The Art of Corrective Color with Hair By A Blonde

Prepare to be dazzled by our guest, Atalaya Figueroa, the color correction wizard and the entrepreneurial spirit behind Hair by a Blonde in San Antonio, Texas. Atalaya takes us on an adventure filled with hair and life lessons, starting from her humble beginnings as a 19-year-old stylist in a high-end salon, to the revered color correction specialist she is today. She candidly delves into the culture shock she experienced in her early days and the transformative lessons she absorbed along her journey, especially about recognizing one's worth and working smart rather than hard. 

Atalaya isn't one to keep secrets - she generously unveils the strategies that elevated her to the status of color correction expert. Ever wondered what it takes to attract the right clients or how to navigate the world of color correction? She's got you covered. She discusses the significance of ongoing learning, the power of social media, and her favorite products for achieving impeccably smooth results. Moreover, she expresses her interest in launching an online color correction class, a potential game-changer for many aspiring stylists. 

Wrapping up our enlightening conversation, she emphasizes the critical role of transparency, especially when it comes to pricing. She gives us a peek into her hybrid pricing method that ingeniously melds an hourly rate with product usage charges. Looking to specialize in color corrections? Her treasure trove of tips could be your roadmap. And for those seeking to stay connected with clients, she illuminates the importance of open communication. Her parting words are a call to action: Never stop asking questions, because the answers you seek are the keys to your success. So, are you ready to unlock a wealth of knowledge? Tune in!

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:02

Welcome to the smart, wealthy stylist podcast. I'm your host, emily Cardin. Over here. We're dedicated to helping hairstylists manage their finances, stay organized, healthy and manage their time and mental well-being. We focus on staying healthy in all areas of life and maximizing productivity. If you're a hairstylist looking for these things, then this is the podcast for you. Together, we'll avoid burnout and step into being the smartest, wealthiest stylist that we can be. Welcome back to the smart, wealthy stylist podcast. I have a treat for you guys. Today I have Autelaya from Hair by a Blonde and Sant Antonio, texas. We are so excited to have her on the show today because she is a color correction expert. This is her MO. Introduce yourself, tell me about yourself. Feel free to share your journey. I've been watching your page on Instagram and you just seem like such an amazing person, an overcomer. I would just love to hear a little bit about your story before we get into the nitty-gritty of the podcast.

Speaker 2: 1:16

Thanks, yes, so Autelaya Figueroa. I am in San Antonio, texas, owner of Hair by a Blonde. I've been doing hair for about 17 years now and it's been a journey, for sure it's been a journey. I started when I was 19 years old in the salon, so I was a baby. But I'm from a small town.

Speaker 2: 1:40

I grew up in Floresville, texas, which is about 15 minutes off out of the south side of San Antonio, so it's like a little further than the south. So, coming from a small town, it was fun, you know, but it had its things in just that small town mindset. So I really wanted to kind of get out and see what else was out there. So I started beauty school right after I graduated and went straight into working at a salon as well as I graduated beauty school. So I was the youngest in the salon for a very long time Youngest I, actually. So if you're from San Antonio, everyone knows the Alamo Heights area is a very high-end prestige area and that's where I started my career and it was very different for me because, coming from a small town, I did not know anything in that world, so it was very different for me.

Speaker 1: 2:40

I thought that was awesome to be like that be your first exposure, you know, like coming from small town, and then that is your first exposure into the salon world Like what an awesome start.

Speaker 2: 2:53

Yes, it was. It was kind of like a culture shock for me because, you know, I came from a very humble beginning so I did not even know what sushi was, I didn't know what you know Whole Foods, all that kind of things where it was very different for me.

Speaker 2: 3:10

But I'm so glad I put myself out there like that and went out of my comfort zone because absolutely everyone in there basically took me under their wing and really saw in me what I don't think I saw in myself for a long time. You know, coming from the background I come from, the world I come from it was just totally opposite. So a lot of the women there took me under their wing. They were very hard on me but it definitely gave me the work ethic I have, the, the mindset I have and the just will to want to strive for better. It definitely was worth it going through that and being there, I had a different experience.

