Finding the outer you

I always cringe when I see an article written in magazines with suggestions on what styles of hair and make-up are ‘in’ for the season. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an avid fan of Fashion Television and Vogue, but there is so much more to developing style then re-producing a haircut out of a magazine. I think we can often get caught up in what celebrities are wearing both in fashion and beauty and forget about how wonderfully unique we all are.

To achieve the ultimate beauty transformation, there is so much that we need to take into account but don’t worry, that is why you visit your beauty professional for his or her advice...right?

When you are carefully deliberating on whose hands work magic on your new look, review some pro pointers that makes your decision so much easier. When you are choosing a salon here are some things to consider:

Education- Not many people know that the BC Cosmetology Association was dissolved a few years prior licensing is no longer a requirement in our province. An awesome way to determine a salon's degree of professionalism is to inquire as to what their ongoing education program is and what recent professional development their team has completed. Less than 10% of stylists continue education after beauty school. Kinda scary hey?

Consultations- This is the most crucial part of any technical service that you are about to have done in the salon. Your stylist should explain what style works best with your face shape, skin tones, your lifestyle (including how much time you spend on your hair), the products you use to care for your hair and then and only then he or she can give you their professional opinion on what technical services they can offer to add more bounce in your step. Many salons offer this service complimentary before you even commit to an appointment.

The Experience- In today’s modern world we are focusing less on material things and more on how an experience has made us feel. Not only should you be receiving an amazing look from your Stylist and Make-up Artist, but you should feel wonderful while you’re visiting the salon. A great way to decide whether a salon meets your standards is to book for a blow-out service, and observe how you are treated, how the service was performed and then decide if the salon is the right fit for you. It’s not only important to feel great when you leave, but also the time spent in the chair.

I always encourage my guests to choose styles from magazines and bring them to their appointment so that I have an idea of where we are headed style-wise for the season. However, we use those photos as a communication tool to meld aspects of various styles into one that works best for the individual.

I believe the key to perfection is education - you never acknowledge how much you don’t know until you become more educated. Be a knowledgeable consumer and know the attributes you desire in your beauty professional and I’m positive you won’t become a bad replica of the ‘Victoria Beckham’ bob.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.