In the past year, Sam, one of our up and coming stylists here at VAIN, has made the journey from apprentice stylist to full blowin’ stylist before our very eyes. Since her debut, she has been getting rave reviews from all kinds of clients for all kinds of style types, from soft to punky, as well as straight and curly hair alike. We think it has a lot to do with her ability to lend a good ear and her sense of adventure. We took some time to chat with Sam to dig deeper into her methods.
Nothing like a smile from Sam to brighten up your day!
Giving good consult
Sam believes that the success of any cut relies on meeting eye-to-eye during a consultation. Those first 5 minutes or so (before any hair is washed or scissors grasped) form the path of her approach – Sam isn’t just listening to what the client wants as an end result, but really tries to understand the natural behavior of both the client’s hair and regular styling habits at home. She also isn’t afraid to suggest options that might work better for a certain hair type or level of maintenance. In her own words: “I think it’s a disservice as a professional to not listen to the clients’ wants and needs.” Sam strives to make sure that her clients can accomplish their new looks without straying far from what they normally like to do every day. She further explains that she likes to be challenged by the diverse looks that people as individuals bring to her. “I like to be inspired by everyone and everything out there, rather than feel like I’m pushing any standard look of what’s cool.’”
Curly hair? Bring it on!
Sam has her share of trying new looks on a regular basis. In any given week, you can see Sam with a head of bouncy blonde curls one day, spiked out and teased the next, and then 3-feet-long, colorful extensions passing you by in a flash the day after that. “I’m always trying out a different look. I want to learn from a personal prospective what I need to do to make a look work from day to day, so that I can pass on that advice to my clients.” Her sense of adventure has also played a huge role in her ability to grasp the concepts that allow for curly hair cutting. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Sam took to the task by listening to her curly haired client’s needs and issues, and using a combination of learned technique, experience, and her instinct to form a look that is natural (no pyramid head here!) and easy to take care of.
We truly love Sam, and can’t wait to see the new challenges she takes on in the future!
To book an appointment with Sam at VAIN downtown call 206.441.3441 or visit us at 2018 1st Ave, Seattle
Sam is a rising star, get in now so you can boast later you knew her back in the day….
I am soooo proud to work with Sam! She truly is a superstar. Completely unafraid of a new challenge and very excited to try anything new! I would trust her with my own hair, as a matter of fact I’m booking an appointment with her after I give her this shout out! Congrats young grasshopper. You are truly awesome.
Heart,
Alexis
Sam is a bright beaming ball of joy and love. I truly enjoy everyday I work with her. She is always so positive and happy, its contagious.. Not to mention how incredibly talented she is. Way to go Sam! <3
YAAAAAY! I so so so <3 Sam! She was the first person to be super nice to me while I was standing around looking geeky in the waiting area on my first day at work. She has the most fantastic and loverly style and possesses a bottomless well of talent for whatever type of hair-need you pass her way. You GO Sam!
I <3 Sam! I always get the coolest advice about hair and style from her. You rock, Sam!
I can’t believe I found this blog four months after leaving Seattle. I’m in L.A. and missing Seattle every dang day. And now even more so for all the great spots I never found.
so happy you are getting the props you deserve, Sam. thanx for the awesome cut, too. you are the best.
great seeing you!
dac
I knew Sam from cosmetology school, an dlet me tell you, she is amazing! She passed some of her school guests to me when she left, and it was good to know I had a standard to live up to! She is wonderful!
I’ve known Sam for years, and she has always been very artistically driven, and always has a creative idea for any situation. Truly the most talented hair stylist in the world!(in my opinion, of course!!)
it’s funny, i was just coming on this site to give props to sam for being a total bad ass hair stylist, and there she is, featured! i just wanted to say that i saw her the other day and it was the best experience at a hair salon i’ve ever had. she was super sweet and did an incredible job.