Our mission at the Louis Licari Salon is to keep every client happy. As we all know, making everyone happy all the time is next to impossible. Having said that, I am very proud of the percentage of people who walk out of our doors with a smile on their faces. This comes from years of practice dealing with the public and fine-tuning our customer service skills. We have been in business for nearly 25 years. In 25 years stuff has certainly happened.But with each potentially awkward situation that occurs, we learn how to become more adept at making every salon experience into a positive one.

The biggest lesson I have learned is to keep my eyes and ears open, and always to communicate with the client. The consultation is as important as all the hairdressing or coloring skills your stylist or colorist might have acquired over the years. Because it is vital that the hairdresser and the client be on the same page, a thorough consultation is perhaps the most essential ingredient to maintaining an effective stylist/client relationship. Listening to the clients and giving them feedback is the most critical part of keeping them happy.

So what should you do as a client to get the best results?

Make Sure the Hairdresser Sees You Before Your Hair is Shampooed
Hairdressers are very adept at sizing up yourpersonal style with a brief introduction and a quick glance at your overall appearance. It is key that any new haircut or hair color fit your lifestyle. A good hairdresser can visualize your lifestyle and beauty maintenance routine uponan initial meeting--which is why you should always first greet your hairdresser in your street attire before you put on a robe. A skilled professional will also be able to spot any obvious changes that need to be made within the first moments of seeing you. One of the best parts of the salon experience is thehairdresser's initial evaluation. They are looking at you with fresh eyes. They immediately see things you don't notice. Remember, the hardest person for you to look at objectively is yourself.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Contrary to popular belief, hairdressers love pictures. This is the best way to let your stylistand colorist know exactly how you want your hair to look. And, it is the easiest way for them to be able to tell you if your vision is possible. They will immediately see whether you have the right texture or color for your dream hair. Bringing a picture can avoid weeks of being disappointed with the wrong haircut.

Be Patient
Change is a luxury that often takes time. I know you may be thinking that on the Today show, I often make dramatic changes in less than two hours. It obviously can be done and can end up with beautiful results. But in a perfect world, it is better to make continuous small changes that lead to a completely different look. This gives you the time to fine-tune and adjust any changes that have been made. It leaves no room for error and guarantees great results.

Figure Out If You are At the Right Salon
There is nothing more frustrating than going to the hairdresser and not coming home happy. Sometimes you just haven't found the salon that understands your aesthetic. Look at the other clients when you walk into a salon. This will usually give you a clue of the salon's "look" or approach. I must qualify this by saying thatin my salon, there are many different stylistsand each has her or his individual style. Within most salons, however, you'll find one vision ofthe "look" of the season. I often compare salons to stores. If you want to look like Prada, you'd shop at Prada. If you prefer a more classic look, you would shop at Ralph Lauren. Usually the same is true with hair salons.

Having your hair done is a treat and should always be a fun experience that makes you feel pampered, beautiful, confident and empowered. You should always feel welcomed, like you are at your home away from home. Never accept anything less.

Before you pay a visit to your hairdresser, try on new hairstyles online using Makeover-o-Matic.