Hairdressers have long known their job title covers a multitude of roles, and when it comes to clients this expands beyond stylist and can often mean confidante, therapist, confidence builder and friend. In the last year, helping clients through hard times has been particularly paramount, in making them look and feel good, assisting them through a hair change that can often represent something more and extending that important bond with them even further.
Anecdotally, Revlon Professional asked their network of hairdressers to share some truly inspiring stories personifying those bonds, and we’re here to showcase just how hairdressers can help clients in their journeys with some empathy and hair magic skills, to remind you to never forget the power of your role. Read on.
Amy and Rhoda
Hairdresser Amy McCabe met her client Rhoda in 2014 after Rhoda just recently lost her husband. Rhoda was looking for a change in her hair to invoke some more confidence and normality in her life after this emotional turmoil, but had been given too many extensions by another salon that didn’t suit her and came to Amy disheartened. Amy consulted with her, removed the extensions, reshaped her hair and gave her a new colour, giving her the confidence and listening ear she had been looking for. Their inherent bond was formed, built on in the last years and managed interstate as Rhoda has become a mentor to Amy, showing the often-reciprocal nature of these relationships.
Tegan and Chloe
Chloe has been a client of Tegan Kelly for over a decade and, with that relationship, they consider each other truly friends. Chloe is a mother of two and, in 2018, she and her four-year-old daughter were sick, with her daughter’s constant illnesses and hospital visits finally resulting in a diagnosis of EOE, an allergic, inflammatory disease. The stress of this and Chloe’s own chronic illnesses had a negative effect on Chloe’s fine, blonde hair. As such, Tegan took Chloe from long hair to short and blonde to her natural hue, emotionally supporting her and giving her a new look that she could wear with confidence amidst her health battles.
Jo and Holly
Jo Sym Choon helped client Holly through an emotional hair transformation after a divorce. Holly’s hair was coloured black to deal with grey hairs within her natural dark hue but, after a marriage breakdown and as a single parent, this expensive and time-consuming process became untenable. She started colouring her hair herself but the aesthetic issues with that, adding to a vulnerable time in her life, caused problems with her self-confidence. Jo helped Holly after a long consultation, aiding her go lighter in a lengthy six-month process, taking her to a look that blended more seamlessly with her natural white hair. This saved her time and money and built her confidence, which was paramount.
Rhiannon
Hairdresser Rhiannon has helped many clients through difficult times including IVF journeys, breast cancer and breakup, and has been lucky enough to see these life journeys take positive turns. “The most incredible experiences are when you don’t even realise how much you have helped someone until afterward, when they send you a beautiful message or call you and tell you,” she said.
Never forget your immense super power as a hairdresser and the ability you have to truly impact your clients.
Catch up with INSTYLE and Styleicons!
- Subscribe to our bi-monthly magazine
- Check out www.styleicons.com.au
- Subscribe to our twice-weekly newsletter
- View our digital magazine
- Follow us on social media on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn