Monday Motivator – Schwarzkopf BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm

June 22, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 1 Comment

Hello Beauties! Yes, it’s Monday once again…no need to pout. I have a gem of a product to ensure a great hair day for you today and everyday this week. Meet Schwarzkopf’s BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm.

BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm is created for normal to dry hair, straight, wavy or curly. It balances the moisture content of your hair and ensures an even and supple hair surface, just as a BB cream works as a base for your makeup. With it’s weightless formula it can be used daily. This gem works as a moisturizer, styling balm and offers heat protection. I have baby fine hair (just lots of it) so many products can easily weigh down my hair, this is not one of those products. Schwarzkopf’s BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm left my hair soft and added some body. I used it on it’s own and with mousse, and was pleased with both results. On it’s own, I had soft body. The Beauty Balm is a great primer for any styling products so when used along with my mousse, I achieved great volume and control for my styles.

For best results, BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm is meant to be used on clean damp hair. Comb through your hair or spread through with your hands – which ever you prefer. * A little goes a long way – for medium length hair, use about the size of a quarter. Emulsify in your hands, put through your hair, then blow dry. If using with another styling product, always apply BC Moisture Kick Beauty Balm first.

The smell is clean and fresh and doesn’t overpower the scents of any other products you may be using. It helps to detangle and aids in drying time. With it’s heat protection it helped my bleached blonde locks look a little less fuzzy after blow drying. I have to say, this gem has been a welcome addition to my hair care routine, it will be for you as well.

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat

Monday Motivator – Onesta Smooth + Shine

June 15, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 1 Comment

It’s Monday…again. Many of us have a hard time to get up and go on Monday mornings. It seems that our get up and go just got up and went. I began the Monday Motivator series to help your Monday mornings a little brighter, to give you something to look forward to. Even though it may be Monday and your child decided to play hide and seek with your car keys and doesn’t know where they are “‘cuz they’re good hiders” and you spilled the entire bag of freshly ground coffee beans all over the kitchen floor…at least you will have a good hair day.

This Monday’s Motivator is from Onesta. Meet Onesta’s Smooth + Shine, a thermal straightening creme.

This gem of a product offers a silky, frizz free finish. It is light enough not to weigh down the finest of strands yet potent enough to smooth the most unruly tresses. It is humidity resistant (locks your cuticle shut – perfect for humid weather. Closed cuticle = no frizz). With it’s blend of certified organic ingredients such as Milk Thistle, Green Tea and Rhatany Root, Onesta Smooth + Shine adds luster and helps to protect hair color and vitality. For those who are looking for a more natural professional hair care line, Onesta is for you! Their products meet EU Compliance and are paraben free, sulfate free, gluten free, cruelty free, vegan, free of dyes, DEA/TEA, Phthalates, Sodium Chloride and Propylene Glycol.

Remember, this is a thermal styling creme, so it must be used with a blow dryer for the best smoothing results. To use; distribute through towel dried hair. Blow dry while guiding your hair straight with your brush. Follow with a flat iron if so desired.

How much to use;

For fine hair – dispense the size of a pea and emulsify in your hands, then apply to hair

For medium hair – dispense the size of a dime and emulsify in your hands, then apply to hair

For thick hair – dispense a nickel size amount and emulsify in your hands, then apply to hair.

* A great feature of this creme – you can scrunch, diffuse or air dry Smooth + Shine for a more natural look on wavy hair. Smooth + Shine can be applied to dry hair to help tame frizz.

