"The Work of Styling Hair" (Jenna Fitzpatrick)

When Mike Rose first started studying the Work of Styling Hair he did a little experiment. Rose was trying to show the thoughts that go through a stylists mind when they are looking at a head of hair, but I think it also illustrated the point that on some level everyone cares and understands hair. Even people with no haircutting experience whatsoever have some understanding about the techniques used by stylists and this experiment proves that fact. In his experiment Mike Rose showed pictures of ancient hairstyles, pictures that were centuries old, to both stylists and people with no hair styling experience. As you may have guessed, the stylists commented on the techniques and the aesthetic value of the hair. Stylists really analyze what they are looking at and do not just make statements like it looks nice. But the others who were uneducated in hairstyling also commented on the technique. These people did not make as many comments on the technique but focused more on how it looked (35-36). This shows that everybody has an understanding of hair on some level.
As I continued reading the chapter, I thought about my own personal experiences of getting my hair done. In particular I thought about my most recent haircut. The last time I got my haircut was about two months ago and it was right before I went on vacation. I had not planned on getting my hair cut, so it was a spur of the moment decision. I decided to go to Supercuts because I just wanted to get in and out quickly. The stylist asked me the basic questions like how short do you want me to cut it, do you want layers, and questions like that, but I do not think she really understood or cared about what I really wanted. A client can go into one of these chain haircutting places and be in and out in about 10 minutes. Some of the stylists do not even really care if you are satisfied or not. Another statement that Vanessa made that stuck with me was this, “Eighty percent of the haircut is after you dry it” (32). My hair was still soaking wet by the time I walked outside. The stylist did not even dry my hair when she was finished, nor ask me if I wanted it dried. My experience was completely different from the experiences that the stylists Mike Rose interviewed provided to their customers.
Rose talks to Vanessa who notes, “By the time I take my client to the shampoo bowl, after the consultation, I already have a little road map as to how I’m going to cut this haircut” (33). Most times the customer does not know what they want. Customers come in with ideas to take an inch off and then show the stylist something completely different. This is what leads to confusion about the haircut. Mike Rose interviews many stylists in this book and all of them made the same point that a stylist needs to completely understand the client and their needs before they start cutting their hair (37).