The battle between the Professionals.
If we are honest both serve their purpose within the Beauty and Wellness community. However, only one is the reason for the epidemic of unprofessionalism and the pursuit of being our own personal hair stylist has become increasingly common. This goes to the Instagram Stylist.
The Instagram Stylist
Let’s define the “Instagram Stylist”. In my opinion, this stylist priorities the esthetic, follower count, content creation and monetary gain of their business, services and/or products. You either love them or hate them. This is not to be confused with a stylist that uses Instagram as a medium for advertising. In the times of social media and marketing, I understand that a well curated online presence can create opportunities that otherwise may not be available…. but at the expense of unprofessionalism is not ideal. In my friendship sphere, a relationship with an Instagram Stylist becomes a one-off, short-lived relationship for “the style or look” but we never return to nurture a long-term satisfying relationship as our “hair girl”. Just for clarity, the quality of work is not being debated at this time.
Let’s talk about the unprofessionalism and other gripes we have about them.
Let Me Take A Picture
For most of us, a trip to the hair salon is a form of self-care. This day may begin with a cup of coffee and/or rushing out the door to make it to a long-awaited hair appointment to feel good about ourselves. As a Black woman, the understood etiquette of showing up to a hair appointment is almost the same as shopping at a black beauty supply store; NO JUDGEMENT IF YOU ARE NOT LOOKING YOUR BEST. As a client, sitting in the salon chair to get your hair done can be the most healing experience in your most vulnerable beauty state. This experience is abruptly ended with a request (or lack thereof) for a picture. This is not okay! Providing a service does not allow you the right to expect a photograph of “your work”. The payment of services is your only expectation. Yes, I am mindful that your salon/business “is your business” (the motto of these Instagram Stylist) and that’s perfectly fine. However, either state that photographs are required in your ALL CAPS booking policies and ask for consent prior to the appointment or be mindful that your client came to receive a service and modeling was not on the list of gigs to complete for the day.
Hey Boo Text
As my best childhood friend most recently said after her braider cancelled on her, “Always an emergency”! Life happens, we get it! But Instagram Stylists are some of the most emergency having professionals on earth. I cannot recall this number of emergencies ten years ago by stylists. As mentioned before, life happens and cancellation and/or rescheduling of an appointment is avoidable. Unfortunately, due to the increase of unprofessionalism, we rarely think it’s an emergency. So whatever excuse you send falls on deaf ears. Either refund the deposit (no questions asked) or reschedule the appointment (based on the client’s preference not your preference). Please understand as a client we now are in a panic to find an alternate stylist to do our hair and any extra back and forth communication is another layer of anxiety.
The day of “Hey Boo/Love” text screams unprofessional and inconsiderate. At the minimum, addressing your client as boo or love is not reserved for this situation when you are potentially causing an inconvenience to someone. Either pick up the phone and conduct business like a business owner and adult or if you would like to text, address your client by name.
NO REFUNDS!!! I can go on about this policy but let’s talk about it on a different blog post.
40 Dooollaarss!
The way Instagram Stylist’s fee-you-to-death with a la carte services is in competition with Spirit Airlines flight experience. Deposit fee, cancellation fee, deep conditioning fee, parting fee and let’s not forget the washing hair fee (side eye). I understand based on your clientele, this type of pricing structure may have been developed to allow customizable services. However, creating full services options that include the smaller fees can prove to be more profitable and beneficial. If I come to get a silk press, include a trim and deep conditioning, and charge me a comprehensive price for that full service. Nickel-ing and dime-ing a client can make a client feel like they are being sold to (like you are a salesperson) or overcharged because your base price and their walk out the door price is 50% higher. We get it, time is money! But creating pricing that minimizes the need for smaller fees may potentially streamline your business operations and allow clients to sit in your chair knowing that the price they are paying is fixed (with immaterial changes, if needed).
How do you feel about Instagram Stylists and their disruption in the Beauty and Hair industry (good or bad)? Let’s talk about it in the comments below.
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Yes! This was so on point. The worst for me is the request, can you wash, detangles, blow dry your hair before you come. I mean likenyou mwntioned time is money, but what happen to the experience.
This is the absolute truth. Part of the issue to me is the lack of accountability. As soon as you mention some of the issue truth mentioned in this article; here comes all stylist saying we are haters! Call it what you like. What I was fed up with is the inconsistency, lack of professionalism, over-booked and too busy and the abundance of attitude that we are seeing today in this industry. It took me a while to find someone to care for my crown and it can oftentimes be difficult to secure an appointment because many people are seeking her services.