This is one relationship you’ll want to get right. Find out how.

Finding the right hairdresser can be a lengthy and terrifying ordeal. Especially when you’ve got to go through a few bad hair cuts and dye jobs to get there! Lucky for you we’ve compiled a few pointers for you to take into account when you next visit the hair salon. Who knows, perhaps after applying these tips you’ll be able to find “the one.”

1. Do Your Research
Everyone has a different budget, so it’s important to check out the hairdressers in your area that work with your budget. Word of mouth recommendations are a great idea so ask friends, family or even that women in the street who have great hair where they get it done. Assess what you currently love about your hair, what you’d like to change and what your lifestyle is like. For example if you’ve got a busy schedule then high maintenance hair extensions are probably not for you. These all help a hairstylist choose the correct cut and colour for you.

2. Get Real
If you’ve got gorgeous olive skin then don’t expect your hairdresser to happily bleach your hair blonde. It’s important to have a consultation with your hairdresser before undergoing a major change. They are the experts after all, so listen to their advice. Clients are a walking advertisement for a hairdresser so it’s highly unlikely they’ll let you do something to your hair that won’t suit you. If they can’t give you the exact hairstyle you’re after, it’s only with your best interest in mind.

3. Be Ready
It always helps a hairdresser if you arrive at your appointment with pictures of the look you’re going for, you don’t want anything to get lost in translation. Be ready for change too, not all hair styles, cuts, and colours suit everyone and your hairdresser is the right person to guide you through what’s best for you. In most cases they can create or suggest a similar style that’s more suited to your features. Show up to your appointment in an outfit and make-up style that you’d ordinarily wear to let your hairdresser get an idea of your personality and lifestyle.

4. Be Blunt:
Before any cut or colour begins inform your hair stylist of your hair colour and cut history. Have you had a bob before and hated it? Are you a box colour addict? All of these will help the stylist figure out which cut or colour will be best for you. Many of us find it difficult and a bit awkward to say what we really feel about our new look. A good hair stylist will ask you what you think of your new look throughout the appointment. They are doing this because they want to help and be informed, so don’t be embarrassed to say something! This is your chance to say what you think and address any problems straightaway to fix them before it’s too late.

5. Be Considerate
This play a big role in your relationship with your stylist. Arriving at your appointment on time is important as lateness can throw your stylists schedule into disarray and make other clients wait. When booking an appointment let the stylist know you’re thinking of making a big change. This way they’ll be able to factor in the extra time for you so there’s no rush. You don’t have to but it’s also polite to tip your hair washer or the stylist themselves if they have made special considerations for you, like opening their salon a little earlier than usual. Unless you absolutely have to, try not to answer your phone in the hairstylists chair. This makes your hairstylists job easier in that they don’t have to waste time waiting for you to finish a call. If you are unhappy with the end result of your new do then tell your stylist politely. If you love it then let your stylist know! Nothing makes a day brighter than a great compliment.

6. Breaking Up Is Never Easy
If you are desperately unhappy with your stylist then it’s time to break up with them. As tempting as it is to simply disappear, it’s also impolite if you’ve been with them for years. If you didn’t like the end result of your last appointment then let your stylist know. This will allow them to avoid doing the same thing the next time and to fix the problem. If after that you’re still not happy then let them know kindly that you’ve decided to try out another stylists for a while and may be back. It’s better to be honest than lie. Of course if your stylist is rude or consistently messing up even after you’ve spoken to them then you have full permission to cut ties with them.

Have you ever had a messy break up with a stylist? Or shown up to an appointment late? Share your #GuiltyHairSecret with us and Dove HERE and stand a chance of winning amazing prizes.