We’re more than happy to introduce Dennis Bartolomei from his salon in Chicago the place he caters professional providers delivering magnificent hair for a few of Chicago’s most prosperous enterprise homeowners, legal professionals and medical doctors. The Dennis Bartolomei Salon area is a private and intimate setting, having already received an award as Chicago’s greatest salon.
1/ Inform us what you assume is the most important problem in hairdressing in the present day?
I believe the most important problem in hairdressing is navigating expectations. Shoppers now have entry to limitless inspiration by social media, which is fairly unimaginable. This turns into a problem when a consumer’s hair historical past is not going to permit for the look they’ve chosen. Most shoppers count on that something will be completed in a single appointment, and most shoppers have a point of historical past that may alter the end result. It’s tough to clarify to a consumer that they won’t mirror their inspiration, however I discover that stressing the well being of the hair above all else helps the shoppers shift their expectations.
2/ What’s probably the most satisfying a part of your job?
The a part of my job that I get pleasure from probably the most is that I get to spend my day speaking to extremely good folks. I’m excited to say that I get to study one thing new each single day. I additionally love the moment gratification of the business. All of my initiatives are between 45 minutes and a pair of hours, and in that quick time, I get to create a change that brings a consumer happiness and self-confidence.
3/ Why did you select the trail of hairdressing and was it straightforward to fall into this work?
It was straightforward for me to fall into hairdressing, as a result of I grew up within the enterprise. My mom was a hairdresser, and I used to be capable of expertise each facet of the business from the time I might stroll. I at all times knew I had a pure means for hairdressing, and I used my skilled training to hone and excellent my expertise.
4/ Should you had not made the choice to be a hairdresser what would you might have been?
If I had not been a hairdresser, I completely would have wished to be a health care provider. I like the connection constructing and belief between a health care provider and a affected person, and I beloved the thought of serving to folks by tough occasions. My grades in highschool did not fairly set me up for that profession path, however I’m nonetheless capable of construct relationships and assist folks by hairdressing, so I’d say I’m extremely completely satisfied for the trail I’ve chosen.
5/ What’s your best power ?
My best power is creating lasting relationships with shoppers. I’ve shoppers which have been with me for many years, and they’re nonetheless desirous to ship me their colleagues, new buddies, and daughters. These kind of shoppers do not simply land in your chair – it’s important to be dedicated to rising relationships, constructing that belief, and really loving those that are loyal to you. You by no means know in case your subsequent new consumer might be with you for 20 years, so it’s my intuition to deal with every consumer like household, and allow them to understand how you worth their enterprise.
6/ Your favourite hairdressing instruments?
It sounds fundamental, however my favourite instrument in my drawer is my huge tooth comb. I’ve had the identical one for nearly a decade, and I most likely purchased it from Sally’s for $3. It’s my tried and true – I apply it to virtually each blowout. Just a few runs by with that comb, and it completely loosens it up and deconstructs the completed look.
7/ Inform us about your relationship with Iles System. The way you found us and which method is your favourite?
I found Iles System once I was digging round on the web. I noticed that Wendy had completed her first launch at Ron Robinson in LA. I had inquired about promoting the product, and Wendy personally known as me a day later. She selected our salon to launch the Iles System in Chicago, and it has been our favourite line ever since. It’s laborious to select my favourite method. My favourite a part of the road is the unimaginable synergy between the 4 merchandise. If I had to decide on, I’d say the brand new masque is my favourite. It has utterly reworked my frizziest, driest heads of hair.
8/ What was your worst hair second and why…. privately or on set/stage or within the salon?
I can not actually consider a particular time, however each infrequently, the communication between your self and the assistant breaks down a bit. You might be finally answerable for the end result of your consumer’s hair, and fortunately, nothing might ever go so fallacious the place it could not be fastened immediately.
9/ Should you might model anybody’s hair, who would it not be and why?
If I might model anybody’s hair, it must be Ana Navarro – My focus is on politics proper now, and I like and admire her.
10/ The place do you pull hair inspiration from?
I’ve a number of folks within the business that I observe, however most frequently, I pull my inspiration from my staff at my salon in Chicago. They’re setting the traits and at all times keep one step forward of what’s present. I’m really fortunate to be surrounded by their unimaginable work daily, and all I have to do is look throughout the ground for my inspiration.
11/ Your recommendation to younger hairdressers beginning out?
I’ve just a few items of recommendation for younger hairdressers. The primary is to study as a lot as you may – take each class accessible to you. Even when there is just one little factor that you just take from it, conserving your self open to training is so extremely essential. You will have a phenomenal, lengthy profession forward of you – traits and methods might be continuously altering. Keep versatile and maintain your eagerness to study and develop. My different piece of recommendation is straightforward – when partaking your shoppers, listening to them is way more essential than speaking to them.
Comply with him on social media : Instagram @dennisbartolomeisalon
and luxuriate in a few of his work.
