5 Questions You Need To Ask Before Major Hair Change

One of the things I miss the most about being a hairstylist is going through hair changes with my clients. It was always exciting to have a client sit in my chair and ask for 7 inches to be cut off, or to finally go blonde. My style of hair was always pretty, and generally conservative, but I loved the creativity of trying something new.

Cleints were typically a little trepidatious over a dramatic hair change, so I want to share 5 questions I always covered in a consultation so you can be better prepared for your hair change appointment!

1. Do you actually think this will work for me?

Trust is the most important aspect of your relationship with your stylist. If you trust him or her, you’ll find hair appointments much less stressful. It takes time to develop a level of trust, and the quickest way to do that is through regular appointments. If your stylist suggests you need a trim every 6 weeks, get one ever 6 weeks. She’ll get to learn how much or little wear and tear you do to your hair and be able to get to know your hair needs quickly.

So, if you are looking for a somewhat dramatic change, go to a stylist you trust. Do NOT go to a brand new stylist for a dramatic change unless you are a risk taker. It could be great, or it could be a train wreck.

Ask your stylist what he or she thinks of your idea. Once they know you well, they’ll be able to tell you what they think. I’ve had plenty of clients ask for my opinion on whether or not they should get a straight across fringe and if I know they are majorly low maintenance, I advise them not to. Usually we agree on some happy medium. Your stylist doesn’t want to create a bunch of work for you if you aren’t interested in putting a bunch of time and effort into styling your hair. Do what works for your lifestyle.

2. Can you show me on my body where this will hit?

The biggest discrepancy between client and stylist is length. A client may ask for 1 inch off and leave with a lot more (or less) than they imagined. Ask your stylist to show you where the new length will hit on your body. Everyone’s neck length is different, so 2 inches off of someone with a short neck will hit in a different place than 2 inches off someone with a longer neck.

The term “shoulder length” could mean a number of things. Is it grazing the shoulder? It is laying on the shoulder? Is it hovering right above the shoulder? Make sure you talk through every detail of what you are imagining so your stylist can be best prepared to give you the cut you want.

3. What sort of maintenance is involved?

Be realistic about the time and effort you want to put into your hair. Are you wash and go? Keep your cut at the right length for you that will still allow you to do that. Don’t hear me saying to always have the same hairstyle, but do be realistic about what you have time to do with it every morning.

4. Are there any certain hair products I need to use to achieve the results I want?

Hair products are game-changers. I’ve heard from clients that they’ve felt taken advantage of by stylists in the past who practically force them to buy no less than 7 hair products before they leave the salon. If your stylist suggests over 3 products, it’s not rude to say, “if I could only have one, which one would you suggest”. You may not get the same look as you would if you used all of the products he or she recommended, but some product is better than no product.

5. What is the growing out process going to be like?

This is never a bad question to ask because it may help you feel a little bit bolder about making a change. If you want to start wearing your hair in a graduated bob, but are unsure about the growing out process, the answer to this question may sway you one way or the other. There are pretty ways to grow out hair, and not so pretty ways to grow out hair. The best way is to get regular trims and adjust the weight of the cut as it grows.

Plan on the consultation for a hair change appointment to be a little bit longer than usual so there’s time to talk through every detail. And after the cut and/or color has been finished, give it at least 3 days before you make up your mind about it. It can be challenging to see a new hairstyle and not think that it looks “wrong” because it’s so different. Once you get used to it, which takes a couple days, you can decide whether or not you like it.

I’m the queen of sticking with the usual cut and color, but anytime I change it up I’m always glad I did. It’s nice to break away from the norm every once in awhile!

Have you ever had a dramatic hair change?

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