20 Things Clients Do at the Hair Salon Without Realising
20 Things Clients Do at the Hair Salon Without Realising
Things Your Hairstylist Sometimes Wants to Say: “Please Hold Still!” ๐
When we visit a hair salon, we naturally want to sit back and relax.
We check our phones, chat with friends, read a book or even catch up on work while having our hair done.
However, did you know that one small and completely unintentional movement can affect the balance of a haircut, the accuracy of a colour service, the appointment time and even safety?
Most clients are not doing anything wrong on purpose. They simply may never have been told why certain actions can make a stylist’s job more difficult.
This article is not intended to criticise anyone. It is a light-hearted collection of situations that many hairstylists have probably experienced at least once.
Hairstylists may read this and think, “Yes, exactly! ๐”
Clients may find themselves saying, “Oh, so that’s why!”
1. Looking Down at Your Phone During a Haircut
This is one of the most common situations, but it can significantly affect a precise haircut.
When you tilt your head down, the position of the hair around your neck changes. This can alter how the back of the haircut sits and make the line appear different when you lift your head again.
It is especially important during bobs, short haircuts and styles requiring a precise neckline.
If your stylist asks you to look straight ahead, there is a good reason.
During the most precise part of your haircut, try to sit comfortably and look straight into the mirror.
2. Having a Long Phone Conversation During a Haircut
Of course, it is perfectly fine to answer an urgent call.
The difficulty begins when a phone is held between the ear and shoulder, causing the head to remain tilted to one side.
Your stylist then has to work around a constantly changing cutting line.
If the call is not urgent, a simple sentence can help:
“I’m having my hair done right now. Can I call you back shortly?”
3. Turning Your Head While Talking to a Friend
Visiting the salon with a friend can be fun, and you should feel free to enjoy your conversation.
However, repeatedly turning towards your friend, nodding enthusiastically or moving your entire body while laughing can make detailed work more difficult.
It can also create a safety concern when scissors, hot tools or colour brushes are close to your face and ears.
Enjoy the conversation, but try to keep your head facing forward.
4. Looking Down Throughout a Colour Service
Posture is also important during colouring and bleaching services.
If you keep your head lowered while looking at your phone or reading, the sections of hair can move and become more difficult to position accurately.
Checking your phone occasionally is not a problem. However, when your stylist is applying colour around the back or sides, keeping your head in the requested position can make a real difference.
5. Crossing Your Legs and Leaning to One Side
Many clients are surprised to learn that their sitting position can affect a haircut.
Crossing your legs or leaning heavily on one armrest may cause your hips and shoulders to sit at different heights.
Your stylist often uses your head, neck and shoulders as reference points when checking the balance of a haircut.
For precise results, place both feet comfortably and keep your body centred in the chair whenever possible.
6. Trying to Help by Moving Your Own Hair
Sometimes a client kindly tries to help by lifting or moving sections of hair for the stylist.
The intention is appreciated! ๐
However, the stylist will already have a planned sectioning pattern and order of work. Moving the hair may disturb a section that has just been carefully prepared.
Relaxing and allowing your stylist to move the hair is usually the most helpful thing you can do.
7. Lifting Your Head at the Shampoo Basin
When the stylist needs to rinse behind the neck, some clients instinctively lift their head to help.
Unfortunately, lifting the head can create a gap between the neck and the shampoo basin. Water may then run down the neck or inside the client’s clothing.
If your stylist is supporting your head, try to relax and let them lift it for you.
The best way to help at the shampoo basin is simply to relax.
8. Suddenly Saying, “I Need to Leave Soon!”
Colour, bleaching, perm and treatment services each require a certain amount of processing and working time.
If the service has already begun and the client suddenly says, “I need to leave in 30 minutes,” the stylist may have limited options.
Chemical services cannot always be safely or successfully completed by rushing.
If you have another appointment or a strict finishing time, let the salon know before the service begins. Your stylist can then plan the appointment and explain what is realistically possible.
9. Requesting a Completely Different Children’s Haircut at the End
Sometimes a parent initially says, “Whatever you think will look nice,” and then becomes busy with something else.
When the child’s haircut is almost complete, the parent may return and request an entirely different style.
Children often find it harder than adults to sit still for a long time, so beginning the haircut again may not be easy.
If you have a preferred length or style, show the stylist a reference photo and agree on the plan before the haircut begins.
10. Asking for Colour After the Shampoo Is Finished
A client may arrive for a haircut and, after shampooing, decide that they would also like colour, a perm or another longer service.
If sufficient time is available, the salon may be happy to help.
However, colour requires consultation, checking the client’s hair history, preparing products, allowing processing time and considering the next scheduled appointment.
If you are thinking about adding another service, mention it when booking or before your appointment begins.
11. Saying, “You’re the Stylist—Just Choose Anything”
A professional stylist can certainly recommend a style, but they cannot read a client’s mind.
