21 Tips on How To Tell Your Hairstylist Exactly What You Want

Every client who walks into a hair salon wants to walk out with the hair they envisioned beforehand. The joy and confidence of having that dream hair style doesn’t hurt either.  

The key to that perfect haircut, coloring, or extension application is getting on the same page with your hair stylist. You need to convey exactly what you are looking for, along with any unique or difficult challenges with your hair.

This blog offers 21 tips on how to tell the hairstylist what you want, so you will be more likely to get the hair you have been imagining.

At Societe Salon, we want every client to have the amazing hair they deserve. Our experienced stylists have tireless commitment to providing exceptional hair every day to every client. Contact us today to schedule your appointment, so we can provide the flawless hairstyle you have always wanted.

10 Key Points From The Blog

Here are 10 key things to take away from this blog to help you get the wonderful hair you deserve.

1. Come Prepared With a Clear Vision – Know what you want before stepping into the salon. Save photos, reflect on past hairstyles, and consider your lifestyle to set realistic expectations.
2. Bring Photos That Match Your Hair Type – Visual references are crucial, but make sure they reflect your actual hair texture and density to avoid unrealistic expectations.
3. Schedule a Consultation First – If you’re planning a big change, a consultation allows the stylist to assess your hair’s condition, discuss your goals, and build trust.
4. Be Honest About Your Hair History – Tell your stylist about past chemical treatments, swimming habits, and any DIY hair moments. It ensures better results and protects your hair’s health.
5. Discuss Your Hair Problems and Desired Results – Don’t just say you don’t like your hair—explain what specifically bothers you and how it behaves, so the stylist can offer helpful solutions.
6. Use Specific Language – Avoid vague terms like “short” or “natural.” Be clear about lengths, layers, textures and maintenance preferences to minimize miscommunication.
7. Match Your Haircut to Your Lifestyle – Tell your stylist if you want a low-maintenance style or if you’re open to daily styling—this affects the cut and product recommendations.
8. Talk About the Whole Head—Not Just the Front – Discuss how you want the back, sides, and front to look for a balanced, cohesive haircut that flatters from all angles.
9. Watch the Process and Ask Questions – Pay attention during the haircut. Don’t be afraid to ask what your stylist is doing or how to recreate the look at home.
10. Ask for Product Recommendations – Before leaving the salon, ask your stylist which products to use (or avoid) to maintain your style and protect your hair at home.

21 Ways to Tell Your Hair Stylist What You Want

Let’s face it, we’ve all had bad experiences with our hair. From bad hair days to bad experiences with hair stylists. While bad hair days are a fact of life, bad experiences with hair stylists often stem from miscommunication.

That’s why we have compiled this list of 21 tips on how to tell your hairdresser exactly what you want when you sit down in their chair. Applying these strategies should allow your stylist to deliver the hair style you have been looking for.

1. Do Your Research to Find the Right Stylist for Your Hair

Your goal is to find a stylist who can craft the hair style you have been picturing in your mind. Review the stylist’s website and social media posts to get a feel for their style and expertise.

• Has he or she created the hair style you are thinking of?
• Has he or she done something similar before?
• What about working with clients who have hair like yours?

Look at the stylist’s social media comments and Google reviews. Are the stylist’s clients happy with their results? In fact, you should aim to find a stylist with glowing reviews of his or her work. Do clients use superlatives when describing the stylist’s work? Including words/phrases like:

• Awesome
• Amazing
• Dream hair style
• The hair I’ve always dreamed of
• I love my hair
• (Stylist’s name) is the best

If possible, schedule a consultation before having the stylist work on your hair. This is also a chance to take note of the atmosphere at the salon.

Taking these extra steps helps to give you more confidence in the stylist from the beginning.

2. Consider a Consultation

Before making a big change, like a different color or chopping off a significant amount of hair, consider scheduling an initial consultation. The stylist can get a feel for your hair’s texture, condition and thickness, while discussing your vision for your hair.

The initial consultation is also a chance to share your hair history, so the stylist can provide professional recommendations about changes and your haircare routine. A brief consultation helps set realistic expectations and creates a solid foundation for your hair transformation.

3. Determine What You Want Before You Get to the Salon

If you don’t know what you want before you go, you are much less likely to be happy with what the stylist does with your hair. Walking into a salon with a clear vision for your hair makes a tremendous difference in the end result of your appointment.