Speaker 1: 3:56

I was also the baby. I graduated high school at 17 and then, you know, was finished with my cosmetology degree by the time I was 18. But the first place I went into was like it was a old school barber shop. I didn't know how to cut men's hair very well and so I was like, well, I just want to learn from, like you know, barbers, like that's what they do. And it was not. Like that was traumatic.

Speaker 1: 4:20

I feel like it could have been worse. It could have been worse and then, you know, that led into like self doubt as I went along in my journey until I was exposed to, you know, I started doing like invisible bead extensions and being exposed to that like luxury mindset and like changing how you do your pricing and all that stuff and charging your worth and you know all the things. And it was like I wish that I you know, looking back, I had actually had this conversation with my husband just this last weekend Like I wish I would have started out in a higher end salon and had that mindset from the beginning, instead of like work harder or faster. You know, more bets in your chair, the more money you make, which is so far from the truth, like you know. Anyway, I'm happy for you that you got to do that.

Speaker 2: 5:07

I still had to learn that kind of the hard way and it took me years to get to that point of like charging your words and like really knowing, because even in that salon it was a high end salon but we definitely were worked very hard. It was a double booking salon but we would have like three, four people at one time. We had a lot of apprentices, a lot of stylists, so it really was like quantity over quality yeah, like you had to be fast.

Speaker 2: 5:36

You had to be fast. So the more people you see, the more money you make. So I did have that mindset for a long time. It took me a very long time to kind of reverse what I like, that part of it, and learn like to charge your worth. But you don't have to like double book or work 12 hour days to make good money in this industry, right.

Speaker 1: 5:55

Yes, 100%. If I could shout that from the rooftops, I would. So let's get into, like how you got into color correction and how you consider yourself, you know, a color correction expert. Like, how do you, how do you position yourself as an authority in that?

Speaker 2: 6:13

It took. Well, I've been doing. I guess I've been doing this for 17 years. It definitely took a very long time to get to this point, I think, to call myself a color correction specialist, definitely, having especially coming from an era where it was like 40 volume get to blonde, you know right having to relearn a lot of things that I learned in the beginning.

Speaker 2: 6:41

First of all, just continuing my education. I've always continue education. No matter how long I've been in this industry, I still always go to classes. I learned from other stylists in my city, you know social media has been a great way to learn new techniques, new ways of doing things easier. I feel like this generation has it a lot easier to continue learning because it's at the tip of your fingers, you know, right there in your phone, your computer. I would say I became more going into color correction, probably in the last eight or nine years. You know San Antonio has a. We have a very diverse culture and we have a lot. We have a lot of Latin culture, a lot of just more of that dark haired clientele.

Speaker 1: 7:39

Yes, yes.

Speaker 2: 7:41

And it can be a challenge for a lot of people, or a lot of people, because I feel like people are so focused on having more than like a lot of people in one day when they see someone come in with like thick, dark hair that's been colored a million different ways and you know, at home they're like, oh no, like that's gonna take me all day, I'm not doing that. Or they're gonna try to like rush through it and do things to kind of like band-aid it and then it's, yes, more of a mess. So for me, when I started doing this, when I came home and opened my own little you know salon, I love the challenge of color corrections, I love getting someone's hair fixed, like I love fixing it. It just takes a lot more steps and it's very tedious and I'm willing to do that. So I will sit there for 10 hours and work on your hair.

Speaker 2: 8:41

So, that's why I started saying you know, like I love this, I love doing color corrections. It is tedious. You do have to have like that mindset, like it's gonna take a while. You gotta do step by step, you can't rush this. And then it started just kind of catching on and people started seeing like I can get you know these major, crazy hair situations back on track. Oh.

Speaker 1: 9:08

I bet there's so many people who are so thankful that you're willing to take the time. Yes, so how do you get the right clients in your chair? Do you feel like it was social media word of mouth? Like, I know that you, you know you are a color correction specialist, so, like, how do you attract those people?

