Salon owner and cutting expert Anna Craig offers tips on running your business.
Ron King, L'Oreal educator, writes about his "easy-wear" philosophy.
Globetrotter Antonio Gonzales got his start doing his sisters' hair in Trinidad.
Ivan Zoot addresses haircutting.
Brazilian Blowouts Not All Cracked Up to Be
by Chair to Chair/Shannon McCarthy on Sunday, January 23, 2011
Shannon McCarthy is a senior stylist and educator for James Joseph Studio and James Joseph Salon. James Joseph Salon and Studios are the most award-winning salons in Boston with more than 30 local and national awards. James Joseph Salon has been named one of the Top 100 Salons in America by “Elle” magazine, and James Joseph Studio has been named the Best Affordable Salon in Boston. James Joseph has also been one of the Salon Today 200 three times.
The demand for permanent hair straightening or a “miracle” product is somewhat overwhelming. There are so many straightening products out there that navigating the risks and benefits to fit each individual can be a difficult task. The Brazilian keratin treatment is the latest and greatest in permanent hair straightening. The results are truly amazing and initially extremely exciting for someone who has wanted straight hair all her life. This is exactly the type of client I think is a perfect candidate for this treatment. I have trouble wanting to sell this treatment to anyone else. Since this craze has come into the salons, I have seen extreme variance in the lasting effects. The keratin treatment that is marketed to last 6 to 8 months can be a bit deceiving. I have seen cases where 3 years have passed and the clients curl is still not the same. Will it ever be? To attempt to classify all types and textures of curly hair into one does not make sense to me. As stylists, we know that curly hair is a very complex thing. Curls vary from person to person.
For someone who has very thick, wiry hair, yes this treatment may be gone in 6 to 8 months. I have seen cases where it is not. With that being said, can you even begin to estimate what the time table will be for someone with tamer hair? I think that keratin treatments are great but inconsistent on their lasting effects. As a stylist, I am uncomfortable giving my clients unreliable information. When thinking about the chemical controversy with the treatments in relationship to the varying results, I choose to stay away all together. When I see that people are wearing face masks while doing the service, I think “Is it really worth the risk?” They say that it is chemically safe for the clients because they are not getting the smoke from the iron billowing in their face. I am not fully convinced. What happens to the stylist that does 6 or 7 treatments a week for a year? I know some stylists that do 10 a week.
I have talked previously about being a fan of embracing curls. This could be why I am so opposed to these treatments. The reality is that there are many different types of curls and many different clients who have them. As stylists, it is our job to give clients the facts. No matter where your opinions lie, as long as you are up to speed on the latest improvements or discredits of straightening trends, you will have clients who thank you for your knowledge and honesty instead of trying to make a quick buck.
search
 |
Business Building Techniques Begin having frequent staff meetings and collaborate on business building techniques used by others that you work with. Every salon has success right inside. Get the top booker to explain how they do it. Pair the weakest with the strongest and let them work next to each other. They can learn from what they hear and see. Do the same with retail sales. Share the ways that the top stay on top. Geno Stampora, Stampora Consulting Inc. |
 |
by JordanaLorraine
On January 24, 2011 at 10:36 am
With all due respect, you are objecting to curls being lumped into one category, while you are lumping smoothing treatments into one category. You are in fact using the trademarked brand name of one treatment in the title (Brazilian Blowout) and then referring to claims (6-8 months lasting power) that that company has never made.
There are at least a dozen brands of keratin/smoothing treatments, each of which performs differently in terms of results and longevity. And yes, each shows different results on different hair types.
I have used, and offer, 7 different kinds of such treatments. I determine which is best for each client by analyzing their hair, consulting on lifestyle and desired results, and when appropriate, offering the client multiple options. I am sorry to say that not all stylists take this seriously, and may overlook some of these details in a rush to provide a new and popular service and yes, ‘make a buck.’ Though not really a “quick buck,” as you said; this service takes 90mins-2 hours of undivided attention to the client, with no processing or waiting time.
I am a natural 3b/c who struggled with frizz and frustration for 30 years before I had my first Brazilian Blowout. I was such a fan that i got Certified within a month of receiving the treatment, because once I saw how amazing it was, I couldn’t wait to offer it to clients! I have invested in a specialized air filtration system to protect myself and my clients, since I do perform up to (and occasionally beyond) 10 treatments per week. I take pride in knowing which treatment will be right for each client, and having multiple treatments in stock so that I may help as many people as possible with their hair woes.
I am not a curl hater. I am, however, very pleased that there is now a semi-permanent way to alter or manipulate curls, making them more manageable. Yes, I said semi-permanent; I have a treatment that only last about 6 weeks, and another that can last long enough that a client will see roots she’ll need to maintain. I am always honest about this when helping a client decide which treatment is right for her.
So please, before you bash an entire category, consider that there may be specialists out there who dedicate themselves to being responsible in what they provide.
by Bill02116
On February 11, 2011 at 11:36 am
I sort of agree with both Shannon and Jordana. As a salon owner, I am concerned with both the health of my staff and the happiness of our clients. We offer 4 different keratin treatments and have about 4 out of 40 stylists that perform the service. These 4 stylists are our experts and get more predictable results though there are still variables that make the results less predictable than color, for example. For some clients, keratin treatments are a life changing service.
I think Shannon raises some important questions about a questionable service that has been banned in several countries. I don’t think she is bashing a service category and only refers to the Brazilian Blow Out in the title and then just talks about the category. Fans of the keratin treatments get very defensive because the service has been under attack in the news, but we should wonder why there is no much negative press about the chemicals used in this service when other new services have not been met with so many questions.
My salon will continue to provide the service as long as it is legal. We do this because we want to keep our clients happy. Some of our neighboring salons advertize discounts and try to over sell the service before we really know how safe it is. I prefer to offer it as an option when clients desire it. I am concerned about the health of my staff. Canada has banned 10 products already, and it is only a matter of time before bans start happening in the US.
Jordana does make a good point that there are experts in every service. I think everyone would agree with that, and it’s our responsibility as stylists to become an expert whenever we can.