Apps and software have become valuable tools for hairstylists and barbers, enabling them to streamline their work processes, enhance client experiences and stay organized. Gotta love technology! Leverage today’s technology to stay on the cutting edge of the hair industry and increase productivity. Here are some of the popular apps and software used in the hair profession.   Salon Management Software: These comprehensive platforms provide a range of features to manage the day-to-day operations of a salon or barbershop. They typically include appointment scheduling, client management, staff scheduling, inventory management, and financial tracking. Some popular salon management software options include Mindbody, Booker, and Salon Iris.   Appointment Booking Apps: These apps allow hairstylists and barbers to manage their appointment schedules more efficiently. Clients can book appointments online, select specific services, and even choose their preferred stylist or barber. These apps often send reminders to clients, reducing no-shows and missed appointments. Examples of popular appointment booking apps include Square Appointments, Booksy, and Schedulicity.   Virtual Hairstyling Apps: Virtual hairstyling apps use augmented reality (AR) technology to allow clients to try out different hairstyles and colors virtually. These apps typically use the client's uploaded photo and offer a range of virtual hairstyles to visualize the desired look. Some apps even provide hairstyling tips and product recommendations. Popular virtual hairstyling apps include Perfect365, YouCam Makeup, and Taaz.   Education and Inspiration Apps: These apps offer hairstylists and barbers access to educational resources, tutorials, and inspiration for new techniques and trends. They provide step-by-step guides, videos, and articles on various hairstyling techniques, cutting methods, and coloring processes. Examples of such apps include Hairbrained, SalonCentric, Behind The Chair and JATAI Academy.   Social Media Apps: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook play a significant role in the hair profession. Hairstylists and barbers utilize these apps to showcase their work, build their portfolio, engage with clients, network with other hair professionals and attract a larger audience. By sharing their creations, before-and-after transformations, and styling tips, professionals can promote their skills and connect with potential clients. It’s also a great way to connect with brands that you like or get exposed to new brands and products.   Hair Color Matching Apps: These apps assist hairstylists and colorists in finding the perfect hair color match for their clients. By utilizing the client's photo or inputting details like skin tone and eye color, these apps recommend suitable hair color shades. This helps professionals provide accurate and personalized recommendations to their clients.   Productivity and Communication Apps: These apps help hairstylists and barbers stay organized, communicate with clients, and collaborate with their teams. They offer features like task management, note-taking, team chat, and file sharing. Examples include Slack, Trello, and Evernote.   It's important to note that hairstylists and barbers may use a combination of these apps and software depending on their specific needs and preferences. Each tool serves a unique purpose, from managing appointments and inventory to providing virtual styling options and educational resources. By leveraging these apps and software, hair professionals can optimize their workflow, enhance their creativity, and provide an elevated experience for their clients.

We all make mistakes. Whether it’s in our personal lives or in the workplace, mistakes happen, but it’s important to learn from them, grow and improve ourselves so we can be better and do better. As a hair professional, there are many common mistakes that occur. But by paying attention to these areas you can avoid them in the first place. Let’s review some of these.  

Not Listening to the Client:

One of the most common mistakes that hairstylists and barbers make is not listening to what the client wants. Often, the client will have a specific style or look in mind, and the stylist or barber may not pay enough attention to the details the client is requesting. To avoid this mistake, make sure to listen carefully to what the client wants and ask clarifying questions if necessary. The consultation is the perfect opportunity to gain the most clarity. Don’t ask questions that will result in a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Ask open ended questions. Then, repeat back to them what you believe they said by paraphrasing. Show them exactly how much hair will be cut by indicating it on their own hair. Using visuals to explain wants and desires is very helpful to make sure you and the client are on the same page.  

Using the Wrong Products or Techniques:

Another common mistake that hairstylists and barbers make is using the wrong tools or techniques for the client's hair type or desired style. For example, using tools with dull blades can leave hair frayed, using the wrong shampoo can causes curly hair to frizz or using the incorrect developer volume when doing color processing. To avoid this mistake, make sure to use the appropriate products and techniques for each client, taking into account the hair quality, texture and density. Keep up with your education and learn from professionals you trust. Test out products before you use them on clients and make sure you have a good understanding of them before you start using them in the workplace. Don’t take shortcuts which can save you time and money in the short term but hurt you in the long term.  