Sure, experienced hair stylists have created amazing looks for many clients, but they’re not miracle workers. They aren’t inside your head. They don’t know all your unique likes and dislikes and other details that make up your personal style.

Here are some guidelines for determining the hair style you are seeking:

• Create a visual reference library: Save photos from magazines, social media, or websites that showcase styles you love. Our stylists at Societe Salon recommend having at least 3-5 different images that show the style from different angles.
• Consider your lifestyle: Think about how much time you’re willing to spend styling your hair each day. If you only have five minutes each morning, communicate this to your stylist.
• Reflect on past haircuts: Make notes about what you loved or didn’t love about previous styles, so you can share these insights with your stylist.
• Be realistic: Remember that certain styles may require specific hair textures or densities. For example, very fine hair might not hold some voluminous styles without significant product use.

The expert stylists at Societe Salon are trained to help determine what styles will work best with your hair type. That said, having a visual starting point will make your consultation much more productive. Book your appointment today and come prepared with your vision!

4. Bring Pictures

Should I bring pictures to the salon?

Absolutely! One of the most effective ways to communicate your vision is through images. A picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures help to eliminate confusion and provide a clear visual reference for your stylist.

Are there celebrities with hair you love? Show pictures of those celebrities to your stylist. Maybe you have friends or family members with hair you really like. Bring those photos with you as well. You can gather a lot of pictures quickly because of social media and how often people, including celebrities, photograph themselves.

However, make sure to choose pictures of people who have hair like yours. You also need to know that the curl pattern, texture and thickness of your hair will significantly impact how a specific cut or color appears on each person. For example, a sleek bob on fine, straight hair will look a lot different on someone with thick, wavy hair.

Setting realistic expectations begins with matching your inspiration photos to your natural hair type. In other words, if you have thick, black, naturally curly hair, don’t bring a picture of someone who has very fine, straight, blonde hair.

Hold onto pictures of yourself when you had a hairstyle that you absolutely loved and hairstyles that you didn’t like or downright hated.

5. Be Up Front About Your Hair History

Your stylist needs to know what they’re working with, so honesty is crucial. Don’t worry. They won’t judge you for that late night hair color experiment! Previous chemical treatments like dyes, perms, or straightening procedures alter your hair’s integrity. If you regularly swim in the pool, tell your stylist.

Without this information, your stylist could inadvertently cause damage such as:

• Breakage
• Excessive dryness
• Hair loss

Full disclosure ensures they can select the appropriate techniques and products for your hair’s current condition.

6. Review Problems and Discuss Solutions

Everybody has some kind of problem with their hair – maybe it’s not a problem per se, but just something you don’t like. You should always tell your stylist about these issues.

Taking the time to raise these issues with your stylist and figuring out how to address them should lead to more satisfying results.

• Be specific about problems: Instead of saying “I don’t like my hair,” give specific examples, like “My bangs are too heavy” or “My layers make my hair look thin.” Take a few minutes to think about and make notes on problems with your hair. This is particularly important with a stylist who has never worked on your hair before. But even your regular stylist needs to know about problems you have had.
• Describe behavior, not just appearance: Mention how your hair acts throughout the day – does it fall flat by noon? Do your curls get frizzy in high humidity?

Our stylists at Societe Salon are problem-solvers who love tackling hair challenges. Many clients come to us after disappointing experiences elsewhere, and we pride ourselves on listening carefully to understand what hasn’t worked for you in the past.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss potential solutions based on your hair’s unique characteristics and needs. This collaborative approach ensures that we address your concerns while working toward your ideal style.

7. Define Your Hair Goals

Before making your appointment, consider what you’re truly hoping to achieve. If you don’t know your end goal, there’s no way you’re going to reach it. When you have something specific in mind, an experienced stylist can determine what’s possible and work with you to come up with a style that you’ll love.

Are you looking for a more youthful appearance? This might mean adding face-framing bangs, embracing a flowing longer style, or selecting dimensional color that helps to warm up your complexion.

Perhaps you’re aiming for sophisticated elegance with a sleek, polished look.

Whatever your goals, the expert stylists at Societe Salon have the skills and creativity to help you achieve them. At the end of the day, a visit to a hair stylist is about creating hair that makes you happy. The only way you’re going to be happy is if you have a goal in mind and that goal is achieved.

