Salon Secrets-10 Things Your Hairdresser Won't Tell You

April 14, 2010


By Kimberly Fusaro for Woman's Day

If you're constantly trying to put your best face forward, you'd better be on good terms with your hairdresser. Sure, you're savvy on who and when to tip — but there's a lot more your stylist wishes you knew. Ever wonder what your hairdresser is really thinking when he's elbow deep in your tresses? We asked stylists from around the country to sound off on everything they've been dying to tell you.


1. I probably can't give you a celebrity's hairstyle.

Yes, we'd all love Jennifer Aniston's shiny, sun-kissed locks. But even if your stylist can match a celeb's color and cut, she can't give you access to the team of professionals that the rich and famous have fixing their hair before every appearance. Bringing in pictures is great, but be open to adaptations that take into account your hair texture and bone structure. If you go in expecting a carbon copy of a red carpet style, “you may be very disappointed,” says Don Bewley, cofounder of Eufora International Haircare in Carlsbad, California.

2. Tell me exactly what “a little bit” means—even if you feel like you're being nitpicky.

“We're not mind readers!” says Brittany Molina, owner of Brittany's Spa Salon in Jacksonville, Florida. Be prepared to talk specifics with your stylist. Saying, “Just don't go too short” isn't helpful. Show your stylist the exact length you want your hair. And if you request she take off two inches, make sure your definition of “two inches” is the same as hers.

3. Please respect my time.


“A busy hairdresser's time is very valuable,” says Bewley. Being five minutes late can throw off your stylist's entire day. If you're running late, call. And never pull a no-show. On the same note, don't phone at the last minute and ask to get “squeezed in.” Your stylist will likely try to accommodate you, but it may mean staying late or rushing to finish another client first.

4. I love getting to know my clients — to a point.

Don't assume your stylist is eager to listen to you vent about your divorce or your overbearing boss. “After 10 clients a day, everyone's problems start to weigh on us!” says Bewley. Try to keep the conversation centered on fashion, beauty or wellness. And remember: This is your time to relax and feel beautiful — and your stylist's time to focus on your hair.

5. A salon is not a daycare center.

“Kids should not be brought to a salon unless they're getting a service,” says Michael Boychuck, the personal hair colorist of Paris Hilton and owner of Las Vegas salons Color, Amp and Primp. Salons do their best to be kid-friendly, but stylists can't focus on their clients and keep hot irons and chemicals out of little hands. Leave your dog at home, too, urges Emily Howard, owner of Moxie Parlour in San Francisco, California. It's against the law to have animals in salons, so don't bring one in unless you're willing to pay a hefty fine on the salon's behalf.

6. Put down your cell phone. And your lunch.


Turn off your cell phone before the start of your appointment, recommends Molina. “Not only is your conversation distracting to other customers,” she says, “your hairstylist can't do her job if you're reaching for your phone or moving your head from side to side.” And try not to eat when you're getting your hair done, urges Boychuck. The constant motion isn't doing your stylist — or your hair — any favors.

7. I'm pushing my salon's products because they're better for your hair—not to make a few bucks.

Your stylist stocks products he believes in. It's frustrating for him to see a client pay good money for great color or a trendy cut but then buy drugstore shampoo and conditioner to save a few bucks. Your stylist can tell you exactly what you need to maintain your hair — and save you from playing the drugstore guessing game. “I'm here to give you the right advice,” says Bewley. “And I'll gladly exchange anything that's not working for you.”

8. You know your hair better than anyone—tell me about it!


If you're visiting a stylist for the first time, be upfront about your hair's history, says Dickey, founder of the Hair Rules Salon in New York City. Did your last hairdresser use a relaxer? Do you know what he colored your hair with? The more information you have, the better. Previous chemical treatments will affect how the next ones set. And if you have especially thick hair, let the receptionist know when you book your appointment so she can allot enough time for you.

9. If you like my work, please let other people know!

“Referrals are hairstylists' lifeblood,” says Bewley. If you're happy with your cut or color, tell your friends and coworkers. Passing on referrals can be mutually beneficial: If a new client comes in on your recommendation, your stylist will likely give you a discount the next time you visit the salon.

