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Alex Sansone: I think when it comes to different fads or trends in hair, it again is really based on the individual. One of the biggest trends right now is long straight smooth hair, which not everybody can wear.

So I think that we tend not really to follow trends so to speak, but basically again trying to prescribe what is really best for the individual and their lifestyle.

Sherwin Jones: I like for people to be inspired by things that they see, because that person, they’re thinking they’re in the forefront of what’s going on for the moment.

And for a colorist or a hairdresser, it keeps you that much more aware, because it’s the energy that I get from clients like that who say, you know, wow, they’re interested in doing this. And it gives me the opportunity to carry out some of these things. And once again it shows you that you have a client that’s open.

And you know, people like that, they’re great to work with, because hairdressers tend to be more creative people who want to be creative and be on the forefront of things, which is the type of client we would like to have. They’re looking to have something new. And that’s how we exercise our creativity and take what we have even further.

FF: And so when -- let’s say the first few years of the television show Friends, how many women came in asking for the Rachel haircut?

Penny Wang: Almost everyone. But again, it depends on the suitability. So definitely in my point of view a trend is important to see what’s happening, you know, around the fashion world. But we intend to kind of personalize designs.

FF: You’re located in the very trendy Union Square area of Manhattan, and since it’s such a busy area, even more so on Greenmarket days, when it may be even busier, do you find that you get a lot of off the street clientele? People just walk in because they happen to be around the area?

Penny Wang: We definitely -- yes.

Alex Sansone: Yeah, we do get a lot of walk-ins, most especially again on weekends, like on Saturdays especially, when the city is really -- you know, there’s a buzz around the city. We do get many more people that do come in for walk-ins. And as much as we can we try to accommodate walk-ins.

FF: Can you give me five hair do’s, in the sense of what one should do, and five hair don’ts for a person.

Penny Wang: First, do recognize your own natural texture. Definitely recognize your lifestyle, and your profession. Go for something that’s easy to accomplish on a day-to-day basis. And also, with some kind of versatility, if you go out in the evenings and stuff.

FF: Okay, and what are five don’ts?

Penny Wang: Never force your hair to do what it doesn’t want to do. And ...

Alex Sansone: For long periods of time, more so. Once for a party or something, okay, blow dry straight hair. Don’t perm hair over and over again.

Penny Wang: And don’t overprocess your hair.

Sherwin Jones: Don’t color yourself at home.

Penny Wang: Don’t cut your own bangs and stuff like that. A lot of people go in and shorten their own bangs, and always get it too short. And if you need to do that, definitely have your stylist show you how to do it in the right way. Recognize what’s your best feature and don’t follow trends blindly.

FF: Okay. And let’s see, for yourselves, how do you decide your own look, the three of you? Do you cut your own hair, or do you cut each other’s hair? Sherwin, do you color people’s hair, Penny and Alex’s, and vice versa and all that?

Sherwin Jones: Very definitely we don’t cut our own hair. Again, you know, not recommending it to clients; we don’t do it ourselves. So we do each other’s hair, yes.

Alex Sansone: If we get a new idea, or get inspired by something, generally we’ll try it on ourselves or our staff’s hair first. Because we’re not -- I don’t know -- shy about changes. So we can experiment on each other, test the idea, and then present it to our clients.