Are you stuck in a color rut with your client? Every visit, it’s the same old routine: “retouch and a highlight.” Try to always give your client something to look forward to, says David Velasco, author of 101 Trade Secrets of a Haircolor Consultation. “Give her a vision of what the future could look like and suggest she change her color slightly with each season,” he suggests. “Like adding subtle highlights in the spring, which get heavier in the summer. In the fall, introduce warmer tones or reddish highlights, and then deepen the base for winter.” But how to initiate that color conversation is the tough part. David suggests something like this: “Hi Suzie! I’ve been thinking about your haircolor (already she’s impressed because you’ve been thinking about her even though you may have hundreds of other clients) and what I’d like to do when you come in for your May appointment. I thought we’d start introducing a few very soft highlights to complement your spring wardrobe and makeup. Then after that, we can increase the boldness of your highlights for summer. What do you think about that?” Continue the conversation to talk about your fall and winter plans, explaining the benefits of each new look. “Remember,” says David. “If you don’t change your client’s look, she will change you!” Get successful tintback strategies from David Velasco!

I saw a young woman sitting in the waiting area of my salon. “You look familiar,” I said, and then introduced myself. “I’m Linda,” the girl said. “I work for you.” I could have died! Upon further conversation, I found out she cleaned the salon at night, so the only time I met her was at her interview. It was by far the most embarrassing moment of my life!

Nanci Brandon

BTC Facebook Fan

Takashi, DJ Muldoon and Colin Caruso: You all inspire me every time I’m in your presence. I’ve been in the business for almost 28 years and have so much to learn. Thanks boys!

Marjorie Moore-Dow

BTC Facebook Fan

Think about the editorial hair of your dreams…thick, voluminous, cloud-like texture that defies gravity and lends an air of sophistication to your client’s overall look. This look with wow factor attracts attention like a magnet, and it’s a look you should definitely know how to master. Check out this how-to from Matrix Artistic Director Nicholas French, and when the next charity runway show hits your town, wow the crowd with your awesome avant-garde sensibilities! Begin by misting slightly damp hair with Matrix Biolage Hydra Seal Softening Mist and comb through for even distribution. Set hair on large hair pins in a rick-rack, figure-eight formation. Seal each pin by pressing it between the plates of a flat iron. Release the hair and gently tease the roots with your fingers, then dress out the ends with your fingers and brush lightly with a boar bristle brush. Get $2 off the NEW Matrix Total Results Break Fix Leave-In Elixir!

After shampooing my male client, I walked behind him back to my chair. The towel around his neck started to fall down, so I went to grab it as it fell…and wound up grabbing his ass with the towel! I wanted to die! Luckily, he’s still my client!

Debbie Corapi

BTC Facebook Fan

Thank you for inspiring me to always push the bar higher!

Megan Lane

BTC Facebook Fan

You have inspired, motivated and pushed me to be better. I love, love, love this industry, and I want to be an instructor to help motivate others!

Nat Hall

BTC Facebook Fan

One day, I had a very lightweight, slinky skirt on. I used the restroom and was on my way to the front of the salon when I heard another stylist call my name and yell, “JESUS!” I turned around and saw she was pointing at me with her hand over her mouth, a look of shock on her face. “What?” I asked. Well, the entire back of my skirt got tied up in my thong—my entire butt was just hanging out in the open! Thank goodness only a couple people saw! After the initial horror, we laughed so hard we couldn’t breathe!

Jessica Quick

Hair It Is

Syracuse, NY

BTC Member Since 2008

The summer months can be slow for stylists—but they don’t have to be! Joico Celebrity Colorist George Papanikolas has an enviable pool of A-list clients at Andy LeCompte Salon in Southern California, and he knows how to thrive in a competitive hair environment and keep the clients coming through the door no matter what the season! One of his suggestions for boosting your color profits this summer: think year-round. “Discuss highlights in summer months and lowlights once the temperatures dip. Knowing there’s a strategy in place will keep clients excited about coming back for seasonal adjustments,” George says. And color is just the beginning. “Be sure you’re offering seasonally-adjusted add-on services and products, too, like extra conditioning and sun-protection for summer strands and moisture-replacement in the coldest, weather-stripping times of year,” he says. Enter to WIN a Joico K-PAK Color Product Set—50 Winners Chosen at Random!

Is your dream to become the best-known stylist in your town? You may be surprised to learn iconic celebrity stylist Garren wasn’t always at the head of NYC’s beauty pack; he actually started his career in far-off Niagara Falls! If you’ve always dreamed of being the star in your city, start with the basics. Here are three ways you can get on the path to superstardom:

Size Up Your Clients: Check out new clients that walk through the door: her shoes, her overall posture, etc. You can peg her immediately and get a clear sense of how far you can go with her hair.

Get Involved: If your salon is departmentalized, you still need to be present for every part of your client’s visit—cut, color, nails, makeup, everything! Clients appreciate your interest in all of their beauty needs.

Dress to Impress: The dress code at Garren Salon is solid black and white. “This puts the focus squarely on the clients where it belongs,” says Garren, “not on the people working here.” Want more advice from Garren and celebrity stylist Ken Paves on how to become a star? Register for their FREE Webinar Monday, May 21st!