The hair industry is on the rebound from a horrific blow to its image that began in the early 80s when chain salons began to assert themselves on the market, employing primarily people with little or no artistic aptitude offering haircuts at "bargain" prices. Understandably, there are a great number of people who care little, if any, about their image so those particular salons filled those people's needs. However, before long, everyone was a "hairdresser."

Granted, there is a place for folks who need, or want, nondescript or "don't notice me" styles (for lack of a better word). But these salons gave birth to a particular brand of stylist - most are color blind (yes, really) and could not cut the fat off a piece of bacon! And, after two or three years, these "stylists" grew weary of working 12-hour days at sweatshop wages and - lo and behold - a couple of them would pitch in on some strip center salon or rent a booth (such as at a flea market) in some silly atmosphere where everyone spoke different languages and charged different prices. Their work varied from average to cuts that caused people to say, "I can't believe that you paid for that!"

Consequently, we have over 5,000 salons in Houston, ranging from folks working out of their homes added on in the back somewhere, to deplorable, dated salons on every corner.

Then, there's the moron who thinks that because he or she has an accent from anywhere but the U.S.A., they are then qualified to professionally address your beauty (i.e. hair, skin or color) needs...this is where the nouveau riche fit in! "Sally, he's from Paris; he must be good!"

Oh brother, if I hear "I was trained in Paris one more time!..." well let's just say ,it means so very little in the 21st Century.There was a time when that had merit, 'oh around 1950-1970ish. now it is simply cliche!.... The epicenter of all style no longer resides in that zone. Half those Paris-trained buffoons could not assume a position sweeping out a pastry shop if they moved back there. If people view that as a genuine claim to legitimacy in the first place, then those same people should be aware that I personally know of a dozen "Parisians" who are not even French at all. Some are Hispanic (who knew?), Syrian, Morroccan or from God knows where.Then I'm from England, Scotland, Holland or whatever! When the rubber meets the road, accents, attitudes and a haughty display of temperament does not a good stylist make!,at the end of the day,the work should speak for itself.Please understand i have many clients,employee's and friends from across the pond,the asertation i make is pertaining to stylist with no more than dated claims to training,for credibility.

Ask your hairdresser to change your look. Does it come out looking the same? I used to watch one man do the same thing on every single client. A "cookie cutter," he was busy and made decent money, but so what?!? You can sell just about anything and make lots of money. The point of all this is that you, the client, are finally wising up! There is a wealth of information out there and people are tired of one-dimensional hairdressers. It's going back to the way it used to be.

first you need aptitude, vision and the ability to look to the future - not in silly monthly trends or fads, but in terms of global acumen. So, as they say, the "creme" will rise and the mediocre will become janitors, clerks or something less "artsy." Thus,mediocrity has passed for the average designer. Stylist will now either be good and expensive or average and cheap. Both will provide you, the client, with exactly what you pay for. The client determines the fee,much like a steak from Golden Corral to say, steak at mortons or flemings downtown. The value is in the eye of the buyer,if you dont see it , it aint there!

There was a time in the 80s when being a hairdresser meant nothing. But, as I said, the worm has turned (or shall I say IS turning) and by the end of this decade only the strong will survive. Much of this change has to do with you, the client, and the public outcry over insane prices, arrogance and long waits for nothing but average work!

Then, of course, there's the person who boasts of having a three to six-month waiting list. The truth of the matter is that ''Tommy' or " Sally" has grown comfortable with their monthly revenue or simply lazy,nothong really wrong with haveing a personal favorite clientale,but Let's face it, most people today don't just happen to wake up one morning and discover their hair needs to be done. Most of us have an agenda. My clients, or should I say most any successful hairdresser's clientele, book their next appointment when they check out, securing at least - tentatively - their future appointment. So while saying, "I'm booked for 50 years," sounds lofty - trust me - they simply don't want to see you, or are in no hurry to address your beauty needs.

Lynn