Navigating Hair Salon Terminology: A Guide for Clients

Posted On February 9, 2024
Posted by Total Image Hair Designs
In Blog

3 Key Takeaways:

Understanding hair salon terminology is important for enhancing your salon experience. Knowing terms like layered cut, bob, pixie cut, highlights, lowlights, balayage, blowout, flat iron, curling iron, clarifying shampoo, deep conditioning treatment, relaxer, perm, keratin treatment, hair extensions, and more will help you communicate effectively with your stylist.
Effective communication with your stylist is crucial. Building a rapport, asking questions, seeking clarification, and providing clear instructions will help ensure you achieve your desired results.
Understanding hair salon pricing is essential. Different pricing structures, factors that influence pricing, and discussing pricing with your stylist before starting a service will help you avoid surprise charges and make informed decisions.

Understanding hair salon terminology is vital for everyone venturing into the fabulous world of hair styling. It is our collective belief that with comprehensive knowledge of these terms and phrases, one can make informed decisions regarding their hair and ultimately enhance their salon experience. Therefore, we present this guide to help you, our esteemed clients, feel comfortable and confident when communicating with your stylists.

Common Hair Salon Terms and Definitions

Cut and Style Terminology
When we talk about a ‘Layered’ cut, we’re referring to a technique where your hair is cut at different lengths to give a voluminous effect. A ‘Bob’ is a style characterized by hair cut straight around the head, usually at jaw length. The ‘Pixie’ cut is an ultra-short, chic style typically layered to create volume.
Color and Dye Terminology
‘Highlights’ refer to the application of lighter color to specific sections of your hair, creating a multi-tonal look. As the opposite of highlights, ‘Lowlights’ involve adding darker strands. ‘Balayage‘ is a freehand coloring technique that gives a gradual, natural-looking color change from roots to ends.
Styling Tools and Techniques
A ‘Blowout‘ is a styling technique that involves using a hairdryer and round brush to straighten and smooth your hair. A ‘Flat iron’ straightens hair by clamping it between two heated plates. Conversely, a ‘Curling iron’ is used to create waves and curls.

Salon Services and Procedures

Shampoo and Conditioning Services
A ‘Clarifying shampoo’ is used to remove product build-up and impurities from your hair. A ‘Deep conditioning treatment’ nourishes your hair intensely, restoring its health and shine. Additionally, a ‘Scalp massage’ enhances the shampooing and conditioning experience and promotes hair growth.
Chemical Treatments and Processes
A ‘Relaxer’ is a lotion or cream that makes the hair easier to straighten by chemically relaxing its natural curls. A ‘Perm’ is a technique that creates curl or wave patterns in your hair using chemicals. A ‘Keratin treatment‘ smooths and shines frizzy hair by infusing it with keratin protein.
Hair Extensions and Enhancements
Hair extensions are strands of synthetic or human hair added to your natural hair to make it appear longer or fuller. ‘Clip-in extensions’ are temporary, whereas ‘Tape-in’ and ‘Fusion extensions’ are semi-permanent solutions.

Communication Tips for Clients

Effective Communication with Stylists
Building a rapport with your stylist is crucial. Clearly articulate your hair goals, show pictures if necessary, discuss your hair history, and express any concerns you have.
Asking Questions and Seeking Clarification
Feel free to ask questions. Clarify any hair salon terminology or procedure that you’re unfamiliar with. Your stylist will always be happy to explain.
Providing Clear Instructions
Be specific about what you want. The more detailed your instructions, the better your stylist can deliver your desired result.

Understanding Hair Salon Pricing

Hair salon pricing can be a flat rate, charged by the hour, or based on the stylist’s level of experience. Factors that influence pricing may include the type of service provided, the length and condition of your hair, and the product brand used. Remember to always discuss pricing before starting a service and make sure you understand what’s included in the price to avoid surprise charges.

Conclusion

Armed with this knowledge of hair salon terminology, you should now feel more confident walking into a hair salon, ready to articulate your hair desires to your stylist. Open communication is key to achieving your envisioned results.

In Dunedin, FL, we at Total Image Hair Designs pride ourselves on being more than just stylists. We are your partners in your hair journey, always ready to demystify any hair styling terms, and guaranteeing you leave our salon looking and feeling fantastic.