Speaker 2: 9:29

Definitely now it's been social media. Like I said, when I first started we didn't have that, so we had to go out there, pass out cards, interact yes, face to face, which I'm still a big believer in that. I do still go to a lot of networking events trying to like meet people and get my clientele like that. But definitely social media has been the number one advertisement for myself to get clients in my chair. Just kind of posting these huge before and afters was definitely what got me noticed and people are like yes, I love your work, I love that you do that and and then explaining like how I do it, like you're in my chair a long time, I do work on only you one at a time, like you know, just social media was the biggest way for me.

Speaker 1: 10:28

Yeah, knowing they know what to expect. They know what it looks like before, during and after, like. So just just being very transparent about their experience in your chair and then posting that on social media.

Speaker 2: 10:40

Exactly and educating, like I'm always posting little educational things for clients as well as stylists, so that I understand why we charge what we charge, why, right, multiple sessions, why it takes so long. You know, because it's a lot of money and I get that and I I want people to kind of understand when you're walking into this. This is why Right.

Speaker 1: 11:07

Yes, what would you say is your favorite thing about doing color corrections?

Speaker 2: 11:13

My favorite thing is definitely seeing people's reaction at the end. I just love when they just beam with confidence or, you know, so excited or shocked that I got it to their goal. You know it just like wow, like I did that. Yeah, like that's so awesome.

Speaker 1: 11:39

You know, in one of the I'm on a hair stylist supporting hair stylist Facebook page and when I like to ask on there, you know what podcast topics people want to hear, because this whole podcast is about empowering hair stylists as a community you know, and giving them like what, what do they need? And if I don't know the answer, I'm going to find someone who does. You know, I'm not a color correction specialist, I don't.

Speaker 1: 12:05

you know, that's not my thing, but I'm like okay, but I can find someone who is you know so a lot of the questions that they were asking was like formulation so many people have such a hard time with for formulation and you know what makes a service, a color correction and color theory and all that stuff. So what tips do you have for these people who are maybe just starting on this color correction avenue and first off, like what makes it a color correction instead of just a bonding session, or you know what I'm saying like what makes it different, and then maybe go into a little bit of formulation and some tips for them?

Speaker 2: 12:48

For me, the way and I'm sure you know everybody faces their word of color correction differently. For me, the way I base your hair. If it's going to be either a regular bonding session or a color correction is first the time, the timing it's going to take me to do it. I've been doing this so long I can tell when someone's going to take at least six hours. So if it's going to take right six hours or more than to me, that's a color correction because you're taking up my whole day and I can't have anybody else in my chair like after you.

Speaker 2: 13:23

So I just know like the steps are going to be like tedious, like you know color removers, a lot of color, a lot of bowls, treatments so that's kind of how I base my verbiage of color correction.

Speaker 1: 13:43

Like how much work it's going to take.

Speaker 2: 13:45

Yeah, but even though I feel like nowadays with everyone, most people, most things are color corrections nowadays, I think, you know, even a bonding session can be a color correction, because it's. We're out of that realm of doing quick, fast work, Like you know.

Speaker 1: 14:07

Yeah, it's not just a foil highlight Like it's a massive transformation TZ lights, balayage you know all the things Like everything's customized now.

Speaker 2: 14:18

Like you're doing different techniques on one head to create a look, and but for me, I based off, like I can tell, like this is going to be a lot of time, a lot of product, and so that's when I'll consider you a color correction.

Speaker 1: 14:34

Okay, and so yeah with the formulation like what. Do you have any tips for that? I'm sure it's because I know like each client is so very different, but do you have any tips for people wondering about that With?

Speaker 2: 14:50

formulation. Yeah, like, everyone uses different color lines, they have different ways of what they feel they want to do and I always preach about like no way is the wrong way. It's just a suggestion. You know, like everybody's weight, what works for you works for you. I would say for sure, prep work is the most important when you're going to do a color correction, prepping the hair, like doing a color remover or doing a treatment that will get, like the hard water, the minerals, out first, like taking that extra step to prep your hair before you're going to start, is definitely a game changer. But as far as formula actual formulas, I would, I mean, I would say I'm a big advocate for like low and slow when you're lightning you know, you've been lowering the lower developers, because it will get lighter and you have more control.