10. You're a walking billboard for my work.

Don't go too long between colorings or let your haircut lose its shape. Your hair should be a positive reflection of your stylist's work. If you're not sure how to style a new cut once you get home, go back and ask questions, urges Bewley. Your hairdresser wants you to look good, and would be more than happy to teach you the proper styling and finishing tips.

Skin Whitening Products Recommended

I believe many people think whitening products are just for those people that want to whiten their skins. True, Asian people have more important values toward light, clear, and fair skin: this is the kind of beautiful skin in their eyes. If you go to Asia, you'll find all kinds of whitening products on the market. Brands like Olay, Ponds, Nivea, or O'Loreal they all have their whitening products on the market. It is actually rare if you don't find whitening products for a certain brand.

Unfortunately, whitening isn't just for white skin, everyone needs whitening especially when we grow older! Whitening is also for those people that would like to get rid of their freckles, correct their skin discoloration, and hope to have healthier and more radiant skin!

Whitening products are normally more expensive if you want more effective results. Good skin does cost alot of money!

A Comprehensive Skin Brightening System Targeted for Every Spot


Building on over 20 years of whitening expertise, the Estee Lauder research and development team have been hard at work developing a deeper understanding of Asian skin and the cause of dark spots. Based on new findings and the knowledge that "not all spots are created equal", Estee Lauder brings you Cyber White Ex - our most comprehensive brightening system ever - with three highly targeted, breakthrough technologies, to help correct and prevent three different types of spots responsible for clouding your complexion: Stubborn Age Spots, Small Surface Spots and those Barely Visible Spots just below the skin's surface.


EXtra Protection to help prevent Barely Visible Spots
EXtra Re-Surfacing to eliminate Small Surface Spots

EXtra Correction to fight Stubborn Age Spots

Cyber White Ex Skin Brightening System



Yes, Estee Lauder products are expensive. This product line costs ranging from $52-$136. But if you know how to use Estee Lauder effectively, don't be surprise they will give you the greatest, shocking results!

Cellumination Cream (Illuminating Moisturizer)

$150

Cellumination Essence (Hydrating Serum)

$150

Both in the cellumination production hydrate and refine the surface to boost skin’s natural, healthy-looking glow and to help diminish the appearance of discoloration for a more even tone.

-It conditions and refines for a skin surface with more even texture and transparency that boosts light transmission within the surface. More light transmission creates a healthy looking natural glow and makes the look of discolorations such as age spots have a less obvious contrast to natural skin colour.

-It contains concentrated SK-II Pitera that helps lead to improvement in overall skin appearance enhancement.

-It permeates quickly into the skin and gives a light and smooth feeling when applied.

SKII products are always very expensive. SKII is a prestigious skincare brand from Japan that says their products are miracle water that can give you the most radiant and healthy skin. It is very reliable, but when I look at the price, I will have to think about it!! When I am older, I will use it ^^.

Biotherm White Detox Botanic (A) Lyzer Melano-Neutralizer Whitening Concentrate 1.01fl.oz./30ml

BIOTHERM White Detox Bio A 2 Ultra Whitening Detoxifying Essence, 30ml/1oz

To reduce the appearance of surface dark spots: glycolic acid, helps exfoliate dark melanin loaded dead cells.

To help prevent them for re-forming: it combined ellagic acid, natural in tara ( plant ) with detox complex.
$75

Biotherm is a very good skincare product. I heard so compliments from my friends using their products!

Fancl White Essence

FANCL researchers discovered the new grapefruite essence helps passing Vitamin C, which helps to lighten dark spots and freckkles through deep down the skin. The new richer lotion penetrates instantly leaving your skin soft and moisturized. The new air-less bottle dispenses the lotion without getting air or bacteria back in. Not only does WHITE ESSENCE help reduce the existing dark spots and freckles, it will protect your skin from creating new ones.

$46

Fancl is very famous in HK and Asia.

Laneige White Plus Renew Emulsion SPF15

Size: 120ml

White Plus Complex with the function of 3-step melanin protection and recovery works to form a whitening water protection layer, keeping the skin look more brightened and transparent. Its UV ray protection function protects skin from the daily UV rays, increasing the whitening effect.
US$39.99

Laneige White Plus Renew Night Cream


White plus renew complex with the function of 3 step melanin protection and recovery and the white birch ingredient work to recover the skin rhythm, keeping your skin appears brightened and luminous during the night time.
US$44.99

Laneige is a famous skincare product brand from Korea. Almost all girls in Korea have to have their products!

