Finding the right hairdresser starts with talking to friends, asking questions and a bit of investigation.
	Maybe you had a poor experience with your regular stylist, maybe you're new to town or maybe you're just looking for a change. Any which way, you're looking for a new hairdresser and, as Shonagh Walker reports in the first of a series of exclusive reports, it's about using your head and your heart. Just how do you find a good hairdresser?
Your search starts with word of mouth. “If you see someone with great hair, ask them who does their ‘do, the specific stylist and salon,” advises the 2008 AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year winner, Robert Bava from Parlour Hair in South Australia. From there, find out about the salon culture. Key questions to ask, says Lee Preston from Lee Preston Hair in South Perth, a 2008 AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year finalist, are: - How long do they spend in consultation? - How does their pricing work? - Do they have a tier structure of experience to give the client the idea of the stylist they should be asking for? “If they have a website, jump online and see what the salon has been involved in,” Lee suggests. “This is a great indicator as to where they might sit in the industry. You will see if they do editorial work, which means they’re involved in the fashion industry and know the trends filtering through.” Also check to see if they have received any industry awards. “This will indicate they have a high calibre of upmarket work,” Preston adds. “You should also ask about their in-salon education, as well as training outside the salon (they may train other salons or might be an educator contracted around the country). This will confirm that they’re current and know the latest techniques.” WORDS: SHONAGH WALKER APRIL 2008