Speaker 2: 15:47

And then, just always, you have to know your color wheel. Like I know it's like back to basics with that, but definitely knowing your color lines, color wheel is definitely going to make your color corrections way better. So, and thinking kind of one step ahead, when I'm doing a color correction I'm always in my mind like if this doesn't work, I'm gonna do this. If this doesn't work, if it doesn't come out like this, I'm gonna do this. Like I'm kind of always mapping out my, like my, what I'm doing on them.

Speaker 2: 16:22

Yeah, I would definitely say the color wheel is a big one knowing what cancels out what, but also at the same time, not getting stuck in those rules. Knowing the rules and then knowing what to do to kind of break them, that can give you the results you're looking for. And then another big thing for me is when you're lifting, kind of lifting lighter than your target level, so that when you tone down, when you want to tone to your target level, it is more even and more clean and not like spotchy, so like if you're gonna do a level eight, you can lift to a level nine and then tone it with tone down. Yes, but also too, you gotta make sure, like you gotta think of, is the hair poorest? If you do that, level eight is it gonna grab?

Speaker 2: 17:14

so it's color cracking is really just it's, it's. It's so different Like it can be so many different scenarios.

Speaker 1: 17:23

Do you offer online education or education events that people could come to if they were interested in taking a class on color correction?

Speaker 2: 17:32

Yes, I do offer, I do classes in my suite on color corrections, like where you'll actually like we'll do a live model. So you'll see it, step each step at a time, on a live person. That I've never done before, so you're gonna.

Speaker 2: 17:47

you see me, how I, how I go about it, like you're seeing this person for the first time, just like me, so we're gonna do this you know together, and then I'm starting to look into doing it online now, because I feel like that's kind of where it's at, where people are want to reach out lighter broad of stylist is to kind of do it online.

Speaker 1: 18:13

So well, even if you had, like a videographer, come to your live classes and like video you while you do it and then sell that class online, it's like two for one.

Speaker 2: 18:23

Exactly, I mean it's.

Speaker 1: 18:25

it's amazing the the social media realm, what we can do now as yeah behind the chair, so I know that I would absolutely be interested in an online class. Just dropping that there.

Speaker 2: 18:39

Yeah, that'd be so cool.

Speaker 1: 18:41

So you said that you use a color remover and a mineral remover beforehand. Can you tell me what those products are?

Speaker 2: 18:49

Yes, so I'm a.

Speaker 2: 18:51

I love the Malibu sea products, so I either go in with a crystal gel treatment which that's gonna remove all the hard water, all the minerals. I'll do that one when it's not necessarily like they have bands of color or box color or at home color, and then, if it's more like that where we're having to remove actual color, I'll go in with the Malibu sea CPR treatment because it is more gentle, it's mixed with water under the dryer. Those two treatments do sit under the dryer for up to 45 minutes. I always do the full 45 minutes to get the best result.

Speaker 2: 19:36

And then you, you know, shampoo it and then dry it and then start your your color correction, if it is a little bit more of a stubborn color in their hair, like if it's box color, like black, or you know red and the CPR is not enough, then I'll go in with the Rask, eliminate that. One will also remove it. But you just gotta be careful because you've got to know like is their hair already compromised. You don't really want to do a sulfur based remover if it's just too too compromised, you know.

Speaker 1: 20:11

Okay. So, do the Malibu sea treatments before and you you only do the CPR one if it's stubborn, like color bands and stuff the other one is the Malibu sea crystal gel is just to remove like bonds that have yellowed some or like mineral buildup right.

Speaker 2: 20:30

Yeah, I use the Malibu crystal gel honestly. Every new client that comes in my chair, I start them with that, no matter if it's a color correction or not, because do you, do you continue to do that on your regular clients or?

