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Well + Good | Dehydration Is Likely the Cause of Your Most Annoying Hair Concerns—Here’s How Stylists Want You To Deal With It

July 12, 2022 by Ambrosia Hitchcock Leave a Comment

Keeping your hair moisturized is no easy feat. Aside from the fact that certain textures are more prone to dryness to begin with (looking at you, curly-haired friends), on any given day, it feels like there are a zillion different things threatening our hair’s hydration levels—like the sun, hot tools, shampoos with heavy detergents, excessive brushing, and chemical treatments, to name a few. And because dry hair can take on a few different characteristics, it may not be immediately obvious that your strands are dying of thirst… which means you’re likely ignoring the root cause of some of your most annoying concerns.

To help you get things back on a well-hydrated track, we chatted with Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, and Kerry Yates, trichologist at Colour Collective. Keep reading for the tell-tale signs that should tip you off to the fact that your hair needs more moisture, plus exactly the steps you need to take to properly quench those strands.

SHEfinds | Professional Hair Stylists Say These 2 Short, Flirty Haircuts Will Take Years Off Of Your Face

June 14, 2022 by Ambrosia Hitchcock Leave a Comment

What better way to celebrate the start of summer than with a fresh haircut? As the weather warms up, you may be dreaming of a shorter, breezier style to stay cool. Luckily, there are plenty of close-cropped options that will not only make you look more on trend than ever, but will also take years off of your face.

To discover the best short, flirty haircuts for older women to rock this summer, we checked in with hair stylist Gina Rivera, owner of Phenix Salon Suites. She pointed out two in particular that are perfect for looking and feeling younger than ever: read the details here!

How to Improve Your Customer Service Using Gina’s Platform

May 26, 2022 by [email protected] Leave a Comment

Globally, 54% of all consumers say that they have higher customer service expectations than they did just one year ago, according to Nextiva.

Like any good partnership, great stylist-client relationships come down to two things: connection and chemistry. Sure, it’s great when both can happen organically. But if you’re like most health, beauty and wellness businesses, you may need a little help to keep that connection strong for the long-term.

Over time, all businesses experience some client attrition. However, good customer service in the beauty industry can totally transform your business for the better. And that starts with a great customer interaction from the jump. Whether your goal is to connect more deeply with your clients, expand your customer base, get more word-of-mouth referrals, or just make your work more meaningful, this is where to focus your efforts.

Want to cultivate or preserve the relationships you’ve worked so hard to build? Consider how an app like Gina’s Platform can help you give your clients that little something extra and improve customer service in meaningful ways.

Solutions to Improve Customer Service in Health, Wellness, and Beauty Salons

In the salon, customer experience is everything. It’s important to remember that this overall impression starts long before they’re in your chair.

That’s why salon customer service solutions like Gina’s Platform are so powerful. The app lets you stay connected with your clients before, during, and after their service. Acting on these organic moments of connection can do wonders for your business.

Let’s look at just three of the app features that help put your clients first:

Automate tasks so you can focus on the relationship. You don’t need an entire marketing department to operate like you have one. Gina’s Platform is a mobile app for lifestyle professionals designed to manage your business and help you market it. Thoughtful features facilitate your day-to-day and push your marketing messages, so you can stay present with your clients during their appointments.
Continuous communication and instant scheduling. A good relationship needs good communication. With the client management features on Gina’s Platform, you can ensure your clientele information stays safely stored in a secure cloud environment, so you never have to worry about losing your contacts. The same feature makes it a breeze to instantly create appointments, call your clients, or send them a quick text message. If you already have a CRM solution you like to use, you can import this information directly into the platform and sync your existing scheduling system.
Client history that never expires. The more loyal your client base, the more there is to recall. With Gina’s client management system, lifestyle professionals can access years of historical information for each individual client. That includes formulas, preferences, allergies, and special dates, as well as all past invoices. Want to run a report showing how much each client has spent with you over the course of your professional relationship? It’s easy to sort. That way, you can send your longest standing customers discounts and incentives that reward their loyalty. You can also see clients grouped by services, purchased products, and more. You’ll never be limited by note size either, so no matter how complex that color formula is, you’ll have space to wax poetic. Make notes about clients’ likes and dislikes, store text exchanges in “folders” to keep them organized, notate birthdays or keep track of when they first came to see you, so you have multiple touch points throughout the year.