Cutting Too Much Hair:

Cutting too much hair is another common mistake that hairstylists and barbers make. This can happen when the stylist or barber is not paying enough attention or is rushing through the haircut. To avoid this mistake, take your time and cut small sections at a time. Make sure to check in with the client regularly to ensure that they are happy with the length of the cut. This also goes back to the consultation. During the consultation show the client how much will be cut so they aren’t surprised. Also, cutting wet hair leads to shrinkage. Take into account the shrinkage factor when cutting to avoid cutting off too much length. In the end, it’s better to under cut than to over cut as you can always take more off but you can’t put it back on.  

Uneven Haircuts:

Uneven haircuts are another common. This can happen when the stylist or barber is not paying attention to the angles and lines of the haircut. To avoid this mistake, use a mirror to check for any uneven sections and make any necessary adjustments. Throughout the haircut, make it a habit to continuously check your work to make sure it’s even. Be sure to also keep an eye on the angle of the client’s head to avoid unnecessary unevenness.  

Poor Communication:

This can happen when the stylist or barber does not explain the process or the products they are using to the client. To avoid this mistake, make sure to communicate clearly with the client throughout the haircut and explain what you are doing and why. While the consultation is important, this only happens at the beginning of the haircut. Throughout the haircut, you should check in with our client to make sure you are on the right path. Explain to the client the products you are using in the hair and why.  

Staying in Your Comfort Zone:

While it’s easy and comforting to only do what you know, it is stifling to your career to stay in your comfort zone for too long. You might know you’re in this zone if you treat all hair the same and do the same haircuts repeatedly, haven’t attended a class to further your education, haven’t experimented with new tools or products in a while or feel you are not being challenged. It’s important to not make mistakes on your clients, but it’s also important to grow and expand your skillsets. Invest in yourself and you might find something that really excites you or takes your haircuts to a new level. It’s ok to be in your comfort zone, but don’t stay there for too long. Always challenge yourself.   These common hair mistakes are easy to fall into. We’re all a work in progress, but the keyword is progress. To progress we need to learn from the mistakes. Making mistakes is ok, but when you make them repeatedly and don’t learn from them, they can lead to bigger problems. Don’t let these mistakes ruin your career or your confidence. We’re rooting for you!

If you’re thinking about opening a hair salon or barbershop, it’s a good idea to understand the challenges and rewards of owning one. Whether you’re a hair professional who wants to build your business and expand your career or an individual who is looking to invest and start one as a business venture, there are many things to consider. Let’s look at some of the challenges and rewards that come with owning a hair salon or barbershop.  

CHALLENGES

Competition:

Hair salons and barbershops are popular businesses, and there is a lot of competition in the industry. It can be challenging to stand out from the crowd and attract customers. Different ways to do this are creating a decorative theme to the place. Perhaps you want to give it a retro look or a modern, clean look. The look and feel of the place will attract a certain type of customer and can also set the expectation for the types of services offered as well as price points. You can also stand out by offering unique services. For example, Dry Bar is not your typical hair salon. They specialize in hair styling and don’t do any cutting. Their unique position in the market gives them little competition. You might decide to have a location specializing in short haircuts, color processing or exclusive shaving experiences. By specializing in one area and getting really good at it, you salon or shop can generally charge more for the service.  

Staffing:

Finding and retaining talented stylists and barbers can be a challenge. The turnover rate in the industry can be high, and it can be difficult to find reliable employees. While sometimes it cannot be helped, there are different things that can be done to improve retention rate. Keeping a positive and healthy environment, having clear and appropriate practices and providing fair station fees can all promote staff happiness. It’s important to get stylist and barber feedback so you can make improvements when needed.  

Keeping up with trends:

The hair and beauty industry is constantly evolving, and it can be challenging to keep up with the latest trends, techniques, and products. This means staying in tune with the pulse of the industry which could mean attending shows, reading industry magazines and monitoring social media for what’s new. These trends, techniques and products could lead to new services offered, a more streamlined way of doing business or a healthier way to provide a service. If they are in demand, it could bring more business to the salon or barbershop.  

