I’m sitting down, reading a book for class. Standing right behind me, a woman whips out a blade and places it to my head. I don’t move. I don’t turn around. Fearing for any accidental cuts, I keep my head as still as I can. I glance at the mirror in front of me and saw my attacker: a hairstylist.

This shows you how much trust I put into my hairstylist.

When I first visited Dallas, my first priority was to find a hairstylist and so I met Emma. Now this isn’t a story of how she mistakenly cut off my ear (thank God). Rather this story tells why I trust Emma with everything and why your hairstylist is your best friend.

Here are three reasons:

1. They’re the greatest confidants.

Your hair is your greatest accessory and if you trust them with your hair, you can trust them with your secrets.

I admit it was pretty awkward when Emma tried getting to know me. I mean after all I went there for a haircut, not a conversation. But the more we talked, the more comfortable we became and I felt that I could confide my worries and rants in her. And here we segue to the next reason.

2. They’re great at giving advice.

Hairstylists have lived thousands of lives. Every day, every hour they tend to a new customer with new problems. With tons of life experience under their belt, hairstylists give you the proper advice exactly how you need to hear them.

New in town, I was a deer caught in the headlights of Dallas. I had no clue how to get around town to the nearest mall, hangout place, or even if Dallas housed Whataburger (great, now I’m craving Whataburger).

Emma introduced me to the city: the parks, hangout spots and restaurants. Everywhere a college student needs to go before graduating.

Admittedly, I shared some relationship problems with Emma as well. And yes, I confess, Emma gave me girl advice (ugh). But if it weren’t for her, I’d be in a deeper rut.

I know ya’ll remain hesitant to spill your secrets to your hairstylists, what if they tell people? And here we segue to our final reason.

3. They won’t tell people.

And that’s the best part. Hairstylists when asked to keep a secret, actually keep it. Unlike that one friend who tells the person you like that you like them and things get awkward and you guys never talk again and your crush sits on the opposite side of the room and your single and writing articles at 2:00 a.m. for the Daily Campus.

Anyway, your hairstylist won’t tell a soul. Who are they going to tell? They don’t know your friends or family. Okay probably other hairstylists, but they won’t tell anybody else.

And those are the reasons why your hairstylist is your best friend. Emma was my first friend in Dallas.

Talk to your hairstylist about your day, your troubles, your work, your classes. They’re there to not only cut your hair, but to hear you out (they agree with you on anything, try it out its really fun).

Go out, break the awkward silence, and get to know your hairstylist. Maybe you too will find your Emma.