salon tips · haircut advice
What to Tell Your Hairstylist to Get the CutYou Want
What to tell your hairstylist to get the haircut you actually want: the length, layers, and fringe words to use, how to use photos, and what to ask before the scissors start.
Hairover Team
To get the haircut you want, bring two or three photos, show the length on your own body with your hands instead of saying “a trim,” describe the layers and fringe you want, and tell your stylist how you style your hair every day. Then ask them to repeat the plan back before they start cutting. Most bad haircuts come from words meaning different things to two people.
The five-part script
- Length: “I want it to sit here,” and point to your chin, collarbone, or shoulder blades.
- Shape: blunt or layered, and where the layers start.
- Fringe: none, curtain, side-swept, or full.
- Your routine: “I air-dry most days” or “I blow-dry every morning.”
- What you don’t want: “Please don’t go shorter than my collarbone” or “no short layers on top.”
Words worth knowing
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Blunt | One even line, no layers |
| Long layers | Layers that start low, below the chin |
| Face-framing | Shorter pieces around the face only |
| Internal layers | Weight removed underneath, invisible outside |
| Point-cut | Softer, textured ends |
| Dusting | Removing only split ends |
| Graduation | Short at the back, building up to longer |
More terms are in the haircut terms glossary.
Using photos well
- Bring two or three, and say what you like in each: “the length here, the fringe here.”
- Match your texture. A cut on straight hair looks different on curly hair.
- Bring a photo you don’t like, too. It’s just as useful.
- Use your own face. A photo of the cut on you is the most useful of all.
Ask before the scissors start
- “How will this look when it’s dry?”
- “How long will it take me to style?”
- “How will it grow out?”
- “Does my cowlick or hairline change anything?”
Avoiding common misunderstandings
- “A trim”: show the exact amount with your fingers.
- “Layers”: say where they should start.
- “Volume”: say whether you mean at the roots or at the ends.
- Curly hair: ask if they cut dry. See how to find a curly hair stylist.
If something isn’t right
Speak up during the cut if it looks shorter than expected. If you’re unhappy afterwards, say so kindly before you leave. Most salons will adjust a cut within a week or two. See how to fix a bad haircut.
Related guides
Bring a photo of the cut on you
The most useful photo is your own face with the new cut. Hairover lets you upload a clear photo, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio, so you can show your stylist exactly what you mean.
FAQ
How do I explain what haircut I want?
Bring two or three photos, point to where you want the length to sit on your own body, describe the layers and fringe, and say how you style your hair day to day.
What does 'a trim' mean at a salon?
It means different things to different stylists, from a quarter inch to two inches. Show the exact length with your fingers instead of using the word trim.
Should I bring a photo to the hairdresser?
Yes. Bring more than one, and say what you like about each one. Photos of people with your hair texture are the most useful.
What if I don't like my haircut?
Say so kindly before you leave, while small changes are still easy. Most salons will adjust a cut within a week or two.
