Post #4 The Power of Asking

I have always been that person that asks, “Why.” I look back and I’ve been able to ask “why” in a lot of cool situations. Asking is second nature to our job as stylists. We do it all day. Some of the questions we ask are: What did you think of your last service? Are you taking any new medications? How is your family? When you have a new client, you have to ask a whole bunch of questions. These questions are ones like: What have you done to your hair in the past? (And be ready to be lied to)! What do you do to your hair each morning? Which products do you use? (Again, be ready to be lied to)! In our world this is called “the consultation,” and it is arguably the most important part of the service.  

Expand that curiosity. How does color work, not just what will happen when I do this or that, but WHY does it do what it does? What is hair REALLY made of and go beyond the simple answer of keratin. The incredible thing about our profession is that you, as a stylist, already have a ton of practical knowledge. You have seen hair that has been fried, and you have probably asked tons of questions about how it got there. The next step is to ask why it does that. Before you can understand the answer, you need to have a foundational knowledge. For me, it is like trying to color a client’s hair for the first time using a brand-new color line you’ve never seen before. You can try to fake it, but it really would be best to stop and understand.  

I have never met a stylist who didn’t want to know more. I have also never met a stylist who isn’t a little bit jaded because we are sick of being lied too repeatedly. As I have traveled across the U.S. and spoken with stylists around the world, I have noticed an immediate distrust when I say I want to teach facts. Almost as if they have “been there, done that.” But you should be skeptical! The people who are selling to you are literally asking you to give them your money! The money you earned, standing behind the chair, dealing with the general public.  

When I can talk to stylists who understand that I am truly on their side and will give them facts, a funny thing happens. I get wielded almost like a shield. More than once, I have had someone call me and ask me to decode or explain a product or advertisement. If the stylist is skeptical, they will invoke my name or education. Let me give you an example: one stylist who I know and love had a sales rep make an appointment with her to “educate” her about a new line from a brand that, personally, I loathe. She asked me to come to her salon to listen and see if she should invest in the new line. Another woman reached out a different line because there were concerning ingredients in the newest, greatest straightening product. This has happened MANY times. I would love to be able to help every stylist, everywhere, understand what they’re using. However, more than that, I would love to make it so I don’t have to be relied upon for my knowledge. I wish I could wave a magic wand and give every stylist the understanding, so that they didn’t need a shield.  

It is a big goal, but that is what I want to do. Magic wand activated! PLEASE! let me know anything you would like to learn about, anything that I can do to help you realize that you are Smart Enough to Be a Stylist!  

(To learn more about the power of asking questions, you can go to this website that explains the power of asking questions! No, we are not sponsored by them. They just have good advice that is valuable, so if you have the time, feel free to read this short article)!

The Power of Asking Questions: 7 Ways Questions are More Powerful Than Answers