Around this time of year, curly-haired clients start booking more deep-conditioning services and loading up on at-home hydrating masks. Why? “People are turning up the heat in their homes and the air is depleted of moisture, making curls fuzzier and drier,” says Jamie Batzel, Macadamia Professional Global Stylist. Here, she details the best ways to capitalize on the need for extra moisture, and how to keep your clients’ curls soft and hydrated, even in the dead of winter.
Q How would you suggest salon owners market deep-conditioning services to their curly-haired clients?
A On my salon menu, I offer a “treatment haircut.” It’s a deep-conditioning service after the haircut. I explain to my curly clients that I need to cut off damaged ends. Afterwards, I apply our deep-conditioning treatment, getting optimal benefits because the ends are fresher. I also have great before and after pictures—with the “before-treatment” curls looking dry, fuzzy and damaged, and the “after-treatment” curls looking soft and healthy. The last thing I have is testimonials from other curly clients. Nothing speaks to a curly client like another happy curly client.
Q What’s the most beneficial way to apply a deep-conditioning treatment on curly hair?
A After cleansing the hair, I gently detangle it using an oil-infused, large-tooth comb, beginning underneath at the nape, combing from the ends towards the scalp. Then I section the hair into four quadrants and apply the deep conditioning treatment from the ends towards the scalp, pressing the product into the hair as I go. This method insures that the ends receive the majority of the product. Also, I don’t comb the product through after it’s all applied—because that pulls the product off, and you end up with it on the comb and not on the hair.
Q What’s the best way to sell at-home deep-conditioning treatments?
A Depending on their hair routine and the dryness of their curls, I recommend they use the mask one to two times a week. I teach the client how to apply the treatment properly, mimicing my method. The better they are at this, the better results they get, and the more they trust me. I also suggest they make the deep-conditioning process more relaxing. I tell them not to do the treatment in the shower while they’re in a rush. I always suggest that they apply it on the weekends or a mellow evening, letting the product have time to work its magic.