Hair session timing can vary. To a simple haircut to a complex colour creation.
A lot of expectations are lost when timing comes to play. I believe the influences of Social Media plays a part. Seeing 1 minute transformations on Instagram or before & after pictures on Pinterest aren't a realistic
in a short time period or your current hair canvas. Don't get me wrong, I wish we Hairstylist have a magic wand & 'Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo' your hair goals in an instant. Think about it tho, if that was invented...it would be an expensive luxury.
When I served my time working in a typical salon atmosphere, booking colours sessions where 30/45mins application, 30/45mins processing [during processing double booking with a other Guests Application or haircut] 30/45mins finish.
At times, depending on Guests hair desires, the sessions could make you run behind if there was no clear communication. I definitely wasn't in favor in the rush game or falling behind with next Guests. Working from my Licensed Home Salon & having City By-Laws in place, I am obligated to only 1 Guest at a time. Which I grew to adore. Better focus & quality.
Now a days, sessions take longer. Why?
More steps are required to achieve certain hair goals.
Your typical hair sessions like Newgrowth Touchup, Solid or Colour-Melts or maintenance Tone/Treat/Trims are the services that are a shorter time that are around 1hr & 30mins or 2hrs.
The hair sessions that can take up to 3hrs+ are anything that requires the usage of Lightner
[ 'Lightner Life' Blog]
I've done tedious hair sessions that have taken up to 9 hrs!!! I'm an independent Stylist, doing my creations solo. I no longer have the option to team up with another Hair Stylist to shorten that session time. To note, be prepared for additional increase of price due to 2 or more people teaming up for your hair creation. There is benefits to having a tag team {Yah, my mind went there too - lmao} during tedious hair services.
Natural darker hair and/or paired artificial colour can take longer time to lift. [ 'Lightner Life' Blog]
Lightner breaks down artificial pigment first then breaking down the hardest natural underlying pigment of red [levels 4/5/6 I call the hot zone as he underlying pigment consists of red pigment which the molecule is larger & stronger to breakdown]
Lightner doesn't know what it's going on, the race of hair, level, the inconsistencies of the hair shaft or integrity...it has 1 job, surgically eating away like Pac-man style.
Want Ash Tones? [Ash is a cool tone - Violet, Blue, Green & appear darker hue compare to warm tones] Cool tones aren't naturally in hair - lifting hair with Lightner, the end of that process with ALWAYS BE WARM. The toner step helps neutralize the unwanted lifted, raw warm hair. Colour math ---> Lifted hair is warm + cool toner formula = neutral end result. When wanting a cooler tone, Pre-Toning is like the reverse version of 're-pigmentation/filling step' when going darker from lighter. It's a double process toner application to get you to a cool toned hue or prep for the FUNK HUE Life. Layering toners aids in longer wearability ---> consider Toners are makeup for hair... when the makeup is removes your exposing the true hair skin - warmth. All artificial colours evolve.
My days working as an employee & rushing to make sure I stayed on time, I used higher developer or heated dryers to speed up the process . Well, it wasn't the best method of hairs integrity.
Low/slow lifting & no heat is a better options for optimal future hair manageability.
Again, working on one Guests hair at a time, allows me to execute much better quality.
So yes, low & slow takes time. It may not be as accommodating as we live in a generation of quick & convenient.
Even the hair goals of the Balayage look, Hair Painting with exposed Lightner or Foilayage. the longevity these colour styles can provide you more time between your next visit to the chair but a longer hair journey during each session in the chair.
On most Lightner manufacture instruction, there is a recommendation of max timing of 50mins/1hr of the Lightner being on the hair.
When having dark hair/artificial colour, 1hr of processing may not get you where you need lift wise. This is one of the reason why more sessions/steps
are conducted if your trying to get a certain blonde.
Here are some aspects to ponder on:
Booking another session/sessions to achieve hair goals. More time = more $$$ investment added to your hair journey
When near the end of processing time, some Hairstylist will exceed the recommended manufacturer time limit & reapply/reactivating the same or lower developer + Lightner. If the hairs integrity can hand. More product + extra step + time = more money added to invoice.
When desired hair goal/lightner lift is achieved, if it took 4/5 sessions to get there or 5/6 hrs in the chair at a time, what does your hair journey look like to maintain at home & between services. Clear communication with your Hairstylist is key to creating confident hair that you are able to maintain. You can't just think of the 'final look'...what does that look require to keep it looking marvelous to your liking? Hair is not only a recurring investment of money...also the currency of time.
So ask yourself as a consumer...
What is my time limit at the salon?
Be realistic when asking for a transformation, a Lightner application or a FUNK HUE with your existing hair canvas that a 2/3hr time may not be enough time. If you don't have the time, your hair goal expectations will be altered.
Being an Independent Hairstylist & Home Salon Bylaws of only 1 Guest at a time, 6 max a day {Different bylaws in different locations} there is great benefits with this besides delivering focus & quality.
You create your own hours. Not only business opening hours by the time allotted to your hair services. 8hrs a day/5 days a week are standard business hours. If your wanting to work more, burn outs can be more frequent. Remember to schedule time to work on your business & not in your business to make it run smoothly.
When working from home, I also get the benefit having more time to raising my Son. Best of both worlds. [Future Blog Post]
It's a CON no matter where you work, when Guests cancels last minute with no replacement. No Guests, No Expenses Paid, No Profit, No Income. $$$ & time wasted. Yes, it stings & downer due to no revenue but finding ways to prepare your time for better positive mindset can assist you to continue on. For me, looking at the bright side, my time can be used else where. Home duties, family time, working on my business or self care. Having a fall back savings account will help out during this occurrences.
Not everyone's TIME priorities are the same for their hair.
So please take the time to rethink & discuss your expectations towards hair goals.
Hairstylist, if your not going to take the time to educate your Guests; redo's & loss of Guests will occur more than you want.
Clients, if your not willing to hear the process, the time to value what your hair needs to continue colour services & at home hair regime, be prepared to be refused with the service from your Hairstylist. Why? You are our walking advertisement. We as Hairstylist have expectation of you giving time to maintain/preserve your hair too.
If both Client/Hairstylist aren't on the same page in communication, investments & time...your business or hair can be sacrificed.
Communication & education are key factors to help with the time expectations for hair journeys.
Sin-Sheariously, Jami -xo-
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