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

The Color Key

May 8, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat Leave a comment

I have a confession to make. Those familiar with my Salon Tales are already aware of my secret, so it is only fair the newcomers be in on it as well. I am a bottled blonde…yes, I was born with platinum tresses. Alas, they slowly turned to brown and as I entered my thirties, I began to have my own 50+ shades of grey – hence the bottled blonde – this way when my grey roots appear I can say “it’s just the platinum”. Why the glimpse into my hair history? Well, I have found a lovely product line that I need to tell you about. It’s a lovely line for anyone who colors their hair. I have introduced you to SaynaKey Volume Lift with my tale;

A brand new key

Today, let me introduce you to SarynaKey’s Color Lasting line. First and foremost – the smell is divine! It smells like an island getaway. The Color Lasting line offers UV filters to protect the vibrancy of your color. It leaves your hair feeling soft and manageable with a lovely shine.

Color Lasting Treatment Shampoo – A lightweight shampoo that packs a punch! Containing a unique combination of Shea butter, cotton and silk proteins that provide a protective layer that also helps to repair split ends. The added benefit of vitamin B6, protein and amino acids helps to strengthen and protect the pigments of hair from root to tip. For best results – lather and leave on for 2 minutes, or wash your hair two times in a row. I tried both and was pleased with both results. * great for color/chemically treated hair in normal to dry condition

Color Lasting Treatment Conditioner – The first thing you will notice about the conditioner is that it is not as thick or creamy as you expect conditioner to be. Do not let that sway you – for a lightweight formula, just as the shampoo – it really packs a punch! This gem of a conditioner glides through the hair with ease, detangles and rinses out easily. Color Lasting Treatment Conditioner is filled with Shea nut butter which prevents your color from fading and provides a lovely shimmer. For best results – after shampooing with Color Lasting Treatment Shampoo, apply a generous amount throughout your hair, leave on for 1 minute then rinse. * I have fine hair that most conditioners can leave feeling greasy and weighed down. I applied a very generous amount of conditioner and my hair felt soft and smooth, not greasy and my hair was not weighed down.

Color Lasting Treatment Mask – I have tried many treatments in my 5 years of being a bottled blonde and I have to say, SarynaKey’s Color Lasting Treatment Mask has become one of my new favorites. After using this conditioning treatment my hair was soft, shiny and my ends looked smooth. This conditioning treatment contains an advanced Shea nut butter with natural ingredients such as keratin and amino acids that surround, penetrate and enrich the hair. It also contains UV ray screens that protect the pigments to lock in your color. For best results – after shampooing and conditioning with Color Lasting Treatment Shampoo and Conditioner, apply a generous amount and massage into the hair, beginning at the tips and working your way to your roots. Leave in for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water.

Color Lasting Pure African Shea Oil – a lightweight oil containing Shea Butter – a natural source of keratin which repairs damaged hair. Color Lasting Pure African Shea Oil can be applied to damp or dry hair and absorbs quickly without leaving the hair looking or feeling greasy. When applied to damp hair, it helps to detangle and add shine while blow drying. When applied to dry hair, after styling, it adds that extra sheen and seals up any split ends and controls pesky flyaways. * it is best to apply any oil after you have completed styling with your flat iron.

Whether your hair is fine or coarse, thin or thick, SarynaKey’s Color Lasting line nourishes and repairs all the while protecting your color. You now have the Key to long lasting color. You’re welcome.

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Product placement

April 21, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 1 Comment

Every day I meet a woman who hates her hair. Everyday. The feel of it, the look of it, the texture of it, the length of it, you name it, there is something about their hair they just do not like. The commonality all these women have – they loved their hair when they were in their stylist’s chair. As every woman knows and few will admit – when you are having a good hair day, you love your reflection and you feel like anything is possible. These women loved their hair the rest of the day. They received compliments in the express check out at the grocery store and from the clerk at the drive thru window. They received compliments from their loved ones at the dinner table and couldn’t help but to try to catch their reflection where ever possible. They woke up the next day, excited to do their hair and take on the day…and that is when it all fell apart. The compliments from the previous day became a distant memory and their belief that anything was possible all but vanished because after 30 minutes, they couldn’t style their new ‘do and they began to feel like a failure, they began to feel stupid that they couldn’t even accomplish the most simple of tasks, like styling their hair. All because they never received a proper product consultation from their stylist. That’s right, I said it. As a stylist, when you teach your client about what products to use and how to use them, 90% of your clients will be able to achieve the same style at home and will continue to have the same confidence in themselves that they had in your chair.