Speaker 2: 20:44

Not necessarily because they already start you. Once they've come with me, they start using professional products and I teach them how to shampoo their hair twice. There's also a product I recommend to do it at home. It's the Wow Dream Filter. That's a spray that a client can take home. You spray it on your hair like, leave it in for about a minute or two and then shampoo it, and that's like a mini demineralizer that you can do at home and you can do that like yeah like once or twice a month.

Speaker 1: 21:19

That's cool. That would probably be great for some like I have a lot of extension clients that they're. They have what like. Here we're in Missouri and it is like a lot of well water and man, I'm telling you what these girls they end up with like yellow hair by the time they come back.

Speaker 2: 21:35

You know, and I have to do all the things to like demineralize, so that would be a great option for some of my girls oh, that's perfect, they would, they would love it. They would love that it's super easy and they can do it themselves at home.

Speaker 1: 21:46

Awesome. So, moving on um, do you have a guide or a system that you follow with every color correction, or do you just kind of flow and just have a customized approach? I know we touched on this a little bit, but do you have kind of like a game plan or do you totally just like go with whatever happens?

Speaker 2: 22:04

I do have a semi game plan because, obviously, like, I do do a consultation with these people before they book their color corrections, just because there is some people that I won't take.

Speaker 1: 22:18

If your hair is just too much like over compromised, um, where it's nothing I can do because it's gonna fry off, I'm not gonna do it right um, but that's good for you to say no also like I want to pause on that for a second, because I think it's such a huge misconception in the salon industry that you just have to take everyone. But that's so far from the truth. I feel like if it is outside your comfort zone or if you feel like it could be a liability to the person, that is a powerful thing to say no, and your reputation to say no, yes, because it's everything.

Speaker 2: 22:55

Yeah, and if someone comes in with damaged hair like, like overly damaged hair, um, and even if I were to try to fix it and I didn't do that initial damage, I always tell people.

Speaker 2: 23:09

When they go, tell people who did your hair, they're gonna say you, because you were the last one, even though you didn't yes they're not gonna sit there and say well, I went somewhere else, they damaged it and she tried to fix it and I like no, they're just gonna say that you did that and people are gonna say that you fried it. So, yes, no, yes, I'm not. All money is good money yeah, exactly I like that.

Speaker 1: 23:32

Okay, sorry, go ahead on your. So after the consultation, like you kind of have a game plan.

Speaker 2: 23:37

I do have a game plan but, like I said, I don't stick to it. I mean, like I don't have like blinders on from my game plan. I just kind of generalize like okay, it's probably gonna do this, it might do this. But I always kind of think one step ahead of if it doesn't do this, I'm gonna do this, if it doesn't do this, I'm gonna do this, like to me.

Speaker 2: 23:59

I I don't know if it's from just years of experience or or just continue to be educated, but I kind of game plan for like the worst scenario, for like a medium scenario and then right it comes out the way I needed to. So I kind of just have everything kind of in a game plan, but then still prepared for things to go totally left field.

Speaker 1: 24:27

Yes, so, speaking of that, what, what's? What do you do when things do go wrong, like when you know you're just thinking that this is what's gonna happen and then the hair doesn't do what you were aiming for. Like, what is the process for troubleshooting?

Speaker 2: 24:43

One is don't freak out. I feel like that's what.

Speaker 1: 24:47

I would. I'd be like you know. Don't let them see your face.

Speaker 2: 24:52

Yeah, I mean there definitely have been times where I've been like I quit, I don't want to lose them work, yeah someone else.

Speaker 2: 24:59

Take this it's just really, when, okay, when something is not coming like doing what I needed to do, I just have to take a step back. Alright, let's like refocus. Okay, come on, you, you know this, you know your, your color wheel, you know your color line. What can we do? Let's, let's, let's calm down and see what we can do. And if it's really to the point where I really don't know, like my brain has just been on think mode for hours and now I'm just like I can't even think right now, it's just too like my mind's blank, I'll, I'll go and call someone over like, hey, what do you think? Get a fresh set of eyes? Like this is what I've done. It's not doing this. What? What's your suggestion?