Clinique Derma White Lab Bright Fortifying Complex

Give skin the radiance it rightfully deserves with the Derma White Lab Bright Fortifying Complex. A powerful skin whitener with the patented Derma White technology, it delivers skin brightening ingredients where they are most needed for a reduction in dark spots and skin discolorations. Continued use improves skin’s over-all clarity and brightness. Use twice a day on cleansed and toned skin. For quicker whitening, use together with the complete range of Derma White products. By Clinique.
$75


Clinique is always a trusted brand. Except last time my skin reacts irritable to one of their products, but all the other products my friends and I use work very good!

The ones I recommended above are some expensive products, but they do work great..= =''
I am sure you can find these products in a less expensive price online! Also I am sure you can find some other great, less expensive whitening products. Especially when you get older, whitening is an essential step in your everyday skincare!

Introducing 2010's New Low Budget Makeup Foundations

Revlon Photo Ready Makeup

Indoors, outdoors, and everywhere in between, get poreless, airbushed skin in any light.

-Photochromatic pigments bend and reflect light to erase every flaw.

-Light-diffusing formula gives complete yet virtually undetectable coverage.

Maybelline Superstay 24HR Makeup

Meet the foundation that stays flawless beyond any stretch of the imagination.

Resisting:
Heat
Humidity
Sweat
Dryness
Motion
Touch
Life.

Our fomula with Micro-Flex technology stands up to the stress. Stays flawless and comfortable all day. It's the do-it-all through-it-all 24-hour makeup.

Cover Girl Clean Makeup, Oil Control

Had it with one-size-fits-all makeup?

Try lightweight coverage that's made to fit you! The NEW look for Clean Makeup.

No more masky, heavy makeup-try the lightweight Clean formula that's just right for you. Clean normal, oil control, and now, New Clean for sensitive skin-100% fragrance and oil free.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup

It makes your skin look better, even after you take it off.

It has an exclusive antioxidant blend, and in just four weeks 98% of women saw improvement in their skin's natural texture, tone, or clarity. In 12 silky shades.

L'oreal New Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base

Backstage beauty secrets made easy.

Secret No.1 The perfect skin texture from a perfecting primer.

Instant soothing results"

-Minimize the look of pores and fine lines.

-Skin looks and feels smoothed and resurfaced.

-Use under your foundation or alone.

Choose for yourself!~

Another good Avon skincare product- Solutions a.m./p.m. Maximum Moisture Day Cream SPF 15 and Night Cream

Skin care made simple. Perfect skin for less than 65¢ a day! Customized to your skin's day and night needs, uniquely packaged in one...making skin visibly healthier and life much easier. Introduced by AVON's Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon. Double your skin's moisture in just 1 day!* 2-in-1 cream provides maximum moisture for dry skin. 60% more.**

Day Cream SPF 15
This protective cream contains a unique light-activated delivery system that releases a cosmetic ingredient to moisturize as the exposure to light increases. It infuses skin with moisture, leaving it feeling softer, smoother and more supple. Helps prevent sunburn.

Night Cream
This rich cream, formulated with Ulex Europaeus Flower Extract, boosts skin's hydration and enhances it's ability to lock in moisture. Nourishes skin to replace nightly dehydration and replenish its moisture barrier, so you wake up to a beautifully supple, healthy-looking complexion.

2.6 total fl. oz.

I've recommended Avon's Nutra Replenishing Cream before, but I'v'e stated that people who have oily skin might not want to use it as a day cream (without makeup base) because it can cause you to have oils. But this Maximum Moisture Day/ Nigh cream is perfect for those people who have oily skin or sensitive skin. If your skin type is dry, or your skin is sensitive which is dry and oily at the same time or is sensitive to fragrance, you should really try this!

This cream does not cause any greasiness!! Especially when I put on the day cream, even if I apply a thick layer, my skin is immediately absorb and is not greasy at all! Very light but totally moistiurized! Makes my skin very smooth~ The p.m. cream also works pretty well!

It is fragrance-free! So sensitive skin people, you don't have to worry!