Everyday, and I mean everyday, you will find me teaching a woman how to use the product she already has. As you know, I manage a retail shop/Salon. I carry over 25 professional hair care lines and I love to sell. That being said, when a customer, lady or gent, comes into the shop with a concern over their hair, I always ask what they are using and how they are using it. Many times they are using the proper product, just using too much or too little of it. Sometimes the product they are using is not the proper product for the style they are trying to achieve. When I explain this to them, the first thing they always say is “why didn’t my stylist tell me?” – a question I often ask myself.

For all the stylists, Salon managers and Salon owners, our beloved industry is based on service, customer and client service. Educating our customers and clientele about their hair – not only cutting, coloring and styling. A key component to the consultation is being overlooked, the product and styling consultation and the retail sale. For those familiar with my Salon tales, you know I am a firm believer that retailing in the Salon is a must. It adds to the Salon revenue, it adds to the credibility of your stylists and it helps your clientele keep the look, feel and style of their hair after they leave the Salon. When they love their hair, they love you. When they hate their hair, well…you may be off their Christmas card list.

I have heard from many stylists that they don’t have time to retail products. I am here to tell you that you do. You have your client in your chair for a minimum of 45 minutes. You are chatting with them the whole time they are in your chair. You are reaching in front of them or around them for the products you are using in their hair. Many times they actually say “Wow! That smells great! What is that?” – if that isn’t an introduction to sell them the product they need for their new style, I don’t know what is. If you can talk about the Real Housewives and their escapades, you can take a moment to chat about their hair and how to take care of it. Being me, here is a little list to follow;

– while their color is processing, explain to them why using your Salon professional shampoo and conditioner are vital to keeping their color vibrant and their hair manageable.

– when your client is going for a fun and funky look with vibrant colors like red or blue, explain the importance of using the proper products to keep the colors vibrant for as long as possible. Explain to them how to wash their hair so the colors will not bleed together.

– while you flat iron their hair, use a flat iron spray and explain that it helps to protect their hair from the contact heat of the flat iron. Explain why you are using it and how much use.

– when curling your client’s hair, explain to them the difference between your Salon professional curling iron and the curling iron’s you can find at the department stores. Let your client know that the heat and quality of your Salon professional curling iron is the reason why their curl lasts.

– explain what the product is that you are using and how to use it. For example, if you are using a root boost, explain to your client it is to be applied at the root on damp hair before you blow dry.

– be sure to let your clients know that all your products are unisex – that anyone, man, woman or child can use them. I have met many men who loved a certain product but thought they couldn’t use it because their wife used it, and vice versa.

– when applying a conditioning treatment, explain the importance of it and the importance of using one at home on a weekly basis – especially for your high lift blondes.

– for your girls with curls – explain how they can embrace their curls with the proper products – that humidity resistant products will combat their frizz, there are gels and creams for curl definition and retention. That there are lines out there specifically designed for curly hair.

Take the time that you already have to educate your clients about their hair, plain and simple.

Beauty, communication, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized

15 minutes is all it takes

March 23, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 2 Comments

Today’s tale is for the victims of dry, damaged and/or over processed tresses. In the age of flat irons, highlighting, ombres, sombres, smoothing systems and the ever popular at home it worked for the girl on You Tube blunders, we have all at one time or another been the victim of dry, damaged hair. Many of the women that I speak to at the shop all have the same concern – time. They want their hair to look and feel good. They all know that their hair is in dire need of moisture and nourishment. They all think they do not have the time to fix their hair. Well Ladies and Gents, I am here to tell you that if you have 15 minutes, once a week, you can and will repair your hair. Yep. 15 minutes is all it takes. How do I know? I timed it.