8. Be Specific with Your Words

The more detail you can provide, the better. You need to be particularly careful with words like “short” or “shorter.” These are not specific enough and can easily lead to misunderstandings and hair you hate. One person’s version of shorter is going to be much different from someone else’s.

It’s much better to use precise language. Tell the stylist how many inches shorter you want your hair. Tell the stylist if you want a hard or soft cut. Do you want layers?

You could have the stylist cut off a little and see how you like it and then determine if you want him or her to take more off.

The clearer your communication, the less room for confusion and the better your results will be.

You may be thinking that it’s the stylist’s job to figure this out, and that’s true to an extent. However, think of your relationship with the stylist as a partnership. You are both working toward the same goal, and the only way to get there is through clear communication.

9. It’s Okay to Dream But… Manage Your Expectations

Remember that what works beautifully on someone else might not translate the same way for you—and that’s perfectly fine! Your hair has its own unique qualities and character.

Hair stylists are artists in a way, but there are limits to the magic they can work on anyone’s hair. Your hair may not do what your favorite celebrity’s hair does.

Elite stylists will work with you to achieve the style you want, but they will also tell you when something is just not possible. They will explain the reasons why and offer alternatives. They want you to love your hair and trust them enough to come back for future appointments.

You also need to be realistic about your daily routine. How much time are you willing to dedicate to styling your hair each morning? If the style you want takes a long time to recreate each morning, you should probably go with a different style.

Being realistic about maintenance will lead to a haircut or color that you’ll continue to love long after you leave the salon.

10. Be Clear About Your Preferences

Tell your hairdresser exactly what you want and what you don’t want. If you only say what you want, your stylist could do something you really didn’t want.

Whether it’s avoiding a certain length, steering clear of certain color tones, or considering how much styling time you can commit to each day, the more information you provide, the better. Your stylist can then tailor their approach to accommodate your preferences and lifestyle. Remember, it’s your hair—don’t be shy about expressing exactly what you’re looking for.

Your hair style affects your confidence – great hair = confidence. You need to be confident in requesting exactly what you want.

11. Make Sure to Think About Your Face and Body Shape

Your hairstyle should complement your natural features, especially the shape of your face and your body. Here are some of the things to keep in mind:

• The shape of your face: Hair styles complement face shapes (oval, round, square, heart, etc.) differently. For example:
  • Round faces are often complemented by styles with height at the crown.
  • Stylists can soften a square face with a layered cut that frames the jawline.
  • Heart-shaped faces look balanced with fuller styles around the jaw.
• Body proportions matter: Your height and build should influence your hair choice. Petite frames might be overwhelmed by long, voluminous hair, while tall or broad-shouldered individuals might need more volume for balance.
• Neck length: A short neck might appear shorter with a blunt bob, while a long neck can carry many different styles beautifully.

The experienced stylists at Societe Salon are trained in analyzing facial geometry and body proportions to recommend the most flattering styles for each client. We take this holistic approach with every consultation, ensuring your new look enhances your natural beauty.

However, you should take some time to think about these things before a consultation or haircut. There are many online tools to help you measure the shape of your face and your body to help determine what hair styles should look the best on you.

12. Tell Your Stylist if You Prefer a Low or High-Maintenance Hair Style

Honesty is crucial when styling your hair or trying out a new hair style. This is especially true when it comes to everyday maintenance. Do you have plenty of time to do your hair in the morning or are you in a rush and often end up putting your hair in a ponytail?

• If you prefer a low-maintenance style your stylist can suggest a cut that should take minimal time to manage, including:
  • Wash-and-wear cuts that work with your natural hair texture
  • Styles that grow out gracefully and don’t require many touchups
  • Products that simplify your routine while maintaining your look
• If you don’t mind having to do more maintenance and you have the time to take this level of care, you have many more hairstyle options, such as:
  • Precision cuts that require regular trims
  • Styles that need daily heat styling or product application
  • More complex color work that requires frequent touch-ups

By being upfront about how much time you’re willing to invest in styling your hair each day, you’ll be more likely to get a hairstyle that fits seamlessly into your routine.

Remember, there’s no wrong answer here! Whether you’re a styling enthusiast or prefer to keep things simple, our team will help you create a look that matches your preferences and skills.

13. Use the Right Language to Ask for What You Want

Hair stylists are trained professionals who use specific terms to describe techniques and hair styles. This makes many clients wonder: How do I talk to my hair stylist?

