14 Secrets Your Hairstylist Won't Tell You

Whether you think of a salon visit as a fun treat or a necessary chore, you'll want to get the best service (and hairstyle) possible, right?

That's why we talked to the experts, Marco Pelusi, owner of Marco Pelusi Hair Studio, Jenny Balding, senior stylist at Cutler/Redken Salons, Whitney Olson, stylist at Warren Tricomi Los Angeles, and Rosie Acosta, salon manager at Warren Tricomi Los Angeles. They told us the secrets of the salon -- the best times to go, how to get that last-minute appointment when you're desperate, and much more!

In Pictures: 14 Secrets Your Hairstylist Won't Tell You

The best way to find a hairstylist …

Is through referrals. This is really how stylists get business. So ask around -- friends, family, even strangers on the street -- anyone whose hair you like. Find out where they go and when you make an appointment mention who referred you. Then, if you like your end result, pass along the love and refer them to others (your stylist will really appreciate it).

The worst appointment times are …

Saturday mornings. Stylists vary a bit on this, but the general consensus is to avoid Saturdays (their busiest day), especially Saturday mornings. Fridays are also less than ideal, since it's the end of the week and your hairdresser is most likely tired and looking forward to the weekend (think of how focused you are on a Friday afternoon, makes sense, right?).

Other bad times: The first appointment of the day, since the stylist hasn't settled in yet and could also be a little late. The last appointment is also not the best since the stylist will be tired and ready to go home. Lunchtime can also be difficult, since stylists, like the rest of us, can get cranky when they're hungry.

The best appointment times are …

Early in the week (like a Tuesday or Wednesday) in either late morning or early afternoon. The stylist isn't tired but is settled into their routine, it's less busy so you'll get more time with the stylist, and it's easier to get a last-minute appointment. Try to aim for the second or third appointment of the day, that way the stylist is there and set up but not yet tired.

If you're nervous about getting a new look …

Schedule a consultation, especially if you're seeing a stylist for the first time. Most should do them for free, particularly in this economy. Bring in pictures as examples of what you want and talk it over. A good stylist should honestly tell you what will and won't work for your hair and explain how they can modify your pictures to give you the best cut or color possible.

If your hairdresser is promising the world …

Chances are they are not being totally honest. It's nearly impossible to exactly duplicate that photo of Jennifer Aniston you brought in (since everyone has different face shapes and hair textures), so if they're assuring you you'll be identical twins when the cut or color is done, be wary.

On the other hand, a good stylist will be honest about what they can realistically do and will work with you to find something that will be right for your face shape and hair type.

The best way to get the appointment time you want is …

To pre-book. Ideally you should book your next appointment while still in the salon. Not only does this insure that you get the best day and time for your schedule, but your stylist will appreciate this show of loyalty.

The WORST thing you can do is …

Be late. Not only does it show disrespect for the stylist's time, but also if you're late then you make her late for the rest of the day. If you want the best service, show up on time, especially if you're the last appointment of the day (our stylists say if you show up late for the last time slot of the day you can forget any special treatment).

The BEST thing you can do is …

Tip well. If you want the best service (and a chance at scoring the ideal time slot or last-minute appointment), you'll need to tip well (20 percent is ideal). Stylists remember the customers who treat them well, and they'll go out of their way to do the same. Also, tip with cash whenever possible, credit card companies charge a fee for card tips, meaning the stylist actually gets less money than you intended.

Don't forget to tip this crucial player …

The stylist's assistant and/or the shampoo person. These people often are forgotten, but they're a huge part of your salon experience, so it's important to treat them well too. It doesn't have to be much, $2 to $5 is reasonable, but it makes a big difference. As Pelusi points out, "When you're getting your hair colored, that shampoo person has a lot of power over how your hair will turn out [as far as stripping color and rinsing it correctly and at the right time], so you want to treat them well."

You know those pricey products your stylist recommends …

You should listen. Yes, in some salons the stylists get a commission on sales, but it's such a small amount that it's not what's motivating them. The truth is if a stylist recommends something