Managing finances:

Running a successful salon or barbershop requires careful financial management. Owners must balance expenses such as rent, utilities, and supplies with revenue from services and retail sales. This is very important and is the backbone to its sustainability. Having an organized way of detailing out the costs and revenue can determine what areas costing too much and what areas are generating higher profits.  

REWARDS

Creative expression:

Hair styling and grooming are creative professions, and owning a salon or barbershop allows owners to express their creativity and work with clients to achieve their desired look. By having a salon or barbershop you not only get to be creative with your client’s hair but also get to be creative with the look and feel of the environment. You can be creative with the décor, the name and build a larger brand.  

Building relationships:

Salons and barbershops are often social spaces where clients come to relax and chat with their stylist or barber. Owners can build lasting relationships with their clients and create a welcoming and friendly environment. They also have a greater opportunity to build relationships with other hair professionals, retail brands, business professionals and more. The circle of relationships will expand.  

Flexible schedule:

While owning a salon or barbershop requires hard work and dedication, it also allows for some flexibility in scheduling. Owners can set their own hours and manage their time to balance work and personal life.  

Financial independence:

Owning a successful salon or barbershop can provide financial stability and independence. Owners have the potential to earn a good income and build a profitable business that can support their lifestyle and future goals. It can bring in more revenue and monetary gain if done right.   Of course, there are other challenges and rewards for owning a salon or barbershop but these are important ones. If you’re still inclined, a good recommendation is to speak to actual salon and shop owners and get their take. They have invaluable experience and knowledge which could open your eyes to aspects of ownership you didn’t anticipate. It’s important to do your due diligence before jumping in so you know what you’re getting yourself into. Good luck!

Lawsuits happen all the time and hair professionals are not immune to them. Some of the most common filed lawsuits are related to physical injury such as scalp or eye injuries, cuts and burns or slipping and falling. Other lawsuits could revolve around emotional damage, damaged personal items such as clothing or stolen property. While lawsuits do happen, they can be prevented by following these important steps.  

• First and foremost, obtain proper training and licensing. While this may seem like common sense, there are people out there who are cutting hair without their license or performing services without proper certification. Hair professionals should ensure they have the appropriate training and licensing required in their state or region in which they are doing business. This includes completing a cosmetology/barbering program, passing state exams, and obtaining any necessary permits or certifications. Having proper training also helps avoid critical mistakes when performing different services. Cutting corners always comes back to bite!

 

• Maintain good communication with clients. Communication is key to avoiding misunderstandings, clearing up assumptions and establishing expectations. Hair professionals should always communicate effectively with their clients. This includes discussing the desired results and potential risks or limitations of any services provided. Usually the most important communication comes into play during the consultation so both of you are on the same page.

 

• If warranted, obtain informed consent. Before providing any services, hairstylists and barbers should obtain informed consent from their clients. This means discussing the potential risks and benefits of the service, as well as any alternative options, and allowing the client to make an informed decision about their treatment.

 

• Use quality products and equipment. Hair professionals should use only high-quality, safe, and reliable products and equipment that are appropriate for the client's needs. Don’t skimp on products or equipment because it is cheap. Quality helps to reduce performance error and unexpected complications that are related to product or equipment use.

 

• Document all services and client interactions. Hairstylists should keep detailed records of all services provided, including client consultations, treatments, and any other relevant information. This can help protect the stylist in case of a dispute or legal action. But it also helps for their future visits. Perhaps there was something mentioned in the consultation such as an allergy or specific insight that could impact future services and recommendations. It’s best to be informed and reminded of such information.

 

• Have insurance. Hair professionals should always have liability insurance that covers them in case of a lawsuit. This can help protect them financially in case of any legal action. This is super important. Accidents happen and you can’t always prevent them all. Even with the best intentions, injuries and damage could ensue. Insurance gives that extra coverage you need for these instances.

 

• Stay up-to-date with industry standards and regulations. Hair professionals should stay informed about any changes in regulations or industry standards and ensure they are following all guidelines and best practices. As new styles become popular that may require special services or new innovative products appear on the market, it’s important to know and understand how your services and practice fit in. The industry is constantly evolving and changing so it’s important to stay up to date.