You may not know the right words to say but do your best. It’s your stylist’s job to help interpret what you say and turn it into a hair style that you will love.

It’s your job to provide as much detail as you can and answer your stylist’s questions. There’s basically no way to say too much, especially if you want a big change, like bangs. If you come back to the stylist for future touchups or hair transformations, you should develop a shared vocabulary to help both of you stay on the same page.

Here is some more specific guidance on terms to use to help your stylist get a fix on what you want your hair to look like:

• Length terms:
  • Instead of just saying “short,” give the stylist measurements like “one inch above the shoulder” or “ear-length”. It’s not that you can never use the word “short” or “shorter,” but these words need much more clarification. You can also have your stylist indicate what a shorter cut would look like by holding up the number of inches you would like taken off.
  • Use your hands to show where you want your hair to fall.
• Texture terminology:
  • “Layers” can mean many things. Do you want long, short, blended, or choppy layers?
  • “Thinning” and “texturizing” are different techniques – thinning removes bulk, while texturizing adds movement
• Styling descriptions:
  • “Volume” can be achieved in various ways – at the root, through layers, or with product
  • “Natural” can mean different things to different people – clarify if you mean minimal product, air-dried, or working with your natural texture

At Societe Salon, our stylists take time to explain terminology during consultations. We’ll help translate your vision into professional terms and make sure we understand exactly what you’re looking for. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if you’re unsure about any terms used during your appointment.

14. Be Careful Saying ‘Short’ or ‘Shorter’

The words “short” and “shorter” are among the most miscommunicated terms in hair salons. If you’re not careful, you could end up with a much shorter hairstyle than you intended.

• Subjective perceptions: What you consider “short” might be very different from what your stylist envisions. A half-inch trim might feel dramatic to you but minimal to your stylist.
• Use visual references: Rather than saying “take it short,” show exactly what you mean with:
  • Photos of your desired length
  • Previous pictures of yourself with the length you want
  • Physical demonstrations (pointing to where you want the hair to fall)
• Give your stylist specific measurements:
  • “Please cut two inches off the length”
  • “I’d like it to hit right at my collarbone”
  • “I want the layers to start at chin level”

The expert stylists at Societe Salon are trained to clarify vague instructions, but you can help by being as specific as possible. We’ll always confirm what “shorter” means to you before making any cuts.

Remember that hair grows approximately half an inch per month, so consider scheduling your appointment with this growth rate in mind.

If you are ready for a change, call today to book your appointment!

15. Make Sure to Talk About All Your Hair (Back, Sides and Front)

You need to tell your hair stylist what to do with all your hair, the back, sides and front, if you want a truly balanced hair style. Many clients focus primarily on how their hair will look from the front, but a truly successful haircut addresses all angles:

• The front of your hair:
  • Face framing – how close or far from your face should layers or bangs fall?
  • Part placement – center, side, or flexible?
  • Bang style and length, if you are getting bangs
• The sides of your hair:
  • How should the hair connect from front to back?
  • Do you tuck your hair behind your ears or prefer coverage?
  • How much weight do you want around your face?
• The back of your hair:
  • Shape – do you want a U-shape, V-shape, or straight across?
  • Weight – heavier or lighter toward the bottom?
  • Layers – how deep should they be?

At Societe Salon, our stylists take a 360-degree approach to every haircut. We’ll discuss how all parts of your hair work together to create a cohesive style that looks good from every angle.

16. Ask Your Stylist

The stylists at Societe Salon have the training, knowledge, and experience to bring your hair vision to life. Don’t hesitate to ask for their professional opinion about what styles might best suit your face shape, lifestyle, and natural hair characteristics. Their trained eyes can guide you toward a look that not only matches your desires but enhances your natural beauty and works with your unique hair type.

All that said, you should not make the mistake of just telling the stylist to style her hair in whatever way he or she thinks will look best. Your participation in crafting a beautiful hair style is essential.

You also need to know that you are under no obligation to simply agree with the stylist’s recommendations. In the end, this is about what you want. You need a hairstyle that makes you feel beautiful and gives you confidence throughout the day.

17. Make Sure the Stylist Touches Your Hair Before Starting to Work

The stylist needs to touch your hair to understand its texture, condition and any unique challenges that may come up during the styling process. This physical evaluation provides important information that photos and descriptions alone can’t convey.