On Avon's website, the ratings of this cream is 5 stars~

I think it's important that you must apply cream that has SPF during day time. Even if it's a cloudy day, there are still ultraviolet rays that can slowly destroy your skin. Even if you stay at home and watch TV or use the computer, the lights can still affect your skin either. I know this sounds crazy, but this is true. If you watch the TV more than a 5 feet distance, then it's fine. But what if you use a computer, or you sit in the office with strong lights above you? You need to use at least a SPF 15 cream! Our skin should be always protected.

Besides Maximum Moisture, this  Solutions a.m./p.m. product line also has Ageless Results and Total Radiance.

Carmex's new product Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm

Vitamin E + Aloe Moisturizing Protection

SPF 15

Slant Tip

Maybe you'll think this product isn't that new because it first came out on 2008, but it's indeed a whole new product line for Caramex comparing to the old ones. I can't wait to try it!

The old product line is still very popular! I always need to have one tube with me~ Befoe going to sleep, I must apply a thick layer to keep my lips moisturized. I have dry skin, and naturally I have dry lips too. Although some have cherry or strawbery flavors, but I figured those don't work as well as the original flavor. Carmex works great for dry chapped lips and is also for cold sores or healing lips. Some provde SPF, too!

Whenever you want to apply lipstick, before that, apply Carmex's lip balm, and your lips will stay juicy and smooth~

Lancome Oscillation Vibrating Infinite Power Mascara

Vibrating. Infinite. Powermascara The first vibrating Power mascara by Lancome: 7000 oscillations per minute. 

 Press the button and experience a breakthrough sensation in application. In one easy new gesture, let the vibrating brush combined with an exquisitely smooth formula wrap every lash up to 360° .

Instantly see a fascinating gaze: lashes appear ultimately extended, remarkably separated, and virtually multiplied in number.

A mascara that vibrates, it does look pretty cool~

You might think if this is just some techonology thing, or if it does work??

People with long and thick lashes, maybe this seems unnecessary.
But if you would like your lashes to be longer and thicker, this is a mascara you should try!

You no longer have to wiggle back and forth when applying the mascara.

Just put the vibrating mascara under the root of your lashes (of course, always better to curl first), let it thicken the root first and then brush in a straightward motion.

And your lashes will look long and thick and curled!

Even if you want to re-apply the mascara later, you could always use the same way (hold under the lashes) to apply a new coat! Other mascaras, once your lashes are dry, they're hard to re-apply.

You press the button, it will vibrate 7000 oscillations per minute, but once your finger leaves the button, it will stop. Very convenient~

Avon's Nurtura Replenishing Cream - A Very Good Moisturizer!

Okay, I've talked about how much I love Avon's skincare products. They're low budget but works great! I've talked about how much I like Avon's masks, they're refreshing and keep my skin hydrated! Believe it or not, those masks come in two packets (each packet can be used two times) and it's 69 cents!

Well, yes, I have to say again I have very dry skin, and living in San Francisco cause me to have drier skin. I bought this Nutra Replenishing Cream on sale for $5. You might say well.. it's so less expensive!! Can we trust it? I was hesitated to try at first, but seeing about 200 comments and a 4.8 ratings, I tried it out!

I was very satisfied with the result! Only tried it for one day, I can feel how it fitted my skin! At first you might feel it's a little heavy, but when you apply on your skin, you'll feel it becomes very light immediately absorb into your skin. I see some comments, most like the smell but some hate it. In my opinion, I like the smell, it's not bad~ But if you have very sensitive skin, you might re-consider because of the smell.

This cream keeps my skin very smooth and hydrated! Even if I don't apply it on the day time, my skin still feels moisturized. Also, this works great under makeup base. I would suggest you apply this cream first, and then do your hair and stuff to wait until it's all absorb, then you'll apply the makeup base. It will work better!

Again, I know I've said it many times, less expensive skincare products don't mean they wouldn't work as well as the expensive ones. My mom's skin react irritable even to the most expensive products, and Olay and Pond work the best for her.

I've bought another Avon moisturizer that has both night and day (contains SPF) cream; which has very good ratings, too. I would try it out and share with you guys later!

P.S. I have a friend that tends to have a more oily skin, and it works great for her too. But it might work better as a night cream because it might be too oily to use as a day cream. So I suggest people who have oily skin, use this as a night cream and use a lighter non-oily one during day time. ;)