Q&A With a Hairstylist

Earlier this week I sat down my former hairstylist (she has recently moved) to do a little Q&A! Brittany (@hair.by.brittany.lee) has been my stylist since I moved to Oregon five years ago and she has been the best! I have never once gotten a haircut I didn’t love, and she has always taken on whatever crazy idea I have brought to her. I asked what your questions were on my Instagram, and you guys delivered! Read our interview below!

Q: What is the best way to style thick, bob length hair?

A: It depends on if it has been texturized at all, but start by drying it from the roots first to give it a little volume to balance out the rest of the cut. Like blow-dry, the roots with your head upside down, then do the rest with a flat brush or a round brush depending on the style you’re going for, then flat iron to smooth. If you have some frizziness, use a hair serum at the end to help with that and make it look more smooth.

Q: How do you suggest women find trustworthy hairstylists to shave their heads? And the best way to maintain a shaved head/undercut?

A: Investigate on social media and read reviews. Just do as much research as you can online and don’t be afraid to go in and ask questions. Also, look into barbershops, they can have some pretty cool, talented people working there. Don’t be afraid to go in with pictures and ask a stylist. Any good stylist will tell you if they aren’t comfortable doing a cut. I always tell people who want shaved head designs no because I know my limits. To maintain, ask the stylist who does it. They will be able to let you know if you can maintain at home, or how often you will need to go to the shop to maintain.

Q: How can you heal heat damaged hair?

A: If it feels like cotton candy and is super gross, just cut off as much damage as you can and let it grow back healthy. If it’s not that bad, then minimize heat, use a hair cleanser, not a shampoo, and don’t wash every day. Kerastase has a great line that is super reparative and will totally help save it. Just minimize heat and no color. Just let it heal. Oh and use a keratin treatment!

Q: Is there a good way to dye your hair at home?

A: Darker colors work best to do at home. It’s easy to maintain dark colors at home. Stay away from lightening your hair at home, or using anything that requires a developer or peroxide. Any bleach a regular person can get without a cosmetologist license scares me so don’t bleach at home.

Q: Is there ever a good way to cut your bangs at home?

A: Totally! Just know your limits, like don’t do it if you are too nervous because then they won’t turn out well. But leave length, you can always go shorter but you can’t put it back. Always point cut, like up and down, not just straight across. The twist method seems to have good results and is pretty popular, but I don’t even cut my bangs myself if that tells you anything!

Q: Is there a way to heal damaged colored hair while still keeping the color maintained?
A: Depends on the color. If it is the same color and not a lifting color, like bleach, or you trying to go lighter, then you are fine. Do not use crappy shampoo or conditioner especially when you are trying to heal your hair, and do not use any color that needs peroxide or developer. A darker color that is going to stain hair and not lift color is going to be best to keep color going while you heal it.

Q: How can you tell if a hairstylist is charging too much? Like how can you make sure their work is worth the price?

A: Again you should look into their work online and read reviews. Make sure they can do what you are looking to have done. Know you’re own budget and that certain services will always just cost more. You can also schedule a consultation and have them walk you through why it might cost so much. A confident stylist will have no issues sitting down with you and going over the process for what you want and helping explain the price.

Q: How can you tell if the salon is safe and clean?
A: If it COVID related safety, then call and ask the measures they are taking before you go in. If you are happy with it then go into the salon and make sure they are doing what they say they are. In general, just go in for a consultation and look around. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Pay attention to their stations and their tools. If there is a bunch of hair all over their station and tools, or like product residue everywhere, maybe don’t go there. But yeah, the best way is to just go in and look around. It also sounds weird but go in to get the vibe of the salon. If it makes you feel weird or bad, then don’t go there, but if you get a good feeling there and like the energy, then go for it. Trust your gut.

Q: Is there a good way to tell the stylist you don’t like the cut they gave you?

A: I mean, not really (laughs). No one ever likes to hear that someone doesn’t like their work, but the best way is probably just to be as calm as possible. I know its hard when you don’t like your hair, but try to be as chill and non-emotional as you can. See if they can help at all, like maybe by taking out some weight or adding some texture, but you can’t put hair back once you cut it off. Just be as calm and constructive as possible and hopefully, the stylist can help you. It’s rare, but also just watch if they are being negligent with the cut and stop them before too much damage is done. It’s pretty rare

Q: Tips for an at-home blowout?

A: Use a root lifter and heat protectant for the ends and shafts of your hair. Flip your hair upside down and dry from the root the mid-shaft then dry the ends and smooth them with a paddle brush. Finish off with a heat tool for details, so a flat iron or curling iron depending on what look you are going for. Then finish off with a light serum to smooth the end or a light hair spray if you need to. You could also use a texture spray for a more beachy look!

Q: Is washing your hair every day actually bad for it?

A: More often than not, yes it is. Your hair creates oils and such to keep it healthy and help repair it. So if you do need to wash every day, do not use a shampoo and conditioner that has sulfates in it. That will dry out your hair and make it super unhealthy. If you want to wash every day then use a hair cleanser without sulfates and be gentle with your hair. R & Co make a great one; it’s called Acid Wash and it’s super gentle but effective and you can use it every day.

Thanks for joining us! As always do your own research and ask as many questions as possible!

Madey