Importance of Consulting Before a Hairdressing Appointment

When changing your hairstyle, it is essential to consult with your stylist before your appointment to ensure you get the haircut, colour, and style you envision.

A consultation is also an excellent time to discuss issues like hair loss, heat damage, or dry hair and an opportunity to get to know your stylist. Learn about the benefits of scheduling a consultation and which questions and topics to discuss with your stylist.

When is a Hair Consultation Necessary?

If you’re booking a hair appointment, a consultation may be necessary for several reasons. Consulting with your stylist is a great idea if you’re making a drastic change, have questions about a particular service, or are planning a milestone event, like a wedding or a school formal.

If you’re seeing a new stylist, it can be helpful to have a consultation to discuss your hair goals, what your service entails, and get to know your hairdresser.

If you have a particular vision for your hair but don’t know what services are necessary, a consultation is an excellent opportunity for a stylist to answer your questions. Ask about which services can repair damaged hair, which cut suits your face shape, and which colour suits your skin undertones.

Why are Hair Consultations Important?

Hair consultations are essential for ensuring that your appointment goes smoothly. During a consultation, the information that your stylist learns about your lifestyle, makeup routine and hair can help them plan the perfect appointment for you. Other reasons a hair consultation is necessary can include the following:

Get to Know Your Hairstylist

Having a hair consultation allows you to get to know your hairstylist. If it’s your first time booking an appointment with your stylist, you can ask questions to ensure your stylist is a good fit. Getting to know your hairstylist can help you feel more comfortable so that during your appointment, you can relax.

You can also help your stylist get to know you and your hair during the consultation. You can give them information on critical factors impacting your hairstyle, like hair texture, colouring history, or medical conditions.

Even your lifestyle plays a role. An active and busy mother of toddlers is more likely to want a carefree and easy-to-manage hairstyle than someone with no children and who works in a customer-facing position.

Also, let your stylist know about the services you’ve received in the past and any negative experiences with salons, even if it is just cutting your fringe too short or not short enough.

You should also let your stylist know if you are comfortable with them double-booking you. Many stylists will squeeze in a haircut with another client if you are booked for highlights or another lengthy appointment. Be upfront about your expectations and what you want from your salon experience.

Discuss Hair Issues and Hair Care Routine

A hair consultation gives you time to discuss concerns about your hair, such as dryness, frizz control or oiliness. If you’re looking to manage frizz, your stylist might recommend a keratin treatment to give you smoother, stronger hair. If you’re struggling with oiliness, ask your stylist about product recommendations during your consultation.

If you feel like your current style is too hard to manage, let your stylist know so they can offer you a low-maintenance option or teach you how to manage your hair so you can get your salon look at home.

A consultation is also the perfect time to discuss your hair care routine with your stylist. If you’re unsure if your hair care routine benefits your hair health, your stylist can answer any questions and suggest the right products to achieve luscious healthy strands.

Explore Your Hair Service Options

Your service options depend on your specific hair type, length and colouring history, which is why a consultation is essential before your appointment. You can explore the different hair service options you have during your appointment.

For example, if your hair texture is coarse, you might need a different treatment than somebody with fine hair. Your stylist assesses your hair type during your consultation so they can plan your appointment.

Perform Patch Testing

During your consultation, your stylist may complete patch testing to learn how your hair reacts to certain products. During a patch test, they apply a colour or treatment to a small section of hair to determine which products to use and what length of time is suitable.

It’s also common for skin tests to be completed during a consultation to avoid reactions to products. If you’re concerned about skin sensitivities or allergies, a skin test prevents an uncomfortable reaction from occurring during your appointment.

Testing during a consultation can help determine the elasticity and porosity of your hair. This allows your stylist to advise on conditioning treatments that could protect your hair before you undergo a colouring service.

Once the tests are completed, and your stylist has asked you about your hair, you can discuss the best styles and colour options.

Avoid Misunderstandings

During a hair consultation, you can learn the specifics of the service you are interested in receiving so that there are no surprises on the day of the appointment.

If you have a specific colour picked out, your stylist can discuss what the results will look like on your hair. If they do a patch test, you can see the vibrancy on a small section and make minor adjustments to reach your desired result.

A consultation is also crucial so that you fully understand the process of the treatment you are receiving. Ask how long the service will last or when you’ll need to come in for root touch-ups. Ask how long you should expect the colour to last for hair colouring services.

Many colour transformations can require multiple sessions, especially if your hair is being lightened. Talk to your stylist about how many sessions you’ll need to complete your look. You should also ask your stylist about pricing during the consultation so that you can budget accordingly.

Your stylist can also talk to you about what you’ll need to do to maintain your look after your appointment. Some styles, such as curtain bangs, may need daily styling, which you’ll want to know about before you get your haircut. If daily maintenance doesn’t work for your schedule, your stylist can suggest a style that is low maintenance.

Schedule a Consultation at Cutters His and Hers Hairdressing

To learn about hair services, get to know your stylist or plan for your next appointment, schedule a consultation. Contact Cutters His and Hers Hairdressing at a location near you to book your consultation.