When you sit down at the salon, here are five things you shouldn’t say to your hairdresser. It’s not about sparing your stylist’s feelings, but avoiding situations that could be disastrous for your hair.
I may have made one (or all) of these mistakes in the past, so learn from my experience to improve your hair and your salon time.
Just take an inch off
Your definition of an inch is not the same as your hairdresser’s. If you’ve ever had a haircut shorter than expected, you know this is true.
Instead of saying the amount of hair you want to have off, show them. Hold your hair and point to the length you want.
Pictures really do say a 1000 words at the salon. Bring in an old photograph of yourself with a hairstyle you liked or a celebrity hairstyle that inspires you to show your hairdresser. Make sure that you and your hairdresser are on the same page and have a proper consultation before they start to cut.
I have never dyed my hair (but there was that time…)
It doesn’t matter if it was two years ago, be honest to your hairdresser about your hair history. Your hairdresser can probably tell if you’ve coloured your hair before, so lying is not going to help you at all. Worse still, you could end up with extreme damage and broken hair.
If your hairdresser thinks you’ve got virgin, uncoloured hair, they’ll use a very different formula than if you have coloured your hair. Do the right thing by your hair and by your hairdresser, and be completely open about your previous hair colours. Tell them everything so that they can make an educated choice about how they colour your hair next.
I cut my own hair
Even if you did cut your own hair, don’t tell your hairdresser. That’s probably why you’re in the salon to fix your mistake. Don’t tell them and just ask them to give you the haircut that you really want.
It’s totally fine to lie and make up a fake hairdresser and say they cut your hair badly instead.
I have lots of time to style my hair in the morning (but you really don’t)
Your hairdresser will design a haircut to suit your lifestyle. Be honest and tell them exactly how much time you like to spend styling your hair.
Don’t pretend you know how to use a curling wand if you don’t. Tell your stylist you only have two minutes to do your hair before you run out the door every day. It’s better to be honest and get the hairstyle you want.
Why not book in for a hair lesson with your stylist so they can teach you how to curl your hair, or quick ways to style your hair? Think how much it will save you in the long run. Your hairdresser will also probably be quite flattered that you want them to teach you how to do it properly.
I’m running late
Actually, this is something you should tell your hairdresser – but it’s not something they’ll want to hear.
A hairdresser’s schedule is complicated with lots of overlapping appointments. You may only be a few minutes late but that can have a huge knock-on effect for their whole day.
Unavoidable delays happen, but as soon as you’re aware that you will be late, call your salon and ask them if that’s ok. They may have to alter the service they can give you so you can still fit in to your appointment time. Be apologetic and I’m sure they will do all they can to make sure you enjoy your salon time.
So tell me, what have you said that you regretted telling your hairdresser? And if you are a hairdresser, what do you hate to hear from your clients?
PS. Confused about what to do at the salon? Check out my salon advice series.
It is NEVER perfectly fine to lie to anyone about anything! What terrible advice to put out there!!!
Thanks for the advice here! One thing though, an inch is quantifiable and measurable. 1 inch = 1 inch and not something left open to interpretation. If you literally only want an inch off-how do you suggest to communicate that?
What they’re saying is that most hairdressers cut a lot of your hair when you only ask for an inch. Or people underestimate just how much hair an inch actually is.
To avoid this you might want to ask for half an inch off instead.
Funny how something as simple as a salon visit can be so complicated. I found what really works for me is to take a photo of a hairstyle or length that I want. That way, I can show it to my hairdresser and they have a better visual idea of what I want rather than what I could describe to them.
Abby of My Hair Care
Pictures are such a good idea, Abby. It’s too hard to describe cuts and colours and pictures make it easier x
I disagree with #3! If you cut your hair, just own it. Making up some mythical stylist to blame your crappy cut on is a cop out.
You’re braver than I am 😉
Yeah, number 3 I could care less about unless the cut is really really obviously messed up. It’s their head and their choice not to utilize that complimentary bang trim!
haha you would expect that if you say “only take an inch” that every hair dresser knows how much an inch is. But you are right, i had to experience it first hand that not every hair dresser knows what an inch is….
Nothing new about that it’s why I don’t go near hairdressers any more fed up getting a shorter cut than what I wanted
Here’s one more to add to your list: when going for a haircut at a new salon – heck, even at one that you’ve been to for quite some time – never say “SURPRISE ME”. From experience, it’s a very bad idea. 😛
hahaha oh that’s definitely brave for a new salon! I’m guessing they did surprise you, but not in a good way… xx
The most annoying thing a client can do is to put her fingers into her hair while I am trying to style it! Please wait until I have finished, when I will ask you if you want anything change!
Oh that would be annoying! I’m guessing it’s the same for clients trying to check their new hair colour while their hair is still wet.
Worst conversation ever at hairdresser training was with a client who was convinced she didn’t need a hair test (taking a tiny snippet of hair and test process first) on her HENNAED hair!! Just because it was “natural” she thought nothing could go wrong and didn’t understand why we wouldn’t do anything until we’d done the test. Just because it’s henna doesn’t mean there won’t be interactions with chemicals!!!
I actually think her hair might have reacted badly to test to and she STILL wasn’t convinced and upset that we wouldn’t do what she wanted.
Ahh that’s crazy, Cass! And I bet she would have blamed you if there was a problem with her hair afterwards. Henna may be “natural” but it’s a very permanent process that doesn’t play well with other treatments or colours.
When it comes to how much length to take off I always say ‘however much needs to come off’. I don’t mind it going a bit shorter if it will make it healthier, my hair gets so dry at the ends so they usually need a good chop every few months.
I think the best thing you can do for your haircuts at a hairdresser is to find one you love and form a good relationship with them. I’ve been going to the same hairdresser for 3 years now (and before that when I was in a different city I had the same hairdresser for 8 years!) and she just knows my hair and my lifestyle so well so she is always honest about what will work with my hair. Saves me so much heartbreak and bad hair!
Excellent advice, Lauren! And you’re more realistic than I am. I was trying to grow my hair and didn’t want to chop off those dead ends. I finally did it though and my hair looks so much better. I was totally in denial about how it looked.