Sunday, August 21, 2011

Dress to Impress!

As a barber/stylist don't you think that the way you look is important? Well you better think twice if you think an old pair of ripped jeans and a stained white tee is gonna make a great impression.

The first impression is always the deal maker or breaker in a clients eye. If you walk into a Doctor's office and he looks a mess would you want him to attend you? I know that i like it when the person I am dealing with is presentable and clean looking.

As a professional always keep your attire proper and neat. Weather your style is gothic, modern or classic make sure you represent yourself well. look in the mirror and take the time to look over at what you have chosen to wear for the day. I believe that a "uniform" is real corporate, but a great outfit lets a person know you are serious about your profession and you know what your doing.

Choose an attire that fits correctly according to your body size and stature. Fitted jeans and a button down shirt is a great way to start. Dark, solid colors are always best. Prints and wording on a shirt are not good examples of a sharp look. Don't forget to accessorize your alphet with a nice belt and maybe a fedora hat, or a trendy haircut. Shoes also complete the look. Clean shoes or trendy sneaker/shoes are a great way to tone down an outfit without breaking the rules. We don't want you looking like your headed to a night club.

An example of sneaker/shoes are Chuck Taylor's classic black and white or even a nice pair of black shoes with a rubber sole for comfort. Stay away from running sneakers or white shoes that stand out and may look hairy by your second haircut.

All in all an alphet says a lot about a person. You can also attract clients according to your look and demeanor. Follow these few rules and you will see the difference. Not only in how you look and feel but how clients look and treat you as well.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Appointments preferred

Have you ever walked in to a barbershop/salon and can't even find a seat? That is the most frustrating feeling in the world. You feel like screaming at the top of your lungs but that will only make you look like an idiot.

Have you ever wondered if an appointment would be the next best thing for you? Here at American Shave we gladly except walk-ins but appointments are preferred. Here's why. Having a set schedule allows the client to have his time in the chair at the barbers 100% attention. This may seem unfair for non appointment clients but in fact it justifies quality versus quantity.

Appointments lead to a much happier experience and you won't feel rushed or "squeezed" in. The barber or stylist has the ability to prep for a future client in advance allowing him to execute the perfect strategy for the final product. Barbers/stylists work smoother and retain a much better composition knowing who will be sitting in their chair next.

As per the clients expectations, he or she is attended within a reasonable time and the waiting game is to a minimum, if any. Also you will walk into a comfortable waiting area instead of a hostile, congested waiting lounge where everyone is jumping to be taken care of next. Avoid the "I was here first" mumbo jumbo and accommodate yourself with a time slot that works in accordance to your life style.

If your shop doesn't work with appointments, suggest they do. Break down the pro's of having a schedule to work with and how clients appreciate it and In return the shop works more efficiently. In today's hustle and bustle running on time means being able to control your daily commitments, don't let someone else manage your day. Make an appointment!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Be! Beauty Hot Spot in NYC

In July we went over to the Be! Beauty Hot Spot in NYC! We had a blast with host, Stylist Kelly Desario and many celebrity hair gurus like Mario Raimondi and more.

It was great to show people how easy it is to maintain a great look with little time. We sat a few of our friends and styled their hair on the go as well as many random people walking by in the streets on NY.

Kelly's crew Reels Hair Artists put together an amazing presentation with their hot hair models. The crazy up-do's and amazing make up tips where a hit! We showed people that its not hard to look great with little to no time at all.

Kelly also highleted the fact that celebrity stylist should be in the forefront of the industry as well as the celebrities themselves. We stylsit make people look good! "We are the trend setters", Mario Raimondi.

Check out this video on the Be! Hot Spot and stay tuned for more....

BE! Beauty Hot Spot - NYC 7/28/2011 from Yoisen Rosales on Vimeo.

Client Retention

You may know that some clients are more challenging than others. With that said, every client is unique and adds definition to each and every haircut. The challenge is to handle these situations professionally. Sometimes you can’t resolve the problem in one sitting.