Joico Kpak. A lovely line created for dry and damaged hair. Those of you familiar with my blog have heard me sing the praises of Joico’s Kpak Color Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner and Kpak Revitaluxe – my favorite trio from Joico. Thanks to blogger perks…thank you http://www.justpencilmein.ca , I was given some FAB! products from the Joico Kpak collection that, although I had sold to our customers and clients, I had not used. Until now. Let me say this. I have been a high lift bottled blonde for 5 years. I use a flat iron everyday. I am a mother and a wife and a manager so I know the struggle of having enough time and keeping the “fuzzy head” at bay. These gems from Joico, to put it simply…meet your new best friends. * a little tidbit of info. for you…Joico Kpak’s technology is one of the most powerful, most targeted hair repair technologies ever created.

Joico Kpak Shampoo – restores your hair to it’s original condition, increases it’s strength and gives a cloak of protection to fend of further damage, finds the damaged area of the hair cuticle, instantly filling the lost amino acids and restores elasticity, strength and shine. It’s a lovely shampoo for all hair types for it offers a low molecular weight for those with finer strands and it’s rich cream based formula is lovely for thicker, more coarse strands.

Joico Kpak Conditioner – much like Kpak Shampoo, the amino acids in this conditioner specifically target the damaged area’s of the hair and the hair cuticle. The weightless keratin silicone complex locks in moisture, seals the now repaired cuticle and delivers shine and smoothness.

Joico Deep Penetrating Reconstructor – a conditioning treatment to be used once a week. In 5 minutes this gem will rebuild and refortify stressed strands. This award winning treatment is created for all hair types, length and thickness. After you shampoo and condition your hair, squeeze out the excess water in your hair, work the Deep Penetrating Reconstructor through out your hair, leave in for 3 – 5 minutes, rinse with cool water.

Joico Kpak Intense Hydrator – it’s name says it all. With it’s gentle ph of 3.5, this gem of a treatment offers immediate hydration. It is a treatment that is meant to be used once a week. It can be used more than once a week for frizzy, erratic hair that has been over processed by bleach, damaged by thermal styling – flat irons etc., damaged by chemical smoothing systems, even for those of us who unwittingly inherited crazy Aunt Ethel’s hair. Within minutes Joico’s BioAdvanced Peptide Complex replaces lost lipids, locks in moisture and seals your cuticle shut and delivers intense shine. Intense Hydrator can be used after you shampoo and condition. Squeeze the excess water out of your hair, work Intense Hydrator through your hair, leave in for 3 – 5 minutes, then rinse with cool water. *For very dry hair – leave in for 5 minutes. ** For optimum results and silky, smooth hair, use Intense Hydrator immediately after you rinse out the Deep Penetrating Reconstructor. Your hair will look and feel fabulous – you will feel and see the difference the moment you begin to blow dry.

Once a week, give yourself 15 minutes. We all have 15 minutes, once a week. If you have time to keep up with the Kardashian’s, you have time for you and your hair. I am sure that at least once a week you are in the shower. Instead of running through the list of what everyone else needs, take those minutes to sing your favorite tune and apply a conditioning treatment. Once your song is over, it’s time to rinse. Admit it, when you are having a good hair day, it’s a good way to start your day. It’s time to start every day as a good day. These gems from Joico are a great start.

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, writing

A brand new key

January 26, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 3 Comments

For those of you familiar with my Salon Tales, you know that yours truly has fine hair. Lots of it, but fine. I am also bottle blonde who adores her flat iron, so my tresses are delicate and need tender loving care. For those of you with hair like mine, I feel your pain. You find a volumizing shampoo that gives you body and lift, but it leaves your hair looking and feeling like straw. You find a conditioning treatment to restore the life and softness to your tired tresses only to be left with lifeless and greasy strands. Well beauties, are you in for a treat! Let me introduce you to a hair care line that offers volume and repairs damaged hair and helps to prevent further damage. The following products have been tried and tested by yours truly over the past weeks. Meet sarynaKEY.

The main ingredient that sets sarynaKEY apart from the rest is Pure African Shea Butter. It is naturally made up of 70% natural keratin and 30% amino acid – so it replenishes the hair with the protein it is made of. The sarynaKEY line offers 8 different product lines for all hair types and hair and scalp conditions. Today’s tale is focusing on their volumizing line – Volume Lift. The Volume Lift line contains a protein found in wheat which builds upon fine and fragile hair. Unlike other volumizing products, sarynaKEY Volume Lift offers a low PH factor that in turn seals the hair cuticle and helps to repair the fragile strands. It offers volume and it repairs your hair. …and no, you aren’t dreaming…it really does. It is also color safe. I have a swoop of blue through my hair and the color did not fade and my blonde did not get brassy.

Volume Lift Shampoo and Conditioner

– the shampoo lathers well, leaves the hair feeling clean without any feeling of product build up and less tangles than with other volumizing shampoo’s I have used in the past.

– the conditioner is a daily conditioner that is thick and creamy yet not heavy. It works through the hair with ease, without a greasy residue feeling afterward. It left my hair soft and tangle free. It contains vitamin E and UV filters to protect and nourish the hair. *the amino acids activate an internal repair process at the root and the low PH ensures the hair shaft stays sealed = prevents the loss of the active ingredients from the shampoo.

Pure African Shea Butter Treatment

– a conditioning treatment that strengthens, nourishes and give the hair a thicker look and feel. It contains a combo of shea butter, wheat protein, natural keratins and vitamins that add an external layer of protection while softening the hair. This treatment is meant to be used once a week, focusing on the ends of the hair. Leave in for 2 -5 minutes then rinse with cool water. I used this treatment twice in one week just to see if it would weigh down my hair. It did not. It left my hair soft and full – not weighed down or lifeless.

Pure African Shea Oil – Volume Lift

– a lightweight oil that offers shine without making the hair look or feel greasy, all the while adding volume and giving your hair a thicker look and feel. Apply to damp hair before blow drying, or can be applied to dry hair after thermal styling is completed – to eliminate frizz or flyaways. * a little styling tip – I use this oil and cocktail it with my pomade for extra shine and pliability to my pomade.

Pure African Shea Gloss – Volume Lift

– a weightless shine spray. Adds brilliant shine without looking greasy and does not weigh down your achieved style or texture. It is color safe and color safe for blondes = no brassy tone or residue. * this shine gloss can also be used in a product cocktail with other products such as pastes and clay to make them more pliable and user friendly.

For all the fine hair, fine/damaged hair Beauties out there looking for an answer to their hair woes, look no further than the Volume Lift line from sarynaKEY.

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, Women

The Color Therapist is in

January 20, 2015 That Girl in the Red Coat 1 Comment

We’ve all been there. We have all been standing in our bathroom, looking in the mirror, brush in hand or caught in hair thinking “What happened to my hair?”. In the age of color, chemical straightening and flat irons, our poor tresses are over worked, stressed and damaged. Before you make a call to the nearest Salon and ask if they offer a bereavement rate for the loss of your beloved locks, take a breath. Another. The Color Therapist is in and it’s name is Joico Kpak Color Therapy.

Many people are familiar with Joico Kpak – a FAB! product in it’s own right. Let me introduce you to Joico Kpak Color Therapy. The magic behind Kpak Color Therapy is the Quadrabond Peptide Complex. This complex acts as a multi-tasker – attaches to damaged strands, repelling external moisture that robs the hair of color all the while rebuilding the hair from the inside out. The line is formulated for all hair types – from fine to coarse, straight to curly. The line consists of four products – shampoo, conditioner, oil and the newest addition, dry oil spray.