Speaker 2: 25:45

You know, right, it's always great to be able to bounce off other stylists because they're seeing it from a different light and they haven't been in their room with you for five hours already, you know. So, yes, and I'm gonna sweet, so even I will go find a stylist in my sweet. I know some people feel like they're alone, but you're really not. I mean, when you're in a suite, there's everybody in there. You just have to go and you know, doesn't hurt to ask because, yes, you, you just sometimes need that extra, like, oh, okay, and sometimes the things they say you're like oh yeah, I knew that, but it's just when you're in a color, yeah, cuz you're just so in and your mind is just been like yes.

Speaker 1: 26:30

So like, how do you stay confident when things aren't going as planned? You just like pep, talk yourself, like okay, I've got this, or like I think what really?

Speaker 2: 26:38

helped me stay confident when things are going wrong is back to the consultation. When you have a consult with me, my expectations for you are very low. I do not give my client high expectations, like at all.

Speaker 2: 26:55

I always under shoe and over deliver a thing and I way under shoot, like like I literally will sit there and be like okay, you know, if they have some black box color and they want to be blonde, I'll sit there and tell them. I'm not even gonna say that we're blonde in this console, because we're not gonna get you there. Like you know, I yeah, and I protect myself in that console. I tell them everything. I'm very raw and real and every scenario. I'm just very thorough. So in a moment where I'm like man, this color is not coming out or it is not budging or not turning the way I want, or that, I don't feel too like flustered because I know I told them in the console that this probably could happen. So, yes, it's okay because they do that way to protect yourself like that's.

Speaker 1: 27:54

That's so smart to under promise and then over deliver and then, if it doesn't, you know, turn out how you're hoping. Internally they're still happy with it because you told them in the console, like you're, let's get you to a chocolate brown, that'll be great today you know, and then if they're blind, they're gonna be so happy and sometimes even for people, if you want to do like color correction forms.

Speaker 2: 28:19

I worked for a salon that we did that and that was honestly great as well, because it was on paper and they signed it. They knew what they were getting into yep, you would write everything on there.

Speaker 1: 28:29

So you could go back to when that protects you as a stylist.

Speaker 2: 28:32

To yes just because you know. I mean, I know when you tell clients sometimes like it's not gonna like this, they're still thinking but it can be, you know. So whatever way to protect yourself is, you do what works for you.

Speaker 2: 28:50

I'm just very blunt and I'm very honest and, like I said, I'm a way under promissor. Even if someone comes in my chair and I know I can get them blonde and it's gonna be like the best platinum blonde ever, I still won't say it. I won't tell them that I'll just be like it'll be lighter, but not that. You know, I don't because I I've. Everything I do is because I've had that happen, like from experience. Yeah, I've had some one come in where I thought it was gonna be super easy, super quick, and it wasn't.

Speaker 1: 29:23

Yeah, and you're like yeah. So I've got to ask what's the worst thing that's ever happened while doing a color correction.

Speaker 2: 29:32

I would say the worst one for me was that their box color literally did not budge at all. I did like three removers and I was just like okay, like this is not working. And then I still went. I still went into lightening it because I figured, even though it didn't come out, that cuticle was open, so I'm sure the lightener will budget a little bit. And it really didn't like it kind of did and I was just like okay so what'd you have to do?

Speaker 2: 30:20

I just made her like a dark brown, like a dark dark brown. So I was like well, that's it. Like I can't do like your hair, we just gonna let it grow, or something like let it grow out and just gently try to see if we can get this color out, maybe little by little, but yeah that one, how crazy.

Speaker 1: 30:43

I wonder what kind it was that she used, because I was like insanity yeah, it was pretty horrible and it took.

Speaker 2: 30:51

I did finally get her lighter, but it took a very long time like wow, almost a year of coloring her and you're like never touchbox die again yeah, I said, if you do, I'm never gonna hear again. Don't, don't even call me oh my gosh.

