How to find a new hair salon

Want to spend less money and still have great hair?

Yesterday, I wrote about how expensive great hair can be, and why I’m wary of cheap hairdressers — but I also promised to share my new strategy for finding a great cheap hair salon.

Here’s the steps I’m taking to make sure my next hairdresser is great as well as cheap.

Step one: Stalk them a little

There are a couple of salons near my house. Because they’re close by, I can wander past regularly and take a quick peek inside. That means, I can spy on the hairdressers inside a little.

One of the salons really doesn’t look promising from the outside (kitsch name, dated decor, scuffed lino) but I’ve seen some great hairstyles wander out.

If they can consistently create good-looking hair for other people, that’s a good sign.

Step two: Start with a blowdry

So, I decided to give them ago — but I’ve learnt my lesson, and I’m not going straight in for the works. Instead, I used a couple of recent TV appearances as an excuse to get a salon blowdry.

The way I figure it, there’s not much they can mess up. If a blowdry is truly terrible, it just needs a wash and it’ll be fine. Unless I smell burning hair, in which case, I’m prepared to leap from the chair and run.

Plus a blowdry at a cheap salon costs $20-30 here, which isn’t a lot of money to risk.

Step three: Check them out

The other benefit of getting a blowdry at a potential new salon, is you get to really check the place out.

When someone styles your hair, you find out a lot about their style as a hairdresser. Do they listen to what you want? Do they scald your scalp with hot water or burn it with the hairdryer? Does your hair look great when they’re finished?

These all tell you useful info about what they’ll be like if you let them do more with your hair.

Step four: Gossip and snoop

While you’re there, chat with your hairdresser. See if you can get them talking about the salon and their co-workers. In one ten-minute gossip session, you can learn a lot about the place — and whether you want to go back.

Keep your eyes open as well. Watch what’s happening to all the customers, because that’s what you’re likely to get if you come back for more.

Step five: Take the plunge

If the place still looks appealing, it’s time to take the plunge. Let them cut and colour your hair to their heart’s content.

I’m not quite at this stage with my potential new salon yet… but maybe I’ll get there soon.