Am I the stylist for you? Let's find out!

Scroll Down to pay DEPOSIT

PAYING MANDATORY DEPOSIT

     It is the first point of discussion. "Are you aware of the mandatory deposit policy"? 

The purpose of a deposit is to hold your place for the time/date/service you are booking for as well as to ensure your attendance for that time slot. All too often stylists deal with cancellations/no-shows without any compensation. It also prevents the inconvenience of blocking a Stylist from booking a client who would have shown up for their appointment. 

It is an emotionally & financially frustrating issue.  

     Offering your word or the fact that you only have cash is not an acceptable option. Cash for deposits is only accepted upon pre-approval, which is based ONLY on the familiarity with the client at my discretion. An option could be to have someone that you trust, or trusts you to make the payment for you. Keep in mind that there is no need to discuss availability, style/product options, or prices if there is no intention to pay the deposit. 

     What I can assure you is this... your deposit is safe & I'll always honor my responsibility to you as well as my professionalism.          I will never scam, finesse or take advantage of any person  trusting monetary or anything else in my care.

     TO PAY YOUR DEPOSIT: Deposits are taken by Zelle, Online payment or Text Invoice. If you do not have Zelle, text  773.370.3726 and I will respond with an invoice sent to you by text which you can pay your deposit.

If you DO have Zelle, use the email crystalcgilmore@yahoo.com to make your payment then text me back the confirmation.

     After the deposit is paid, you will receive a text confirmation that includes all relevant information for you appointment included, (deposit paid, balance due, day, time, address, what to bring, etc...)

Thanks so much!

SHAMPOO SERVICES DISCOUNT

     We encourage clients to receive shampoo services inside the salon where it can be professionally & thoroughly done. However, we understand budgeting or situations where the client is already serviced.

      In that case, as long as the following stipulations are satisfactory by professional guidelines, we will issue a $15 discount. Providing that...

*The scalp & hair is fully clean/free of build up from dirt, oil, dandruff, etc…

*There is no sweaty, musty smell left in the hair, especially when blow drying...

*There is no shampoo, or conditioner still left on the hair.

*Your hair is fully detangled!!! You should be able to comb your hair from the roots to the ends  without tangling.

     If you come in and we still have to detangle, blow dry, re-condition or any other part of a shampoo service you will still be charged the full amount. You are paying for time and labor. If the Stylist still has to invest time and labor to perform these services correctly you will still be charged the full amount.

     My responsibility to you is to ensure the integrity of your hair. That includes making sure your shampoo service, which is the foundational start of hair care, is done correctly. I will give a thorough service with care & inform you on the health of your hair as we continue our stylist/client relationship.

TARDINESS

       If you are late, you can expect a longer wait, to be considered as a walk in, or to Reschedule. Texting/Calling ahead of time can assist in determining which of these options will be applied if any at all. As you should know, tardiness infringes on the schedule of the stylist & the other clients. 

     I appreciate you accepting this without negative response, because in all fairness, if you were on time for your appt, you wouldn't want someone else's tardiness to affect your scheduled appt either.. .

     I personally don't charge late fees, however there has to be boundaries. I’m very understanding, especially to mothers & those with jobs & fluctuating schedules. I don’t mind working with my clients, Especially when the communication is there. 

PREPARATION

    It’s important to make sure that you have your needed hair supplies/products for your appt with you when you walk in the door. The time may, or may not be available for you to go to the beauty supply store, or back home to get what you need for your appointment. You may wind up being rescheduled, or pushed back as a walk-in. Be advised that I'll have to move forward with another client.

     Just know that you will receive the same consideration when it is time for your appointment. You will not be made to wait or have your schedule compromised due to anyone else’s issues. Your promptness is greatly appreciated.

PRIVACY

     I adhere to professional conduct concerning privacy matters. As hairstylists we often fall into the listening ear category as well. Anything personal whether it’s about your hair or anything else will stay just that... Private! My job is to make you look & feel beautiful... not to judge you. You’re safe to be yourself.

NO CHILDREN UNLESS BEING SERVICED

     I above all people understand what it’s like to have children. Especially when you have so many things to do & no sitter. I have allowed children in the salon without being serviced, for years... sympathizing with parents but dis servicing myself & my other clients. 

     However, cute your child is, they’re just not welcome at the salon. The disruptions, distractions, stopping to attend to the crying or the boredom, can’t be still, interruptions, messiness, destructiveness & more can no longer be tolerated. I love children, but am not at all unaware of the complications of having them in the salon. This is for the comfort to all concerned, especially the child who has to unfairly being subjected to being in a salon for an undetermined amount of time.

PHONE/TABLET USAGE

     Please use headphones when listening to your music, videos or having personal conversations. A part of creating a calm & comfortable atmosphere is keeping noise down. Having a full conversation on FaceTime or speaker is rude & disturbing for other guests that are present. There may be other vices that already contribute to the noise such as radio, tv, person to person conversations inside the salon, dryers, etc...it's already enough.

      Please step outside if your conversation is lengthy, causes your voice to rise or includes profanity/uncomfortable language as to be considerate to our atmosphere.

