Hair Raisers: Martin Harper, Technical Director of TATA Salon

Hair’s a big deal to most people. (That’s what our balding friends tell us.) The problem in Beijing is that hair care, with its myriad local providers and the language barrier, is just another reason to pull your hair out. We rounded up some of the city’s most respected friends of the follicle and asked them everything you’d ever wanted to know about getting a good haircut. Here's what Martin Harper had to say about some hairy topics.

The oddest thing a client has ever asked me to do is between me and them ... client confidentiality.

To evaluate another stylist, I would ask, “Where do you find your inspiration when taking care of clients?”

Clients see a magazine picture and fall in love with the image. That’s not always attainable.

Every mistake is a big mistake, even the small ones.

The most challenging thing I’ve ever done for a client was correcting a bright blue hair color. It took hours.

It’s not always the hair type that matters. Most times, it depends on your ability to understand the client and their needs.

The largest length of hair I’ve ever cut off is 16 inches.

A good stylist never stops learning ... but a good foundation can take 3-5 years.

If I could give new stylists one piece of advice, it would be to treat every client like it’s the first time you’ve met them. Then your energy and detail will be great.

If I could only give one haircut for the rest of my life, it would be a classic graduated bob, as this will never lose its style.

TATA Salon Daily 10am-10pm Workers' Stadium North Gate, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (8511 3880) 朝阳区工体北路工人体育场北门

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