Had A Bad Haircut? Here's How To Speak To Your Hairstylist
Avoid a bad haircut or hair colour on your next trip to the hair salon by mastering your hairstylist's lingo with this vocabulary guide
Ever walked out of a hair salon with a pixie cut instead of the trim you wanted? We've all been there! Learn how to prevent a future disaster by knowing how to communicate with your hairdresser so they know exactly what you're after – every time.
Sydney-based hair salon, Raw's Anthony Nader details what you need to say to your hairstylist to nail the hairstyle you want.
Do Not Say: "Lots of layers or a super-short bob." These kinds of styles and anything with too much detail require multiple products and lots of blowdrying.
Do Say: "I want a haircut that's seamless to grow out, easy to blowdry and only needs one product to style it."
Do Not Say: "A full head of lighter colour." Making the switch to a much paler colour is dramatic, not to mention needs a lot more upkeep. Go in gingerly.
Do Say: "I don't want a dramatic change, but overall I'd like my hair to look a bit lighter than it is."
Do Not Say: "A style with a curl — and don't worry if you have to spray it." You'll end up with helmet hair!
Do Say: "I want a blow dry that's voluminous at the roots, with a curve in the middle and ends so it's glossy and beautiful."
Do Not Say: "I'd like a few centimetres off." Your communication skills need to be well-honed when it comes to asking for a trim. Remind yourself what a centimetre or two looks like before you go to the salon."
Do Say: "I'm just after a dusting – I only want two centimetres cut off." Be quite specific to avoid hair ending up too short.
Do Not Say: "A fringe that sits above my eyebrows." It will be cut straight across your forehead, making your face look wide and round.
Do Say: "A fringe that sits just below my eyebrows and is rounder at the edges near my temples."
Do Not Say: "Short layers!" You'll end up with an '80s-style 'do where the layers are so short the ends uncontrollably flick out.
Do Say: "I'm after longer layers to soften the edge of my overall style."
Do Not Say: "An even, all-over blonde look." If that's what you want, go for highlights.
Do Say: "My hair is a little too blonde and I need to show dimension in it again."
Don't be afraid of being an annoying client. If you're not sure what your hairdresser's talking about, ask questions. Just remember to be polite — they're holding the scissors, after all!
Don't come in with dirty hair that's pulled back. Wash and wear your locks as you normally would so your hairdresser gets a clear picture of the texture and your styling skill level.
Only bring up to three references, not 50, so your hairdresser gets a good indication of what you want.
Arrive wearing what you'd normally wear during the week to help your hairdresser match your hair to your lifestyle.
Text: Bauer Syndication