  By following these steps, hair professionals can help protect themselves from potential lawsuits and ensure they are providing high-quality services to their clients.

This year has been a whirlwind. Didn’t it seem like just yesterday it was January 1, 2022? So much has happened over this past year that it’s worth reflecting on as we bring in the new year. When we look back on this year, 2022 can be described as turbulent, a little rock n’ roll and the age of influencer marketing.  

Economic Implications:

With COVID taking a front seat at the beginning of the year, Omicron struck the nation with its contagious furry. While it was less deadly, it had a huge impact on people’s ability and desire to travel or to even just be out and about. The pandemic has forced people to take their businesses online. While this was already happening prior to the pandemic, it just sped up the process. This year many new beauty businesses have been created online. Only time will tell how many of them stick around. In response to the pandemic, processes we had come to get comfortable with became unpredictable. The movement of goods across the nation and international lines became more expensive as well as disrupted. A lack of workers and new international shipping policies came into effect. As a result of the disruption, havoc ensued at the shipping docks delaying consumer products from arriving on a timely schedule so they could be placed on retail shelves. The effect trickled down to the consumer as we noticed many empty shelves and higher prices for products. On top of this, inflation has reached an all-time high. The cost of goods, gas and food skyrocketed. Higher costs without an increase in pay has left many with less disposable income. By increasing interest rates, the housing market has begun to cool down and finally gas prices have started to calm down. But it’s unlikely costs will go back to pre-pandemic levels.What did this mean for beauty professionals? This meant rising costs for supplies, less clients coming in and more uncertainty. While many stylists have kept their clientele, others have seen drop off. Clients either found new stylists, delayed services or have opted to cut their own hair. With the lingering effects of the pandemic, hair professionals have had to find other ways to supplement their income.  

Hair Trends:

With people finding their way back to salons and barbershops, some emerging hair trends have unfolded. The shag continued its popularity into 2022 but the biggest trend was the mullet. Mullets were everywhere. Mullets were modernized with a fresh vibe where it could be worn by either a man or woman. Most easily done with a razor, mullets have begun to fade in popularity toward the end of 2022. We also saw a lot of textured looks. Especially for young men, the tapered sides with textured hair on top hairstyle has been the look of 2021 and 2022. The perm has stayed afloat due to this haircut. But natural, textured looks have remained strong throughout this year.  

Influencer Status:

Social media influencing for hairstylists and barbers have continued to grow throughout 2022. With Instagram’s algorithm change where original content is favored over reposted content, this has only encouraged influencer marketing. On top of this, Instagram is favoring reels over regular posts, making it harder for brands to push out content. This change has been influenced by the rival app TikTok which has exploded in popularity in recent years. In addition to these changes, large companies like Facebook and Google have been under scrutiny over their lack of privacy policies. With new privacy laws in place, it’s become more difficult to market products to the end consumer. All these factors have led to a lot of influencer marketing from businesses. Especially in the beauty industry, influencers have a lot of opportunity to make themselves known to their fellow peers as well as clients. Stylists, barbers, nail techs and estheticians have thrived and grown their businesses significantly through social media alone. The trend will only get stronger going into 2023. We will see what TikTok and Instagram have in store for us or if a new social platform will rise to the top. 2022 has been a year of ups and downs. Recovering from the pandemic will take some time. But people love creating and that will never change. For beauty professionals, things are looking much more normal this year. In person classes and trade shows are starting to pop up again and people are eager to see people in person. But with spikes in covid and other new diseases popping up, some have remained cautious about making an appearance. We hope 2023 brings more stability so we can focus on the fun things like the next hair trend. It will be interesting to see what’s in store for the beauty industry, but one thing is for sure. People will always want to look good even when times get tough. In this, we have comfort. As we wrap up 2022, we say farewell to another year, but we welcome a new one and are excited to see what’s to come.

