How to Get What you Want From a Beauty Pro

What's a woman to do? We are all about grooming: hair, nails, skin, waxing (ouch), and the list can go on and on. So how do you know if your various body parts are in the right hands? Utilize the following strategies to ensure you get what you want from your beauty expert(s).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Hairstylist. Insist on an in-depth consultation with a stylist before the scissors come out. Some stylists (especially if they don't know you) might be more apt to give you a trendy cut instead of an honest opinion. Discuss your features, hair texture and lifestyle.
   
   Additional tips:
   - Arrive at the salon with your hair in the style you wear every day so the stylist can see what you like and don't like about it.
   - Ideally, take a picture of what you want.
   - Don't talk inches. Have your stylist show you where she is going to cut.
   - Find out how long it will take to style your new hairdo, and how many products (gel, mousse, spray) and tools (dryer, flattening or curling iron) you will need to re-create it at home.
   - Don't chat on the phone while your hair is being cut. Pay attention because once hair is cut off - it can't be put back on.

2. Hair Colorist. Believe it or not, some hair stylists are great at cutting and not so good at coloring (and vice versa). So if you see someone who has great color, ask where she got it done, or look for salon write-ups. Use pictures to clarify what you want with the stylist before she mixes the color, because "chocolate" may mean reddish-brown to you but a Hershey's bar to her. You can also schedule extra time for a consultation at the beginning of your appointment. And to avoid sticker shock, be sure to ask how much the color will cost. Also ask how many steps it will take to get to your desired shade, what type of color the stylist will use (permanent or semi-permanent), and how long the color will last.

3. Manicurist. It's often tempting to run into a quickie manicurist shop at the local mall (and some of these are fine) but you need to be careful that the person you trust your nails to follows the highest sanitation protocols. For example, all instruments should be sanitized for at least 20 minutes. An option is to bring your own nail file, buffer and even a pumice stone (for pedicures).
   
   Additional tips:
   - Avoid salons that have only one license for the entire staff. Each manicurist should have his/her own.
   - Unless it's disposable, make sure the soaking bowl is glass - not plastic, which can absorb germs.
   - Avoid having your cuticles cut. Cuticles provide a barrier to keep bacteria from entering your body.
   - Cuticle oil should be applied with an eyedropper, not a brush.

4. Aesthetician. If facials and peels are your pathway to the fountain of youth, be sure you see an aesthetician, who has more advanced training than a cosmetologist. Requirements vary from state to state, but the most prestigious certification is through CISECO, an international association that requires 1,200 hours of training. Tips of the trade: schedule facials 7 to 10 days before an important event, especially if it involves extractions. Your face can easily have redness after a facial or peel. For extractions, consider seeing a dermatologist, who is more likely to be gentle when squeezing the skin; this will avoid any harm caused by aggressive pinching.