Kpak Color Therapy Shampoo – a gentle, lightweight formula that doubles the life of hair color vibrancy and longevity. It preserves and protects your hair from further damage. * GREAT for stressed hair -double processed or lifted more than 2 levels.

Kpak Color Therapy Conditioner – a lightweight conditioner that really packs a punch. It hydrates and repairs. Keratin and silicone lock in moisture and balance the moisture level while sealing the hair’s cuticle and adds shine.

Kpak Color Therapy Restorative Oil – I have to admit, one of my favorites. A lightweight oil that heals damaged strands while adding moisture, strength, shine and softness. It can be applied to damp or dry hair. *No brassy effect – perfect for blondes

Kpak Color Therapy Dry Oil Spray – the newest addition to the Kpak Color Therapy family. This gem seals the hair’s outer layer to create a protective shield against color fade and moisture loss and can tame flyaways. Formulated for all hair types, color safe, color safe for blondes *no brassy residue. To be used on dry hair once your style is achieved.

Kpak Revitaluxe – although this product is not part of the Kpak Color Therapy family – it is a welcome addition. This conditioning treatment instantly repairs years of damage, doubles resistance to future breakage and protects against color fade by 94%! It is formulated for all hair types and should be applied to freshly washed hair and left on for a full 5 minutes for best results.

Yes, Ladies and Gents, the Color Therapist is in.

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, Women

Fine and FAB! finds – That Girl in the Red Coat approved

December 8, 2014 That Girl in the Red Coat 1 Comment

As you know, yours truly has fine hair, lots of it, but fine none the less. For many years I thought I had thick hair, so I was buying products formulated for thick hair. No wonder my hair wouldn’t hold a style or why my curls were fabulous in the bathroom but the minute I stepped outside my curls would disappear, and the only volume I could achieve was via my Walkman. (children of the 80’s, you know what I am talking about – born after 1990 – Google it). Today’s tale is for my fine haired Beauties. I have found some FAB! products for fine hair, tested on yours truly and my daughter, who has her Mother’s tresses, by yours truly.

RUSK Anti Frizz Spray

The newest addition to the RUSK family, the Styling Collection, features this lovely hairspray. It offers all day humidity resistance, a strong hold that is workable and weightless and offers color protection with a light, fresh scent. Check out their other FAB! products at http://www.rusk1.com

Sexy hair. Not familiar with this line? Well, let me introduce you. My new favorite is from their style sexy hair line. Meet 450 Headset. A thermal setting spray that locks in curls all day or keeps your flat ironed strands sleek all day. Adds shine and thermal protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a waterless formula that offers all day humidity resistance. *it kept my girl’s curls in for 2 days. sexy hair offers products for all hair types, from straight and sleek to curly. If you are looking for volume – sexy hair may be your new best friend. Check ’em out at http://www.sexyhair.com

One of the newest members of the Joico family – HEATSET. This truly is a blowout perfecting creme. It is formulated for all hair types, yet light enough for the finest of strands. Using HEATSET while using your blow dryer can reduce breakage up to 25%. It reduces drying time, detangles, defrizzes and offers heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. *it layers well with other products, such as mousses and root boosts. It won’t get too sticky or weigh down your hair or your style.

Another new addition to the Joico family – IRONCLAD. A thermal protection spray. Use IRONCLAD *on dry hair, with your flat iron or curling iron to protect your hair from the heat of the appliance. IRONCLAD helps reduce frizz and static for up to 72 hours, adds shine and has a soft, weightless hold.

