LINDSEY ROBIN

Summary– Mike Rose’s The Mind at Work, Chapter 2: Styling Hair (Part 4)
In this chapter Mike Rose explains the importance of communication between the stylist and the client as well as their relationship and he notes some negative aspects to being and beginning as a hair stylist.

It is extremely important that the client and the stylist work to communicate before the stylist begins cutting and styling because often times the client is vague in describing what they would like or they aren’t even sure what they would like. Stylists also have to hold back urges to take over and make over their client the way they see best. After supervising all her stylists at her salon Shandra appreciates this communication with her clients. When a stylist is fully aware of the client’s needs they are able to use their knowledge to compromise and style the client in the way that’s best for the individual. Stylists need to think on their feet about which style will work with the client because “Hair only becomes important … when it isn’t doing what you want it to do,” (52).

In an interview with Deborah she explained, “People leave my chair happy because of what I did for them.” (51) This relationship between a client and stylist is important as some people consider stylists a type of informal counselor.
When starting out oftentimes stylists are mistreated. Some stylists have to compromise quality for quantity and they may also be underpaid. Being a stylist is also physically exhausting and may become a boring tedious routine. Some stylists have physical health problems from standing on their feet for long periods of time and going through repetitive cutting and washing patterns.

Sometimes your client is so set on a certain style it is hard for the stylist to mediate a cut or style that will compliment their complexion, and if this happens repetitively the stylist will not be able to use their creativity and knowledge to help the client. Mike Rose explains this “reduc(es) them more to a level of service providers only,” (50). One challenge for stylist, is “keeping it fresh,” (49) as Nancy told Mike Rose, however there are hair shows, where stylists get to express themselves without having to negotiate with customers.

Response– Mike Rose’s The Mind at Work, Chapter 2: Styling Hair (Part 4)

After reading this chapter I really want to go get a haircut. I know that I understand to a certain extent what my hair is capable of and what I can do with it, but I am going to put more trust in my hair stylist next time I go to the salon. They are trained in cutting and styling hair, it is their medium, similar to a master artist with their medium. I think that stylists don’t receive the respect they deserve for the tasks they accomplish day to day and the confidence they allot to their clients. This chapter also encouraged me to think more deeply about the consultation process with my hair stylist and next time I go to get my hair cut I am going to allow my stylist to do what she thinks is best. I know I want to find a stylist who understands my hair and become a regular because the relationship a stylist has with their regulars as Mike Rose explains “Shandra told me about closing her salon for a day so that she and her crew could attend client’s out-of-town retirement party,” (51). This kind of behavior is that brings together a community and makes it strong; it’s the kind of community I would like to live in. Where blue, white, or “pink collar” everyone is treated with the same respect for the time and effort they put into their work, not their job title.