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by Holly C Corbett
So what are the pros really thinking when you’re on your cellphone during a haircut or you show up with stubbly legs for a pedicure? We got them to dish. Don’t make another appointment before reading this!
Even though you see the members of your body-maintenance crew often (and in varying states of undress), chances are you’re not privy to their innermost thoughts. And the truth is, they have big opinions, which ultimately affect the way they treat you. We probed hairstylists, waxers, manicurists and more to learn what peeves and pleases them so your next visit can go off without a gaffe — and you can leave looking your very best.
Your spray tanner wishes you would...
Prep your canvas.“To get the most even colour, exfoliate your body in the shower, using a facecloth and grainy scrub or cleanser, two days before you’re sprayed,” says spa owner Jamie Ahn. This will remove flaky skin, which could absorb too much dye and make you look splotchy.
Do it in the buff. “The only way to get a line-free look is to get sprayed nude,” says Ahn. “And if you have large breasts, lift them and ask the technician to go over the area twice so you’re not stuck with a crescent moon–shaped tan line underneath.”
Lighten up. If you have a birthmark or scar, spraying over it
will make it look darker. To prevent this, Ahn suggests dotting it with a heavy concealer before treatment.
Be patient. “The active ingredient that causes your skin to change colour, DHA, takes six to eight hours to develop,” says Ahn. Keep this in mind if you’re expecting to look like a bronzed goddess that evening. Instead, book your treatment a day or two before an event.
Your hairstylist wishes you would...
Bring in clippings. “People think they’ll offend me if they show me celebrity looks they like from magazines, but I find them useful since people often have trouble articulating what they want,” says salon owner Adrian de Berardinis.
Lay off the gadgets. When you’re slouched over emailing on your BlackBerry or wriggling in the chair as you gab on your cell, your stylist can’t give you a precise cut.
Speak up. “Don’t wait until the last snip to tell me you don’t like the direction your cut is headed in,” says stylist Ted Gibson. “But if you do go to the bitter end and the crop doesn’t turn out as you’d hoped, gently say something — it benefits you in the long run by helping your stylist learn what does and doesn’t work for you.”
Keep it up. “Women will spend hundreds of rands on their cut and colour, then skimp on the products they need to use to make their style look its best,” says De Berardinis. After your cut, ask your stylist for a list of what she used on your hair — and how she used it. You’ll have the best chance of recreating the look if you take home a few of the products from the salon. Don’t want to splurge on professional haircare? At least pick up an extra-hydrating conditioner to keep your
hair healthy between trims.
Your manicurist wishes you would...
Stop asking her to cut your cuticles and shave your feet. All it takes is a tiny slip of a cuticle nipper and — eek! — you’re an infection waiting to happen. Manicurists don’t want to be responsible for that (though they’ll gladly push back cuticles and remove hangnails). As for wielding a razor, using a blade to remove the calluses from your feet can actually make them grow back thicker. A smarter solution is to ask if the salon offers any chemical exfoliating treatments, such as glycolic peels for feet. You can also prevent calluses from forming by using a foot file daily in the shower to rub off dead cells and prevent them from piling up.
Sport some stubble. The disinfecting sprays used during pedicure treatments can sting freshly shaved skin, especially if you have nicks, so it’s best not to shave on the day of your pedi.
Protect your investment. To prolong your nail polish, experts recommend swiping on a topcoat daily to prevent chips.
Your bikini waxer wishes you would...
Drop ’em. This isn’t the time to be prudish. “Your underwear gets in the way, making the process take longer than it should,” says aesthetician Lidia Tivichi.
Reschedule if you have your period. You’re more sensitive down south when you menstruate.
Scream if you need to, Waxers expect a certain level of noise. But if you really can’t stand the pain, Tivichi recommends smoothing on an over-the-counter topical anaesthetic cream half an hour before getting waxed. “Or take two painkillers an hour ahead of time,” says Tivichi.
Avoid ingrown. Using a loofah in the shower opens your follicles so hairs are more easily pulled out at the roots and less likely to become ingrown, notes Tivichi. Rub the loofah against the direction of hair growth. If you still get ingrowns, treat the area once daily with a product that contains salicylic or glycolic acid to dislodge them, and prevent them from occurring again.
Your massage therapist wishes you would...
Tell her what you need. Explain which areas you want worked on and how much pressure you can take. “I’d rather hear what you do want than what you didn’t after the fact,” says massage therapist Dana Laven.
Take a potty break. “Excuse yourself if you have to use the bath-room,” says Laven. “It’s hard to enjoy anything when your bladder’s full.”
Keep it clean. While it’s nice to schedule a rubdown after a workout, remember to shower before hopping on the massage table.
Supply your own extras. “If a certain smell helps you wind down, or if you’re allergic to specific products, it’s okay to bring your own oil,” says Laven.
Your cosmetic dermatologist wishes you would...
Have an open mind. Many women assume that because a friend had success with an injectable or laser treatment, they will too. “But you could have a different skin type or bone structure, rendering the same procedure totally wrong for you,” says dermatologist Dr Steven Victor. So consult your doctor first.
Test drive your filler. Not all injectables last the same amount of time. You might want to choose one that has a shorter life span to see if you like the results before moving on to something with more staying power.
Plan accordingly. “Since tenderness and swelling are poten-tial side effects of most cosmetic procedures, you probably won’t want to go to any big events that same night,” says Coleman. “And fillers are very malleable when they’re first injected,” he says. “So you shouldn’t go to an exercise class or scrunch up your face for a few hours post-treatment to make sure they don’t migrate.”
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