Even the best cuts can look great immediately following a hair appointment. All of the ends have been neatly tucked away, and stray hairs are cleared from your salon cape. But when you come back the following week and it’s a Tuesday morning that’s humid and you’re five minutes from being late for work and your round brush is still in your junk drawer and one side of your hair isn’t behaving…
Finding the right hairstylist in Houston that matches your frequency of maintenance is the key to avoiding this issue.
Frequent Appointments (Every 4-6 Weeks)
If you frequently visit the salon, you are likely interested in a style that maintains a defined shape and requires constant upkeep. If you’re looking for a razor-sharp bob, for example, the stylist you choose will check the perimeter when it’s wet and again after it’s dried. That crisp edge that lays so nicely against the white cutting cape should also lie well when you tuck your hair behind your ears or tuck it beneath a coat collar.
Stylist creating a precision bob haircut
A short bob or buzz cut usually needs a trim once every four to six weeks. Depending on how long the stylist has been in business, the amount of time allotted for your appointment and if it includes a blowout, expect to pay $70 to $175 or more for a precision haircut. Before booking, inquire if they do bang touch-ups or neck trims in between appointments as well, because you don’t want to deal with a wayward bang falling across your glasses.
Gray blending is also something that you might want to take care of during these types of appointments, especially around the sides and your parting space. Your colorist should let you know whether they’ll be adding in some highlights or lowlights or using a demi-permanent to blend your grays. When you look in the mirror under bright fluorescent lighting, the result shouldn’t appear as if someone painted a stripe next to your head. Services are usually around $150 and can go up to over $300, with additional add-ons such as a toner, a cut or highlights.
Booking Once a Season
Balayage is meant to be grown out gradually and can generally go three to four months (see this page) between appointments. Prices typically vary widely, ranging anywhere from around $200 to $450 or more, based on factors such as hair thickness, length, any color corrections that might be needed and whether or not a toner or other add-on services are desired. A gloss in between appointments could help get rid of brassiness, which is that orangey tone that you notice when you’re standing next to a white towel in your bathroom, without requiring a full-color service.
Infrequent Appointments (Once or Twice a Year)
When you only see your stylist a few times a year, you want to choose a style that will look good with new growth, look good after washing and look good in all different kinds of weather. If you’re choosing a protective style, one of the best hair stylists in Houston should take note of the size of each section, how tightly the edges are pulled and the weight of the hair extensions. A well-placed pattern on the part is important, but if the top of your head starts to hurt when you lay your head against your pillow, the style might be too tight.
Protective hairstyle with carefully sectioned braids
Prices for braids and twists generally start around $150 and can go up to more than $500, depending on factors such as the length, style, preparation and whether you’re providing your own hair. Once the style is in, it can last a number of weeks, but keeping it healthy means taking it out when you should, washing your hair and giving your scalp time to rest (there is a helpful breakdown at www.washingtonpost.com/wellness) between appointments. You should keep a satin pillowcase, a wide-tooth comb and a spray bottle with a fine nozzle handy for upkeep.
Consider How Often You’d Like to See Your Stylist Before Booking
Don’t be shy about telling your stylist when you’ll be back for another appointment and what your budget is. Here are some questions to ask before you book your next appointment:
- What does this haircut look like after eight or twelve weeks?
- What does my next appointment entail and how much will it cost?
- Are there smaller touch-up appointments that I could do instead?
- What should I do when it gets humid in Houston and the roots flatten or the ends frizz?
An experienced stylist will tell you what the hair will look like after your appointment. They will also tell you how your hair will grow out, such as the blunt corners of a bob growing over your cheekbones or silver strands popping back up in the middle of your head. Choose a service that you can realistically rebook based on the calendar you currently use, instead of scheduling an appointment that you will probably forget about.
