By: J Christian

In this struggling economy, those of us in hair fashion are finding clients more challenging with their demands for longevity and flexibility in their hair styles. They want their style to look good while lasting longer.

If you’re an Artist worth your salt, you’ll welcome this challenge. You will exceed the client’s expectations through education, creativity and a sincerely focused consultation session with your client. If, as a stylist, you find your clients dissatisfied or moving along to another stylist or salon you may want to step up your game. The recession is here for a while, your clients need to view your services as high quality, worth their valuable time and hard-earned dollars.

As a client, if you want to achieve a strong, sustainable look seek an Artist that can deliver to your expectations. While a more experienced, well-educated Artist will charge a little more for their services there will be savings in the long run. We’re not just talking dollars here. No matter how broke or how wealthy you may be a sincerely bad hair day will wreck anyone’s state of happiness.

In my professional opinion, a great Artist will deliver three looks when creating your personal hair style. Of course, these looks should complement your lifestyle. If done correctly, you should be able to achieve:

The 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: The professional look, well coifed, sometimes conservative for the work or in the office.

The 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.:  That casual but not too relaxed professional look for some, or that cute on a date look.

The Weekender:  For some its “I’ve got to look good with little effort while running errands or easily swept back from my face at the gym look”; for others it’s “I’ve got to look fabulous rocking the world at this party this weekend”.

There are many ranges in between, but basically the bottom line is versatility and movement. As a member of the Art Team for Sexy Hair’s Institute of Courage, twice each year I travel to California’s Topanga Canyon along with eleven other Master Artists to review and discuss the newest cut and color techniques for the upcoming season.

These people are not your Mother’s hairdresser or beautician of lore. These are hair architects, color innovators, style creators. Our job when we’re done is to further respect for the industry through educating other hair stylists as well as our clients by delivering these new advances at our salons and hair shows.

I’m aware that cutting edge runway styles are not what most clients are seeking. In fact, in this market most of my clients are conservative. They are working professionals who maintain a relatively conservative style during work hours but want to be able to spice it up a little after they leave the office, then have the freedom to do nothing or be a little wild during the weekend hours.

Creating coifed versatility a client can achieve on their own at home is key to the satisfaction of the customer. Lots to consider here. One most important aspect outside the standards of face shape, skin tone, etc. is the client’s personal hair skill level. The majority of my clients are adamant they want something other than dragging their hair up into the long-standing ponytail. Are you able to easily handle the tools necessary to style your hair (blow-dryer, flat iron, etc.)? The client’s comfort level and understanding of professional products, their uses and the results of use are important to consider.

This versatility sometimes means a completely new look. You might need to bring a picture of your ideas to your Artist. I suggest finding three looks that you like and then discussing the change in detail with your Artist. All of this change and conversation only works if you as the client have an open mind and totally trust your Artist. Together through communication you should be able to achieve a common vision of you that includes a versatile look that gives you longevity in style and flexibility in look.

Publisher’s Note on J. Christian Studio:

One thing you can always count on when you leave J’s is versatility. I always leave it in his hands, and I always walk out with a style that’s fun, versatile, and sexy. Thanks J! The artists in his studio are always up on the latest styles and know how to have fun with color.