I have to admit, this gem is my new best friend. The latest addition to the Joico hairspray family. FLIPTURN offers a very strong hold factor that is still workable – you can brush through it and keep your desired style or begin again. It is a volumizing hairspray that adds shine and volume for up to 72 hours as well as thermal protection. A cool feature of this hairspray is it can be sprayed upside down, side ways or right side up without clogging the nozzle = any style can be achieved. * It smells heavenly! For more information about these FAB! Joico finds, check out http://www.joico.com

Okay…this gem doesn’t add any hold or volume, but it is sparkly, and there is always room for a little sparkle. Joico’s GOLDDUST, a glitter/shine spray. A perfect end to a perfect style. Heading out to a holiday party or just want to jazz up your grocery store attire – use Joico’s GOLDDUST and turn some heads.

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized

It’s probably not the weather

November 18, 2014 That Girl in the Red Coat Leave a comment

Over the past few months, I feel as though I have been having the same conversation with different reps, Salon owners that I chat with from time to time and Stylists. Everyone says that business is slow. They all seem to be having the same problem and they all seem to have the same reasons for it. “It’s probably the weather.”. “The economy is slow.”. “It’s peak vacation season, so people are away.”. “We charge $90.00 for a color. Our clients don’t want to spend more for product.”. “My client bookings are down. I guess my clients are really busy.”. I have news for you, and you aren’t going to like it. The above excuses – yeah, I said it, excuses for the lack of business at your Salon comes down to you, your staff, your customer service, your policies and your lack of retail. Plain and simple. I say excuses because sitting around complaining about business being slow and doing nothing about it is an excuse and is lazy. *To be clear – I agree that the weather can affect sales – Mother Nature is not always our friend up here in the Great White North – a blizzard or a good ‘ol Polar Vortex will keep people at home. As for the others, well, there is always something that can be done.

I have been in the retail/customer service game for over 25 years and in our beloved industry for over 12 of those years. I know too well the struggles we can face, from product cost increases, rent increases, wage increases and competition from other Salons that offer the same services. Here’s the deal. When your Salon has procedures in place, when your staff is educated on your products and your stylists re-book and follow up with their clients and your retail shelves are stocked, your business will sustain itself, and grow. It will. *The key – you have to work at it, everyday. You have to believe in yourself and your business and what you are trying to accomplish. Being me, I have compiled a little list for you.

– Policies. I cannot stress this enough. Dress codes need to be in effect and followed. Personal calls are not for the Salon floor or the store front. Take it to the lunch room. I understand emergencies arise and a call from the school must be taken on the Salon floor. Booking your next oil change…not so much. *Remember – all your client in your chair is doing is listening and watching everything going on in the Salon…and good news travels fast….bad news travels faster.

– Make it your Salon policy to re-book every client at the end of their service. Now, I know this will not happen 100% of the time, it can happen 85% of the time – I know this because that is what our average is in our Salon. Once you explain to your client that you cannot guarantee that you won’t be booked solid 6 weeks from now, they will re-book. Let your client know they are more than welcome to cancel or reschedule if need be. In my experience, once they realize they are not indebted to that exact date, they re-book, and show up to their appointment.

– Be sure to offer a consultation to every client, new or existing. Take a minute to ask them how they are, what plans they have, if any special events are coming up. Ask them if they were thinking of changing it up or did they like their last color and style. Asking these questions makes your client feel important and that they matter. It also gives you a chance to find out what is happening in their lives – for instance, if they have a gala coming up, trying a pixie cut for the first time may not be the best idea. During a consultation you may find out about a health scare, a new medication or a new product they have been using that could affect their color service that day. Asking them “same as last time” doesn’t cut it. It doesn’t.

– Make sure your Salon is stocked with water, tea and coffee. Having a choice of milk, cream or flavored creamer, sweetener or sugar goes a long way. At our Salon, we have clients that as we are taking their coat are asking if we still have that “yummy creamer”.

– Get on Social Media. Facebook is checked before email. I update our Facebook page at least 4 times a day. It takes all of 2 minutes each time. We have gained customers and clients from our updates. I have gained new customers that drive from other cities because of the specials and the new arrival of products I have posted.