Speaker 1: 31:09

So I know that, like, like you said, these people are with you all day long. So, like, how do you figure your pricing? For I know for me, like I do, package pricing. So when people go on my website they can see, you know how long it's gonna take, what it includes, and I only have like three packages to choose from. But, like I said, I don't do you know extensive color services. Typically, like the biggest one I have is my clean, modern Blonding, and they're with me anywhere from three to four hours and it's like 280 bucks, you know. But they know like, okay, this is an extended appointment, this is how much it's gonna cost. But for you, I mean, I feel like that would be hard to do package pricing. So what do you do for your pricing and letting them know how much it's gonna be?

Speaker 2: 31:50

so I, like I said, I've been in this so long and I have definitely had different pricing ways, like in the salon and then even on my own I've done like hourly pricing. I've done all a car, I would say for me. Now the best method that works for me is kind of a hybrid pricing method where I do charge an out like I do have a base hourly rate, but then I'm also charging for my product usage. So it's like combined. So when I'm foiling you I'm overall doing the hourly but then I'm also adding in my product usage.

Speaker 2: 32:36

But for color corrections, because there's so much going on, that's too difficult to to charge like all a card or even my hybrid, because it's maybe a lot of stuff, I mean, that's a lot to keep track of. So I base my color corrections hourly. So my color corrections are 125 an hour and that includes everything, anything I have to do to get you closer to your goal, and that just makes it easier because it's just like and so, like at your color consultations and stuff, you just tell them okay, we're doing a color consultation, you'll probably be here at least six hours.

Speaker 1: 33:18

You know it's one 25 an hour and they're just okay with that.

Speaker 2: 33:22

Like, yeah, I give them a range.

Speaker 1: 33:26

So I'm like I give them like a lowest and highest like a best-case scenario and well, not worse, but low and high yeah yeah.

Speaker 2: 33:35

So I tell them like, okay, you're gonna be here like six to nine hours. It's 125 an hour, just so they're prepared for that nine hour. I mean because sometimes it can't be, usually it's not. I haven't. I've had maybe like two, that were the nine or ten hour ones. It's usually at six hours. But yes, yeah, I mean they're okay with it because it includes everything I have to do. And when I break that down, so I know people are probably like what? Like that's like a thousand dollars on a nine-hour service. But the thing is I'm doing Everything in one session.

Speaker 2: 34:19

Right you go somewhere else. They're charging you Two to four hundred dollars and doing four sessions on you and you're still not where you want to be Exactly paid what you would pay me.

Speaker 1: 34:30

You just paid it in Increments over time right, and you still weren't happy because you still didn't yeah, you want to be, I'm gonna bang it out in one day and Get and get now.

Speaker 2: 34:41

You still may not be to your ultimate goal, but you're gonna be a lot, a heck of a lot further. Yes, and then also for me. I also I'm a non tipping establishment, I don't accept tips and I also Offer after pay as well for my client. So they can break it up if they feel like that's just like, oh, my god, too much, you know. Yeah, that's amazing.

Speaker 1: 35:05

I love how you do that and and I think that you know from a lot of clients that I have had over the years I've done here for 13 years now and you know the big, one of the biggest things that they struggle with is like transparency, like they want Transparency from their stylist. And I've had people come to me and they're like you know, I am my last stylist. Every time I never knew what it was gonna be. I was either gonna be, you know, 200 for my move up and 120 for my color, or then it'd be like 600 the next time and I got the same thing and I never Knew what I was gonna be paying. And like transparency Fultations, giving them an expectation. I think is so important for the stylist to feel comfortable and I feel like that builds trust too, like saying you know, this is what I'm gonna charge you, this is what to expect. I just want to be upfront and honest with you. You know like that is valuable and clients really Want that and love that.

Speaker 2: 36:00

Yes, because that's what I would want, like I always do everything. Yes is I would think I think of myself like what would I want? I don't want to be sitting in my, in someone's chair Sweating, thinking like, oh my god, how much is my hair gonna melt off or my hair? Yeah, absolutely yes you know like I'm gonna have to break out the credit card. Yeah, so am I gonna have to wash dishes? Yeah right.

Speaker 2: 36:29

I just like to give. That's why I give them the max and the like. I give them a range and it is a pretty far range. I mean, you know, but it's also that's protecting me, but that's also telling my hand, okay, well, I know it's not gonna be over this amount, but it could be less.

