You’ve decided you’re ready for a new haircut, saved a few photos you love, and booked your appointment. Now what?

A good haircut starts before we ever pick up the scissors. Your consultation is our chance to talk about what you want, look at your hair as it is right now, and figure out how to turn your inspiration into a haircut that actually works for you.

And no, you don’t need to walk into the salon knowing exactly what you want! That’s part of what your hairstylist is there to help with.

But there are a few things you can bring – or simply think about beforehand – that can make your haircut consultation much more productive.

Bring Inspiration Photos

Yes, those screenshots you’ve been saving on your phone are useful!

Photos give your stylist a visual reference for what you mean by “short layers,” “a little face framing,” or “a long bob.” Hair terminology can mean different things to different people, so showing us what you have in mind helps make sure we’re on the same page.

I recommend bringing a few photos rather than just one. Maybe you love the length in one picture, the layers in another, and the bangs in a third. We can talk through those details and determine which elements can work together.

You can even bring photos of hairstyles you don’t like. Sometimes knowing what you want to avoid is just as helpful as knowing what you love.

Come Ready to Talk About Your Hair

Your hairstylist needs to know more than what haircut you want. We also need to understand the hair we’re working with.

Tell us about anything that affects how your hair behaves. Does it get frizzy when it’s humid? Does one section always flip out? Do your curls shrink significantly when they dry? Does your hair struggle to hold volume?

This is also a good time to mention previous chemical services or anything else that may have affected the condition of your hair.

The more we know, the easier it is to recommend a cut that works with your hair instead of against it.

Think About Your Daily Styling Routine

Be honest about this one!

If you love spending 30 minutes styling your hair every morning, great. If you want to wash it, add a little product, and walk out the door, tell us that too.

Some beautiful haircuts require more styling than others to look the way they do in an inspiration photo. A cut that looks effortless on Instagram might have been blow-dried, curled, smoothed, and styled before that photo was taken.

Your haircut needs to fit into your real life. Knowing how much time and effort you’re willing to spend styling it helps us recommend something you’ll still love once you’re doing your own hair at home.

Know How Much Length You’re Comfortable Losing

“A trim” can mean very different things to different people.

Before your appointment, think about how much length you’re genuinely comfortable cutting. If keeping your hair long is important to you, say so. If you’re ready for a dramatic change, we want to know that too!

It can also help to physically show your stylist where you’d like your hair to fall rather than relying only on measurements.

And if damaged ends mean we recommend taking off a little more than you expected, we’ll talk about it with you before making the cut.

Bring Your Questions

Your consultation is the perfect time to ask questions, so don’t be afraid to use it!

Ask whether a particular haircut will work with your texture. Ask how it will grow out. Ask how you should style it at home or which products will help you recreate the salon finish.

And if you’re unsure about something your stylist recommends, ask why. A consultation should be a conversation, not simply you showing us a picture and hoping for the best.

You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out

One of the biggest things I want clients to know is that you don’t need to arrive with a perfectly planned haircut.

Bring your inspiration, tell us what you like and dislike about your current hair, and be honest about your lifestyle and maintenance preferences. From there, we can help you figure out the details.

At Hello Gorgeous Beauty Salon, we want your haircut to look beautiful when you leave the salon, but just as importantly, we want it to work for you once you’re home.

Ready for your next haircut? Call or text Hello Gorgeous Beauty Salon at (239) 261-3131, or schedule your appointment through our online booking platform.

We can’t wait to help you feel gorgeous!