– Your Salon must retail product. It must. Before you get all “that’s a huge investment!”, calm down. I am not saying you have to have every brand and every product. You should have the products you are using in your Salon for sale to your clients. Keep 2 – 3 bottles of each product you use on your shelves, at all times. You can’t sell what you don’t have. *Think of it like this – as a stylist, would you go without having bleach at your color mixing station because “No one will probably want it”? No, you wouldn’t. The same rings true with retailing the hairspray you use at your station. Thinking for your clients instead of thinking about them is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Retailing products works. I know. I do it everyday. Once your client/customer realizes that their hair can have the same look and hold at home that they get from you, they will buy the product.

– Provide good customer service. Talk to your clients and customers. Educate them on their hair and their products. Offer free consultations, from an up-do to how to use their flat iron. I personally have helped our customers learn how to use their new flat iron or curling iron. I have been known to flip my head upside down and from side to side and mess up my own ‘do just to show them how to do their own hair, and correct a mishap with a flat iron. If your client is not happy with the product they bought, ask them to bring it in, ask them to show you how they use it, then show them how you use it. In my experience, the product is the right product, the application needed improvement.

Following policies and procedures, re-booking and following up with clients, taking the time for proper consultations, utilizing Social Media, educating your clients and your customers and retailing products and keeping the shelves stocked, your Salon will thrive. It will.

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right” – Henry Ford

Beauty, Business, communication, Hair Care, parenting, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, writing

Tales of Truth Part…oh I give up

October 18, 2014 That Girl in the Red Coat 3 Comments

Gather ’round ladies and gents, boys and girls, it’s that time once again! Time for That Girl in the Red Coat’s Tales of Truth. Now, I don’t know if the planets are misaligned, or if their is a glitch in the Matrix, lately, I have been privy to some interesting events and antics. Maybe the public at large has gotten wind of my Tales of Truth series and is hoping to be mentioned…sweet baby Jesus, I hope so.

– I heard a bang on the front window of the shop. As I looked over to see what it was, I saw a Mother applying hand sanitizer after touching the trash can lid outside the neighboring shop, all the while her toddler was banging her fists on the window as she was licking it. ….wait for it…there you go.

– A woman came in for some hairspray. As I was ringing through her purchase, she farted. Then farted again. Then again. She just stared at me, didn’t even blink. No “excuse me”. No “too much Sushi I guess”. Nothing, Just stared at me.

– I had a woman ask me if I sold a “less toxic” hairspray. So I asked her if she meant a more environmentally friendly or vegan hairspray. She answered “I just need a hairspray that will stop my son from growing breasts.”. Before I spoke, I silently told myself “don’t show it on your face” and said “Pardon me?” to which she said, “Yes, he is a teen boy getting breasts.”. I asked her if she had seen his doctor and she told me she had taken him and the doctor thought her son should become more active and cut out the junk food, but she wanted to be on the safe side and make sure his hair product wasn’t adding to the problem. …sigh

– at our shop we focus our retail on hair products and nail products. We do not carry cosmetics. I had a woman come in looking for lipstick, I let her know I do not sell lipstick or any cosmetics and gave her the name of a few shops where she could find what she was looking for. She asked me if she gave me a list, could I call around to those shops for her and find out if they had what she wanted. I politely told her I could not, but offered to find the phone numbers for her and she could call. I was told I offered poor customer service and she left.

– We sell human hair extensions. The brand we sell has pictures of women on the package that are of mixed descent – Asian, African, Indian, you name it. I had a woman ask me why I didn’t sell hair for white people. I shit you not – it’s 2014 and people like this still exist. After I checked for the hooded white sheet (yeah, I said it), I let her know that the hair I sell is for every woman, of every color and creed.

– A woman asked if she could put her toddler on the back counter as she shopped. I told her no, and that it wasn’t store policy. She tried to assure me he would sit still if I was worried he’d fall off the counter. ….double sigh.

That’s it Beauties…that’s all I got for today…makes me tired 😉