10 Things To Skip Before Your Hair Appointment & 10 To Do For The Best Results
Let’s have a heart-to-heart about something more than just hair deep—your next hair appointment.
We’ve all been there, excited yet anxious, hoping to step out of the salon feeling like a million bucks. But let’s face it, sometimes the results don’t quite match our expectations.
Fear not, dear reader, for this guide is here to help bridge that gap!
We’ll chat about ten things you might want to avoid before your big salon day, and ten things to embrace, ensuring you walk out with a bounce in your step and a smile on your face.
1. Using Heavy Styling Products
Those thick mousses and sticky sprays? Leave them on the shelf. Heavy product buildup creates a barrier between your stylist and your hair, making it harder to cut, color, or style effectively. Let your strands breathe so they can be assessed in their natural state.
Products like waxes, gels, and serums can mask your true hair texture, which is essential for determining the right cut or technique. It also affects how color is absorbed and distributed, which can throw off the final result. The cleaner your canvas, the better your stylist can work their magic.
2. Arriving With Tangled Hair
Showing up with a bird’s nest might sound harmless — but it can steal precious time from your appointment. Give your hair a gentle brush before leaving home so your stylist can dive straight into the fun part (aka, making you fabulous).
Detangling on the spot slows down the process and can lead to more breakage if rushed. Your stylist is there to work on your hair’s style, not spend 20 minutes gently teasing out knots. A quick detangle beforehand shows consideration — and lets every minute go toward your transformation.
3. Cutting Your Own Bangs
Step away from the scissors. Trimming your own bangs before your appointment may seem like a quick fix, but it often leaves stylists with damage control instead of creative freedom. Trust the pros — and avoid the uneven fringe regret.
Crooked lines, harsh angles, or too-short pieces are incredibly common with at-home trims. Even a “just a little snip” can change the structure of your cut. Let your stylist handle it — they’ll reshape and refine far better than a bathroom mirror ever could.
4. Coloring Your Hair at Home
Box dye may be tempting, but it rarely plays nice with salon formulas. Home color jobs can create uneven tones or reactions that are difficult (and costly) to fix. If you’re planning to color, let your stylist work from a clean, chemical-free slate.
Box dyes often contain metallic salts or unpredictable undertones that interfere with professional treatments. Even if you think it looks okay, it may be covering unseen damage. Transparency and patience go a long way in getting that dream shade safely.
5. Coming in With Dirty Scalp
Some natural oil is okay — encouraged, even. But if your roots are too oily or your scalp is caked in dry shampoo, it can impact color application and treatment absorption. Aim to wash your hair 24–48 hours ahead of time for the perfect balance.
Overly greasy hair can repel color or cause uneven toning, especially for lighter shades or highlights. On the other hand, freshly washed hair can be too stripped to handle bleach. Hitting that sweet spot means your stylist won’t have to compromise on technique.
6. Booking Without Inspiration Photos
Walking into a salon with no inspiration is like going on a road trip without a map — you might end up somewhere decent, but probably not where you wanted. Verbal descriptions can get lost in translation, but a picture is universal. Even if you’re unsure of the exact cut or color, visuals help your stylist understand the vibe.
Bring 2–3 options so your stylist can find a happy medium between what you like and what works for your hair. Even showing what you don’t want can be helpful. Stylists aren’t mind readers — they’re visual artists, and pictures speak their language.
7. Being Late
Running behind might seem harmless, but it cuts into your appointment time — and limits what your stylist can do. Even a 10-minute delay can throw off their entire schedule, especially if other clients are booked back-to-back. The result? Rushed service or a less-than-ideal outcome.
Being punctual shows respect for your stylist’s craft and time. Plus, it gives you space to settle in, discuss your goals, and enjoy the full experience without clock-watching. Your hair deserves the full slot — don’t short-change it.
8. Not Mentioning Recent Chemical Treatments
Honesty is the best policy, especially in hair care. Neglecting to mention past chemical treatments can throw a wrench in your stylist’s plans. Like trying to cook a dish blindfolded, unexpected reactions can occur. Whether it’s a perm, straightening treatment, or highlights, disclose your hair history.
Your stylist can then tailor treatments to work harmoniously with your hair’s past, ensuring you leave with a smile and healthy locks. Transparency creates trust and leads to the best results.
9. Expecting a Drastic Change Without Prep
Daydreaming of a dramatic new look? It’s thrilling, but expecting a big change without preparation is like wanting to run a marathon without training. Communicate your desires early, and your stylist can guide you through the steps needed to achieve your goal.
Whether it’s subtle highlights or a bold chop, gradual changes can ease the transition. This thoughtful approach prevents hair shock and ensures you’re thrilled with the outcome. After all, great things take time, and your hair transformation is no exception.
