Boosting retail loyalty amongst clientele isn’t just about transactions; it’s about creating an immersive experience that resonates with each client. Although salon services lay the foundation for stunning hair transformations, the real magic happens when a stylist can target their retail products to each client’s individual hair concerns, so that they are able to maintain long-lasting results. Read on to learn 4 tips on how to assess a client’s hair needs and choose the best products for their at-home routine. 

Step 1: Look for Visual Clues

Looking for visual clues is one of the the most important parts of assessing a client’s hair. Stylists should not only examine the condition of the hair’s health, like breakage, dehydration, oiliness, and damage, but also look at the type of texture. Certain curl patterns and finer hair are more fragile than thick, coarse textures, meaning it’s likely to need more moisture. Other key factors to look at include the hair’s history with chemical treatments, bleaching, over-processing and color. Examining these factors will help stylists cater the right haircare products and regimen to their clients’ concerns. For example, clients with colored hair should use Biolage’s Color Last regimen to prevent premature fading and dull color.

Step 2: Listen to Your Clients

During a consultation, it’s important for stylists to ask clients questions about their clients’ hair so that they get a better understanding of what will work best for their client. For example, if a client is asked about how frequently they style their hair, they can learn if the client is prone to breakage and recommend a strengthening regimen like Biolage’s Strength Recovery system to help repair and prevent weak, damaged hair.  

Step 3: Touch and Handle the Hair

A stylist's hands are like a second set of eyes. Handling the hair can give volumes of information about its condition, density, elasticity and texture. When discussing the length, shape and color, begin moving the hair around with, checking for breakage underneath or dryness on the ends. Stretch a few pieces of hair to see if overprocessing has compromised elasticity, then assess whether the hair feels rough because of disrupted cuticles. This will help stylists get a clear understanding of what to suggest, such as the new Biolage Bond Therapy regimen for overprocessed hair. 

Step 4: Giving Feedback

When a stylist has finished assessing the hair and it’s time to give their client feedback, the best approach is to tie in the product suggestions with the cut and color strategy. Walking through the process and steps of a service while incorporating a product regimen and its benefits will help the client understand that maintaining their hair requires at-home care. For color appointments, a stylist can recommend using Biolage’s Bond Therapy System for strengthening the hair, then educate their clients on why the Bond Therapy Shampoo, Conditioning Foam and Leave-In Cream will help maintain a shiny, healthy look.