No one is immune to problem clients. Hair professionals are in a people business and when it involves people there are always those clients who cause unnecessary problems and headaches we all want to avoid. So what do we do about these clients? And how do we handle it the right way? As a hair professional there are issues that arise due to client behavior. Whether it be showing up late, not showing up at all, being demanding or ultra-particular about their service, excessive complaining or unnecessary rudeness, confrontational or disruptive, at the end of the day you need to assess what can be remedied and what cannot. There are definitely rules that should be set to mitigate some of these issues, but if the behavior continues despite their understanding of the policies you put in place, maybe it’s time to fire your client. Let’s first take a look at situations that can be fixed with some basic rules. Problem: One of the biggest issues hair professionals face is when clients show up late or become a no show. Not showing up in a timely manner or not showing up at all is inconsiderate on their part and a detriment to your business. When someone shows up late, it sets back the time you have for that client. It also leads to you work faster than you normally would which could lead to mistakes. No shows are even worse. This is lost income and a lost opportunity for business. Solution: The answer is simple. Establish policies that the client is completely aware of so they understand the ramifications of being late or not showing up. There are a number of ways you can design these policies. Of course, if something unexpected should happen to the client like a flat tire, car accident or some emergency, there should be some leniency in this. But for clients who consistently show up late or for those who don’t show up at all or cancel at the last minute, you can charge them for the intended service. Just be clear this is your policy so they are not taken by surprised when they are charged. The drawback to this is that you would have to get credit card information ahead of time and many clients don’t like doing this. You might lose some clients, but you would keep the ones who respect your time and you won’t have disruptions in the flow of business. Alternatively, you can give clients a fixed number of times to be late or a no show. If this happens more than the given number of times, they will no longer be serviced by you. But this would mean keeping track of the number of times this happens. Documenting will be key to this policy. Here's some advice from Ivan Zoot about no show clients. You can also automate reminders so that clients are re-informed of their appointment and if they cannot make it, they should reschedule. Automated reminders save you time and improve the chances of your clients showing up and showing up on time. If you can make the process of booking appointments and cancelling appointments completely automated, this will save you the time and energy necessary to manage these situations as well. Problem: Excessive rudeness should not be tolerated in the salon or barbershop. Sometimes the client is unaware of their behavior while others just don’t care. Unfortunately, in today’s world, it seems rudeness is becoming more common so it’s important to know what to do and say when you encounter a client like this. Perhaps they are having a bad day or something else in their life is putting them in a bad mood. In any case, excessive rudeness is not fair to you or the workplace. Solution: Keep your cool. Rudeness followed by rudeness never helped any situation. It’s important to maintain a professional stance. Politely ask what the problem is and see if it’s anything you can help. If it’s not, inform them that what they are asking for is beyond your capabilities. If it is something you can do, see if you can do it, but inform them this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in your salon or shop. If they cannot manage their composure, it may be time to suggest they find another salon or shop that can meet their needs. Problem: Excessive complaining about their haircut is not a one time deal. When someone complains every time they come in for a haircut, there is an obvious disconnect. What the client wants vs. what they are getting is not matching up and it’s up to you to figure out why. Solution: For clients who constantly complain about their haircut, it’s important that you do a thorough consultation before the hair service so you are both on the same page. Showing you a picture of what they want and repeating back to them what they want helps to bridge any gaps. If they are concerned about how much they want to have cut, show them exactly how much you are planning to cut off and let them say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the length you want to cut off. The consultation and sticking to what the client wants will help ensure a happy client in the end. If you fulfilled your end of the bargain and the client is still complaining, you will need to have a talk with the client about the continued discrepancy and what steps need to be taken to achieve the desired results. If you are unable to give them what they want, perhaps they should find another stylists to fulfill their needs. Just remember, stand your ground, know what you will and will not accept and be calm and professional. You don’t deserve clients who bring bad behavior. Doing hair should be fun! Here's some additional advice from Ivan Zoot about how to deal with toxic clients. These are just some common problem clients. There are many more. Try to work out the problem in a professional manner, but if it’s truly something you cannot help them with it’s time to fire your client. Letting a client go is not always easy but it may be necessary to maintain your mental health and reduce unnecessary stress. Let us know if you have another type of problem client and what you do to rectify the issue. Or if you have a different solution to any of the problems above, leave us a comment.