I Work as a Hairstylist, and I’ll Tell You the Secrets and Tricks That Beauty Salons Use

Hello! My name is Vera, and I’ve been working as a hairdresser for 6 years. I had dreamed of becoming a hairdresser since I was a child: I would often go to the salon that my aunt worked at and I’d try to learn as much as I could about this art.

I’ll tell the Bright Side readers how to take good care of their hair and what procedures they should avoid.

10. Why blonde becomes yellow so fast

Most blonde clients want to preserve their color for as long as possible. But everyone complains that it gets yellow pretty fast. There may be a lot of different reasons and not all of them are caused by a hairdresser’s mistake. Here are the basic mistakes women make:

• They style their hair without thermal protection. When the hair is dyed, protection products are necessary, even when just using a hairdryer.
• They neglect hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating makes their hair color last for a shorter time.
• They use regular nutrition masks and shampoos. By doing this, you can lose most of your hair color after one wash. To avoid this, you have to stop using all non-color-safe haircare products for 3-4 weeks unless, they say color-safe on the package.
• They wash their hair with hot water. I always tell my clients that taking hot showers and baths is okay, but it is better to not wash your hair in this water. Dyed hair should be washed in cool water.

9. Why I don’t get hair polishing

This was probably one of the most popular hair procedures of 2019. But I’m against it. The thing is, a special device is used for hair polishing. The machine cuts both damaged and healthy hair. This makes the hair less thick.

The polishing procedure leaves an uneven and unprotected cut. The result only lasts for one week and then the hair starts to split much faster.

Some hairdressers offer to “melt” the hair, to prolong the effect of the procedure. They also offer lamination or hair Botox services, just so they can charge you more. Remember: there is no salon procedure that will restore damaged hair and split ends have to be cut, there is no other way to fix them.

8. What color peeling is

Quite often, hairdressers make mistakes and you end up with the wrong hair shade. So, they have to repeat the traumatic hair dying process all over again. To avoid this, you can have your hair color peeled.

The peeling allows us to raise the color tone by one. The same method can be used if the hair lightening made the color uneven.

Peeling is a less traumatic process than lightening or decolorization. It doesn’t take much time and gives a fast reaction. This way, you can save time and do less damage to your hair.

7. Why hair roots hurt

Sometimes, you might have an unpleasant sensation at the roots of your hair. Here are the most common reasons why:

• Hypersensitivity. Sometimes, by just changing the position of the hair, the scalp might itch or hurt. Also, the sensitive skin on the scalp might react to a shampoo change.
• Tight hairstyles, hairpins, and hair bands. If your locks are pulled back against the natural direction of your hair growth, it might make you uncomfortable.
• Aggressive procedures. Hair dyeing, decolorization, and wave perms are examples of this. The scalp often responds with itchy and dry skin. So before having any of these procedures done, you should take a test to see if you have an allergic reaction.
• Dirty hair. The grease can clog the pores and make the roots heavier, which can lead to pain.

6. Silver hair etching

Hair etching is a preparation procedure that is done before hair dyeing. It helps to dye silver hair better and to achieve a more even color.

For etching, hairdressers use an oxidizing agent, which is applied to the silver hair and left on for about 15 minutes.

Why is this method almost never used in beauty salons? First, because not all hairdressers are aware of this method. Second, it takes time. And finally, it costs more money and many clients just want to save money.

5. How to shorten split ends

Here are some tips on how to prevent possible damage to the hair ends:

• Use hairdryers and curling irons only after using thermal protection products. The high temperatures remove the moisture from the hair, making it empty and prone to splitting.
• Don’t brush wet hair because you might pull it and damage it. Also, don’t use old massagers that scratch the scalp and tangle the locks.
• Every 2 months, get the ends cut. Otherwise, the split ends will go further up the hair shaft and damage the rest of the hair. Always pay attention to the quality of the tools used in beauty salons. If they use blunt scissors that damage the hair while it’s being cut, a few days later you will see split ends again.
• Say no if your stylist wants to use thinning scissors. This procedure delaminates the hair into several parts and the ends start to split. A good hairdresser should be able to do a good job without thinning.
• Don’t forget to moisturize your hair. When it is hot and dry in your apartment, your hair is prone to breaking. Use restorative, moisturizing masks and sprays to keep your hair healthy.

4. Hair dying for children

More and more clients ask to have their children’s hair dyed. Most of them just want some pink ends or streaks. Fortunately, there are a lot of harmless ways to do color like this.

Hair chalk is the safest way to dye your hair any color you want. The chalk doesn’t dye the hair and the color is removed after the first wash. Also, there are some mild dying balms and sprays that come in bright colors.

Remember that some of these products may get your clothes dirty. This is especially true for chalk, because the dust from it falls right on your clothes. And, obviously, use gloves if you don’t want to dye your hands too.

3. How to do a hairstyle for a party and why hairdressers like blonde women

The most important thing about any hairstyle is whether it’s neat and clean. When it looks neat, any hairstyle is good. By the way, why do you think hairdressers like blondes? It’s simple: their damaged hair maintains its shape better for updos. And working with straight, shiny hair is really difficult.

Here are some indicators that you are working with a good hairdresser:

• Your hair should be prepped well — it should be flat-ironed properly.
• The hairdresser should find the center of the hairstyle and work from there.
• The hairdresser should avoid using sprays, otherwise, the hair will get sticky.
• A good professional should ask what you are going to be wearing. If you are going to have open shoulders, the hair should be up, and in other cases, it can be down.

2. Which shampoo is better — a regular one or a professional product

Regular shampoos are only used to remove grease and dirt. Professional products not only do the cleaning, but also help solve some other problems by making the hair thicker and moisturizing it. I did a little experiment: I washed the left side of my hair with a professional product and the other side — with one of the most popular regular shampoos you can buy at any supermarket.

I found out that the regular shampoo, that cost 3 times less, made the hair more voluminous. But after I used it, I noticed dandruff, which I didn’t have after the professional product. Also, the regular shampoo needs to be used with a conditioner, to make it easier to comb the hair later.

1. How to take good care of your hair: the tips I give to my clients

Here are several tips that will dramatically improve the quality of your hair.

• Wash your hair twice. When you apply shampoo first, you only remove the upper part of the hair grease and all the hairstyling products. On the second wash, the product gives all its nutrients to the hair. Don’t rub the hair, because doing this damages its structure. In reality, only the scalp is greasy, but the hair ends are just dusty. The foam from the scalp will remove all the dust just fine.
• Soak the hair with a towel or washcloth. Just take the washcloth and move it from the roots to the ends. But don’t rub the hair with it, this will only damage it.
• Use a hair conditioner after a hair mask. It will make the hair shiny. The mask only gives your hair nutrients, but this is not enough to make it shiny.
• Don’t dry your hair right after washing it. Let it dry naturally for a bit. Afterward, you can use a hairdryer (but only use cool air).
• Straighten your hair only while also using a hairbrush. An iron should follow the brush. This way you will avoid melting any knots in the hair.

What do you do to take care of your hair? Do you have your ends cut regularly or do you get some expensive salon procedures for your hair?