Consultation help

What to ask for at the salon

The goal isn’t “knowing the right words.” It’s giving your stylist the right decisions: outcome, boundaries, maintenance level, and references. Use these scripts to get aligned fast—without awkwardness.

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5-minute prep

Before you go: decide these 4 things

You don’t need perfect terminology. You need clarity on your choices.

1) Outcome (what you want)
Example: “Lived-in blonde,” “fuller-looking ends,” “sleek bob,” “face-framing brightness.”
2) Boundaries (what you don’t want)
Example: “Not too short,” “no harsh line,” “don’t thin the ends,” “no high-maintenance root.”
3) Maintenance level
Low: minimal styling + fewer appointments. Medium: some styling + regular trims/toners. High: frequent refreshes + more styling.
4) Your routine
Air-dry vs blow-dry, how often you wash, whether you use heat, and how often you can return.
Copy/paste

Consultation scripts (choose one)

Pick the closest script and swap the bracketed parts. These work because they communicate decisions, not buzzwords.

“My goal is [outcome]. I want it to feel [natural / polished / bold]. I can commit to [low / medium / high] maintenance. I usually [air-dry / blow-dry]. I don’t want [boundary]. Here are two photos: one for shape and one for finish.”

Ask: “What would you suggest to get this result on my hair—today—and what would the upkeep look like?”

“I want a cut that looks like [photo]. I want the length around [jaw / collarbone / below shoulders]. I want the ends to feel [full / softly-blunt / airy]. If we add layers, I want them [subtle / medium / textured]. I usually [air-dry / blow-dry] so it needs to work with that. I don’t want [too choppy / too thin at the ends / too short around ears].”

Ask: “Where would the shortest layer start, and what will it look like grown out in 8–10 weeks?”

“I want a color that looks [sun-kissed / lived-in / dimensional / rich all-over]. I want an easy grow-out (I can come in every [8–12 weeks / 12–16 weeks]). I prefer the tone to be [cool / neutral / warm]. I don’t want [a harsh line / high-maintenance roots / brassy warmth]. Here’s a reference photo for the look.”

Ask: “What service name would you book for this, and what maintenance (toner/gloss) would you recommend?”

“I like my current look, but I want [more shine / less brass / softer regrowth / more dimension]. My priority is [hair health / keeping length / easy upkeep]. I don’t want a big change. What’s the smallest service that gets me there?”

Ask: “What would you do today, and what’s the next step if we need a second appointment?”

Say this clearly

Boundaries that prevent misunderstandings

For cuts
“Don’t thin the ends.” • “No harsh ‘steps’ in layers.” • “Not shorter than [point on your face].”
For color
“No harsh regrowth line.” • “Keep it low-maintenance.” • “Avoid brassy warmth.” • “I want it to look good grown out.”
For styling reality
“I air-dry most days.” • “I don’t want daily hot tools.” • “I can’t come in more than every [X] weeks.”
Photos

How to use photos properly

Bring 2 photos (not 12)
One for shape, one for finish. Too many photos makes it unclear what you want.
Say what you like about the photo
Example: “I like the brightness around the face, but I want the overall tone more neutral.”
Use the same hair type when possible
If your hair is fine/curly/coily, choose references with similar texture so expectations match reality.
The hidden factor

Maintenance level (low / medium / high)

Low
Minimal styling. Fewer appointments. Prioritize grow-out and forgiving shapes/tones.
Medium
Some styling + regular trims/refresh. Balanced between polish and ease.
High
Frequent refreshes and more styling. Sharp lines and high-impact color stay “perfect.”
Ask this question
“If I do nothing special at home, what will this look like day-to-day, and how often would I need to come back?”
Avoid these

Common mistakes (and quick fixes)

Mistake: using only vague words
Fix: add 1 boundary + 1 maintenance statement. (“Not too choppy” + “I air-dry most days.”)
Mistake: expecting the photo = your exact outcome
Fix: say what you like about the photo (tone, placement, shape), not just “this.”
Mistake: not confirming the plan
Fix: ask your stylist to repeat back the plan: “So we’re doing X, with Y tone, and Z maintenance—right?”