This may be common sense for most people so I'm embarrassed to admit it, but sometimes my brain slips up and I ask for the wrong thing at the salon. Perhaps you can relate. I once went in and asked for an "inverted cut" but what I really wanted was my hair cut so it cascaded into a V-shape down the middle of my back (which is pretty much a regular "V-shaped cut.") What I almost got was exactly what I asked for: a bob that was shorter in the back and longer in the front. Lesson learned: What you think you're saying to your hairdresser might not be what you're actually saying.
Just out of curiosity, I asked my hairstylist how often this sort of miscommunication happened, and whether that ever resulted in lost or upset clients. The answer took the form of several anecdotes and the suspicion that yes, he has probably lost or scared off a client due to a misunderstanding. His best advice: Bring a picture. My two cents: Before you head to your next appointment, check out these words of warning.
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You say: "Get the red out."
They think: "You don't want any warmth."
Often what you think is "red" or "orange" is simply the warmth of your hair color, says Nancy Braun, lead colorist at Rossano Ferretti salon in Beverly Hills, Calif. Too much warmth can look "brassy"; however, some warmth looks more natural-looking than none at all. Ashy or cool shades, which are what you'll get if you remove all the warmth, don't look as natural or flattering on everyone. So before you become determined to "get the red out," talk to your stylist about what will look best with your skin tone. They might suggest lowlights (think dark highlights) or toner to tone down �but not remove � what you may call "red."
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You say: "My hair is too flat, but I don't want it cut."
They think: "How am I going to do this ..."
This is kind of like saying, "I have too much stuff but I don't want to throw anything away." What makes your hair look flat and heavy is the lack of movement, says Braun. If you don't want to sacrifice length, your best bet is to have your stylist take some weight off with layers -- which means he or she will have to cut it. If you don't want your hair to look too much shorter, you can keep the layers longer on the bottom. You can also talk about alternative ways to style your hair using volumizing products, such as Pantene Root Lifter Spray Gel, $3.99. Just make sure to discuss with your stylist what's the best plan for you.
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You say: "I want the same blond as [insert celebrity here]."
They (might) think: "You want me to give you a hair color that doesn't work at all."
There are many different types of blond, and the hue that works best on say, Kate Winslet, might not work well with your skin tone. A good stylist will break tell you if that's the case, and work with you to find the closest shade that will look flattering on you. Just keep in mind that their recommendation might not be exactly what you had your heart set on.
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You say: "I want to cut it short...but not too short."
They think: "You want a trim? A pixie? A bob? Something else?"
Whether you "just want to trim an inch off" or you really do want a pixie, specify how short you want your hair cut. Your interpretation of "short" might be different from your stylist's, so if you are able to show what you're thinking with your fingers (or better yet, bring a photo), that can help clear up any confusion.
This may be common sense for most people so I'm embarrassed to admit it, but sometimes my brain slips up and I ask for the wrong thing at the salon. Perhaps you can relate. I once went in and asked for an "inverted cut" but what I really wanted was my hair cut so it cascaded into a V-shape down the middle of my back (which is pretty much a regular "V-shaped cut.") What I almost got was exactly what I asked for: a bob that was shorter in the back and longer in the front. Lesson learned: What you think you're saying to your hairdresser might not be what you're actually saying.
Just out of curiosity, I asked my hairstylist how often this sort of miscommunication happened, and whether that ever resulted in lost or upset clients. The answer took the form of several anecdotes and the suspicion that yes, he has probably lost or scared off a client due to a misunderstanding. His best advice: Bring a picture. My two cents: Before you head to your next appointment, check out these words of warning.
![You say: 'I want the same blond as [insert celebrity here].'](/content/photos/hair-speak-3.jpg)