10. Skipping Communication About Your Hair Goals
Communication is key, especially when it comes to your hair goals. Skipping this crucial step is like embarking on a road trip without a map. Talk to your stylist about your vision and any concerns. This open dialogue helps them tailor their approach, ensuring you leave with a style that feels right.
Whether it’s maintaining length or adding volume, sharing your goals sets the stage for success. Remember, your stylist is there to help bring your vision to life, so speak up and enjoy the journey.
11. Wash Hair 24–48 Hours Before
Clean, but not squeaky — that’s the goal. Washing your hair a day or two before your appointment keeps natural oils intact, which help protect your scalp during chemical treatments while still allowing products to penetrate properly. Too clean can cause dryness, and too oily can block color.
This sweet spot also allows your stylist to work with your natural texture, volume, and movement. If in doubt, opt for a gentle sulfate-free shampoo and skip the heavy leave-ins. Clean-ish hair = a happy stylist and even better results.
12. Bring Reference Photos
Your words and your stylist’s interpretation may not always align, but photos speak clearly. Whether you’re after a blunt bob, caramel balayage, or curtain bangs — visual examples take the guesswork out of the consultation.
Choose 2–3 pictures that represent what you want, and even bring a few of what you don’t want. This helps your stylist understand your taste and avoid common pitfalls. Think of it as your hair vision board — the more specific, the better.
13. Wear Your Hair How You Normally Style It
How you show up matters — and showing up with your day-to-day hair tells your stylist what your reality looks like. Whether you air-dry, straighten, or scrunch it into waves, they need to see how you live in your hair.
It helps them recommend cuts and styles that work with your actual routine — not just how it looks wet in a salon sink. Plus, it gives them insight into your natural volume, shape, and quirks. The goal is a style that works for you, not just in theory.
14. Be Honest About Hair History
That keratin treatment from six months ago? The box dye incident you’d rather forget? Share it. Your stylist isn’t there to judge — they need to know what’s been done to your hair so they can keep it healthy and avoid complications.
Chemical buildup or leftover color can affect how new treatments behave, especially when lightening or lifting. Full disclosure = fewer surprises and better results. Think of honesty as your hair’s best insurance policy.
15. Arrive On Time
Fashionably late doesn’t work at the salon. Being on time ensures you get every minute of your appointment — and that your stylist has time to execute the vision properly. Running behind means cutting corners, and your hair deserves more than a rushed result.
Plan to arrive a few minutes early if possible. It gives you time to settle in, have a relaxed consult, and enjoy the experience. Respect the clock, and your hair will thank you for it.
16. Ask Questions
Don’t sit in silence if something’s unclear. Whether you’re curious about a product, a technique, or how to style your new cut at home — ask. Your stylist is a pro and loves sharing knowledge.
It also shows that you’re engaged and invested in the outcome, which helps build trust between you and your stylist. Think of it as a collaboration — and you’re allowed to be curious. Ask now, glow later.
17. Communicate Clearly With Your Stylist
The more specific you are, the better your results will be. Talk about what you love, what you’ve hated in the past, how much time you realistically spend styling — all of it matters. Your lifestyle, comfort zone, and preferences help your stylist create something that works.
Don’t be afraid to say what you don’t like too — it’s just as helpful. A good stylist wants you to walk out happy and confident, not confused and quiet. So speak up — your dream hair starts with a great conversation.
18. Hydrate and Nourish Hair Days Before
Think of it as a mini prep for your strands. Using a deep conditioner or hydrating mask a few days before your appointment helps strengthen your hair and improve elasticity, especially before color services.
Healthy hair takes color better, styles more beautifully, and is less prone to breakage. Avoid doing this the night before, though — over-conditioning right before a chemical treatment can create slip. A few days in advance is ideal.
19. Be Open to Suggestions
Bring your ideas, yes — but leave room for professional guidance. Your stylist knows what works with your face shape, your hair texture, and even your lifestyle. Sometimes the best transformations happen when you’re flexible.
That doesn’t mean letting go of your vision, just being open to tweaks. You might walk in wanting one thing and leave with something better. Great hair moments often come from collaboration, not rigidity.
20. Wear a Neutral Top to Better See Color Results
Color reflects — and your outfit can influence how it’s perceived. Wearing bright or bold colors can cast shadows or warm tones onto your face and hair, skewing how the final color looks. Neutrals like white, beige, gray, or soft taupe give the truest view of your new shade.
This especially matters when doing color corrections or subtle tone changes. It also makes photos more flattering if your stylist takes before-and-after shots. Keep it simple up top — and let your hair steal the show.