Speaker 1: 36:46

So, yes, so, to wrap this up, what are five tips? If you had anything, any five things to advise stylists who are wanting to move into doing color corrections more, or I'm wanting to start specializing in this what is five tips that you would give them? That are the five most meaningful to you.

Speaker 2: 37:09

First I would say just do it. I mean mm-hmm, don't be afraid. You know, I feel like success comes with stepping out of your comfort zone, and If something makes you feel Nervous or scared, then do it, because that means a hundred percent, I kind of do yes.

Speaker 2: 37:36

Maybe bringing in models for yourself first, like to practice on people that have challenging hair and see what works for you and what doesn't. Definitely, education, continuing your education is big. Learn from different stylists on their techniques, on color correcting, anything and pull from them what you liked and create your own Method. Yes, that's basically what I did. You know, everything you do during a session is pulled from multiple stylists. I learned from what worked for me and what didn't. Definitely, and I would definitely say, nowadays I'm charging your worth, yes, but also we're in a time right now where I Don't think that's enough to just say charging your word and just because you're good at what you do, I feel like you need to give your clients the full experience you know. Value added services, like little extras, you know. Make it More for them as well, because we're in challenging times and yeah.

Speaker 2: 38:52

You know a lot of people can do good hair but give your perceived value needs to be a million percent.

Speaker 1: 38:58

Yeah, like you need to be giving value.

Speaker 2: 39:01

Yes, you're in, you give them and and every time, just because you've had a client for ten years, you treat them the same as when you first met them. Like you know, you don't just get too comfortable and like oh hey, you know, like you, you want to treat them the same as you would a brand new client in your chair.

Speaker 2: 39:18

Yes, all the time, and just like Just knowing that it's okay to mess up, like we're human, you know we're not magicians, you're not gonna be perfect it's okay to to not get it right sometimes, like.

Speaker 1: 39:41

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2: 39:42

That's totally. I think people of stylist gets so caught up on like, like they beat themselves up all day when something doesn't come out right and it's like it's okay, like you're you're not a magician and we don't really know what people do on their hair like they can tell us, but we don't know. They're leaving stuff out. And as long as you try your best and you're doing the best you can, that's okay.

Speaker 1: 40:04

Yes, I Love it. Well, you know, I have enjoyed our conversation so much today and I want to let my listeners know that you know you do have in-person courses and when can they find you on Instagram, on.

Speaker 2: 40:20

Instagram it's hair by a blonde. Facebook as well, hair by a blonde, and then I have a tiktok hair, but it's all hair by a blonde. And even I always tell people like if you have questions, you can always be DM me. A lot of stylist from everywhere would DM me asking me for Help on things and I'll write you back. I'll help you through DM, you know. So definitely feel free to reach out. If you have questions on a client or a situation that you're gonna encounter with someone in your chair, you know I'm definitely Will help you and I have worked with a lot of color lines so I'm pretty good at kind of Like four million on both on on a lot of things.

Speaker 1: 41:06

I can color line.

Speaker 2: 41:08

Yeah, I can, you know, do it from different ones. I've worked with so many, so Awesome.

Speaker 1: 41:16

Well, thank you so much. I appreciate you and I really enjoyed our conversation today.

Speaker 2: 41:22

Thank you for having me. It was so much fun I feel like.

Speaker 1: 41:26

I feel like you've added a lot of value to the community today. So Well, I'll be seeing you on Instagram and maybe one of these days I can catch one of your classes in person.

Speaker 2: 41:35

Yes, thank you. Thank you so much, it was so much awesome. All right?

Speaker 1: 41:39

Well, I'll talk to you later.

Speaker 2: 41:40

Okay, thank you.

Speaker 1: 41:42

All right, bye, bye. Thank you for listening in today. If you have a burning question or a topic you want me to cover, leave a review and ask the question in the review. This is the best way to get your questions answered. Just remember you are a smart, wealthy stylist and you are capable of anything you set your mind to. I'll catch you later. Don't be a stranger, you.