• Texture evaluation: Your stylist should feel your hair to assess its:
  • Fineness or coarseness
  • Density (how many hairs per square inch)
  • Natural movement patterns or curl patterns
  • Elasticity and strength
• Growth pattern identification:
  • Cowlicks and natural partings influence how a style will lay.
  • The direction hair naturally falls determines how it should be cut.
  • Hairline characteristics affect how certain styles will frame your face.
• Condition assessment:
  • Damaged ends may need more cutting than anticipated.
  • Previous chemical services might affect how new color or treatments set into your hair strands.
  • The overall health of your scalp can have a strong influence on styling recommendations.

If your stylist doesn’t touch and evaluate your hair before beginning, don’t hesitate to ask for this assessment. Understanding your hair’s natural tendencies is essential for creating a style that works with—not against—what nature gave you.

Schedule your appointment with our detail-oriented team today!

18. Watch the Stylist While He or She Works

Going to the salon is often a social occasion, but you still need to watch what the stylist is doing. You need to make sure things are going according to plan.

• Pay attention to technique: Observing how your stylist works can give you valuable insights into:
  • Whether they’re following the plan discussed during consultation
  • How they’re creating the structure of your cut
  • What tools they’re using (shears, razors, thinning shears)
• Ask questions throughout: If something looks different than you expected, speak up immediately:
  • “I notice you’re cutting at an angle here – what effect will that create?”
  • “Should I got a little longer with that part of my hair?
  • “how are all these layers going to blend together? Will it look seamless?”
• Learn how the stylist is styling your hair: If you watch carefully, you will have a much better idea of how to recreate the style at home:
  • Keep an eye on which products are being used and how much your stylist is using.
  • Watch how the stylist brushes your hair.
  • What tools did he or she use?
  • Notice the direction of the blow dryer and how much tension the stylist applies to your hair during this process.

This is not the time to be shy. Ask plenty of questions. Most stylists are perfectly happy to answer your questions and explain what and how they are doing what they’re doing. Communicating openly helps ensure there are no surprises.

19. Don’t Worry About Coming Off Like an Annoying Client

Effective communication is never annoying – it’s essential for achieving your desired results. Experienced stylists would rather have you speak up than stay quiet.

• Remember, it’s your hair: You are going to be walking around with this hair style each day. You have the right to speak up. In fact, it’s a responsibility.
• Professional stylists want to get the details right: At Societe Salon, we would much rather have you ask questions than leave the salon unhappy or less than thrilled with your hair. Our goal is for you to walk out of the salon after your appointment with a big smile on your face because you feel you have gorgeous hair.
• There’s a difference between being annoying and focusing on details:
  • There is nothing wrong with clearly communicating your preferences.
  • Being difficult means you have unrealistic expectations and are being disrespectful, rude or downright mean to the stylist.

Societe Salon is a judgment-free environment where we always take concerns seriously. We want you to be deeply involved in the process, because it’s your hair after all.

You should never let a fear of coming off as “high maintenance” prevent you from getting the hair you desire.

20. Stay Calm – Anxiety Can be Contagious

Your anxiety could make it more difficult to get the hair you want. Here’s why:

• Nervous energy is contagious: The client’s anxiety can affect:
  • The stylist’s confidence
  • Thet stylist’s ability to focus on his or her work

How to Communicate if You Are Nervous:

• Take deep breaths.
• Calmly ask questions and be specific.
• Think in terms of solutions and not what you are worried about.

Building Trust with Your Stylist:

• Ask the stylist to just make small changes if you are nervous about a major transformation with your hair.
• Ask for a detailed explanation of what the stylist is going to do.
• Remember, most mistakes can be fixed.

We know some may feel stressed about getting their hair done because of negative experiences in the past. We have worked with many people who had poor experiences and know how to instill confidence in the final outcome.

21. Ask Your Stylist What Products to Use at Home

Before you leave the salon, ask your stylist what products they used on your hair and what they think you should use at home. Experienced hairdressers should know how best to maintain a new hairstyle, while keeping your hair healthy.

The right shampoo, conditioner, and styling products can make a huge difference. Your stylist can also tell you what products you shouldn’t use, because some products could strip out color or weigh your hair down. This can save you time and money. You could also help prevent a possible hair disaster.

The stylists at Societe Salon are committed to listening, understanding, and delivering results. We want you to feel beautiful and confident every single day.

Schedule your appointment right now!