Salon saviours

We ask an expert how to make the most of your hair appointment

Have you ever left a hair salon feeling like you look worse than when you walked in? Ever had a hit to the head with a hairdryer, a catastrophic cut or a bad blow-dry? A recent Hood reader poll revealed 62 per cent of you fear the salon mostly due to these types of hair trauma. Well, enough already! As something of a salon addict (I’m in every three weeks) the thought of so many of you dreading what should be a fun, relaxing, enjoyable experience hit hard. So where does it go so wrong, and how can you avoid it? We sat down with award-nominated hairstylist Corinne Mcnaughton from Medusa Hairdressing (as she transformed my tired barnet) to find out how to get exactly what you want from your appointment. Get ready for your ‘hair era’.

Search for the right salon

Lots of clients pick the salon closest to home or work for ease but, actually, those most serious about getting great hair are willing to travel for it. Get your search skills on and scroll Instagram to find a salon that fits your overall vibe. Then it’s time to decide which hairdresser has a vision best aligned with yours. Most stylists post their best work, and the cuts and colours they most enjoy doing. If you’re scrolling and you like what you see, then they could be the one for you.

Communicate through a consultation

The best way to achieve the best results every time is clear communication. By booking a consultation you can sit with your stylist and discuss your hair goals without the pressure of having to have it done straight away. Wear a favourite outfit and make-up you usually wear, as this will give your stylist visual cues on your sense of style. A good hairdresser should ask you about your lifestyle too, do you have time to blow-dry each morning? Are you a gym bunny? How often will you be able to visit the salon for root touch-ups or fringe trims? This will help us guide you to the perfect cut and colour.

Be totally honest

If you’ve put a box dye on your hair and want balayage, please ’fess up! If you shampoo on the daily we need to know. If you’re using super cheap products, we won’t judge (well maybe a little) but we’d like to know why your colour ain’t lasting… lay your cards on the table and we can consider the best course of action. But telling porkies doesn’t help you or your stylist.

Use picture references 

You love Hailey Bieber’s hair? Great, me too! Oh, not the new short bob she has now? Whoops! The scene from Friends when Phoebe cuts Monica’s hair and messes up by confusing Demi Moore with actor Dudley Moore could become all too real if we’re not singing from the same page. Show your hairdresser pictures of cuts and colours you love and we’ll be able to tell you if it’s achievable. 

Talk about chair etiquette

Many clients use their time in the chair as something of a therapy session with plenty of gossip, sometimes light and often heartfelt. Others use the opportunity to catch up on emails and work. While some totally dread the salon as the thought of chatting to an almost stranger is the last thing they want. Hairdressing is a hugely intimate process and it is essential you feel at ease. Hairdressers are people too, and we want you to feel comfortable and reassured so let us know how you’d like your experience to be. We understand if you need some quiet time.

Speak up

If we’ve followed all of the above we should have arrived at the pretty fabulous destination of a stunning new look. But hey, we’re not infallible and sometimes things go wrong, so please speak up – preferably as soon as you see or feel it unfolding. Most of the time we’ll be able to stop and fix the problem.

Ask for advice 

Your time with your stylist isn’t just about getting a good haircut or colour, it’s also the perfect opportunity to find out how to recreate the style at home yourself. A good stylist isn’t there to push professional products on you, however they wouldn’t be doing their job if they didn’t fully explain what they are using to get the look. Ask lots of questions. How much product do you need? How do they use the straightening iron to create that gorgeous wave? What’s the best way to blow-dry those bangs? Let them help and guide you to great hair every day. 

Vote for Corinne at the Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards here…