I do trust my stylist completely. I stick with someone around my age who goes to classes to learn new styles/techniques. I have coarse, thick and naturally curly hair which can be a challenge. I try to pick a stylist with the same type of hair because it's really easy to get a bad haircut with those challenges. Properly educated stylists will advise against a cut or color which will not be flattering to your face shape or won't work with your hair type, even if it's the "in" style. I will pay a considerable amount more for a stylist like this, and will not hesitate to switch stylists if I become unhappy with him/her.

I pick a modern salon with a bright, clean appearance and updated furniture and neat stations. I usually don't go on the referral of others, as they do not have the same standards I do. My first cut is usually for a trim so I can feel out the stylist without getting a big change. It's like an interview or an assessment for me. I know sometimes with color, I'm sitting there for an hour and a half, but they don't need to be a sparkling conversationalist. I'll take skills over personality any day.

I think if you do your homework, you should be able to trust a stylist completely with your hair.