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How To Find A New Hairstylist | The Best And Worst Methods
There could be many reasons why you’re on the hunt for a new hairstylist. Maybe you’ve moved, your current stylist has retired, or you just haven’t been completely happy with your services lately. In this post I’m going to cover how to find a new hairstylist, how you shouldn’t go about finding a new one, as well as how to decide if you should stick with your current stylist or not.
Being a hairstylist for over 16 years has definitely taught me a thing or two about how to go about finding a new service provider. I’ve gotten to see first hand how clients sought me out, and I’ve also heard horror stories from trying someone new. So my goal here is to help you in this process so you don’t wind up in a disastrous situation.
How to find a new hairstylist that is ACTUALLY good
While there are many ways to find a new hairstylist, I’ve found the following 3 methods to be the most helpful. The main takeaway is to do your research before blindly jumping in and trying a new hair salon.
1. Ask for recommendations ONLY from people that have your hair goals
In my opinion, asking for a personal recommendation is hands down the best way to find a new hairstylist. Ask a friend, a stranger in public, or a Facebook group from people that have similar hair color, length, or texture as you.
This way you can see their work, know that they are capable of providing what you want, and have someone to tell you about their experience.
If you have fine, thin, and blonde hair; asking your thick and dark haired friend for her stylists name may not be the best choice. Some stylists are good with thick hair, others with curly hair, some are capable of all things hair, and some only do blondes.
So while her hairstylist may be capable of doing an awesome job on you, it’s best to do some research first to ensure they’re going to be able to give you what you need.
One of the main ways that I built up my clientele is from referrals from my current clients. My clients sent their friends, family and neighbors. And over the course of a few years, I ended up doing basically everyone’s hair that lived in the same neighborhood or went to the same Zoomba class.
I also cant tell you how many times people have approached my clients in the grocery store and asked for my card. Keep an eye out everywhere you go for awesome hair and ask them where they go. If they are happy with their hairstylist, they will be ecstatic to share their info with you.
2. Finding a new hairstylist on social media
Social media is another great way to find a new hairstylist. If you are looking for someone who is trendy and up to date on all the latest styles, this is a great option. This is also another step to take when you’ve received a recommendation from someone and you want to see what they’re capable of providing.
Instagram is a great way for a stylist to showcase their work and their strengths. You’ll also get to learn a little about them and potentially their salon atmosphere.
Search for hashtags in your area, and try things like #phoenixblondingspecialist, or #phoenixbalayage to find hairstylists in your area. Be very specific to exactly the type of stylist you’re looking for.
If they don’t have a ton of followers/likes, don’t completely count them out. Although it is a big way for a hairstylist to showcase their work, some stylists don’t put a lot of time or effort into social media. It is a TON of work to grow on the platform, and if they already have a solid clientele they may not need to focus here.
Use the profile to gauge their work and how they represent themselves to determine if they’re a good fit for you.
3. Finding a new hair salon on Google
When I first wrote this post years ago, I included Yelp in this category. Now as of 2025, I’m removing Yelp as it’s not the greatest resource anymore and most of the reviews will be outdated.
On the other hand, Google has taken control of the online review world and can be a great way to find a new hairstylist if you haven’t seen anyone around town that has hair that you’re going for. And even if you have gotten a recommendation, you should still look them up. You want to make sure there’s no horror story reviews.
I also want to mention that if they have tons of 5 star reviews, read them and check if they are real or not. Friends and family or the stylist themselves will often write fake 5 star reviews to get their rating up. You can typically tell the difference between a fake review and a genuine one.
Always click to see if there are any 1 or 2 star reviews, and if there are what do they say? Did the stylist respond to the review trying to resolve the problem? Did they post pictures? The client could have been trying to get a free service, and it may not always be the stylists fault. The client may have had unrealistic expectations or was looking for a bargain.
You should also assess their website. What kind of vibe does it give? Their branding on the site will likely have the same aesthetic as the salon atmosphere.
How you SHOULDN’T go about finding a new hairstylist
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So now that we’ve talked about the best ways to find a new hairstylist, I want to cover the worst ways to find a new hair salon.
Now if you don’t care about your hair very much, then by all means completely ignore this section. But I would assume that if your hair doesn’t matter much to you, then you wouldn’t be reading this post to begin with.
