The business of beauty is one of hope. Modern day salon has every means to give that hope wings. From a modest one room set up to the most lavish, there is a chair for every woman with one unified mission - To make women smile broader than they did walking in. For some the salon is a place for scheduled beauty maintenance. For others it is the haven to unwind, pamper and all things wonderful. Beauty is a service industry. The products are only the means to the end. The loving and dedicated hands of the beautician/stylists are what make the difference. Etiquette is not directly proportional to the grandeur of the place. Irrespective of where and how often you visit, the rules of etiquette remain the same:
1. Know thy name: It is the most simple of all manners. Always address the stylist/beautician by their name. Your recognition validates them. Whether it is your first time or a regular visit, its wonderful to be able to remember a name. I am sure Shakespeare would make an exception here.
2. Respect time: Your time is precious and so is the time of the stylists. Be sure to keep up your appointment time. Call ahead if you are running late or need to reschedule. Apologize for inconvenience caused.
3. Rush hour: Do not walk in rushed. Beauticians do not work around your emergencies. Every service requires time. Your urgency is not their priority. Beauty is an art. Do not rush the artist at work.
4. Mind your language: The salon is a space where you unwind with friends or in a conversation with your stylist/beautician. Be mindful of how loud you are and what you share. You need to respect the listening space of other clients as well.
5. Expectation management: Be sure you are clear and expressive about your expectation from a service. Most beauticians appreciate inputs. It alleviates you from stress of the unexpected and helps the beautician to channelize his/her skills towards the set expectation. Do not experiment with a new look just before an important event. It puts you and your stylist under unwanted stress.
6. Magic mantra: Beauticians/stylists are not magicians. They can work with your suggestions but realistically. The stunning new haircut or color on a celebrity may not be best suited on you. Respect their skill and give them space to work their magic. Be realistic with your expectations.
7. Kids company: Ensure your kids are at their best behavior when in a salon. It is not a baby-sitting center. Magazines are not coloring books. Beauty tools are not toys. It most certainly is not a playground. Please and thank you are manner must if they are being serviced as well.
8. I & Phone: That very important call need to wait during hair cut, hair wash, blow dry, hair colouring and nail colouring. If it is indeed an emergency, please apologize when you stall a service. Reserve the hand gestures for traffic signs. We love words in the salon.
9. Speak up: With kindness and in a courteous manner. Never leave the seat if you are not happy. I have known many who do not want to speak out when a service goes bad. Equally, I have seen enough clients who are unreasonably difficult and unkind. Positive feedback is like the short spell of rain during a sunny day. It delivers the message without taking the charm of the rain or the sun.
10. Gift of gratitude: Gratuity is appreciation for the personal service provided. Ensure you leave an industry standard of 10 to 20 per cent of your service value as a tip. Tip more if the service exceeded your expectations. It is not merely a reward for job well done. It speaks about your recognition of their effort. It motivates them. Every stylist/beautician always remembers their clients who tip them well. A well tipped Stylist/beautician and a well tipping client both can blissfully soak in its benefits with every visit.
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