The Headlines:
Some people have bad hair.
Don't Shame them.
Help them.
I am a Leo. Know what that means? Well, it means many things. It means I like to talk, entertain, meet people, have friends... a Leo can occasionally be a little self centered. To some extent, I am all of that. But it also means that I care deeply, passionately about my hair. Think the lions mane.
I used to have really super good hair. Lots and lots of it... at it's best in my late 20's to mid 30's. In my opinion, it was pretty fabulous. Until it wasn't.
My hair had been deteriorating for a while until the beginning of this year. That's when it took a nose dive (the pic on the left was taken then). I decided to switch hair stylists. I was driving too far. But not only that, I didn't have good products and I wasn't visiting the salon often enough. Maybe once every 2 1/2 to 3 months. I thought I could continue to maintain my hair the way I used to... when I was younger. But I was getting older. So, I contacted a friend, who had great hair and asked her for her recommendation. She gave it to me and I looked at the stylists website. The price list throughly confused me. I didn't know what I needed so I emailed the gal. She, by the way, will remain anonymous for the duration of this story. In the email, I asked, basically, if I could get a guess-timate as to what her hair service would cost. I live in Scottsdale, AZ and things can get expensive here fast! I, personally, had a budget of $200 to trim and color/highlight my hair. Part of what I said is below:
Apparently it wasn't. Because she said this:
"It never hurts to ask but at this time I'm not making concessions for my prices. If it helps we could do a haircut and base color one visit and weeks apart do highlights and toner. Let me know if this could work for you and I'd be happy to get you scheduled."
Whaaaaaaaa? I was so confused. I literally replied, "no silly! I don't want concessions I just want to understand my cost according to your price structure." She suggested a consult. I saw her a week later and it was the worst meeting I've ever had with someone who was to perform a "service" for me.
The woman, by the way, owns her own "salon" which happens to be just a 1 person space where there are lots of other tiny, individually owned salons. From the start, she was incredibly condescending and rude. Because of that, (kill them with kindness) I was extra friendly, as usual, and told her I was really looking for some hair help. After some small talk she basically said my hair was in such terrible condition that she would never let me represent her brand. She asked me what products I used, which I said I have no idea, "Paul-Su-Perk"!? Meaning, I wasn't brand loyal since I'd never come across anything worth something. She told me I really needed to invest in better and more expensive products. She just couldn't believe I was so cute, with such an adorable figure and, essentially, horrible hair! In order for her to rehab me it would cost $265... IF I would color my hair first on my own.
Did you catch that? IF I COLORED MY OWN HAIR FIRST.
I was flabbergasted. I felt 2 inches tall. I left, called my friend and told her how I had never been treated so poorly. So while I wouldn't be going to her, I would just ignore her and not say a thing.
Like I can do that...
I decided to write the stylist a meaningful and constructive email. I felt compelled to let her know the way she behaved was NOT okay. If she thought that was acceptable behavior, she surely must be told, it is not. The following is the exact email I wrote:
She wrote me back. See below. I agree... I always appreciate "honesty" - but there's also something to be said for common courtesy and respect. She didn't get it. She probably never will. At least I got it off my chest.
Plus, turns out I got a whole lot more. I now go to a stylist whom I'm VERY happy with... and in just over 6 months I've had a hair transformation! Due to not only her but also these new products I'm using. In fact, I like them so much... I'm selling them.
The line is called MONAT (Moe-NATE). It stands for Modern Nature. In a nutshell, they aim to fight AGING HAIR. What a concept? We have all these products to fight aging skin... but what about aging hair?
In my next post, I'll write in more detail about the "science" behind the brand. But in a nutshell they're naturally based products, there's no sulphates, no parabens, no harsh salts, no gluten, no harmful colors or fragrances, no ethanol. They're more expensive than the drugstore but in the ball park of salon product prices. For me, the bottom line is, they really work. Here are my fav/must have products. Ask me about their discount program... they have one (VIP) that gives you %15 off your products plus free shipping. Not to mention they have "bonus buys" all the time!
Everyone needs a conditioner. My favorite is the "Revitalize" Conditioner which pairs with the IR Shampoo above. And my husband happens to love the Black Shampoo, which is the Men's line. Yep, even his hair looks better. His claim, not mine. The Black line, is also aimed at promoting hair growth. Plus, it has a little something extra to help blondes become a brighter, prettier "blonde"... so I know lots of women are using it too! I'm a brunette therefore I don't have actual first hand proof of that one.
Finally tonight,
I feel like this whole experience was somewhat poetic! In (less than) one year I went from one of the worst (hair) experiences in my life... to one of the best. Perhaps I wouldn't have been looking that hard for a hair "solution" without that stylist from hell. Then, I never would have come across Monat. A product line this LEO truly believes can put hair shaming to bed for good!
Read HOW & WHY Monat works HERE!
To order: www./nicole.mymonat.com
Pin for later:
Some people have bad hair.
Don't Shame them.
Help them.
I am a Leo. Know what that means? Well, it means many things. It means I like to talk, entertain, meet people, have friends... a Leo can occasionally be a little self centered. To some extent, I am all of that. But it also means that I care deeply, passionately about my hair. Think the lions mane.
I used to have really super good hair. Lots and lots of it... at it's best in my late 20's to mid 30's. In my opinion, it was pretty fabulous. Until it wasn't.
