Things Your Hair Stylist Really Wishes You Knew

Hair references are just that – references. Compared to the photo, our hair may have different growing patterns, and we may have a different head shape. There’s a lot more that goes into hair than just “hair.” It’s actually a pretty technical profession.

You want long luscious locks, but you don’t want trims. Mistake! Hairstylists have preached time and time again that trimming your hair helps it grow stronger. It may not grow faster, but regular trims can help prevent split ends, which can keep hair from growing long and healthy.

As with anything in life, you get what you pay for. Skilled professional hairstylists see too many guests who need their hair fixed after going to a budget stylist. We’re not saying that there aren’t some fantastic hairdressers that don’t charge a lot, but we’ve seen too many bad ones that charge practically nothing. 

You know why your hair looks so amazing after getting it cut? Sure, it’s the styling, but it’s also the products. They don’t use the waxy $2 cheap shampoo that leaves crap in your hair. They use high quality, professional products, which give it that va-va-voom. Those product recommendations aren’t just to squeeze more money out of you.

Hairstylists can look at your hair and sometimes see a few things, like if you dyed it. However, you should always tell your stylist your history. If you’ve never treated your hair, that’s something they need to know. If you’ve ever had perms or other chemical treatments, tell them! This helps prevent mistakes and issues down the line. 

We’ve all heard stories about how stylists get upset when you tell them you don’t like the cut. Well, most professionals will be more than happy to fix it. In fact, some may be disappointed in themselves because they failed to make you happy, and that’s all they want. Don’t be afraid!

If you want hair that bounces, it has to be healthy. When your hair is damaged, it risks hurting the healthy locks that look great. Additionally, damaged hair doesn’t hold texture or color. If your hairdresser suggests cutting a lot of damaged hair off, it may be best to listen to them.

There’s absolutely no way to lighten your hair without using bleach, but hairdressers avoid the word “bleach” since people hate the word. Lightening or bleaching your hair can hurt it, but stylists take steps to keep their healthy, hydrated, and looking glorious after the treatment is finished.

Even if you’re getting your hair dyed a natural color, colored hair needs a little extra TLC. Depending on the color, you’ll need special shampoo to keep the shade vibrant. For example, if you dye your hair blonde and want to avoid the brassy look, you’ll need a purple shampoo. Not using special shampoos is a huge waste of money following a coloring job.

You may be able to convince your hairdresser to squeeze you in, but it’s not good for anyone. Stylists need time to make sure your hair is perfect by the time they’re done. Squeezing a guest in means they won’t get the time necessary to avoid mistakes. 

Layers have a bad reputation. For most of us, we went to a hairdresser when we were younger, and they did a poor job, making our hair look awful for a while. A good stylist is worth their weight in gold, and they’ll do a fantastic job making layers look stunning. Quick note: you should never be able to count your layers.

Hair is a good health indicator. Hairdressers aren’t doctors, but they have a good hint of why your hair has changed. If your locks are shedding like crazy, it could be stress or major hormone changes. Dry or dull hair could mean you’re not getting enough healthy fats. Brittle hair could be an iron deficiency. As a note, speak to a doctor before starting new meds.

Love your hair after a salon visit? Take a picture. Stylists see thousands of clients, and while some may keep notes, they likely won’t remember what it looked like in eight weeks during your next visit. You can ask your stylist to take pictures on your phone for reference during the next visit. 

Even if you don’t color your hair, you’ll need products to protect your investment. Heat can seriously damage your hair over time, so it’s essential to get a heat protectant when styling. Additionally, if you live in a sunny area, a sunscreen (yes, for your hair) will help keep the color vibrant. 

We know salon dye is better, but how much better? Box dyes can sit on the shelf for so long that the results become entirely unpredictable due to age, which isn’t a problem with salon dyes. Formulas also vary widely, and they generally don’t give your hair dimension due to it all being one shade.

There’s no way to go from brown hair to blonde in one visit. Sometimes, multiple visits are required to get the color you want, as dyeing it all at once could cause major damage. Stylists are upfront with you, but most guests hate when they hear that it’ll take three or more visits for a lightening.