How to tell your hairdresser you don’t like your haircut

A foolproof guide.

It’s something we all dread: that moment when your hairdresser spins you around, and instead of looking like the cutout you brought in of Drew Barrymore at the 2003 Charlie’s Angels premiere (just me?), you resemble a slimy sewer rat. As almost anyone with hair knows, the power of a bad haircut is so immense that it can cause you to cancel social occasions, steadfastly ignore reflective surfaces and avoid hairdressers like the plague.

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But what should you do if you end up feeling like that meme of the lizard in a cape at the salon (if you know you know), mournfully wondering if you’ll ever like your appearance again? To find out, we asked four seasoned hairdressers for their best advice on what to do when you really don’t like your haircut, and how to prevent things from going south in the future.

Adam Anthonisz, freelance stylist at Curlysiouxsie

I’d say the best place to start is coming in with a clear vision of what you’re after. A good description is always great and a photo is even better, especially if you’re not huge on hair terminology. Your hairdresser will hopefully interpret your idea as intended and keep you involved throughout the process when they’re creating shapes and lines, where they fall through the cut and on your face and whether or not it’s appropriate for your hair, how you wear it and your lifestyle.

During the appointment, if there’s something you’re not sure of, don’t be afraid to ask. We know clients don’t know everything about hair, and the way you visualise things and how they turn out can be different. Even with your best description and our best consultation, sometimes things don’t turn out as you’d like, which we understand. Especially with big style changes, I’ll tell clients to let me know if anything doesn’t feel right when they get home or after they’ve given it a wash – it can be hard to tell under salon lights or after a fresh blow-dry.

During or after a service, your hairdresser will ask how you’re feeling about the hair and this is always a great time to speak up too. Oftentimes, all it takes is a toner or some finessing with the scissors. I don’t get offended as I feel it comes with the territory and I welcome feedback. Ultimately you’re the one who ends up wearing the hair.

@addysnips

Becc Snow, founder of Alchemy Salon

Personally, I am very aware of new clients coming into my space and know how daunting it can be to not only trust a new stylist with your hair but also to be in a new environment, sitting in front of a mirror and looking at yourself. For most people their hair holds such value and safety, it’s not just a simple trim!

It’s really important to me that I speak with every new client thoroughly prior to starting any services to really get to know them, and get a sense of their vibe and what outcome they are looking for with their visit. I will also ensure that I communicate any potential areas that may be unachievable for any reason so the client understands why there may be differences from the images they show me to what the end result is. I learnt early on in my career that communication is key!

However, if someone is in this situation, here are my tips as a hairdresser:

Please bring photos to your appointment. We are usually pretty good at understanding what you are explaining to us but words can mean different things to different people – pictures are so much clearer and make it easy to show us what you want. You’re much more likely to avoid having any disappointing results.

Share your concerns with us and speak up as soon as possible. No hairdresser wants you to be unhappy with your hair, we are generally so passionate and care so much about your service, we want you to love it! So if you feel unsure or concerned at any point, don’t be afraid to say something.

If you aren’t feeling confident enough to speak up during your appointment, follow up with an email. We honestly appreciate you communicating with us and giving us the feedback. Most salons will offer you the opportunity to come back in and correct any miscommunications or issues with your hair.

Feel free to email or message us any questions about your service or your hair before you book an appointment. We want you to feel comfortable and confident with what you’re paying for so don’t be afraid to ask questions! We have people emailing us photos of their hair, photos of the type of haircut or colour they want or even asking our opinions on what they should have done before they book an appointment and we love this.

@beccsnow_haircreative

Charlotte Archer, founder and hairstylist at Bob Hair Co

Telling your hairdresser that you’re unhappy with your cut or colour can feel daunting, but as a professional stylist, I can assure you that open communication is crucial and usually welcomed. Here are some tips to help you communicate with your stylist:

Speak up promptly. If you notice something isn’t right during the appointment, speak up as soon as possible. It’s much easier to make adjustments in the moment than to correct a fully finished cut or colour. Politely expressing your concerns early on can save both you and your stylist time and stress.

When discussing with your stylist what you don’t love, be specific about it. Instead of saying “I don’t like it”, try “I feel like the fringe is too wispy” or “The colour is a bit warmer than I expected”. Clear, constructive feedback helps your stylist understand your goals and how to better achieve them.

Approach the conversation in a calm and polite manner. Remember, your stylist wants you to be happy with your hair. Try to avoid accusatory language. Using statements like “I was hoping for a lighter shade” rather than “You made it too dark”.

Work together with your stylist to find a solution. Most professional stylists are willing to make adjustments to ensure you leave loving your hair. Whether it’s reshaping the cut or adding highlights to brighten the colour, discussing possible fixes shows you’re open to collaboration.

While it’s important to communicate your preferences and share your hair goals, also be open to your stylist’s professional advice. Sometimes a slight modification to your initial request might better suit your hair type or face shape. Trusting their expertise can often lead to a better outcome.

If you leave the salon hating your hair or not loving an aspect of it, contact your stylist or salon as soon as possible. We have a policy for adjustments within a certain timeframe and will always do our absolute best to make sure you leave loving your hair. A follow-up visit can often resolve any lingering issues.

To prevent future mishaps, bring pictures of styles and colours you love. Visual references help us so much and that way there is no room for miscommunication about what you are wanting to achieve. As professionals, we understand that not every single cut or colour will be perfect. Constructive feedback is part of the job, and we strive to improve with each client’s input. Most stylists appreciate honest feedback as it helps us grow and ensure our clients leave happy.

@bob.melbourne

For tips on what to ask for at the hairdresser, head here.