Our lineage is confessional—It Happened to Me, Say Anything, “Confessions of…” —but our beat is business: insiders, receipts, and the plays that actually move units and services. Some interviews are anonymous for candor; roles verified.
Current role/title, and where you’re based; how long you’ve been in the industry and in this role; and your origin story.
Olga V., Hairstylist (New York, NY) — 13 years. I was working in sales in the legal industry, feeling stuck and unsure of my direction. One day, while procrastinating at home, I stumbled across an episode of Tabitha’s Salon Takeover—and something clicked. I was instantly inspired to make a change and pursue hairstyling as my second career.
One pre- or post-appointment habit that makes the biggest difference in how hair actually performs?
The most important aspect of the post-appointment process is education — it’s my job to ensure clients understand how to properly care for their hair. I focus on giving haircuts that work with natural texture, not against it. Especially in NYC, people want something effortless: hair that looks great without a ton of maintenance. I teach clients what products to use, how much to apply, and even details like how wet their hair should be when styling. It’s all about giving them the knowledge to keep their hair looking its best, with minimal effort.
The biggest myth about salon services you wish every client knew before booking?
With curly hair, there’s this sudden “curly fad” — everyone’s obsessed with what brush to use or claiming that every curly girl needs a Denman brush to “set” their curls. But since when? The Denman was originally created for styling bobs! When I was in school and training as an apprentice, we only used it for blow-drying short cuts—never curls. Now it feels like people are reinventing tools and techniques that have been around forever, just giving them new purposes and buzzwords. It’s the same with haircut trends. The “butterfly cut”? That’s just a shag. The “wolf cut”? A mix between a shag and a mullet. The industry loves slapping new names on classic cuts and calling it innovation, but let’s be real, it’s the same foundation, just repackaged for clicks.
The most overhyped “quick fix”—blowout, gloss, or bond builder—and where does it actually deliver?
I’m all for a good blowout, gloss, or bond builder: those can really enhance the hair without overdoing it. But treatments like Japanese or Brazilian straightening? Not for me. From experience, they might give instant results, but they come at the cost of your hair’s long-term health. Anytime you use chemicals that alter the bonds, damage is inevitable. It’s not a miracle fix; it’s a trade-off.
The most abused buzzword in hair right now—and what clients should really ask for instead?
Clients often pick up hairdressing terms from social media or friends without fully understanding their meanings, and then use them in consultations to describe something completely different. That’s why I always tell people to keep it simple: use plain language and bring photos of styles you like and don’t like. Be clear about length, shape, and overall vibe. Visuals are everything. For example, someone might ask for a “graduated bob” when what they really want is an A-line—and that small mix-up can totally change the outcome.
Three red flags when choosing a stylist or salon—what would make you walk out?
A big red flag is a lack of real consultation, when a stylist doesn’t walk you through your options, explain what will or won’t work, or discuss the implications of each choice. Another is pushing products just to make a sale. A good stylist recommends what genuinely helps you maintain your look, not what boosts their commission. And reliability matters: if someone is always running late, disorganized, or inconsistent in their work, that usually points to a lack of solid fundamentals and technique.
If you could hang one PSA in every salon mirror, what would it say?
You can certainly be inspired by others, but be sure to compare yourself to people with similar hair types and styles. Have realistic expectations: you’re never going to look exactly like someone whose texture, density, or facial shape is completely different from yours, and that’s okay. When choosing inspiration photos, look for styles that align with your current work. The goal isn’t to copy the look of someone who’s working with completely different raw materials than you; be inspired by styles that will optimize and elevate what you naturally have.
The unspoken rivalry or turf war in hair outsiders don’t see—what’s the real story?
The real rivalry in hair isn’t between stylists: it’s between the old-school salon system and the new wave of independents. When I started, my goal was to work under a well-established salon, build my skills, and establish myself. Now, everyone wants to go independent right away, and while that freedom sounds great, many people jump too soon. Without a strong foundation, education, and mentorship, you end up winging it instead of growing. Independence is empowering, but only if you’ve put in the groundwork first!
Blind item: which “miracle” product or treatment went from waitlist to crickets—and what killed the hype (results, safety, price, or TikTok fatigue)?
The DevaCut era had its moment, but then it crashed. The “cut one curl at a time” idea sounds great in theory, but curls change daily with humidity, products, and styling, so you’re locking in a shape that only works for that one day. I’d see clients come in with uneven, awkward shapes from those cuts. Then came the product backlash and a lawsuit, and the hype faded. The same story applies to keratin and straightening treatments. What was once the gold standard for “polished” hair now feels dated. Texture isn’t something to tame anymore; it’s something to celebrate. The new luxury is healthy, natural movement; people are paying for modern perms again, not for stick-straight hair, but for soft, effortless texture.
Tipping truth: biggest tip, strangest non-cash “tip,” and your ideal gratuity policy?
My biggest tip was about 80% of the service, which was wild. I’ve also received some thoughtful non-cash gifts—such as pearl earrings, complimentary skincare products, and invitations to exclusive fashion sample sales from clients in the industry. As for tipping, my policy is simple: if you can’t afford to tip, you probably can’t afford the service. It’s frustrating when people skip tipping, especially now that I’m independent and have more expenses than when I was at a big salon. Being in NYC definitely changes the culture; people here understand that tipping is part of the service experience, not an optional extra.
Your most “I cannot believe I’m doing this” appointment—who, where, and how did it go?
I used to do blowouts for a downtown designer known for her witty, offbeat collections, and one day I found myself at the Brooklyn apartment of a certain SNL star—let’s just say one of the funniest women on television—where the designer was getting ready to film an interview for PopSugar. It was the most quintessential New York scene: fashion racks, camera crews, and my blow-dryer all humming in the same tiny apartment.
Do you get high on your own supply? Name the product/service you use weekly—and one from your own chair you skip, and why.
I use Davines on my clients, but for myself, I stick to the tools and product combination I developed at the salon where I started my career. It just works perfectly for my hair.
Last confession: what’s one true thing about this industry that would get you yelled at in a staff meeting—and the receipt that proves it.
For a long time, there was this old-school mentality in the industry—you had to volunteer, work for free, and constantly go above and beyond just to prove yourself. We’d assist all day, take extra classes, do unpaid work, and feel inadequate if we didn’t. There’s definitely value in hard work and paying your dues, but the culture is shifting. Assistants used to be taken advantage of, but now younger stylists expect fair treatment and pay, which is a positive development. Hard work still matters, but so does respecting people’s time and ensuring everyone is compensated for their contributions.
We’re looking to spotlight more voices from the front lines of aesthetics—hairstylists, estheticians, makeup artists, bodyworkers, and beyond. Have stories, confessions, or insider truths to share? Email us at gingergeisty@gmail.com.