LAST WORD by John Steinberg

by John Steinberg

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE

s I enter my 48th year in this wonderful industry I am constantly asked, “Isn’t it time you gave it up?” But the truth is I still love the constant exchange of ideas with young people, seeing them graduate from being assistants and making it to the floor, the instant gratification of changing someone’s look and the ongoing curiousness of the human mind.

Like many hairdressers, I find it hard to get away from behind the chair, because the essence of the job is very much about contact with people.

The other week a new, recommended client came in to see me. She was very attractive, dressed with extreme good taste, carried herself with poise and had a very good haircut. But when we sat down for the consultation, I noticed she didn’t like looking at herself in the mirror, something that I interpret as a lack of confidence.

I had already decided I wasn’t going to do her hair—she didn’t need the attention of my scissors—so out came my Sherlock Holmes outfit, metaphorically speaking, of course. I Iistened to what she liked about her hair and why she nevertheless thought it didn’t suit her. When it was my turn to speak, I told her I thought her haircut was excellent and really suited her and I couldn’t improve on it. My words definitely surprised her. I then suggested she come back to see me in six weeks, at which point I would cut her hair. She bought some products, made an appointment for highlights and a cut in six weeks—and left with a huge smile on her face.

This event is an example of why I am still behind the chair. I love my job—I’m thinking of taking it up as a hobby in the future.

It also made me think about the word “persona” . Originally Latin, persona meant a mask or character in a play. Although the word is Latin, the ancient Greeks started the Western world’s formal theatre in about the sixth century BC. All the actors were male and played multiple roles,

Aso they wore masks to show a change in character or mood. Nowadays persona has come to mean a social mask. This particular lady plays the role of a very successful and powerful lawyer, but sitting in my chair and talking to me, she revealed a shy, insecure woman without much self-confidence. Most of us wear social masks, usually to hide our vulnerability. Clients come to our salons to have their hair cut and dressed in a way that presents a particular image and becomes part of their persona. So when we listen to them carefully during the initial consultation, and then again when they return—not only when they talk about their hair—we can do wonders for their self-esteem with our work. And since a hairstyle is part and parcel of the mask, how interesting that it is completely undone and removed with a hair wash. No wonder clients often share intimate, personal secrets about their lives with their hairdresser. So I am in no hurry to give up my role of hairdresser that also allows me to play detective and psychologist. On my way to work in the morning, I usually sing a song such as “Put On A Happy Face.” If I’m really low I might sing “Smile Though Your Heart Is Breaking.” Sounds a bit extreme, perhaps, but it’s good to wear a happy face for clients. They like it, and so will you. Eleanor Roosevelt may have said, “What other people think of me is none of my business,” but a genuine smile that comes from the heart has nothing to do with masks and everything to do with the life-to-life contact hairdressers have the privilege of making with their clients. S

John Steinberg is the owner of Toronto’s John Steinberg & Associates. He’s currently celebrating 46 years in the beauty business and continues to be one of Canada’s premier style makers. Check out: www. johnsteinberghair.com.