Short geometric hairstyles are taking over the east end. Brave women of all ages are chopping the extra inches for texturized twists, sharp angles and razor sharp finishes. Behind the stylist’s chair, Hannah Poole of Parlour East Salon is booking up quickly, with a regular clientele of women trading in dead end locks for chic pixie cuts, easy bobs and textured hairstyles. A 6’1” stylist with wild strawberry blonde hair, fluorescent orange glasses and tattoos, Hannah is making a name for herself with her new styles of short, sexy and low-maintenance haircuts.
Curious to find out more about the east side stylist, I sat down with Hannah over Purple Penguin cappuccinos to talk about hairstylist-appropriate presents, Amber Oil, cowlicks, tipping, and cheating on hairstylists (because it’s awkward and like, really intense. Obviously).
Describe the moment when you realized you wanted to be a hairstylist. What did your hair look like back then?
I think it would have been sometime in Sudbury, when I was cutting hair in the basement of my apartment. I lived in a hippie house at the time and there were always a bunch of people coming in and out. And all of a sudden I was like, “OH. I SHOULD PROBABLY GET PAID FOR THIS ONE DAY!” Then I moved to Toronto and became a hairstylist.
At the time, my hair was a mullet that I had cut myself with only thinning sheers. It stuck straight to my head with little flippy waves. It was gross LOL.
As a hairstylist, I take it you hear a lot of personal things about your clients. Do you ever think to yourself, “WOW, lady. I’m your hairstylist, not your therapist. TMI!” Any crazy things you’d like to share about what you’ve heard?
Well, I can’t disclose. But I will say that I have heard some REALLY loopy things. Definitely some things that I didn’t want to know – definitely some things that I did want to know.
It’s the holiday season, and obviously, I’m your #1 client. What’s a hairstylist-appropriate present? Season 1 of Dawson’s Creek? Giant wine glass? Retro brown bag from Urban Outfitters? Starbucks gift card?
I think that varies depending on the person. For me, I always appreciate a little extra cash because at Christmas I’m also buying gifts. My best present would probably be when a client tipped me $150 for Christmas, and I was like – “WHAT! THAT’S CRAZY!” Another time, I styled my client’s bridal hair for her wedding and the next time she came in for a cut I told her I really liked her sweat shirt (it was a vintage Club Monaco Logo crewneck from the 80s). Then she left, came back, and had gone out to buy the re-edition sweater as a present. Really cool.
If you could cut one type of hairstyle EVERY SINGLE DAY. What would it be? Mushroom cut? Stylish man bun? Blunt bob? Pixie cut?
Short women’s hair. Or mullets. I love a good mullet.
What are three things every client should consider before making a ‘crazy’ hair change?
That’s something I ask every day! A lot of it is about your hair texture, because I can’t make miracles happen. I can show you how to use a brush and product, but that doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to maintain the perfect bob when you get home. SOOO: Hair texture, level of commitment (as in time spent styling, if any, use of product, how often you will come back to the salon), and cowlicks (how your hair sits on your head). Because if you want bangs, and you’ve got a crazy cowlick – I can’t necessarily help you with that.
Is it hard to cut hair and listen to people at the same time? I mean, let’s get real, the blow dryer is real LOUD.
NO! I’m really good at it. I’ve been practicing for a long time. I think it helps keeping up conversation. I regularly watch other stylists who don’t say a word and I can imagine the appointment drags on – I look over and think, “YOU POOR CHILD!” So I think I’ve mastered the art of not sounding like it’s small talk. It took a lot of work. Luckily I’ve got a clientele of interesting people so it never really feels forced. I think it’s really important. Some days I don’t want to talk but that’s not what people are paying me for – they’re paying for my attention to them and to make them feel more beautiful when they leave.
What hairstyle do you think is overrated right now? The half-shaved head? Bubble gum pink pixies? Pink tips?
Well, there’s been this resurgence of that short in the back, super long in the front bob that I have to keep veering people away from – I don’t particularly like cutting it as it doesn’t grow out very well on a lot of hair textures and I don’t like the way it sits on people. I think the shorter in the back and longer in the front doesn’t have to be super dramatic and actually looks more sleek if it is subtle, SO I think that one is overrated. However, there are some people with wavy curly hair, and that cut curls up and it looks voluminous and cool. But that’s not everyone.
This one is going to get me into trouble but I’m sick of seeing every single girl with every single hair colour and texture getting ombre or balayage … there are other things to do with your hair, guys!
You just turned my hair from a graveyard into a voluminous wave of sexiness; and now I’m tearing up in happiness. How much should I tip you?
I think on average, keep to the 18%. If you’re super happy – go to 20%. A lot of the time, a good solid $20 is always really nice and appreciated.
In my opinion, cheating on hairstylists is sacrilegious. What’s the best way to go about this in a respectful way? It’s not a breakup, but sort of. Should I ask permission from my old stylist? Am I overthinking this?
Everyone is different. I truly believe that not everyone can cut every type of hair. So if some things just aren’t working for you, try someone else. And I never hold grudges. If someone goes somewhere else, tries something else, then comes back to me, that’s fine. If I never see them again, it just means we weren’t a good fit. I do think that if you get a good vibe from your hairstylist but not necessarily the best cut the first time, try going back at least two more times. I always say my cuts just get better the more I know your hair, your routine and you. Sometimes I just need to see that last cut grown out to know how to fix that little flip out that’s happening at the back of your head driving you nuts!
I don’t think you have to say anything to anyone. If you feel REALLY bad about, then I guess go and tell them. But it’s totally okay either way. Maybe send them a very pleasant and kind email: “I apologize for leaving you. Best of luck in the future. (Selfie of new hair with new stylist attached)” Just kidding!
My hair looks equivalent to a poodle’s asshole in humidity. I’m a basket case of flyways, grease and puffiness. What are some go-to hair products every woman should have on hand this summer?
It depends on hair texture, but I almost ALWAYS recommend the Kevin Murphey Hair Resort Spray. It’ll bring texture out in most hair types because it’s sort of like a salt spray but with some moisture and hold. Really nice and light. Another one – Kevin Murphy Young Again Oil. Works on every hair texture I’ve ever seen that could use more moisture. And it’s super, super light. So even on really fine hair that tends to be greasy at the roots and dry at the ends, half a pump on your ends when your hair is wet helps keep it healthy and less frizzy in between cuts. It works on EVERYONE. (Unless you have baby fine hair that isn’t coloured, then you probably wouldn’t need it.)
Describe what makes an AMAZING client. Is it her friendliness? Openness to try new things? Conversation topics? Smile?
I love a good, funny, easy-going person. I don’t necessarily need leeway everywhere – but I would like a little bit of hair direction, with an open mind and fun conversation the whole time. Maybe a little bit of booze? Just kidding. Lucky for me, I’ve got a very bubbly clientele.
Everyone attracts their own types of energy. You put out either a positive or a negative energy and that’s probably what you’re going to get back. So I try to remind myself, “Today is going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.” And then a lot of the time, if I’m just not feeling the day but I’ve got to go to work for those people who’ve booked with me. I get there – and I realize, this is WHY I do hair, because those people were amazing.
Let’s talk about hairstyles by neighbourhood. Pick a hairstyle that BEST represents each Toronto neighbourhood:
I would just like to add that this is not necessarily what I do to people, it’s just what I see the most in these particular places.
Rosedale: Big. Blonde. Blowout.
Queen Street West: Well, that’s a variety. But right now it seems to be a knobby bun on top of the head. One bun, with some hair down. And ombre/balayage.
The Beaches: Long, self-dyed bleach blonde hair, nice and yellow!
Yorkville: Stringy, over-processed. They spent a lot of money on it but can’t understand why their hair just won’t grow any longer?!
Yonge & Dundas Square: I was at the Eaton’s Centre, and I saw a woman with red highlights and blonde highlights together; I’m going to go with that one.
Leslieville: Short, cool, celebrity cut.
You smell like a baby angel. What are you wearing right now?
I wear Amber Oil from Jacob & Sebastian. There are two stores; one in the Distillery District and one at Queen and Bathurst. One important thing about it: everyone thinks they can wear it, but you have to put it on and walk around with it – and if you don’t smell it on yourself, then it doesn’t work for you. It’s a very specific smell.
I’m Edward Scissorhands and I offer you a psychedelic potion that’s on special for $2 at Squirly’s Bar & Grill. In a matter of seconds, you fly back in time to give Hannah Poole (age 18) advice about her future. What do you tell her?
18-year-old Hannah had just become a bartender and didn’t know what she wanted to do. She had no personality and was very anxious and socially awkward the whole time. And I want to just say to Hannah: “CALM DOWN. Talk to everyone at your bar. Because it gets REALLY good and fun, and you will be okay. And then you’ll find hair and everything will be really awesome.” And one last piece of advice: USE THAT 18-YEAR-OLD BODY WHILE YOU’VE GOT IT!
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