Customer Service FAQ:

Why is improving customer service important? Day Smart Salon shares that, “The industry average retention rate for new clients is 35 percent.” That means 65 percent of the new clients you get, you’re likely to lose. Without the right customer service solutions, you’re more apt to see your customer base shrink significantly.
Why is communication important in customer service? 50% of consumers will switch to a competitor after one bad experience, and 80% will switch to a competitor after more than one bad experience, according to ZenDesk. The better you can communicate with your clients, the better chance you have at salvaging the relationship – or avoiding a negative experience altogether.
What is good customer service? Positive interactions, attentiveness, and attunement to client needs are all part of what makes good customer service great.

Customer service in salons, wellness clinics, and health centers is different from the average retail experience. Lifestyle professionals have such close relationships to their clients, making the customer service stakes even higher. With Gina’s Platform, you can show up to your in-person appointments more fully, and let the app keep the rest of your client base happy.

Editorialist | Boar Bristle Hairbrushes Are Superior—Here’s Why

May 24, 2022 by Ambrosia Hitchcock Leave a Comment

Perhaps you’re the type to repurchase the same plastic brush once enough of the beaded end caps have fallen or the color of the plastic has faded. Maybe you’re one who reaches for whatever brush or comb is on-hand when you need one. Or, maybe you’ve tried everything from paddle to round brushes and still don’t know what’s actually working for your hair texture. We’re here to tell you: Boar bristles are superior. There’s a reason why they’re a time-tested classic in pro kits for decades.

“They tend to move through the hair easier than most synthetic brushes, meaning that there is less pulling and breakage,” celebrity hairstylist and Phenix Salon Suites founder Gina Rivera explains. “Boar bristle brushes also distribute the natural oils found in the hair throughout it easily. Boar bristles are similar to human hair and contain the same proteins, namely keratin.”

Most hair types can use these brushes, but for coarse, thick, or curly hair, boar bristles are especially game-changing. “They glide through [this hair type] easier than many other types of brushes,” says Rivera. “The texture of the bristles also contributes to curls keeping their best shape without appearing frizzy.”

Better late than never is our motto, so if you haven’t yet found the right brush yet, these are the best boar bristle hairbrushes worth investing in. Trust us: They’re worth it.

Prose | 11 Tips to Make Your Hair Color Last Longer

May 24, 2022 by Ambrosia Hitchcock Leave a Comment

Maybe you’ve decided to take the plunge and try a completely new hair color or perhaps you’re refreshing your own natural shade. Whatever the reason, you’ll want to make sure your new hue lasts as long as possible. Good news: Maintaining your hair color isn’t as intimidating as it seems. Ready to get started? Consider these tips and tricks to keep your color looking as fresh as it looked when you first got it dyed.

Allure | The 15 Best Shampoos for Frizzy Hair to Boost Moisture and Shine

May 24, 2022 by Ambrosia Hitchcock Leave a Comment

Managing frizzy hair and pesky flyaways is no easy feat. Fortunately, the right shampoo or cleanser can make a world of difference. Just take it from San Diego-based hairstylist and Phenix Salon Suites founder Gina Rivera, who tells Allure, “Shampoo is definitely the first item needed to combat the frizzies.” However, finding the best products for your frizzy hair can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re unsure where to start.

According to Shelly Aguirre, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, frizzy hair is often dry, which is why it’s essential to keep your hair moisturized. With this in mind, New York City-based hairstylist, colorist, and salon owner Paul Labrecque of Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa tells Allure that the best shampoos for frizzy hair are those that target dryness and contain “naturally moisturizing ingredients that will smooth the hair shaft but not overly weigh the hair down.”

More specifically, you’ll want to look for hair products that contain natural oils (such as argan and coconut, for example), shea butter, and aloe vera, all of which, per Labrecque, “help to smooth and tame frizz while gently hydrating and cleansing the hair.” Conversely, every hair pro we spoke to advised steering clear of shampoos with sulfates, which can strip your strands of essential oils and dry ’em out (which, spoiler alert, is a big no-no when it comes to wrangling frizz.)

To help you find the best shampoo for your frizzy hair, we’ve narrowed down the best options you can buy online. From beloved drugstore staples to splurge-worthy finds, here are some of our favorites (including expert picks) for glossy, healthy hair.