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To help you to get as much out of your visit to the salon as possible, here are some things to consider.

1. Bring pictures- Pictures help us to understand exactly what you want and what you don't want. If you can't find a photo, try drawing it. Our goal is to give you what you want.

2. Arrive a little early- This gives you time to browse photos, relax and not feel rushed. If you didn't bring a picture, it will give you time to look.

3. Don't listen to negative opinions about your hair- So often, people leave the salon incredibly happy, only to call back the next day saying that "my friend thinks it should be more like this" or "less red" etc. Go with your gut, and if you love it, tell your friend that you think it's great. You deserve to wear your hair any way you want.

4. Try to come alone- Some people bring their friend to the salon to give them advice. This appointment is about you, and not anyone else. This applies tenfold to children. Unless your sitter cancels last minute, don't bring them. An hour or two is just too long and boring for them.

5. Don't colour on the day of an event- Sometimes your skin will slightly stain around your hairline but will always come off the first time you shampoo. Also you need to allow enough time for your colourist to do whatever it takes to make your hair look great, and sometimes we need to soften a tone or brighten a red, and this can take extra time. This is why you should always use a parkade on colour days, as your meter will always expire.

6. Never keep quiet if you don't like what we do- Tell us and we will almost always want to make it right for you. We truly want you to be happy with your hair and your experience. Please give us the opportunity to regain your trust.

Please consider this: If we do what you ask us to do and you decide you don't like it later, it'll probably cost you to have it changed. You can't ask for a steak in a restaurant, decide you prefer their chicken, then go back the next day for the chicken and get it for free. This ties in with Tip # 3.

7. Don't send us your difficult friend or co-worker- We often hear, "I'm going to send Sally to you. She has tried (insert the top 5 salons in your city here) and nobody has ever given her a decent cut." We LOVE the fact that you hold us in high regard and please never stop referring people, but we don't want Sally! She is the problem, not the salons. Some people just cannot be pleased.

8. Wait until you have one inch of regrowth before re-highlighting- This allows us to minimize the risk of overlapping colour, the only real cause of breakage. Try a zig-zag parting and stop pulling your hair into a ponytail when getting rooty. It only makes it look worse when pulled back.

9. If you trust your stylist, buy the products they recommend- We want you to maintain your look at home, and you may not be able to achieve what we can without similar products. If you've spent time and money on a colour, make it last longer with what we suggest for you, and if you know where to find the same product less expensive, then by all means do it.

10. Make your appointments early- If you are always having a hard time getting in, it is probably time to prebook your appointments. Consider booking your next appointment when paying for your service. Most salons will call you the day before to remind you, and this way you will always have your ideal time.