Hair Me Out

By Alexis J. December 30, 2009

Bill Schrlau is a professional hairstylist working in New York city who is extremely passionate about his job. Be it a simple bun or a complicated weave, Bill has mastered the art of hairstyling and leaving his clients with nothing short of a huge grin on their face once they see their new hair-do.

Here is an interview of Bill for your benefit!

Me: When did you realize you wanted to be a professional hair-stylist? Was it something you always wanted to do?

Bill: I was a teenager hanging out with family.  I was goofing off doing their hair & they started to tell me, “you would make a great hairstylist”.  That planted the seed, a few years later I enrolled in hair school.

Me: Do you have any formal training in this background?

Bill: I am both Sassoon, Bumble & Bumble and Wella Hair-color trained.

Me: Do you feel that having formal training is important in order to make it big in your field?

Bill: Formal training has helped me by allowing me a foundation to build on but it is not for everyone.  If you have a passion for what you do and a relentless drive to make it happen, you have all you need.  Somewhere along the way you will probably have to get the formal training, or at least an advanced weeklong session or two.  That training will help make it easier to communicate with the rest of the professionals in your business.

Me: Which hair-do, according to you, is the “hottest” in the market right now?

Bill: The hottest haircuts that I am doing right now are fringe/ bangs – strong shapes with all haircuts.

1. Pixie crop with longer fringe

2. Long wavy layers (worn by Amanda Seyfried, Gisele Bundchen)

Me: What is your favorite ”style” to create?

Bill: As you can see from my portfolio, I love up work. My favorites right now are with twists & rope braids.

Me: Have you ever worked with celebrity? If so who? If not, then who would be your dream client?

Bill: I have worked in businesses that service celebrities, I personally would love to work with Amanda Seyfried and Amy Adams.  They both always have amazing hair!

Me: Are there any hair-styling products that you recommend and use on your clients regularly?

Bill: Bumble & Bumble- Thickening spray I love the stuff.  Great on fine hair gives added texture and hold needed to get a great finish.

Me: Why is good client-stylist communication important?

Bill: Without good client-hairstylist communication the entire service will most likely fail.  I always start consultations by asking my clients to tell me about their hair. I ask them if they are you open to suggestions and how short they are willing to go - I try to look for their needs. Then I ask what their expectations for their new look is styling time, product use and daily care.  Listening to my clients’ needs & expectations helps me get on the same page as them. With this information I feel more confident making suggestions and helping them work toward a look that meets their needs and expectations.  After a style/ cut/ look change, the communication does not end at the end of service.  I like to follow up a couple days later to find out if they need any help styling the new look.

Me: What is the most frequently made client-stylist communication error?

Bill: Not listening to and addressing the expectations. My clients often ask me for a look from magazines and then expect to not have to use any styling product or additional time in styling. I have to address that misunderstanding. “Natural waves” are not always natural. If I don’t not address the expectations and just do the style the client would get home expecting the look to take no product and no time.  When it does not work, I would have take the blame and I might lose a client.

Me: Any hair styling/maintenance tips that you feel every person must adhere to in order to keep their hair healthy?

Bill: Condition – a must for every hair type.  Trust your hairstylist to recommend products that work for your hair type and help maintain the health of your hair.  Get regular haircuts. If you have long hair you can live for a longer period of time in between haircuts. And always discuss what works best for the condition of your hair with your hairstylist.

Me: I’m a brunette but I adore red hair; do you have any such preference in hair color?

Bill: Redhead Bombshells – Oh My Gosh! It takes confidence to be a redhead; I prefer the natural red tones.

Me: According to you, how important is having one’s hair well done up on a daily basis?

Bill: Looking good directly influences how we feel.  I am not saying spend hours on your hair daily.  When you do your hair daily make it presentable – go for a ponytail that has a rope braid or twisted ends instead of just pulling your hair back into a scrunchie. Have your hairstylist show you several different hairstyles that work well with your cut.  A good hair service should not only get you a great haircut and color but also offer you access to the professional who can share with you styling options.

Me: What is your favorite part of being a professional hair-stylist?

Bill: Sharing new styling options. I like to leave my clients with at least two styling options for a new look. Even if we are doing the same haircut I still like sharing different styling techniques.  Seeing that excitement in someone’s eyes when you show them how to make the look work is just so rewarding.

Me: And the worst?

Bill: Wow, I really cannot think of anything that would be considered the worst part of my job.  I love working with people and sharing new techniques and information that will help them look and feel great about their appearance. I don’t really feel like it is work.  I do something I love doing.

Me: Any words of wisdom that have go you by and might help aspiring hair stylists in their future?

Bill: Decide what you want.  Then go after it.  If you want to be one of the best you are going to have to humbly work with whatever comes your way before you get the chance to pick and chose your ideal clients. Also, try and learn as much as you can and continue making more people happy.  In short:

1. Set your goal

2. Establish the steps it will take to get to your goal

3. Learn from the best

4. Rely on networks (more people, more potential)

Me: Seems like a good plan to me! And lastly, any insider secrets for our readers on how to keep their hair gorgeous at all times?

Bill: Information is key.  The more you know about your hair the better chance you have of making it look great all the time.

1. Know what type of hair you have (fine, medium, coarse, thick, thin)

2. Choose the products that are made for your hair at that time of year. Changes in climate can change your hair needs.  Hot summers bring humidity in some areas.  Arctic cold winters bring very dry conditions.  Get the right product for your hair (Shampoo, conditioner, styling products) to control your hair in all seasons.

3. Learn your styling options.  Know how to make a ponytail look good, especially if you have curly hair.  In humidity a ponytail done right can hold up and look really good.

4.”It is all in the shape” A good haircut can bring out features you want people to see – like those beautiful eyes.  With your positive features as the focus you will look great!  Find a hairstylist that will talk this through with you.

5. Keep up with the seasonal changes in the looks.  Changes are usually subtle from season to season.  So keep informed.  If you get your hair cut at least once every two months then you are going to be able to discuss this information with your hairstylist and EXPECT IT from them. If you go longer between cuts, you may need to do some research of your own.

You can go through Bill’s profile here.

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Submitted on December 30, 2009 in Curls, Cosmetics, & Clothes.

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