You And Your Stylist: Four Pro Tips

By Damien and Louis

Your hair style is important to you, to your image. Your happiness is important to us. A good relationship is essential to both. Let’s aim for the best. Here are some pointers.

Get The Best From Your Stylist.

• If you want to change your look, do your homework first. Look at magazines for images you like. Bring in photos. Your stylist should be happy to take a look and figure out a plan. If not, run for your life. If the stylist runs for her or his life, the hairdo is not for you.

• Do you want to spend as little time as possible on your hair each day? Then don’t ask for a style that requires a curling iron or other complex maintenance. We want you to be happy.

• Do you want to look like you did thirty years ago? First of all, why? You look great. Second, we may be able to give you the same haircut you had then, but the rest… above our pay grade.

Your Time and Our Time: Value it.

• A hair appointment should be relaxed. It will be if you are on time! If you are late, not only do you shortchange yourself, you have just changed the dynamic of the stylist’s entire day, as she or he will be tense about having to apologize to every client that follows you. Cancel if you can’t come. But not every single time. That’s just impolite.

• Of course, we know you are very busy, and sometimes delays (like on Manhattan streets) are just unavoidable. Let us know as soon as you can. If, on the other hand, you don’t have an appointment but you were just invited to the Costume Institute Gala at the Met, and it’s on for tonight, we‘ll try to fit you in. If you promise to send us pix. 

It’s A Business.

• Do not take price increases personally. It happens, especially when the cost of living goes up. If you really can’t afford it, tell the owners and we will accommodate you with a suitable stylist at a lower price. They are all great!

• Everyone is baffled by the knotty problem of tipping. Tip twenty percent of the price of the service.

• If there is only one owner, tipping the owner is not expected. If the salon has more than one owner, tipping is acceptable.

• If you prefer not to tip, a nice year end gift is lovely. We like champagne and chocolate. And Ferraris.

• If a stylist recommends a product, buy it from the salon. Can you get it cheaper somewhere else? Maybe, but this is part of the economics of the business.

• Want to make a bffl? Tell your friends where your great new haircut was created. If, on the other hand, something went awry, talk to your stylist. We’ll fix it. 

A Really Special Relationship.

• Salons are one of the last establishments in which people may, indeed must, touch one another. There is an intimacy to that, and that intimacy lends itself to a relationship. A special one. You can tell us just about anything and our lips will remain sealed. You have our word on that. 

• We usually love to talk to you. But sometimes we don’t. We may seem like, maybe even look like, superheroes, but we are human. Think of us as your domestic partner. Sometimes silence is golden. But speak up if you have decided against the green hair.

• The assistants are human too. And theirs is a hard job. If you want hotter water or less pressure, tell them. But if you don’t like the way they do their work, quietly let your stylist know.

• Be nice to the front desk and they will be nice to you!

And always remember, we are here for you. To celebrate and to sympathize. To make you look your best, which will make everything better. And to bring you into the fold.

Damien Miano and Louis Viél are co-owners of Miano Viél Salon and Spa. They have had years of experience with fabulous clients.