig a little deeper: how much have you spent on products that don't work? Do you have half full bottles of shampoo and other stuff filling your shower stall that you bought, didn't like, but can't throw out because you spent your hard earned money on them? Your stylist can help you choose the right product the first time, and often spending just a little more on good quality products means less waste, and they often last longer than the inexpensive stuff because they are not full of fillers.
"But this one time I bought a product my stylist recommended, and it was terrible. Never again." Though not often, this can happen. And when it does call your stylist back and tell them. They will most likely bring you back in for a consultation to show you the finer points of how to use it (sometimes a hairdresser gets so busy they can forget and assume you already know how to use the product) or, if you're sure it's not for you, the salon's return policy will offer you a full refund on your unused portion or offer your credit for a different product. Salons want you to leave happy 100% of the time. Can you get that from a drug store or big grocery chain?
"But my stylist doesn't have time/doesn't want to help me."
Yes, we can get very busy, especially if we're really good. But a really good hairdresser will make sure you are cared for. They will recommend you come in and even in worst case scenarios, when they absolutely, positively cannot get away, will make sure a qualified person helps you with your questions and concerns. If not, it might be time for a new stylist.
"But I get along great with the cheap stuff." You might. If you do, wonderful! Count yourself among the 0.01% of the population who can! The rest of us, however, are more than likely sacrificing quality over price. The products are drying your hair out. They are causing your scalp to flake and (in a great marketing win for shampoo companies) you are buying dandruff shampoo to fix the problem, (I see this all the time. It's expensive and frustrating.), your color fades out and gets brassy (remember last week's shampoo blog? Yep. Products can do it too. Anything with a high alcohol content will strip that color right out. No savings there.) I could go on for days. Go to your stylist and ask for a recommendation.
So there you have it. Don't waste money choosing the wrong stuff at the drug store. End the cycle of half-full bottles in your shower and on your vanity. Ask your stylist.
Next week: Drugstore box color pros and cons (and some surprising answers you wouldn't expect to hear from a hairdresser.)