CONTACTING ME

     Unfortunately initial contact must be made through text message (7733703726). Yes, you can talk to me yourself but it has to be at a convenient time. I’m not the type of stylist who stays on the phone while working on a client. The client who’s seated in my chair gets my full attention, which one day hopefully will be you! Most questions can be answered by browsing this site. 

     By texting me with a greeting that includes your name & a brief description of your inquiry, I can conveniently and thoroughly respond to your request. You can also request for me to call you, and I will. I receive lots of calls (which are unanswered) And text messages throughout the day. I would ask that you please be patient as I will always get back with my clients. All of my clients (old & new) are top priority, but cannot all be at the same time.

     Some people think that calling me multiple times in a row will bully me into answering the phone. I need to be very clear about this… This is absolutely untrue! I am the only one who chooses when or for whom I answer my phone. I only respond graciously to those who contact me in the same respect. Those who insist on intrusive contact will be blocked! This type of rude behavior for me, is a deal breaker.

INSPIRATION PICS

     I’d like to explain the purpose for inspiration pictures. Inspiration pics give a visual of an exact &/or idea of a hairstyle or process desired by a client. I for one am not the kind of stylist that will rely on your worded description. Reason being, what a client would call a hairstyle, or describe as certain elements of a style may not be the same verbiage that a stylist would use. Clients call some details by one term, Stylists may call them by another. A client may vision a certain hairstyle in her head, not knowing the dynamic or concept of the style but the Stylist may not see it the same way. 

     I will always, ask for an inspiration picture. I do not work best by depending on a description out of your head... especially if what you are describing is unreasonable. Although I am almost always familiar with the styles someone is trying to describe, Please be ready to provide an Inspo Pic for reference. 

RUSHING

     If you are looking for a stylist to get you in/out of the salon in less than an hour, unfortunately I am not the stylist for you. I believe that rushing fosters mistakes & bad hair care resulting in wasted time & money.  I invest extra time in preparing my foundations, treating the scalp, hydrating your hair & other processes as well. Rushing does not help longevity in a hairstyle, or the mood of the stylist nor client. 

     Each hairstylist is different, with different techniques/processes. The client cannot set precedent of how long a hairstyle will take based on her previous stylist or what she deems reasonable in her mind. When booking your appointment, make sure you’ve informed me on a specific time that you need to be finished by for any special event. Therefore I can book you on a time/day that will get you done based upon the hairstyle that you’ve chosen.

     At this stage of my career, rushing is not a part of my work style. I do not respond well to the pressure nor do I appreciate the anxiety that it causes for me, or the client. This too, is a deal breaker for me.

CHAIR POSTURE

*For best results please refrain from phone conversations, constant moving, falling asleep, etc... It makes the process longer, complicated & annoying for both the client & the stylist.

HAIRSTYLE LONGEVITY

*Let me explain about asking stylists "How long will it last"? Simply put...I DON'T KNOW... Styles last according to the maintenance & care received AFTER the client has gone home. Speaking for myself, I make sure that my styles foundations are secure. But once you leave the salon, it's your responsibility to make sure that you're aware of upkeep & practicing good maintenance habits. So please, if you can't keep up the style you're requesting in my absence, it would be best not to get it.

FRONTALS

     *Yes, they're going to lift! They are NOT going to stay down due to various reasons. It may be a day, a week, a month (for the lucky one's...) there is no sure way to guarantee the lifespan of a frontal. While you're sweating, sleeping, washing your face, showering & other daily activities including not being mindful of the very delicate style that you have, it's life is quickly slipping away. That would not be my fault, nor can I compensate you for it. My suggestion....Don't get it!

      *Frontals (which includes wigs) WILL NOT look like the pics on Instagram unless you pay for all the extra services ultimately resulting in the finished product you see in those pics. (Not to mention that the pics you see have been photo shopped! Go ahead...Zoom in & see for yourself)

      *Laying a good frontal takes time & $$$. It must be plucked well, which takes time, the knots should be dyed & color applied strategically, there should be a nude cap process underneath, there should be a frontal braid technique designed especially for allowing frontals to appear flat, which tends to be small braids, not to mention shampooing & preparing the hair to be covered for an undetermined length of time.

      *All of this takes TIME... & after all of that, it has to be styled...MORE TIME! It's not a quick or cheap process, nor is it for those who can't afford it. 

SUMMARY

      I will always strive to give my clients the best service possible. My years of being a salon owner & cosmetologist have aided in the compiling of these rules & disclaimers. I deemed them to be fair & necessary to continue exceptional service for each client.

      I am dependable, capable, knowledgeable, experienced, talented, and most of all grateful! I will attend to you & your personal concerns with care & grace while maintaining the same integrity to my all of my client pool. 

      I hope this description helps you to determine whether or not I fit your lifestyle needs as a stylist. I understand & accept the fact that I am not the stylist for everyone. My unique set of skills is for those who have decided that I have the capabilities needed to address their personal concerns. 

     I felt the need to be honest & up front about issues that deeply affect the expectation of quality service. These  rules of engagement help to uphold & deliver on that expectation. It enables me to to give my best, which is ultimately the goal. 

                                                                                                              THANK YOU!