1. Beauty Schools
While going to a beauty school is the cheapest option aside from doing it yourself, in the long run it may end up costing you much more than if you went to a reputable stylist to begin with.
I’ve had many clients come in for an emergency color correction because they went to a beauty school trying to save a few bucks.
You could end up paying a lot more in the long run because it’s a lot more work to fix the hair than if you would have just gone to a quality hair salon in the first place. Let alone the fact that your hair could be damaged from it.
And before the internet attacks me, yes, everyone needs to start somewhere. I had to start in a beauty school. But I also had to make mistakes myself to get to the skill level I’m at now. Beauty schools may be totally fine for basic hair styles. But this is not an ideal method for finding a talented and awesome new hairstylist.
2. Random Selection
One of the most common ways people attempt to find a new hairstylist is to pick a random hair salon near you and book a service with whoever is available that day.
This is a bad idea.
In this method you’re going in blindly and have no idea what their strengths or weaknesses are, prior client experiences, or pictures of their work in particular. This is a blind guess and you are essentially gambling here.
As I mentioned earlier, finding specialist stylists is key to finding the perfect fit for you and your hair type. Unless the salon itself is a specialty salon that focuses on your hair goals, you’ll want to do your research first.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a good hairstylist will typically be booked out in advanced. They likely won’t be able to get you in immediately, unless they happen to have a cancellation. It may be unfortunate to wait if you need in right away, but trust me when I say that it is usually worth the wait. There may be a reason that the stylist has no one on their books.
3. Anyone offering huge discounts
When I initially wrote this post years ago, this section was entirely on Groupon. I’ve now updated it for a broader topic since Groupon has kind of died off, and for good reason. But the reasoning behind it stays the same. No hairstylist worth while should need to heavily discount their services (which is what Groupon was focused on).
It’s not generally a good sign when someone is offering their services for huge discounts for first time clients. This is one way to gain a lot of new clients that don’t return, and it’s not a good look for the business. Why are they needing to practically give their services away?
If they’re good at what they do, they’ll be getting referrals from their current clients and from positive reviews on Google and social media.
And while some discounting or promoting is totally okay, anything that seems too good to be true likely is. It shows that the stylist or salon is in a desperate situation, and they’ll take any client that they can get in their door.
Rather than focusing on specializations or clients that align with their values, they’re focusing on people looking for a deal. This generally translates to someone that isn’t competent at their work.
How to decide if you should find a new hairstylist
Now that we’ve covered the best and worst ways to find a new hairstylist, let’s talk about what to do if you’re torn on if you should stick with your current one or not.
Before you begin looking for a new hairstylist, I want to suggest giving them benefit of the doubt before trying someone new.
Make sure you express your concerns, what you’re looking for, what you aren’t looking for, and give them the chance to make you happy. As stylists we can’t read minds, so you need to be 100% open about what you like and don’t like. Bring pictures and examples other than just your explanation.
While it is the stylists job to ensure a smooth consultation and service, I recommend following the tips in this blog post on how to have the perfect consultation with your stylist to ensure you did your part to getting the service you’re looking for.
Now if you have done all of this, you’ve given them a few chances and they’re still not hitting the nail on the head, then it’s time to begin your search.
Conclusion
Finding a new hairstylist can feel like a big decision, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth and stress-free process. By focusing on the right methods, you’re setting yourself up for success.
The best ways to find a new hairstylist are asking for recommendations from people with similar hair goals, researching stylists on social media, and checking out reviews on Google. These strategies give you the best chance of finding a salon who not only meets your hair needs but also aligns with your personal values and preferences.
On the flip side, avoiding methods like choosing a stylist randomly, relying on deep discounts, or opting for beauty schools can save you from potential hair disasters down the road. The right stylist is someone who understands your hair type, your goals, and the level of service you expect, and they’re worth the effort it takes to find them.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time to switch, don’t be afraid to have an honest conversation with your current stylist. Giving feedback and clearly communicating your expectations can sometimes lead to better results. However, if after a few tries you’re still not getting what you want, it might be time to start your search.
Remember, your hair is an important part of your overall appearance, so take the time to find a stylist who will make you feel confident and happy with every visit. Whether you’re looking for a trendy new look or just a stylist you can trust, the right one is out there — and these tips will help you find them!
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