My hair had been deteriorating for a while until the beginning of this year. That's when it took a nose dive (the pic on the left was taken then). I decided to switch hair stylists. I was driving too far. But not only that, I didn't have good products and I wasn't visiting the salon often enough. Maybe once every 2 1/2 to 3 months. I thought I could continue to maintain my hair the way I used to... when I was younger. But I was getting older. So, I contacted a friend, who had great hair and asked her for her recommendation. She gave it to me and I looked at the stylists website. The price list throughly confused me. I didn't know what I needed so I emailed the gal. She, by the way, will remain anonymous for the duration of this story. In the email, I asked, basically, if I could get a guess-timate as to what her hair service would cost. I live in Scottsdale, AZ and things can get expensive here fast! I, personally, had a budget of $200 to trim and color/highlight my hair. Part of what I said is below:
"I have fairly long brown hair that needs a trim and highlights/color. I looked at your pricing. I'm hoping to keep it under $200 as I really hate spending so much on my stinking hair. Do u think that's possible?"
Apparently it wasn't. Because she said this:
"It never hurts to ask but at this time I'm not making concessions for my prices. If it helps we could do a haircut and base color one visit and weeks apart do highlights and toner. Let me know if this could work for you and I'd be happy to get you scheduled."
Whaaaaaaaa? I was so confused. I literally replied, "no silly! I don't want concessions I just want to understand my cost according to your price structure." She suggested a consult. I saw her a week later and it was the worst meeting I've ever had with someone who was to perform a "service" for me.
The woman, by the way, owns her own "salon" which happens to be just a 1 person space where there are lots of other tiny, individually owned salons. From the start, she was incredibly condescending and rude. Because of that, (kill them with kindness) I was extra friendly, as usual, and told her I was really looking for some hair help. After some small talk she basically said my hair was in such terrible condition that she would never let me represent her brand. She asked me what products I used, which I said I have no idea, "Paul-Su-Perk"!? Meaning, I wasn't brand loyal since I'd never come across anything worth something. She told me I really needed to invest in better and more expensive products. She just couldn't believe I was so cute, with such an adorable figure and, essentially, horrible hair! In order for her to rehab me it would cost $265... IF I would color my hair first on my own.
Did you catch that? IF I COLORED MY OWN HAIR FIRST.
I was flabbergasted. I felt 2 inches tall. I left, called my friend and told her how I had never been treated so poorly. So while I wouldn't be going to her, I would just ignore her and not say a thing.
Like I can do that...
I decided to write the stylist a meaningful and constructive email. I felt compelled to let her know the way she behaved was NOT okay. If she thought that was acceptable behavior, she surely must be told, it is not. The following is the exact email I wrote:
I just want to let you know I won't be making an appointment with you.
Heres why: I've been in the news business for almost 20 years of my life. During that time, I've had many people criticize me. It comes with the job. Because of that, I've developed thick skin. Even when a viewer told me she wouldn't be sorry when I was raped because my skirts were too short. I learned in -almost- every case, there was some validity to the criticism they gave me. I shouldn't wear red lipstick, I had to speak slower, one consultant even came to my closet and told me to buy more color. They were all correct.
So I'm used to harsh messages. Your message went beyond harsh - you were just mean. I am aware my hair needs some extra care. But your delivery needs some extra work. You were condescending when I was playful. You could have taken this as an opportunity to help someone in a bit a a hair slump not made me feel like committing hair suicide.
In short, maybe you are having a bad day but everyday you should not only work on your hair skills you should work on your people skills. Being kind and uplifting matters way more than split ends.
Please don't take this the wrong way... I truly mean for it to be constructive!
Best,
NicoleShe wrote me back. See below. I agree... I always appreciate "honesty" - but there's also something to be said for common courtesy and respect. She didn't get it. She probably never will. At least I got it off my chest.
Plus, turns out I got a whole lot more. I now go to a stylist whom I'm VERY happy with... and in just over 6 months I've had a hair transformation! Due to not only her but also these new products I'm using. In fact, I like them so much... I'm selling them.
The line is called MONAT (Moe-NATE). It stands for Modern Nature. In a nutshell, they aim to fight AGING HAIR. What a concept? We have all these products to fight aging skin... but what about aging hair?
In my next post, I'll write in more detail about the "science" behind the brand. But in a nutshell they're naturally based products, there's no sulphates, no parabens, no harsh salts, no gluten, no harmful colors or fragrances, no ethanol. They're more expensive than the drugstore but in the ball park of salon product prices. For me, the bottom line is, they really work. Here are my fav/must have products. Ask me about their discount program... they have one (VIP) that gives you %15 off your products plus free shipping. Not to mention they have "bonus buys" all the time!
They are several shampoos but my personal favorite is the one that helps support re-growth and hair strength (the most - they all kinda do). That's the Intense Repair Shampoo. The masque, one of their Best Selling products is out of this world. After one try, you'll see a difference, I almost guarantee it. Then the Blow Out Cream helps you get close to the blow out you pay for in high end salons. Really, use those 3 and you'll be happy.
Almost.
Everyone needs a conditioner. My favorite is the "Revitalize" Conditioner which pairs with the IR Shampoo above. And my husband happens to love the Black Shampoo, which is the Men's line. Yep, even his hair looks better. His claim, not mine. The Black line, is also aimed at promoting hair growth. Plus, it has a little something extra to help blondes become a brighter, prettier "blonde"... so I know lots of women are using it too! I'm a brunette therefore I don't have actual first hand proof of that one.
Finally tonight,
I feel like this whole experience was somewhat poetic! In (less than) one year I went from one of the worst (hair) experiences in my life... to one of the best. Perhaps I wouldn't have been looking that hard for a hair "solution" without that stylist from hell. Then, I never would have come across Monat. A product line this LEO truly believes can put hair shaming to bed for good!
Read HOW & WHY Monat works HERE!
To order: www./nicole.mymonat.com
Pin for later: