We put some frequently asked hair questions to two Irish hairdressers.
Not everyone has a hairdresser on speed dial to ask all of your hair-related questions. To answer some common questions you might have, we chat with two Irish hairdressers.
Q: How would you recommend someone handles changing their hairdresser?
A: Hairdresser, Ellie Fay says: “Changing hairdressers can feel like a big decision, especially if you’ve been going to the same person for years. You build trust, you catch up on each other’s lives, and in a lot of cases your hairdresser becomes more than just a hairdresser. So it’s completely understandable if it feels a little awkward.
If you feel comfortable, I think it’s always nice to send a quick text or have a conversation. Speaking for myself, I’d really appreciate the honesty. But if that doesn’t feel right for you, it’s okay to naturally move on too.
As a hairdresser, and I genuinely think most of us would agree, all I ever want is for my clients to feel happy and confident. If you’ve moved, your style has changed, your budget is different or you simply want to try someone new, that’s okay. Hair is such a personal thing, and not every hairstylist is the right fit for every client. At the end of the day, finding someone who makes you feel like the best version of yourself is the most important thing.”
Q: What is the best way for a client to explain what they want to their hairdresser? Do pictures help?
A: Hairdresser Hilary O’Reilly shares: “We are now working in a very visual world and yes I love a picture to take inspiration and work from. Sharing images is a great way to communicate what you want and from that I can get to know the clients likes and dislikes straight away.”
Q: If a client is unhappy with their hair at the end of their session, what is the best way to communicate that?
A: Ellie says: “Sometimes a client needs a bit of time to sit with their hair and see how they feel over the next few days, while others know the minute the front of their hair is blow-dried whether they love it or not. Everyone is different.
A client leaving unhappy without saying anything would genuinely upset me because it’s the last thing I’d ever want. I completely understand that it can feel like an awkward conversation in the moment, but I’d always rather my client tell me before they leave the salon. Nine times out of ten, it’s something we can talk through or adjusted there and then. We can’t always fix something if we don’t know there’s an issue, so please don’t be afraid to tell us how you’re feeling.
Equally, if you leave the salon and, after living with your hair for a few days, you still don’t feel it’s quite right, reach out. A good hairdresser will always want the opportunity to make it right where they can.
Q: What are your tips for growing out grey hair and grey blending?
A: Hilary says: “To begin with, I always ask my client to grow the hair out to one/two inches so you can see the true tone of their grey. After that, I recommend doing some soft, lighter pieces throughout the hair to blend in the grey to give the hair a soft and lighter look and allow it to continue to grow naturally. This method is the best way to blend your natural colour and the results are always beautiful for women who are ready to step away from constantly dyeing their hair and embrace their natural tones.
Read next: Did you know that grey hair can leave your scalp more exposed to the sun? Here’s how to combat it.
