I love my curls, but that doesn’t mean that my hair appointments are always fun. As with any styling or beauty service, what you do before your appointment can make a big difference as to how successful your visit will be. In this article, I’ve compiled some of the most effective preparation tips for curly hair appointments so that you can get the best result possible out of your cut or color.
Taking the time to prepare for your curly hair appointment can help ensure that you get the result you want.
When you’re preparing for your curly hair appointment, it’s important to understand that curly hair is a unique texture. The right cut can help shape your curls and make them look fuller, healthier, or more defined. It can also give you the best possible style for your face shape and hair type.
The benefit of taking the time to prepare before your appointment is that it will help ensure that you get the result you want.
Research to find someone who understands curly hair.
For example, if you’re looking to have a blunt cut with a slight fringe, you need to make sure that the stylist has experience cutting curly hair in the particular style. The same goes for other styling techniques like balayage and color correction. A stylist who specializes in curly hair will be able to give you the best advice on how to better style your curls at home, as well as recommend products that will help maintain the health of your strands longer.
Time your appointment carefully.
I’m sure you already have your hair appointment on the calendar, but don’t forget to consider other factors when scheduling your service. Curly haircuts can take 1.5 to 2.5 hours in general, and color appointments can last up to 5 hours depending on how much coverage is needed. Because these services require so much time, it’s important that you book them in advance so that your stylist can be prepared for your visit—and plan accordingly for their other clients who might need them during the day (and possibly even later in the evening). This way both you and your stylist will be able to properly execute your plan!
Don’t arrive with dirty, wet or pigtailed hair.
Since your stylist needs to work with clean, dry hair, it’s important that you arrive with 100% dry tresses for sanitation reasons. Since curly hair isn’t washed as often it is more likely to hold bacteria. I know, freaky to think about right? If your hair is wet or damp it can be very tricky to predict shrinkage. also don’t tie it back in a ponytail, braids or bun. This also interrupt the natural shape and shrinkage.
Hair must also be detangled before treatment as well–in fact, this is generally part of our prep process! We want you to have great results with each product and technique we use throughout the service; therefore, failure to properly detangle can lead to inconsistent results and longer appointment time overall due to multiple tangling issues. This is a very common inconvenience for those who have not had proper haircut in 2+ years.
Use photos as a visual aid for your stylist.
One of the easiest ways to better prepare for your curly hair appointment is by using photos as a visual aid for your stylist. Take clear photos in good lighting and make sure they align with the stylist’s previous work.
For example, if you have fine coils with minimum natural volume, find an inspo photo of someone with similar hair characteristics as you. If you want to go for a rounded cut that shows off those curls, show your stylist how it looks on others so he or she can replicate it.
Add aftercare products into your budget.
The most important thing you can do is add aftercare products into your budget. You’ll want to buy a professional shampoo and conditioner, as well as a strong holding styler. Your stylist will be able to recommend the best products for your hair texture and lifestyle. Without these products, it’s likely that you won’t achieve the results you want at home.
Be prepare to ask and answer questions during your service.
Knowing what to ask is just as important as knowing how to answer. If you’re unsure about your hair, or have any questions or concerns, it’s okay to ask the stylist. In fact, they’ll probably be happy to help you understand their products and services better—and also may have some helpful tips on how best to care for your curls!
You should also take advantage of this time and use it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself or any other aspect of your appearance that you’d like advice on changing.
Conclusion
Don’t let your curly hair appointment be a waste of money. By preparing for it and bringing the right tools, you can ensure that you are getting the best service possible. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to great hair, there are definitely some steps everyone can take to make sure they get what they want from their stylist.