When a client arrives to your salon/shop always remember to keep them comfortable and greet them with a smile, good morning, good afternoon, etc. This sets a good portion of the tone for the rest of their experience and visit in the chair. Letting them know you are aware of their presence is a great way for them to sit back and know that you are taking the next step to accommodate them as quickly as possible. If you have a receptionist or host at your salon/shop they can also offer a beverage or any other amnesties you may provide to your clients.

Once you have your client in the chair make sure you are ready to commit to this person 150% while they are in your chair. You can start with making sure they have everything they need to get started. For example, you can ask if they need to utilize the bathroom or if they need a drink or even if you need to hang up their coat or hat. Make sure your client is comfortable and ready to discuss what they want to do.

Having the client in your chair is now an opportunity for you to ask how they have been since the last visit or how the previous hair style worked or didn’t work for them. What products have they been using and what they would like to see different. Once you have established a focal point in what they want to perceive in their hair style you can go on with the next step.

Make sure you have an exact execution plan when tackling the hair style your client has asked you to perform. As you begin to service your client let them know what you are doing and how you’re going make them look great. Let your client know that you are going to get them closer to their goal every time they sit in your chair by allowing you to work on what they envision.

After you have met your client’s goal, make sure you walk them through what you have done. Educate your client and let them know what product they need to maintain their hair style and how important it is to care for their hair. Show them the difference from when they first walked in and how you have improved the way they look. Follow up with a positive remark and how they should book their next appointment to maintain the look you have achieved for them.

Keep in mind that keeping a client happy is not an easy task and that as professional we have to give our clients positive input at all times. Remember that once you have a happy client he or she will keep returning again and again.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

ASCB’s Organic Pre-Shave Oil

ASCB’s Organic Pre-Shave Oil

Stop irritating your cheeks and neck! Here we have our organic blend pre-shave oil that harmonizes with your razor. If you have sensitive skin or just hard to get hair stubs, then your going to love this oil.

Our organic blend is made of organic safflower oil, organic castor oil, grape seed oil and vitamin E. Apply a small drop into the palm of your hand and massage into your neck and face. Applying the oil firmly in a circular motion will warm up your pores and allow for a much smoother shave.

Once you apply the oil, follow with a hot lather or shave cream of your choice. If possible run hot water on your razor to heat up the blade for an even tighter shave. Achieving a baby faced chin is no longer a challenge when using pre-shave oil.

After your face has achieved a dramatic exfoliating experience you can splash some after shave on your face and neck. Finally apply a cold towel to close your pores and seal in the moisture. If you don’t have a cold towel lying around, try ice cubes in your water bowl and splash some on your face.

Click on this link AMERICAN SHAVE to check out some products that we use at our shop, enjoy!



Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Behind the Blade

Have you heard of "Behind the Blade"? BTB is a web series brought to you by American Shave Classic Barber(ASCB). In these short videos we show the viewer what it takes to cater to all types of clients. Our clients range from bikers, DJ's to local small business owners that take pride in their appearance.

Take for example episode one. This episode features "Lily" who is a local DJ in the New Jersey/New York area. She comes to American Shave to perfect a Faux-Hawk that Manny the barber/owner of ASCB meticulously executes. She enjoys the comfort and relaxation she gets when she's in the chair. Her style is not only unique but it defines her self-being. Lily loves playing in front of a crowd and showing off her attitude without saying a word!

If you haven't seen any of these episodes, your missing a lot of good stuff. Stay tuned for more episodes coming in the near future! Here's the link Behind The Blade

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Stephen "TheSalonGuy" announces his official groomer for the red carpet!

Stephen "The Salon Guy" doesn't only know salons, he also is a professional hair stylist. Stephen is also an educator for the beauty industries heavy hitter Paul Mitchell. Find out what celebrity icons he has interviewed and learn beauty tips from many top-notch professionals. Also catch up with many red carpet discussions by Jerseylicious, Anthony Lombardi, Nick Arrojo, Colin Caruso, Takashi Kitamura and more.

Watch and find out why Stephen "The Salon Guy" looks a bit sharper these days and who his official groomer is for all of his red carpet appearances.

Also stay tuned for more info on his new web series "In The Chair", where Stephen displays how to revive your salon experience and forget about those horrible past situations.

TheSalonGuy August 2011 updates. from TheSalonGuy on Vimeo.