Helpful information includes:
Your occupation and daily routine
How much time you spend styling your hair
The overall look you prefer
Styles you definitely do not like
How much length you are comfortable removing
Whether you regularly tie your hair back
Even simple comments can make recommendations much more accurate:
“I rarely style my hair in the morning.”
“I would like my face to look a little slimmer.”
“I don’t want to lose too much length.”
“Anything is fine” can sometimes be the most difficult request of all.
12. Walking In During a Busy Period and Requesting a Long Service Immediately
An empty salon chair does not necessarily mean that a stylist is available.
The stylist may be monitoring a colour service or preparing for a client arriving in a few minutes.
Walk-in clients are welcome at many salons, but services such as bleaching, perms, keratin treatments and permanent straightening may require several hours.
For longer services, calling ahead is the best way to check availability.
13. Asking for a Long Consultation While the Stylist Is Serving Someone Else
You may see your preferred stylist working with another client and want to ask questions about your next colour or haircut.
A quick greeting is usually fine. However, a detailed consultation can make it difficult for the stylist to focus fully on the client currently in the chair.
Let reception or another team member know that you would like a consultation. Your stylist can then speak with you properly when they have enough time.
The current client’s appointment time is important too.
14. Adding Services but Expecting the Original Finishing Time
“I booked a haircut, but could we also do my regrowth?”
“Can I add a treatment?”
“Would there be time for a fringe perm?”
There is nothing wrong with asking to add another service.
However, every additional service also requires additional time. It may not be possible to add several services and still finish at the original appointment time.
If you are considering multiple services, mentioning them when booking gives the salon a better chance of allocating sufficient time.
15. Not Sharing Important Hair History
A stylist may ask, “Have you ever coloured your hair black?”
The client says no, but during a lightening service it becomes apparent that a home black dye was used several months earlier.
Previous black colour, box dye, bleach, henna, keratin treatments and chemical straightening can all affect the way hair responds to a new service.
Your stylist is not asking to judge your previous choices.
They are asking because your hair history helps them plan today’s service more safely and realistically.
Share as much information as you can, even if the previous service was performed a long time ago.
16. Staying Quiet When Something Feels Too Hot or Uncomfortable
Some clients remain silent even when the shampoo water feels too hot, their scalp starts stinging or the heat from the dryer becomes uncomfortable.
The stylist cannot feel what the client is feeling.
If something is uncomfortable, please say so immediately. This allows the stylist to adjust the temperature, product or technique.
Speaking up is not complaining—it is important information your stylist needs to know.
17. Saying Everything Is Fine, Then Returning for a Completely Different Style as a “Fix”
If a haircut is uneven or there is a genuine problem with the colour, you should contact the salon. A professional salon should assess the concern and explain the available options.
However, a correction and a change of mind are not always the same thing.
For example, if you approved the length and style at the appointment but decide several days later that you would prefer a much shorter haircut, that may be considered a new style rather than a correction.
Take time to look at the finished result before leaving. If something concerns you, mention it while you are still at the salon so the stylist can check it with you.
18. Bringing Children but Not Supervising Them
Hair salons contain scissors, hot straighteners, dryers, chemical products, glass items and staff moving quickly between clients.
This can make the salon a potentially dangerous environment for an unsupervised child.
A stylist applying colour cannot safely supervise a child running around the salon at the same time.
If you need to bring a child to your appointment, please ensure that a responsible adult supervises them throughout the visit.
This helps protect the child, the client and the salon team.
19. Pulling the Hair Forward to Check the Length During the Haircut
Some clients repeatedly pull sections forward to check the length while the stylist is still working.
A haircut is completed in stages:
Overall length, shape, layers, connection, balance, texture, drying and final detailing.
The style may look unfinished or uneven during the middle of this process because it is not yet complete.
Give your stylist time to finish the overall shape. You are always welcome to ask questions if you are concerned, but try not to pull or move the sections while they are being cut.
20. Looking at the Hair on the Floor and Asking, “Did You Cut Too Much?”
Clients with thick hair or layered styles may see more hair on the floor than expected.
However, the amount of hair on the floor does not necessarily show how much overall length has been removed.
Short pieces from layering and weight reduction can spread across the floor and appear to be a large amount.
Instead of judging by the floor, look at the actual length, shape and silhouette in the mirror.
If you are concerned about the amount being removed, discuss it with your stylist before and during the consultation.
Great Hair Is Something We Create Together
A positive salon experience is not created by technical skill alone.
The best results often happen when clients explain what they want honestly, stylists clearly discuss what is possible, and both sides respect the time and process involved.
If you recognise something you have done from this list, there is no need to feel embarrassed.
Most clients have simply never been told how these small actions may affect a salon service.
At your next appointment, remember just three things:
Sit comfortably, communicate honestly and let your stylist take care of the rest.
That is more than enough.
MY US HAIR & BODY
Hair · Scalp · Body · Wellness
Chatswood, Sydney
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