20 Questions: Lauren Baril

I am a stylist with 10 years of (professional) experience. I have opened a salon in my home after having 2 kids. My salon is cozy, artsy and modern, and my clientele is rapidly growing.

What is the name of your salon?
Voodoo Hair Studio

Best food joint near your salon?
My kitchen

Wedding hair, love it or hate it?
Love it!

Toxic vs non-toxic hair services?
Depends what your definition of toxic is; If Brazilian Blowout and colors are toxic, then toxic all the way.

Favourite thing about hair shows?
#1- Being inspired by stylists on stage
#2- Shopping, duh.

Least favourite thing about hair shows?
I don’t like going on the Mondays due to the abundance of students.

If you could move your salon to any city in the world where would it be?
The beaches of Dominican republic.

Tea or Coffee?
Tea

Who would your dream client be?
Mandy Moore. She is beautiful, has an amazingly soft personality, and is not afraid of change.

Music you like to listen to when you cut?
Anything worth dancing and/or singing to. Creativity seems to flow through my veins better when I am singing (I cook better when I sing too.)

Worst injury witnessed in a salon?
A stylist needing stitches from cutting their knuckle with scissors.

Messiest accident?
My daughter got into temporary pink hair color, put it in her hair, on the carpet and on walls. I suppose it wasn’t an accident though?

Best business tip someone told you?
Build your business with word of mouth advertising.

Your go-to outfit for the salon?
Jeans, nice top and a blazer jacket

Best way to get rid of a problem client?
There is no best way. I am annoyingly attentive to them, do my thing, and if they still aren’t pleased, they are going to leave. I have had clients that have come to me that were dumped by stylists in the past, (which I never thought anyone would ever do), come for a few visits, and are never pleased with what they are given. In that case, I am glad they left to continue their journey to find their impossibly perfect stylist.

Strangest request you’ve ever had from a client?
Mullets. Who knew they still existed??

Favourite thing to eat at work?
Cookies

Worst haircut you ever had?
The first haircut I ever gave myself, when I was 15. It was terrible.

Thing that irritates you most?
Poor communication.

Thing you love most about your salon?
The paint and artwork on the walls. It screams my personality.