The right hairstyle can make all the difference, so choosing among hair salons in The local area makes a difference. Anyone who knows what it's like after a bad experience can appreciate why it's important to think carefully about who you should trust with your hair.
By answering just a few questions, you can make choosing your next salon easier. Think about things like personality, reputation, convenience, cost, location and trust.
It's important to know exactly who you are and what you want before you decide on the salon that's best for you. Are you outgoing and bold? Do you have fine or coarse hair? Do you want to reduce the chemicals put into your hair? Are you looking for a family-friendly salon, where you can be pampered while your children get hair cuts?
Are you looking for a full-service salon like --- that offers everything from quick trims to spa treatments?
What can your budget handle? Cheaper salons are definitely not always better, but you shouldn't have to choose between groceries and your stylist.
Your choice of stylist could be the most important decision you'll make when choosing your salon. Chances are the stylist you connect most with could lead you toward a reasonable compromise on other considerations, like location, price and comfort.
Your stylist must understand what you want, how to handle your hair, how to communicate with you and what your comfort level is for new styles. It is all about trust.
Hair Salons Around the Minneapolis Metro
Your search for beauty doesn't have to end with a long-distance commute. There are plenty of options among the more than three dozen hair salons in the city that can keep you within a reasonable distance from your work or your home.
If you work near the Mississippi River in an office downtown or in northeast Minneapolis and want to sneak in a visit to your stylist on a lunch break, there are more than a dozen salons in the area.
For those living in south Minneapolis, there are plenty of options, from full-service salons to walk-in shops to specialty salons that feature natural hair services and hair extensions.
Try Out Natural Hair Salons
Many hair salons are catering to clients who appreciate their natural hair. With an emphasis on natural products and enhancing the beauty of your hair's natural characteristics, these natural hair salons offer an alternative to the stylists who promote straighteners, harsh chemicals and intense heat to force hair into a different state.
Perhaps you're looking for someone who knows how to work with your natural hair and to offer a trim that enhances its beauty. The natural hair salon also will be able to counsel you on the best products to use in your hair, with a focus on eliminating chemicals and harsh detergents that can be damaging.
Black Hair Salons: Find the Best for Your Hair
While most salons claim they can handle everyone's hair, the truth is not all are created equal. For African American hair, it's best to consider Black hair salons that have experience working with specific styles and approaches that fit your hair.
Some salons feature stylists who say they have experience with Black women's hair, but a salon that focuses exclusively on your hair type—like Dimensions in Hair Beauty—might be the better choice until you find a stylist who has a proven ability to give you what you want.
Rid Yourself of Frizz at Curly Hair Salons
Because different hair types require different approaches, you should also consider the right match for your curly hair. Not every stylist knows what they're doing or can handle your hair type. That's why deciding among curly hair salons is so important.
A friend may offer you a referral to their stylist, praising how well they've handled their hair. But if she's a blonde with straight, fine hair and you're a brunette with thick, curly hair, that may do you no good.
That's why checking out the social media accounts of a prospective stylist makes sense to see if they showcase cuts or styles with others who share your curly hair type.
Getting the Best Fishtail: Hair Braiding Salons
There are a number of hair braiding salons like Hairpolice in Minneapolis that can help you.
Either with your own hair or with hair extensions, braids can offer you a new look and new confidence. The process can be hours long, depending on how long you want the braids to extend, and there are choices for you to make with your stylist, including different braids, twists and length. But be careful.
A bad choice of stylist can cause damage, even bald patches.
Growth in Men's Hair Salons
Women are not the only ones looking for that special treatment a salon offers. There has been a growth in men's hair salons that go beyond the basic cut and shave. These specialty salons are offering more sophisticated grooming and pampering for men.
You can still get the quick and cheap cut without a shampoo if you're the type who wants to walk into a barber shop. But if you're looking for something more, including everything from coloring to waxing, then consider hair salons that offer men the same special treatment that they offer their female clients.
Asian Hair Salons
There are also options for Asian hair salons to help serve clients who want the specialized care their hair deserves. As African American hair has special characteristics, so does Asian hair.
It’s Up to You: Your Stylist is Waiting
Before making a final decision on a hair salon, schedule a visit and meet with a stylist that doesn't include getting a treatment or a new style. Check out their social media for photos of other clients. What work are they proud of? Do you like their styles? Does it fit your personality and hair type? It's also important to meet the stylist.
Talk to the stylist, see if they truly listen, determine how they ask you what you want, find out if they push their ideas on you. This is someone you have to be comfortable with, someone you trust with creating the first impression you'll make on others. It's worth your time.
It may seem overwhelming when you consider all the factors involved in choosing the right hair salon and stylist for you. But in the end, you'll be happy you gave it so much thought.