There seems to be allot of misconceptions and fears you as a consumer have about picking your stylist and what your options are.  Lets look at how you can ease your anxiety in this area.

So what are your suggestions for finding a stylist? There are so many of them in this town!

Trying a new stylist is one of the riskiest activities we face in daily life...  In my fourteen years here, I've tried many, only to sometimes find a good one and then discover that he or she has moved on without notice... and then it's quite a challenge to track him or her down...

I'm lucky in the last five years to have met a very good stylist through a mutual friend.  Her name is Edith Chan.  She currently teaches for the Toni & Guy Academy, but she cuts and styles in the Toni & Guy salon in Wyndham Street on Saturdays.  Edith did a four year stint in a high end teaching salon in London (Sanrizz), so she's not only a very accomplished stylist, but she's also very comfortable with Westerners.  Highly recommended.

Charlie,
  sorry for the late response, I have been very busy in the salon the past week.  As for your question...Its never easy discerning which stylist will be right for you.  First of coarse you must fix your budget, keeping in mind that many times you get what you pay for.  Once that is established you should make a commitment to see several people in the area you are comfortable with.  Once you have established contact with a few find out from reception who is most comfortable with your type of hair.  Or you can ask about the different levels of stylists they have. (this is covered in an enclosed web page)
   At this point you want to book an appointment with them for a consultation.  During your consultation you need to make sure that you are very comfortable with the stylist and come to a clear understanding of what you want to achieve.  Remember it is your hair and you must wear it daily, take baby steps at first till you get to know one another.  
   Some pointers when consulting, if the stylist asks you what you want done, run!  You want someone who take more control of the situation and asks questions like "what are your goals" "what do you currently enjoy about your hair or have issues with" etc.  You need to make sure they take into consideration things like Lifestyle, career, face shape, texture, your ability to style etc.
   If you cover these points and look at their background and how long they have been in the industry you should be on the right track.  I hope that helps, if you need further information please let me know...cheers

Charlie,
  sorry for the late response, I have been very busy in the salon the past week.  As for your question...Its never easy discerning which stylist will be right for you.  First of coarse you must fix your budget, keeping in mind that many times you get what you pay for.  Once that is established you should make a commitment to see several people in the area you are comfortable with.  Once you have established contact with a few find out from reception who is most comfortable with your type of hair.  Or you can ask about the different levels of stylists they have. (this is covered in an enclosed web page)
   At this point you want to book an appointment with them for a consultation.  During your consultation you need to make sure that you are very comfortable with the stylist and come to a clear understanding of what you want to achieve.  Remember it is your hair and you must wear it daily, take baby steps at first till you get to know one another.  
   Some pointers when consulting, if the stylist asks you what you want done, run!  You want someone who take more control of the situation and asks questions like "what are your goals" "what do you currently enjoy about your hair or have issues with" etc.  You need to make sure they take into consideration things like Lifestyle, career, face shape, texture, your ability to style etc.
   If you cover these points and look at their background and how long they have been in the industry you should be on the right track.  I hope that helps, if you need further information please let me know...cheers

Heres another page to help you...
http://stylistlevels.blogspot.com/