10 Signs It's Time to Leave Your Hairstylist. Because sometimes, it's just time to go.

 

Any woman can tell you that once we find a stylist we love, it’s a true sigh of relief. They understand your hair texture, your lifestyle and your budget. And that combination is very, very hard to come by. But there are clear moments when you realize that not only is it time to change your ’do, but your stylist too. And if you don’t know the signs, don’t worry. Here are the top 10 red flags that assure you when it’s time to go.

 
1. You have to redo your hair when you leave the salon. You’ve just spent $60 (or possibly more) only to leave the salon, hop in your car, and “fix it.” Your stylist should be able to style your hair the way that you want. You are paying for a service, so you should get what you desire. (Within reason. Remember, they are beauticians not magicians.)
 
2. Your stylist wants to trim your hair every visit. Beware of the “every four weeks trimmer.” If your stylist is convincing you to trim your hair every four weeks (with no split ends), you will never retain length. So all this “My hair isn’t growing” talk is not true. It’s growing, but your stylist keeps trimming it when it doesn’t need to be cut. That trim sets you back another $20, too! A lot of stylists these days suggest every six to eight weeks, which is much more reasonable.

 
3. She talks too much! Do you have a stylist who talks way too much and doesn’t know how to multitask? Talking with no hands in your head means you are spending additional time in the salon. Not to mention, the stylist is probably telling everyone else’s business, so watch how much gossip you give them.
 
4. Your hair is damaged. The whole point of paying a stylist is because they have an expertise in caring for hair. If your hair is still damaged (or becomes damaged) after seeing a stylist, then what’s the point?
 
5. Your stylist is willing to take your hair from black to platinum blonde in one visit. If your stylist doesn’t care about the integrity of your hair and will take money for anything you ask, run! You want a stylist that isn’t in it just for the money, but because they have a passion for healthy hair. If they are willing to risk the health of your hair for $100 in their pocket, then they are not the one.
 
6. Your weave looks like a wig. Sew-in weaves these days look just like they grew out of your head. After all, the point is to make it look as natural as possible. If your hair looks like a wig was plopped on top of your head, you probably need to find a new weavologist.
 
7. They want to “heat train” your hair. When a stylist wants to “heat train” your hair, technically this means they want to press your hair with such high heat that your hair reverts “less quickly.” In reality, they are burning your hair follicle, which means eventually your hair will not curl back up. The goal is to have healthy hair that fully reverts after you straighten it.
 
8. They continuously overbook their clients. There’s nothing worse than having a 9am appointment and you don’t get in the chair until 10. On top of that, you are sitting in the washbowl for another 30 minutes while she finishes up another client. If they don’t care about your time, then you shouldn’t spend your money on them. You want a stylist who can have you in and out. Your time is valuable.
 
9. You know more about hair than them. Things have changed. More women are going natural, extensions are advancing, less people are getting relaxers, but your hair stylist isn’t keeping up with the times. If they don’t know any of the new terms or new trends, you should start looking for someone else.
 
10. They just plain aren’t good stylists. Some stylists are really sweet so you may not want to leave. But sometimes sweet doesn’t equal successful. If you constantly leave out of the salon with your hair super weighed down, or find that your tracks are showing, or any other annoying mishap, it’s time to go. You want to feel like a new woman when you walk out of the salon, not an embarrassed one.
There are plenty of great stylists out there! If you need to break up with your current one, you can definitely find someone elsewhere.